MANY people from Llangunllo and Bleddfa as well as members of the Knighton branch of the Royal British Legion, local army and air cadets and their leaders attended the inauguration and dedication of a commemoration plaque to remember three men from Bleddfa who lost their lives in the first and second world wars. The event took place at Llangunllo Memorial Cross on August 3.

The men were 1914-18 Pte George Lewis of Green Cottage, 1930-1945, Driver George W Lello of the Vron and Driver Stanley RG Fletcher of Upper House.

The service was led by Rev John Hanna and included hymns, readings and prayers. The plaque was unveiled by Judy Mitchell, one of the organisers of the event, before the act of remembrance and dedication took place.

The Poem ‘In Flanders Field’ was read by Cllr S Gilbert, The Exhortation (words of commemoration) were read by Ian Burgin of the Royal British Legion and then the last post was played by Sarah Freeman of Knighton Town Silver band. There was a minute's silence followed by the musical piece Reveille and Ian Burgin reading ‘The Kohima Epitaph’. The service finished with a hymn, the blessing and the Welsh and National Anthems. The two oldest residents in Bleddfa, Mr John George (90) and his wife Joyce (88) remember George Lello and Stanley Fletcher. George drove the grocery van from Presteigne around all the local villages and Stanley went to school with John at Bleddfa. John said: “He was a real character, very clever and artistic.” Joyce also remembers Stanley because he worked on her family farm at Whitton. Before going to war Stanley was working for the war agricultural committee. John and Joyce both remember the news of Stanley’s death coming to the village and how his poor mother was so upset. They both attended a special service in The Zion Baptist chapel Bleddfa in his memory.