Memorial to honour hospital’s wartime role
A NEW monument is to be unveiled to commemorate the role Aberdare Military Hospital played during the First World War as part of Armed Forces Day.
It’s in recognition of its use during the First World War as a Military Hospital, staffed by Red Cross nurses, and a new information board will be unveiled on July 1 outside the building on Llewellyn Street, which is now Tegfan Resource Centre, a care home for elderly.
A parade will then follow to nearby Aberdare Park, allowing the public to either join the parade or to line the route in support of our Armed Forces.
A parachute jump will be performed, weather permitting, by the worldfamous Red Devils, the British Army’s Parachute Regiment Display Team at approximately 12pm, followed by the traditional Raising of the Flag Service.
All of this will then be followed by a celebration of the work of the Armed Forces, with lots of fun and family attractions around Aberdare Park.
Armed Forces Day is the opportunity for the public to show their support for the dedicated men and women who make up the Armed Forces community, past and present.
Rhondda Cynon Taf council’s deputy leader, Coun Maureen Webber, with responsibility for Armed Forces, said: “The unveiling of the information board at Tegfan Resource Centre forms an important part of our Armed Forces Day in Aberdare.
“We once again join together to celebrate the contribution made by those who serve and have served in the Armed Forces.
“The Aberdare Military Hospital played a vital role during the First World War, caring for injured soldiers who made it back from the front line. Sadly, many others did not make it back.
“The Armed Forces Day event will be a period of reflection of the past and a celebration of the future, with lots of attractions in Aberdare Park as well as the poignant Raising of the Flag Service.”
The Aberdare Military Hospital was officially opened by Lord Aberdare in September 1915.
Although initially designed to accommodate 60 beds, by Christmas 1917 there were 200 patients resident at the Aberdare Military Hospital.
By the time it closed in May 1919, it had treated 2,000 servicemen and had carried out more than 300 operations.