Bodelwyddan Church

[mow cop]

A Welsh Church known as the Marble Church, but in the church yard there are some unusual grave stones, they are Canadian solders, killed during a riot in the nearby Kimnal Park army camp if you can see the date February 1919.

The war was over but not the killing. these boys just wanted to go home.

Alan.

[sparker1]

Nice shots, sad story.

[mow cop]

When I first stopped at the church to take a photograph , I could see all the graves were sited at one end of the church and only these grave stones were placed together on the prominent side. They were relatively new stones ,but the date on all of them was 1919.

I have since read that there was army camp near-by and after the first world war there were a large number of Canadian troops billeted there.

There was a considerable amount of bad feeling towards the living conditions and the cold weather, the American troops had returned home. But the Canadians were still held in England.

The bad feelings eventually erupted in rioting, and Canadian troops were ordered to fire on their own countrymen .

The riot and the numbers of men killed were kept secret after the war ,the relatives of the men who lost there lives would never know the way in which they died .

In recent times the story must have come to light and led to the grave stones being placed there , you can see the small Canadian flags which have been left quite recently.

We should all be thankful that there are men prepared to give their lives for the protection of a land which is not their own.

They are all Heroes.

Alan

[dewmuw]

Hi Alan, great pics. I pass by here very often - I live about 5 miles away (as the crow flies).

I remember being told that the families of the dead soldiers were informed that they had died of smallpox. Obviously an attempt to cover up the truth.

My little gallery:

http://www.pbase.com/dewmuw/bodelwyddan

[mow cop]

Thanks Dewmuw

I was just passing and called in to take a quick photo,

I live about 60 miles away, but not quite as the crow flies.

Enjoyed your gallery.

Alan

[jopfin]

I really like your(their) story and the pictures do it justice, good job.............Joe

[techlab2k]

Hi, I think http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Morton_Stanley mother is buried there as well...

[wildabouthorses]

Interesting story with your photos, thanks for sharing.