THE South Wales Branch of the Western Front Association will be making their annual visit to Great War Battle Fields of France and Flanders on the Thursday until Monday, May 22 to 26, 2014.

Staying at Ypres and visiting areas around Mons where the early battles in which the British Expeditionary Force were involved took place. They will also be visiting the Menin Gate "Last Post" Ceremony and laying a Wreath in Remembrance of those who died defending the town against the advancing German Armies, particularly the Welch Regiment, South Wales Borderers, the Monmouthshire Regiment and the Royal Welch Fusiliers .

Additionally the South Wales Branch will be organising a special event for July 2016 which will commemorate the 38th Welsh Division's action at Mametz Wood where, from July 7-12, 1916, they fought and took the wood from the German Lehr Regiment. In doing so they suffered almost 4000 casualties.

David Petersen's sculpture of The Red Dragon is currently being refurbished at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Workshops at Ypres. New Steps leading up to the memorial are being installed and the vegetation surrounding the memorial is being reduced and new ground level bushes will be planted.

To ensure that the memorial is in pristine condition for the Centenary Commemoration the branch has been raising funds. Should members of the public wish to donate to our funding they can do so by cheque made payable to The South Wales Branch Western Front Association and sent to Paul Kemp the treasurer at 11, Brenig Close, Cwm Talwg , Barry CF62 6BL.

David Hughes

Acting chairman South Wales Branch Western Front Association