Crug Glas Chapel, Swansea

Crug Glas was a Calvinistic Methodist church situated on Chapel Street, in the Greenhill area of Swansea. It was built in 1799 and extended in 1870. The area was always a poor one and many of the houses were small and cramped. During slum clearances in the 1950s a large part of the area was cleared and redeveloped. In the 1980s the congregations of three churches combined, Babell, Crug Glas and Jerusalem, and Crug Glas Chapel was closed in 1986. By 1989 it had been demolished and the site has now been built on.

The roll of honour is a handsome thing. It measures 50 x 70 cm and it is drawn in coloured ink on board, and it has been lavishly illuminated with gold leaf. It was produced by J. Phillips of Manselton Road, Swansea. The design is colourful and pleasing. Around the frame, four on each side, are the flags of eight allies in the war. The roll is headed 'Y Frwydr Fawr, Rhestr Anrhydedd, 1914-1918, Capel Crug Glas, Abertawe' (the Great War, Roll of Honour, 1914-1918, Crug Glas Chapel, Swansea), while at the bottom is the motto of the Welch Regiment, 'Gwell angau na chwilydd' (better death than dishonour). Between these various elements runs an abstract design that reminds us of Celtic patterns.

The roll records the names of 33 men from the chapel who fought in the First World War, two of whom died in action. The majority were in the army, and their regiments are recorded. Nine were in the Royal Navy and one in the RAF.

Download a large version of the roll of honour (PDF) [6MB](opens new window)

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