The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

Clifford Vernon Walters was a Flying Officer with the Royal Air Force and was killed whilst on active service in March 1941.

Clifford Vernon Walters was the brother of Glyndwr Lewis Walters, who also died in the Second World War.

The information on Clifford Vernon Waltershas been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

	Clifford Vernon Walters To the left is the base of the cross above the grave in St David's cemetery. It reads in full:- In Memory of Sgt. Glyndwr Lewis RAF Who Made The Supreme Sacrifice June 29th 1940 Aged 26 Years And Of F⁄O Clifford Vernon Who Died March 25th 1941 Aged 28 Years "Thy Will Be Done" The Beloved Sons of David Rees and Gwen Walters Plasydarren Penycae

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 3rd February 1934 :-

LEADING AIRCRAGTSMAN CLIFFORD V WALTERS

Leading Aircraftsman, Clifford V Walters, son of Mr and Mrs D R Walters Penycae, who is attached to the clerical section of the RAF has been successful in the final examinations. He has just arrived in Ambala Punjab India where he is pursuing further studies.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 24th March 1941 :-

ROLL OF HONOUR
WALTERS - Cherished memories of F/O Clifford Walters, RAF accidently killed March 1941; also his brother, Sergeant Glyn Walters, RAF missing, presumed killed, while on flying operations with Coastal Command, June, 1940.
   Aunty Maggie, Uncle David, Marie, Howard.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 29th March 1941 :-

DEATH OF FLYING OFFICER
The district has been greatly shocked by the news of the death of FLYING OFFICER Clifford Vernon Walters, husband of Mrs. Edwina Walters and elder son of Mr. and Mrs. David Rees Walters, Plasydarren, Penycae. Although only in his 25th year, Flying Officer Walters had been in the force a few years prior to the outbreak of hostilities, and had gained rapid promotion as an instructor. He was educated at Maes y Dderwen County School, and left to join the Air Force soon after completing his studies there. He was a footballer of no mean repute and had assisted the RAF in several important matches. The sympathy of the district is extended to his widow and parents in their sad bereavement. The funeral takes place on Friday, the interment being at St. David's Church.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 5th April 1941 :-

BROUGHT HOME
Burial of Flying Officer Clifford Vernon Walters

One of the largest funerals ever witnessed in this district took place on Friday last, when the mortal remains of flying officer Clifford Vernon Walters, Penycae, who died on the previous Sunday, whilst on active service, were interred at St. David's Church, where he was a faithful member. His body was brought home from the district where he was stationed, and where before the departure full military honours were accorded, which included a large contingent of officers and airmen. He had served in the RAF for 12 years, five of which he spent on the northwest frontier of India. He returned to this country three years ago, and since his return his progress was rapid. He received his commission, gaining the rank of pilot officer and very soon after he was promoted to the rank of flying officer, and had been recommended again for further promotion at the early age of 27. At the town where he was stationed he had taken an active part in Church work, and he was also president of the Cymrodorion Society.

Messages of appreciation have been received by his widow and parents from his senior officers, of his loyalty and devotion to duty. The beautiful floral tributes which accompanied his mortal remains to his resting place testified to the high esteem and respect in which he was held both in the Air Force and amongst his numerous friends.

The coffin, which was draped with the Union Jack, was escorted by a party of the RAF. The officiating clergy included the Rev. W. Edward Jones, B.A., vicar of St. David's, who was assisted by the Revs J G Hughes, Ystalyfera, Llewelyn Jones, vicar of Upper Chapel, near Brecon, D M Davies, Ty'nycoed, Clayton Evans, Colbren, Bonsall Edwards, Callwen, R Beynon, B.A., Carmel, W Morris, B.A., Nantyffin, J E Evans, Onllwyn.

The service, which was fully choral, was conducted by Mr. Brinley R Jones, choirmaster of St David's and Mr Mark Warnes was the organist.

The mourners were: Mrs Clifford Walters, widow; Mr and Mrs D R Walters, father and mother; Mrs Davies, mother in law; Mr and Mrs John Walters, Waunoleu, Mr and Mrs E T Walters, Glanyrafon, Mr and Mrs D J Jones, Abercrave, Mr and Mrs E Hackford, Nantymoel, Mr and Mrs Morgan Powell, Abercrave, Mr and Mrs Will Jones, Ystalyfera, Mr and Mrs David Lewis, Penycae, Mr and Mrs Syd Lewis, Penycae, Mr Thomas Lewis, Onllwyn, Mr William Walters, Cefncoedbach, Mrs Davies, uncle and aunts; Mr and Mrs E W Davies, Hennoyadd, Mr and Mrs D L Davies, Ty'nypant, Mr and Mrs Richard Davies, Tawelfan, Mr Tommy Davies, Cefn'rerw, brothers and sisters in law; Mr and Mrs L Jones, Brecon, Mr and Mrs Tom Powell, Cardiff, sisters and brother in law; Corp. Howard Jones, RAF., Cosford; Miss M G Davies, Miss R Davies, Miss Maggie Davies, Ammanford; Miss Perina Hackford, Nantymoal, Mr and Mrs Thomas John Walters, Waunoleu, Mr and Mrs D T Phillips, Penycae, Mr and Mrs Colston Walters, Abercrave, Mr and Mrs W S Walters, Colbren, Miss Nano Davies, Cefn'rerw, Miss Verona Davies, Hennoyadd, Mr and Mrs Islwyn Jones, Glanyrafon, Miss Beryl Lewis, Penycae, Master Ken Lewis, Penycae, Miss Joyce Lewis, Penycae, Master Denzil Hackford, Nantymoel, Mr and Mrs W J Thomas, Abercrave, Mr and Mrs D R Lewis, Colbren, Mr and Mrs William Lewis, Colbren Farm, Mr Tom, Llew, Stanley, Howell Lewis and Miss Sal and Miss Mary Lewis, Rhyddffosddu, Mr and Mrs Joe Smith, Seven Sisters, Mr and Mrs D Thomas, Seven Sisters, Mr and Mrs Morgan, Seven Sisters, Mr and Mrs Wyndham Jones, Ystradgynlais, Miss L Davies, Brynawel, Mrs Watkin Davies, Mr Arthur Griffiths, Abercynon, Mr and Mrs David Lewis, Penygraig, Mr Howell Jeffreys, M.E., Colbren, Mr David Powell, B.Sc., Abercrave, Mr and Mrs Uriah Jones, Abercrave, Mr W Harcourt Griffiths, Johnnie Griffiths, David Griffiths, Herbert Griffiths, Cwmtwrch, Mr and Mrs Bill Watkins, Cardiff, Mr W Lewis, Glynneath, Miss Mary Lewis, Glynllech, Mr and Mrs James Evans, Llwynrhyn, Mr Dewi Jeffreys, schoolmaster, Caehopkin, Mr and Mrs D Islwyn Morgan, Hennoyadd, Mr T J Lewis, Glynllech, Mr David Jeffreys, Camnant, Mrs Baden Broome, Ystalyfera, Mr David Kemeys, Colbren, Mr William John Powell, Abercrave, Councillor David Lewis, J.P., Mrs Lewis, Glynllech, Mrs Lewis, Rhydffosddu, Mrs Powell, Glynmeinu, Mrs Mary Powell, Yniswen, Mrs Harriet Williams, Yniswen, Mr Richard Jeffreys, Tycoch, Mr Llew Morgan, Caeglas, Mr and Mrs T W Lewis, Colbren, Mr Emrys Jones, Mr Vivian Jones, Mr Islwyn Jones, Miss Jean Jones, Master Norman Davies, London, Master Lyn Davies, Ty'nypant, Master Ieuan Davies, Cefn'rerw, Mrs Price, Colbren, Mrs Hodge, Mr and Mrs W B Jones, Colbren, Mr Dyfed Lewis, Colbren, Mrs Eluned James, Colbren, Mr Tom Jones, Cefnbyrie, Mr W Millar, Colbren, Mr Morgan Davies, Pentwynelen, Mr Morgan Davies, Brooklands, Mr and Mrs Morgan R Williams, Glyntawe, Mr Arthur Williams, Nantcaerefail, Mr Llewelyn Morgan, Derlwyn, Mr and Mrs James Davies, Swansea.

His cousin, Flight Sergeant Sam Walters, RAF, was unavoidably absent.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 24th March 1945 :-

ROLL OF HONOUR

WALTERS - Cherished memories of F/O Clifford Walters, RAF accidentally killed March 1941; also his brother, Sergeant Glyn Walters, RAF missing, presumed killed, while on flying operations with Coastal Command, June, 1940.
"Too dear to be forgotten": Aunty Maggie, Uncle David, Marie, Howard.