Pic. Keith Evans, Ann Evans, Michelle Rees, Noah Evans, Angharad Evans, Elizabeth Evans
The family of a local soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Second World War have unveiled a memorial plaque at the former Cynwyl Elfed school building, the very place he attended as a child.
Clifford Lewis Evans, known locally as “Cob,” a nickname earned from a favorite childhood game, was born at No. 3 Surgeon Street, Cynwyl Elfed. The son of Henry and Elizabeth Evans, he grew up alongside his 9 siblings including his sister, Olwen, and two brothers, Elwyn and Jack, both of whom also served in the armed forces.
The Evans family lived at No. 3 Surgeon Street for over a century until recently, when Olwen, the last to live in the family home moved into Glynest Nursing Home.
Cob’s story will ring familiar to anyone who grew up in the rural villages of Carmarthenshire. It was a modest life centered around a terraced cottage, a vegetable garden, a few chickens, and an outside lavatory. Into these homes were often squeezed parents, siblings, and not infrequently Mamgu and Tadcu. They were happy homes filled with fresh air, street games, and hard work, with Sundays strictly reserved for chapel. The main street and Surgeon street remain relatively unchanged and the village despite the tired look is still very much a thriving community struggling to adapt to the changes in modern living. Olwen Simpson remembers better days when there was pride in place and community organisations thrived.
Cob lived a full life in that close-knit home, adored by his family. His sister Olwen (now almost 95 but sharp as a pin) remembered him as a mischievous boy with a heart of gold. Born on his mother’s birthday, he held a uniquely special place in her heart. He attended Cynwyl Elfed School, a modest building that today serves as the village hall. Olwen last saw her brother at their grandmother’s funeral, shortly before he was deployed to France following the D-Day landings in June 1944. A quarryman by trade, Cob was as strong as an ox, stepping up to help liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. The war was to deal a cruel blow to the family of no 3 Surgeon Street.
Cob with his sisters (baby Olwen)
Tragically, Sapper Clifford Evans was wounded in action and passed away on August 29, 1944, at just 24 years of age. He was laid to rest at the Bayeux War Cemetery in Normandy, leaving behind a grieving family who never fully recovered from the loss.
For decades, a commemorative plaque dedicated to Sap. Clifford Lewis Evans hung on the wall of Bethel Chapel in Cynwyl Elfed, where the family regularly left fresh flowers on the ledge beneath. However, when the chapel was put up for sale in 2026, the family faced painful uncertainty regarding the future of the memorial. It is a fate shared by numerous families whose memorials remain inaccessible or else have been lost when chapels and churches have been sold or demolished. Olwen Simpson and her daughter Elizabeth would like organisations like Cadw to ensure the protection of what they say are war memorials and important, treasured historic archives for future generations.
Mrs Olwen Simpson, Cob’s sister has had her wish to see her brother’s memory preserved fulfilled.
With guidance from Carmarthenshire News Online, the family explored relocating the original plaque to the village hall. When legal and policy hurdles made moving the original memorial unfeasible, Elizabeth and Keith Evans, along with Keith’s wife Ann and the full support of the local hall committee, commissioned an exact replica to be permanently mounted inside the hall.
Keith Evans and Noah Evans gave the salute and stood to attention for the last post.
A private, deeply emotional ceremony was held on Wednesday, August 20. In attendance were Cob’s family, Keith and Ann Evans, Elizabeth Evans, and Michelle Rees, alongside Royal Navy Able Rate, Noah Evans (no relation), currently serving on HMS Sutherland.
Noah paid tribute to Clifford’s sacrifice and gave thanks for his service. Elizabeth Evans read a touching tribute written by her mother, Olwen, while Anne Evans led the gathering in prayer. Following a salute from both Noah and Keith a former Guardsman, the Last Post echoed through the hall, followed by the reading of the Ode of Remembrance.
The family wish to express their sincere gratitude to the Village Hall Committee, the local council, the History Society, and Carmarthenshire News Online for helping fulfill the heartfelt wishes of Olwen, Keith, Anne, Elizabeth, Michelle and the entire family.
Clifford’s medals, now treasured by the family.
Inscription on the Memorial Plaque, now at the Village Hall.
