1,000 trees in honour of Cardiff’s WW1 veterans

Over 1,000 trees are being planted at Hendre Park to create a lakeside memorial wood in honour of the brave Cardiffians who served in World War One. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Local schoolchildren from Ysgol Pen Y Pil, St Illtyd’s and Corpus Christi High Schools joined Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Derbyshire, the Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Cllr David Walker, Deputy Lord Lieutenant for South Glamorgan, Sue Thomas and High Sherriff of South Glamorgan, Heather Stevens at a special event today where the last of 17 established standard oaks were planted. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Bob Derbyshire, said: “As well as the oak trees we have dug in today, we will also be planting approximately 1,000 younger trees. Given time, these will grow to be a living memorial to the courage of all those Cardiffians who served during World War One.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Over 2,000 Cardiffians lost their lives during the four years of fighting with the youngest to die being Harold Jenkins of 8 Werfa Street, Roath. He was only 15 years old. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A permanent memorial will be unveiled at the site in July. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​