Madam,

I was most interested to read Lyn Ebenezer’s feature headlined ‘Pan oedd Duw ar drai ar orwel pell’ in the Cambrian News of 24 December.

In his article he refers to the imposing dragon towering above the woods in what was originally called the Valle de Gal-lois in Mammetz with the inscription on the plinth:Parchwn eu hym-drechion Parhaed ein hatgofion.

I am the author of those words although no official record has been kept of their authorship, I was invited to the unveiling of the dragon in July 1987 with David Peterson and had the privilege of meeting and talking with some of the veterans of the Great War and hearing their stories. I was also invited back for the 25th anniversary of the unveiling in 2012.

The little couplet which is on the plinth has grown into a full poem based on the stories I heard and from my own research in subsequent years.

I am from the village of Derwengam (Oakford), attended school in Aberaeron and subsequently taught and worked in London and in Cardiff. I now live in Cardiff but have very close links with all my family who live in and around Aberaeron.I do hope this is of some local interest as we are coming up the the centenary of the Battle of Mammetz.

Yours etc

Avril Jones (nee Thomas)

Formerly of the Post Office

Oakford

now of Cardiff.