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SAD BATHING TRAGEDY

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SAD BATHING TRAGEDY FATHER AND SON DROWNED AT LLANSTEPHAN. A gloom was cast over the town and district on Thursday evening, August 26th, when it became known that a distressing tragedy had occurred at Lilanstephan, involving the death by drowning of Mr. Wm. Richards and his son, Bertie Gwyn. Mr. Richards and his wife and family were spend- ing the afternoon at Llanstephan. and his son. aged thirteen, who was a member of the Carmarthen Troop of Boy Scouts, was bathing at a spot below Llanstephan Castle, when he got into difficulties. Another boy ran out of the water and shouted, Bertie is drowning," whereupon Mr. Richards ran into the water without divesting himself of his clothes, and he also got into difficulties. Mr. J. M. Lloyd, son of Mr. Walter Lloyd, J.P.. Carmarthen, and Mr. H. Roberts, eldest son of Mr. D. A. Roberts, 28. Elanerydan-avemie. Swansea, and Mrs. Maggie Jones (daughter of Mr. Richards) made gallant attempts at rescue, but to no avail, for the father and son soon disappeared. Mr. Richards, who was 55 years of age, was well known at Carmarthen, where he was employed as a foreman and traveller for Messrs. W. Spurrell and Son, printers. He had been in this firm's employ for no less than 42 years, a record which speaks well of his capabilities. He was highly respected by a large circle of friends, and his untimely death, to- gether with that of his little son, under such sad and tragic circumstances aroused tne keenest sorrow. Mr. Richards was one of the pillars of the cause at Elim Independent Chapel, where he was a deacon. He was also superintendent of the Sunday Sc oo and took a great interest in training the children. He will be greatly missed at Ehm. He was a member of the Carmarthen Volunteer Teaming Corps and two of his sons are in the army William, who is with the Royal Engineers at the Dardanelles, and Daniel, who is with the R.F.A. at Bedford. Mr. Richards leaves a widow and nine children- four bovs and five girls—with whom the sincere sympathy of all is felt in their great sorrow. THE INQUEST. An inquest on the body of MIÖf William Richards was held by Mr. J. W. Nicholas, coroner, at the Schoolroom, Ferryside, on Saturday afternoon. Mr. 'David Augustus Daniel wa.s foreman of the jury. Evidence of iiontification vjas given by Tudor Thomas Richards, a son of debased, and an atten- dant at the Joint -Counties Asylum. He said his father was 55 years of age, and was a foreman in the employ of Messrs. Spurrell and Son, printers, Car- marthen. He generally enjoyed good health, but sometimes complained of rheumatism. He was not subject to giddiness or fainting. He attended daily to his work. Bledwen Jones (wife of Mr. Thomas Jones, Bryn Mefus. Trevaughan, now serving with the 4th Welsh), a daughter, said that on Thursday last she accompanied her father and mother, three sisters and two brothers to spend the afternoon at i-lan- fctcphan, arriving there at 2..30 p.m. After a visit to the castle, they all went down to the sands near the castle, where they had Tea. About 4.30 her two brothers, Bertie, aged 13, and Egryn; eight, went to bathe. They entered the water in the presence of the other members of the family. The tide was coming in at the time. Bertie went into the water right on .the advancing tide, leaving Egryn near the side. Bertie had gone out about forty yards, when another little boy who was bathing with him, shouted, out that Bertie was drowning. His head was above the water and he appeared to be swim- ming a little. Hearing the cry her father, after divesting himself of his coat and waistcoat. jumped into the water. When her father wa- up to his shoulders in the water, and Bertie had disappeared, lt turned facing them. held up his hands, and fell on Ins back. He also then disappeared. Bv the Coroner—hen he held up his hands his head and' shoulders were well above the water. The witness then entered the water with a lifebelt which was handed her, but she failed to reach them. J. M. Lloyd. son of Mr. Walter Lloyd, chemist, also swam out passed the spot where her father was standing in the water to the spot where Bertie had disappeared, but failed to find him. In coming back Mr. Lloyd searched for her father, who had also in the meanwhile disappeared. Her father had not lield up his hands when Mr. Lloyd passed him to go after her brother. By the Coroner-She could form no idea why her father fell, because he was well within his depth. Thomas Williams. Towy View, Ferryside, a ferry- man, said that at mid-day on Friday he was coming up with his motor-boat, from Llanstephan to Ferry- side. when he saw a body just washing" at the Black barrow post." With the assistance of Ben. Da vie§, postman, he recovered it from the water and landed it at Ferryside. There was a: deep descent at the spot where the deceased lad was drowned. Coroner—That is a dangerous place to batue, then? Witness—Dangerous for those who cannot swim. sir. The Coroner in his summing up said they would all agree that this was an extremely sad and pitiful cape. It seemed strange that the deceased, who was going out to save his little son, should, when barely up to his shoulders, suddenly disappear. One might have had some doubt in trying to ascertain reasons whether it was because of a sudden attack of giddiness or faintniess, but according to the evidence he was not a man who was subject to attacks of that kind. Of course, it was impossible for anyone exactly to say what occurred. There might be some solution of it in the concluding words of the last witness, that at this particular spot where the boys were bathing there was a deep descent. No doubt, if there was anything of the sort, the Coroner said, it would be dangerous. A man goins; into the water, with his clothes on. and naturally excited, for tne purpose of rescuing his son, though he had stopped at that particular spot, probably took two more steps on this descent and disappeared. The right, and proper verdict they should return was that the deceased met with bic2 death by drowning when endeavouring to save his son. A verdict to this effect was returned. THE FUNEII-U,. Tuesday was a day of mourniwg in the little village of Trevaughan, when the mortal remains of the Jate Mr. Wm. Richards were laid to rest in the little burial ground attached to Elim Chapel. Mr. Richards had been a most ardent supporter of the cause at this chapel, and truly may it be said that Elim has lost a staunch friend in the deceased. The very large number which gathered together from far and near to pay their last tribute to the departed bore eloquent testimony to the respect in whicii the deceased was held. There was a short service at the house, at. which the Revs. D. Evans, Park Mill, and D. Williams, Abergwili, took part. Afterwards the cortege, headed by a number of local ministers, wended its way solemnly through the beautiful little village of Trevaughan. Immediately following the ministers were about 50 members of the Carmarthen Volunteer raining Corps, wearing their brassards, Mr. Hardaker acting as command- ant. A short, service was held at the chapel. The Rev. Dyfnallt Owen having read a portion of the Scriptures, the Rev. E. t'iigoed Thomas impressively prayed. One of deceased's favourite hymns being sung, striking tributes to his memory were paid by the Rev. Roberts (present pastor of Elim), and the Rev. Bodfan Anwyl, of Pontypridd, and Stephen Thomas, Salem, Llandilo. both former pastors of Elim Chapel. The three reverend gentlemen bore high testimony to the good work Mr. Richards had done towards the chapel, which had reared him: to his heroism in having died as his Master had in trying to save another—he had died a noble death by attempting to save his son. Another hymn was sung, and the Rev. D. J. Thomas closed the service with a prayer. At the graveside the Revs. W. D. Rowlands and — Griffiths (Talog) officiated. The coffin. which was of plain oak, bore the in- scription:— "William Richard- Died August 26th. 1915. aged 54 years. Members of Elim Chapel car- ried, while his fellow-employees at Messrs. Spurrell and Sons', acted as bearers. The other ministers present included the Rev. T. M. Morgan, vicar, Newchurch the Rev. H. Seiriol Williams; Mr. T. W. Morgan. Philadelphia: Rev. D. Davies, Swansea: and the Rev. J. P. Evans, Peny- graig. The mourners included Mr. Daniel Richards and Mr. Tudor Richards (sons); Mr. T. S. Jones (son-in- law); Mr. T. Joseph. Mr. D. P. Davies (cousins); Mr. W. Griffiths and Mr. T. O. Griffiths: Mr. W. James, Ferryside; Mr. Ernest Evaus, Llanelly; Mr. James Griffiths, Llettycaru; Mr. Evans, Gwynon- dale; Mr. Gordon Griffiths, Gariisfield-terrace; Mr. E. H. Hughes, Francis-terrace, and the -,ev. J. Phillips, Laugharne. Wreaths were sent by widow and children, Elim Church, Carmarthen V.T.C., office staff, St. Peter» R.A.O.B.. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas (Albion), Mr. and Mrs. Morris (Central Hotel), Mr. and Mrs. W. .spurrell, Mr. and Mrs. James (Cadifor Stores), Flossie and Ernie, Ethel and Maud, Mr. John Jeremy and family, Mr. and Mrs. Williams (Tre- vaughanj, family at Morgan Arms, employees at Albion House, Mrs. Thompson and Mrs. S. Thomp- son, Elizabeth, Catherine, Annie and Eleanor; ail at Tegfan; Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Edwards (Francis-ter- race); C. Henley and E. R. King; Hugh, Iorwerth and Ivor Spurrell; Jim; Fanny Davies (Spurreil's) Ethel A. Jones fSpurrell's); Esther (Greenhill): Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and family (Farmers' Arms).

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