Rupert Hallowes.
Rupert Hallowes was the son of Doctor Frederick and Mary Hallowes, of Dan-y-Ffynnon, Port Talbot. He was a sidesman, the Secretary of the Parish's Men's Society and a Scoutmaster at St Theodore’s Church, Port Talbot. He is the only person from Port Talbot to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Two Clayton and Bell stained glass windows depicting the Archangels Michael and Gabriel are dedicated to his memory within the church.
Whilst fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Hooge in the Ypres Salient, Belgium, between 25th September and 1st October, 1915, Second Lieutenant Hallowes displayed heroism and untiring energy in protecting his men. On more than one occasion he climbed up on the parapet, utterly regardless of danger, in order to make daring grenade raids against the enemy trenches to prevent any German bayonet charge. Already wounded, when the supply of Mills bombs was running low, Hallowes crawled to the rear under heavy shell fire and dragged up another box of grenades. Even when mortally wounded he continued to suppress the Germans with grenade attacks giving his own life to save his men.
A pair of windows, a pair of iron gates and a name on a memorial: not much for a man who gave his own life to save many lives. I think perhaps he should have had a Port Talbot street named after him so that someone in Port Talbot would say his name each day. Just think how many grandchildren owe their existence to the fact that Rupert Hallowes saved the lives of three dozen men.
Further information found at
www.brookwoodcemetery.com/Rupert-Hallowes.htm
By Vance Broad 2013
Whilst fighting at Sanctuary Wood, near Hooge in the Ypres Salient, Belgium, between 25th September and 1st October, 1915, Second Lieutenant Hallowes displayed heroism and untiring energy in protecting his men. On more than one occasion he climbed up on the parapet, utterly regardless of danger, in order to make daring grenade raids against the enemy trenches to prevent any German bayonet charge. Already wounded, when the supply of Mills bombs was running low, Hallowes crawled to the rear under heavy shell fire and dragged up another box of grenades. Even when mortally wounded he continued to suppress the Germans with grenade attacks giving his own life to save his men.
A pair of windows, a pair of iron gates and a name on a memorial: not much for a man who gave his own life to save many lives. I think perhaps he should have had a Port Talbot street named after him so that someone in Port Talbot would say his name each day. Just think how many grandchildren owe their existence to the fact that Rupert Hallowes saved the lives of three dozen men.
Further information found at
www.brookwoodcemetery.com/Rupert-Hallowes.htm
By Vance Broad 2013
|
|