Free Wales Army

The Free Wales Army ( _cy. Byddin Rhyddid Cymru) was a paramilitary Welsh nationalist organisation, formed out of Lampeter, Mid Wales, by William Julian Cayo-Evans in 1963, as a replacement for the then supposedly moribund Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru.

The organization's objective was to establish an independent Welsh republic. The Byddin's White Eagle of Eryri symbol became a familiar sight, painted on walls and bridges throughout Wales. The Army's motto was "Fe godwn ni eto"," Welsh for "We shall rise again." Its crest was Eryr Wen, a white eagle mounted on dark green shield, commonly seen in shorthand, with the flag of Wales on the top left hand corner.

tructure

The Byddin consisted of a number of commanding units leading a structure of ranks and volunteers. These commanding units were often isolated and worked within the tight precepts of army directives. Activities were largely limited to training in the Welsh countryside armed with surplus IRA equipment, and small–scale operations. Although the media treated this surreptitious movement with some ridicule, the authorities took them seriously enough to bring court action against the leading figures in 1969, resulting in lengthy prison sentences for them.The trial against the six leading members (including Julian Cayo Evans) was the longest lasting court case/trial seen in Wales to date.

The exact number of members who were active is unknown, but probably numbering "no more than about 20" [cite web |title=Free Wales Army inquiry revealed |date=30 March, 2005 |accessdate=2008-07-14 |publisher=BBC News Online] . The byddin consisted of a nationwide network consisting of 200 active members and many more sympathisers.

The smallest unit of the army was the Section, composed of six volunteers. This was the basis of army organisation in any area. The Section volunteers lived in close proximity, and were available for service at short notice. At this level the Section Commander (highest ranking officer) worked closely with the Company Adjutant to oversee operations in their Cantref.

Four Sections formed one District Platoon. Four platoons formed one Area Company.

So as to avoid overlap of operations the commander in chief split Wales into five areas of operation each made up of their respective "Cantrefi":
* "Gogledd Orllewin" (North West Wales): Brown
* "Gogledd Ddwyrain" (North East Wales): Red
* "Canolbarth" (Central Wales): Green
* "De Orllewin" (South West Wales): Black
* "De Ddwyrain" (South East Wales): Blue

Ranks

* "Gwirfoddolwr" - Volunteer
* "Gwir.saf 1af" - Volunteer 1st class: Snowdon Lilly on right sleeve
* "Corfforol" - Corporal (NCO): one burgundy strip on dark green epaulette slides
* "Sersiant" - Sergeant (NCO): two burgundy strips on dark green epaulette slides
* "Ailisgapten" - 2nd Lieutenant: one burgundy eagle head on dark green epaulette slides, and burgundy flash behind cap badge
* "Isgapten" - Lieutenant: two burgundy eagle heads on dark green epaulette slides and burgundy flash behind cap badge
* "Capten" - Captain: three burgundy eagle heads in triangle on dark green epaulette slides and burgundy flash behind cap badge
* "Uchgapten" - Major: two burgundy strips one burgundy eagle head on dark green epaulette slides and peaked officers cap with burgundy flash behind cap badge
* "Cadlywydd" - Commandant: two burgundy strips, two eagle heads on dark green epaulette slides, and peaked officers cap with burgundy flash behind cap badge
* "Cadlwydd Cadfridog" - Commandant General: two burgundy strip, three eagle heads on dark green epaulette slides, and peaked officers cap with burgundy flash behind cap badge.

Uniform

All volunteers wore a bottle-green peaked cap or beret with eagle crest. A bottle-green combat jacket, civilian trousers, neck scarf, combat boots, and bottle-green webbing belt rounded out the uniform for Privates and NCOs, and black or leather webbing belt with peaked officers' cap for officers. The colour of the beret and neck scarf varied depending on the area of operation of the soldier's attachment.

General service dress uniform consisted of a dark green blazer with an eagle crest.

Decorations and Awards

Decorations created by the Byddin were rarely issued and often crude in appearance; only ribbons were worn on field uniforms. Medals were worn in order of importance, with the most important on the left.Fact|date=February 2007

* Order of St.David: Awarded for outstanding furtherance of the freedom movement and recognising outstanding achievements. Ribbon: black and yellow. Medallion: gold cross
* Cross Of Llywelyn: Awarded for leadership in addition to bravery. Ribbon: two vertical red and green bars. Medallion: silver Celtic cross embossed with eagle.
* Cross Of Glyndwr: Gallantry in the face of the enemy, and individual acts of courage. Ribbon: violet. Medallion: bronze Celtic cross with dragon rampant.
* Merit Of Incarceration: In recognition of six or more months incarcerated. Ribbon: vertical black and white bars with single thin red bar. Medallion: Three bar grid.
* Assault Dagger: Participant in at least three separate assaults; brass hilt and ceremonial dagger.
* Blood Medal: For serious wounds or loss of life, in the name of freedom. Ribbon: black with single thin vertical red bar.
* Distinguished Service: Service for specified periods of time. Ribbon: blue (4 years), blue with silver trim (12 years), blue with gold trim (20 or more years)

Timeline of notable events

* February, 1963: The FWA is formed.
* October, 1965: The FWA confronts Lord Mayor of Liverpool at the opening of Tryweryn reservoir.
* October, 1967: The FWA column appeared on David Frost's show.
* June, 1969: Final preparations made to storm Caernarfon Castle to stop investiture of Prince Charles as Prince of Wales.
* July, 1969: The Criminal Investigation Department's operation "Cricket" comes to fruition with the arrest of the FWA leadership.
* March, 1995: The Death of Commandant William Julian Cayo-Evans.
* May, 2004: The Death of Commandant D. Cosslett.

References

*cite book | first=Roy | last=Clews | title=To dream of freedom | id=ISBN 0-86243-586-2
*cite book | first=Dennis | last=Coslett | title=Rebel Heart
*cite book | first=Sean | last=O'Callaghan | title=The Informer | id=ISBN 0-552-14607-2
*cite book | first=Dennis | last=Coslett | title=Patriots and Scoundrels | id=ISBN 0-86243-718-0

ee also

* Mudiad Amddiffyn Cymru
* Meibion Glyndŵr

External links

* [http://www.geocities.com/freewalesarmy/] Free Wales Army Official Site
* [http://www.cayo-evans.com]
* [http://www.balchdercymru.com]
* [http://www.guardian.co.uk/obituaries/story/0,,1643301,00.html Obituary of AH Lewis]
* [http://open.bbc.co.uk/catalogue/infax/programme/WT+03034_6 BBC catalogue entry for programme about Tryweryn floodings]
* [http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/walesonair/database/march.shtml BBC story]