Bargoed Journal. — 1912-01-18 (Gelligaer, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

ABERTRIDWR MEMORIAL.  Death before Dishonour.  mt. following facts regarding a beautiful monument which has been erected at the Churchyard, Eglwysilan, by public subscription, in honoured memory of Annie Dorothy Lawrence, of Aberfawr Terrace, Abertridwr, who died August 17th, 1908, under tragic circumstanceg will be read with interest.  Some three years ago our readers will remember that a terrible murder was committed at Abertridwr. when a young girl named Dorothy Lawrence was cruelly murdered by her lover, who afterwards made a confession front which it was clear that this pure minded girl of only nineteen possessed tremendous courage 88 is proved by the fact that she gave up her life rtaher than her virtue. Mies Lawrence was a faithful member of St. Peter's Church, Sen. ghenydd, having only been confirmed a few weeks before her tragic death by the Bishop of LlandalL who at a subsequent confirmation service at Eglwysilan Parish Church visited the girl's grave and in a most sympathetic address spoke with great impressiveness of the noble and inspiring example of this young and courageous girl. Such widespread sympathy was aroused in the district that it owes unanimously decided at a subsequent meeting of the members of St. Peter's Church to erect a memorial over her grave, and thus a public appeal for funds in order to erect a memorial to her faithfulnese nese to the Welsh mote " awell angau nor Gwarth " was made. An influential committee consist ng of members of St. Peter's Church was thereupon formed, and the Rev. Gw lym Rees, the cnrate of St. Peter's Chnrch (now Rector of Llanbrynmair, Montgomery) was elected chairman, the duties of hon. treasurer being carried out by Mr. Edward Morgan. clerk at the Sengimaydd Colliery Offices, whilat Mr. G. T. Starkey, chemist, Commercial Street, Senghemuld. undertook the work of hon. secretary, which he carried out most efficiently and energetically, and he deserves much praise for the manner in which he worked to make the scheme a success. As the outcome of a generous response it has been possible to erect a beautiful monument, the work having been carried out by Mr. John 'Jenkins, of Treforest, whose design and contract was selected by the committee from a number of competitors. The memorial, which stands fift. high, is surmounted by a fine fieure which represents the emblem of purity. The inscription upon the column reads :—" (',well rumen na gwarth. This monument was erected by public subscription in honoured memory of Annie Dorothy Lawrence, the beloved daughter of William and Alm, Lawrence, of Abertridwr, who died Aug mat 17th, 190$. yielding up he, life rather. than her virtue. Aged 19 years." " Blest ace the pure in heart for they shall tao God." Among, those; ~-ho most generously reFomnded IA the hen. secretary's appeal were the Marquis of Bute, the Earl ofPlyinouth. Viscount, . - . . _ _ _  Tredegar, I,lrd Aberdare, Bishop of Llandaff; the Rev. 1). Lloyd Rees. Rector of Eglsysilan Lord Merthyr. Lord Sinian Stuart. M.P.. Co), E. M Bruce Vapietan. V.D.. Mrs. IfOr of Pendoylan ; Captain St. Ledger Davies and a larg 1171,1 her of residents in the immediate vicinity of the tragedy. We are asked to state that the fin • noial part of the scheme has been duly settled