Oxwich Church - Mystery and Family Connections
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| St. Illtys church Oxwich, Gower, Swansea |
St. Illtyds church, Oxwich is nestled amongst the tress and
is hidden from view on the beach.
The site where the church is situated is thought have been
used for a place of worship since the 6th century. the church which is present today is thought
to dated from the medieval period, the chancel and part of the nave built
during the 12th century, with a church tower added during the 14th
century.
Inside the church there are memorials dating from the 13th
and 14th centuries. Near the
altar there are two effigies of an armed knight and his lady made of local sand
and plaster. It is though that the
effigies represent the members of the De la Mere family of Oxwich Castle, who
drowned during the 14th century at Oxwich Bay.
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| John Dillwyn Llewellyn photograph Oxwich Church National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth |
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| John Dillwyn Llewellyn photograph Oxwich Church National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth |
During the 19th century, the church was photographed
by pioneering photographer John Dillwyn Llewellyn. These photos can be found at the National
Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.
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| Grave of the Unknown Sailor St. Illtyds church Oxwich, Gower, Swansea |
Weeks after the Port Eynon lifeboat disaster, two bodies
washed ashore at Oxwich beach. The
bodies were not of William Gibbs, who was lost at sea. They were unknown, it was thought that they were
crew of a steamer that was lost off Lundy Island, Boxing Day,
1915. One of Unknown Sailors was buried at St. Illtyd’s. Another little mystery in these Gower churches. In the Burial’s Registers, there are two entries
for the burial of two unknown sailors, yet only one grave!
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| St. Illtyds Church Burial Register |
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| Hedley Bevan Grave St. Illtyds church Oxwich, Gower, Swansea with kind permission The War Graves Photographic Project |
A year before, February 1915, Hedley Bevan was buried. He was the son of Francis and Mary
Bevan. Hedley had recently before his
death, served as a private with the Glamorgan Yeomanry.
He had been recovering from influenza, whilst on a long march, fell out
and died at Bridgend. His funeral was
largely attended.
Hedley who at the time of the 1911 Census was residing with his parents at Oxwich Castle. His occupation is recorded at Bank Clerk.
Hedley who at the time of the 1911 Census was residing with his parents at Oxwich Castle. His occupation is recorded at Bank Clerk.
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| 1911 Census 2nd April Hedley Bevan, Oxwich Castle, Oxwich |
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| 1911 Census 2nd April Francis Llewellyn Corker, 6 Sketty Road, Swansea |
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| Francis Llewellyn Corker |
Hedley’s cousin was Francis Llewellyn Corker, the son of the
Swansea Mayor, Thomas Taliesin, at the time of the outbreak of the First World
War. Francis served as a Lieutenant with the 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Francis was officially reported at
missing, June 1916. His body was never recovered,
and he is commemorated on the Loos Memorial.
Francis at the time time of the 1911 Census, is residing with his family at 6 Sketty Road. He is still studying at school
Francis at the time time of the 1911 Census, is residing with his family at 6 Sketty Road. He is still studying at school
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| Thomas Taliesin Corker |
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