Oxwich Church - Mystery and Family Connections

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 6^th 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 12^th century, with a church tower added during the 14^th century.

Inside the church there are memorials dating from the 13^th and 14^th 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 14^th century at Oxwich Bay.

John Dillwyn Llewellyn photograph
Oxwich Church
National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

John Dillwyn Llewellyn photograph
Oxwich Church
National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth

During the 19^th century, the church was photographed by pioneering photographer John Dillwyn Llewellyn.  These photos can be found at the National Library of Wales, Aberystwyth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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!

St. Illtyds Church Burial Register
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

1911 Census
2nd April
Hedley Bevan, Oxwich Castle, Oxwich

 

1911 Census
2nd April
Francis Llewellyn Corker, 6 Sketty Road, Swansea

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

Thomas Taliesin Corker