A new information board has been officially unveiled at the Cwmparc Blitz Memorial, honouring the 28 lives tragically lost in an air raid during World War II.
The commemorative event brought together Cabinet Members Councillor Maureen Webber BEM, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forces Champion, and Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health & Communities and local Councillor for Treorchy, with local residents, pupils from Parc Primary School, and members of the Cwmparc Blitz Memorial Project Committee.
The unveiling event aimed to honour those who lost their lives in the devastating attack of April 29, 1941, which left widespread destruction across the village and forced over 700 people from their homes. Installed on Park Road, the site where ten homes once stood, the new information board shares the history and impact of the 1941 Blitz on the Cwmparc community.
It was developed by the Council’s Heritage Service in partnership with members of the Memorial Committee and features a QR code that links visitors to further information on the Council’s War Memorial Digitalisation Project.
Councillor Maureen Webber BEM, Deputy Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council and Armed Forces Champion, said: “Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is deeply committed to preserving the memory of those who tragically lost their lives during the Cwmparc Blitz.
“The Council will ensure that this important site is maintained and respected for future generations. The recent repairs and installation of an information board will help educate our community about the significant historical events of April 29, 1941.
“It is our duty to honour the resilience and bravery of the people of Cwmparc, and we are proud to support initiatives that keep their stories alive.”
Since its opening in 2022, the memorial site has become a focal point for remembrance and community engagement. The Council took on ownership of the Cwmparc Blitz Memorial in November 2024, ensuring that all future repairs and maintenance will be covered under the Council’s memorial budget. This transfer was agreed at a meeting between the Cwmparc Blitz Committee and Councillor Andrew Morgan OBE, Leader of Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, Councillor Maureen Webber BEM, and Councillor Bob Harris.
Councillor Bob Harris, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Communities and Elected Member for Treorchy, said: “I am pleased to say that the new board is now in place at the Cwmparc Blitz Memorial, helping to keep local history alive and to preserve the memories of the 28 victims who tragically lost their lives.
“I extend my gratitude to everyone involved in the creation of the board and all those who attended the unveiling, helping to preserve this important chapter of local history for future generations.
“The Cwmparc Blitz Memorial and the new information board now stand as a place for remembrance, education, and reflection – honouring the resilient community and ensuring the stories of those lost can live on.”
The information board is dedicated to the story of the tragic events of the night of April 29, 1941. The small village of Cwmparc, just outside of Treorchy, was devastated by a raid from the German air force – the Luftwaffe. This raid resulted in the largest loss of life in a single night in the Rhondda.
The coal-mining valleys of South Wales, including Cwmparc, were considered blitz-free and had been relatively untouched by bombings, making the attack even more unexpected and tragic. The raid involved 25 bombers dropping a variety of bombs, including high explosive and incendiary (flammable) bombs, which caused a significant amount of destruction. Key locations in Cwmparc, such as Park Terrace, Park Chapel, and Upper Treharne Street, were hit, resulting in extensive damage and the deaths of 28 people, including evacuees from London who had been sent to Cwmparc for safety.
The community was deeply affected, with many homes destroyed and families devastated by the loss of loved ones. A memorial service was held on May 5, 1941, at Salem Welsh Baptist Chapel, followed by mass burials at Treorchy Cemetery. An illuminated two-faced clock was unveiled as a permanent memorial, and the community continues to honour the victims through various commemorative activities.
