0:00:00 > 0:00:00- Subtitles
0:00:00 > 0:00:02- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:00:05 > 0:00:10- Over 37 million people were killed - or wounded during the 1914-1918 War
0:00:12 > 0:00:18- Ellis Williams, a young soldier from - Trawsfynydd, was one of the wounded
0:00:20 > 0:00:23- He recorded his experiences - in a diary...
0:00:24 > 0:00:26- ..which, until today, - remained unseen.
0:00:29 > 0:00:35- This is his story in his own words.
0:00:43 > 0:00:48- This is the most pleasant - and warmest spot in the area.
0:00:51 > 0:00:54- It offers shelter - from the cold westerly wind...
0:00:54 > 0:00:58- ..and you know nothing - of rough weather and storms...
0:00:58 > 0:01:02- ..other than the sound of the wind - in Glasfryn woods.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17- This was the most terrifying place - ever to be seen.
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- I don't believe you could - even imagine such a place.
0:01:32 > 0:01:33- Thousands died there.
0:01:36 > 0:01:38- Some hanging from branches.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43- Others kneeling.
0:01:50 > 0:01:53- I heard other boys groaning...
0:01:53 > 0:01:57- ..but there was very little hope - of help arriving.
0:02:27 > 0:02:32- This was an unforgettable day - for many.
0:02:39 > 0:02:43- 16 July 1916.
0:03:36 > 0:03:42- I don't remember him talking about - the War or about his experiences.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45- I don't think - he talked much about it to anyone.
0:03:45 > 0:03:49- I think he read a lot. - His house was full of Welsh books.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53- Among those, there was a copybook. - Some sort of diary.
0:03:53 > 0:03:56- I opened it and started to read.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59- I thought it was an ordinary diary.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04- On the first pages, he wrote about - his time as a young boy in Traws...
0:04:05 > 0:04:08- ..and about his time - working as a farmhand.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11- I left it unread for several years.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16- Years later, - I then realized what was in it.
0:04:17 > 0:04:20- Once I started reading it, - I couldn't put it down.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25- When I'd finished reading it, - I realized I didn't know this man.
0:04:25 > 0:04:29- I was really close to him, - but I didn't know him at all.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35- I sometimes had the feeling - he relived things...
0:04:35 > 0:04:38- ..but he never talked about it.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40- We never heard him complaining.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43- We grew up with him...
0:04:43 > 0:04:46- ..so we didn't think - he was different from anyone else.
0:04:47 > 0:04:48- He was Unc to us.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55- It seems he found it easier - to take a pencil and some paper...
0:04:56 > 0:04:58- ..and write about his experiences.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02- He struggled to talk about it - with another person.
0:05:03 > 0:05:04- That's a shame.
0:05:05 > 0:05:09- But it's wonderful - that he did write it all down...
0:05:09 > 0:05:11- ..or we'd know nothing...
0:05:11 > 0:05:13- ..about what happened to him.
0:05:22 > 0:05:26- I enlisted in the army - in June 1915.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36- This was the beginning - of my military life.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44- I was in Blaenau Ffestiniog - initially.
0:05:44 > 0:05:49- A lot of boys from Blaenau, - Penrhyndeudraeth, Porthmadog...
0:05:49 > 0:05:53- ..Dolwyddelan and the - surrounding area were there too.
0:05:53 > 0:05:56- Many married men also enlisted.
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- The government paid a good wage.
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- They had wives and children...
0:06:02 > 0:06:07- ..but they received more money than - they would have done in the quarry.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14- Many were too old to be soldiers...
0:06:14 > 0:06:19- ..but the government was keen - to boost the army's numbers...
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- ..and any kind of soldier would do.
0:06:26 > 0:06:28- Many regretted their decision.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34- The day arrived - to move to Winchester.
0:06:35 > 0:06:37- I'd been a soldier - for five months...
0:06:37 > 0:06:41- ..and this was - my first glimpse of England.
0:06:41 > 0:06:45- I was about to embark - on my real soldier's life.
0:06:51 > 0:06:56- Government propaganda persuaded men - that this was a good thing to do.
0:06:56 > 0:07:01- They thought they'd be heroes - and protectors of our country.
0:07:02 > 0:07:05- That naivety and innocence...
0:07:06 > 0:07:08- ..is clear to see, - I would have thought.
0:07:09 > 0:07:16- It also gave young lads a chance - to go away, dressed in uniform...
0:07:16 > 0:07:19- ..learn to handle a gun - and come home as heroes.
0:07:19 > 0:07:23- These boys thought - they were going to live forever.
0:07:23 > 0:07:28- The thought of being killed - or wounded didn't enter their heads.
0:07:28 > 0:07:33- In my opinion, that was - the most unfortunate thing of all.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37- They had no idea what they - were letting themselves in for.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41- I had shooting lessons every day.
0:07:42 > 0:07:45- I enjoyed this new life, - far from home.
0:07:48 > 0:07:53- I then made one - of the biggest mistakes of my life.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57- I was given a job - as the colonel's batman.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59- I liked the work.
0:07:59 > 0:08:04- I had to clean his quarters, - make his bed, clean his shoes...
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- ..and take care of him - when he was drunk.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- Then I started to feel trapped - and uncomfortable.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- I missed the boys' company.
0:08:19 > 0:08:21- I told the colonel - about my unhappiness.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26- He asked me many times to reconsider - and to stay as his batman.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- "We're going over to France - in a few weeks, as you know."
0:08:31 > 0:08:35- But I'd made my decision.
0:08:37 > 0:08:38- There was no turning back.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41- I joined the other boys.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- I regretted it many times.
0:08:50 > 0:08:55- I would never have laid eyes on the - trenches of France and Belgium...
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- ..had I remained - as the colonel's batman.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12- This is the day to say farewell - to the old country.
0:09:12 > 0:09:14- Everyone packed their kit...
0:09:14 > 0:09:17- ..ready to board the train - to Southampton.
0:09:21 > 0:09:26- We were all on the boat by - eight o'clock that Saturday night.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33- It was the final Saturday night - for thousands of men...
0:09:33 > 0:09:37- ..and for more than three quarters - of the division.
0:09:45 > 0:09:45- .
0:09:50 > 0:09:50- Subtitles
0:09:50 > 0:09:52- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:09:54 > 0:10:00- Around 280,000 Welshmen - enlisted in the British Army
0:10:02 > 0:10:08- Over 35,000 of those perished
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- You cannot compare it - with the modern age.
0:10:22 > 0:10:26- This is a world - where everyone has plenty...
0:10:26 > 0:10:29- ..and nobody - is truly in need of anything.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33- The world has changed so completely.
0:10:33 > 0:10:37- It has lost the sympathy - and kindness it once had.
0:10:38 > 0:10:43- People no longer experience - the feeling of sharing a burden.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47- There's no time for such things.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- I have a child's recollection - of him.
0:10:51 > 0:10:53- When we were children...
0:10:53 > 0:10:58- ..we did recognize that there was - something unusual about him...
0:10:58 > 0:11:01- ..because of his facial injuries.
0:11:01 > 0:11:06- I would gaze at him from a distance, - wondering what had happened to him.
0:11:06 > 0:11:11- I didn't know if he'd been born like - that or if he'd been in an accident.
0:11:14 > 0:11:19- My earliest memories of Ellis - come from when I was five or six.
0:11:20 > 0:11:24- I remember sitting on his knee - and touching his face.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28- I knew Uncle Ellis's face - wasn't like everyone else's face.
0:11:29 > 0:11:31- I remember touching his nose.
0:11:31 > 0:11:33- That's my earliest memory of him.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37- He just sat there meekly...
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- ..not making any attempt - to brush my hand away.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45- I was very young, so I had no idea - why his face was like that.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48- I couldn't ask him either, - at that age.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57- We reached France, at last.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02- There was no time to dawdle - and take a look at the country.
0:12:04 > 0:12:08- We started to march through - an extremely dirty old town.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13- The local people - looked rough, unkempt and poor.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19- It gave me the impression - that the French have dirty ways.
0:12:22 > 0:12:27- We travelled for 20 miles a day - until we reached Belgium.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- On the fourth day of our journey...
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- ..we passed two large farms - with soldiers staying on them.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- Then, suddenly, - a boy shouted my name.
0:12:41 > 0:12:46- It was a boy from Trawsfynydd - - Robin Alec from Tyddyn Bach.
0:12:47 > 0:12:51- It was strange to see him - looking as he did.
0:12:52 > 0:12:58- He shook my hand - and he wept for no reason at all.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- He walked with us.
0:13:00 > 0:13:04- We talked and he asked questions - for a mile or so.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06- He was delighted to see a Welshman.
0:13:07 > 0:13:11- We understood that we were - close to reaching the front.
0:13:14 > 0:13:18- Having reached the place - where we were to stay...
0:13:18 > 0:13:21- ..the sound of the artillery - could be heard clearly.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- The people we saw there - seemed agitated and frightened.
0:13:29 > 0:13:30- They welcomed us.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34- "British good. Germans no good."
0:13:39 > 0:13:45- They also asked us for food - but we didn't have enough to share.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55- And then, the day dawned...
0:13:56 > 0:13:59- ..when we went to the trenches - for the first time.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11- The Saturday before Christmas 1915.
0:14:36 > 0:14:39- I never imagined - I would see such a place.
0:14:44 > 0:14:49- The shells fell all around me, - rifles were fired here and there...
0:14:50 > 0:14:53- ..and I could hear - the pinging of bullets.
0:14:56 > 0:14:58- If you raised your head...
0:14:59 > 0:15:01- ..a sniper would get you.
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- It was a completely different world.
0:15:12 > 0:15:16- He went from looking after sheep - and milking a few cows in Wales...
0:15:16 > 0:15:21- ..to a place of mud, water, - shooting, firing...
0:15:21 > 0:15:26- ..and, most frightening of all, - the shelling.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28- The artillery.
0:15:28 > 0:15:30- It wasn't just the fact...
0:15:30 > 0:15:35- ..that they smashed things - and were destructive.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39- It was also - about the psychological effects...
0:15:39 > 0:15:42- ..of shells - flying through the air...
0:15:42 > 0:15:45- ..not knowing where they'd land.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47- The last one hit next to your pal...
0:15:48 > 0:15:51- ..blowing his head off - while his body kept running.
0:15:52 > 0:15:54- Truly horrendous experiences.
0:16:00 > 0:16:04- There was a place - which we called Whiz-Bang Corner.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- We had to crawl to get past it.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- Many suffered - serious injuries there.
0:16:13 > 0:16:16- You would often hear no sound...
0:16:17 > 0:16:18- ..other than an explosion.
0:16:22 > 0:16:28- Many of us were wounded - and I took a blow to my head.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38- I felt a longing - for the old country.
0:16:39 > 0:16:45- I thought if I rubbed dirt into the - wound and made it look inflamed...
0:16:45 > 0:16:50- ..maybe it would give them an excuse - to send me home.
0:16:55 > 0:16:59- In sections of the diary, - you sense that he'd had enough.
0:16:59 > 0:17:05- He'd even tried to injure himself - to get sent back to Blighty.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- He wanted to be sent home.
0:17:08 > 0:17:12- His plan didn't work and he had - to return to the trenches.
0:17:13 > 0:17:15- He would later be wounded there.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18- There are so many stories - from World War I...
0:17:18 > 0:17:23- ..about soldiers having a tot of rum - before going over the top.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- That was their life.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28- People died all around them - and they were lucky...
0:17:29 > 0:17:33- ..if they weren't killed - by a piece of shrapnel or a bullet.
0:17:34 > 0:17:37- They were generally described - as cannon fodder.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43- He thought he was doing - what was expected of him.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46- What the country expected of him.
0:17:47 > 0:17:52- What the country told him he would - be richly rewarded for doing.
0:17:52 > 0:17:57- He was there to protect our liberty - and our freedom of speech.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00- Of course, he didn't understand...
0:18:01 > 0:18:04- ..and the men - didn't know any better.
0:18:08 > 0:18:10- The wound healed, in time...
0:18:10 > 0:18:13- ..and I had to return to the front.
0:18:13 > 0:18:17- This time, I had to go deeper - into the centre of France.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- This was a really strange place.
0:18:23 > 0:18:28- Strange and dangerous, with trenches - which twisted more than a snake.
0:18:31 > 0:18:35- One night, the Germans - blew up a mine beneath us.
0:18:36 > 0:18:40- Eight of us were buried there - and we couldn't move.
0:18:42 > 0:18:46- I can honestly say - I had a very narrow escape.
0:18:51 > 0:18:56- We had to go to no-man's-land - to lob hand grenades at the Germans.
0:18:56 > 0:18:58- They did the same to us.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- This is what we called - nerve testing.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- And then, I lost my partner.
0:19:16 > 0:19:20- William Arthur Jones - from Ffestiniog.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26- He was shot by a stray bullet.
0:19:28 > 0:19:29- He was my friend.
0:19:30 > 0:19:32- Better than a brother.
0:19:34 > 0:19:36- I missed him terribly.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59- He saw some horrific things.
0:20:00 > 0:20:01- Terrible things.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07- He told us about a friend of his - from Traws who was blown up.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12- He said Bobby Morris's brain had - landed in his hands in the trench.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14- He talked a lot about that.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- But he didn't bear any grudges - or blame anyone.
0:20:19 > 0:20:20- He was amazing.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29- He was meek and mild-mannered.
0:20:30 > 0:20:34- Looking back now, having read - about his life history...
0:20:34 > 0:20:40- ..it's hard to believe a man who had - suffered so much was so gentle.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44- I remember him - as a man who enjoyed carpentry.
0:20:44 > 0:20:48- He had a small black shed - at the bottom of his garden...
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- ..and that was the place - where he got some peace.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- Without getting too deep...
0:20:55 > 0:21:00- ..I would say spending hours - carving wood was therapeutic.
0:21:00 > 0:21:05- That probably helped him cope - with everything he'd been through.
0:21:30 > 0:21:30- .
0:21:35 > 0:21:35- Subtitles
0:21:35 > 0:21:37- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:21:40 > 0:21:44- The Battle of the Somme - started on 1 July 1916
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- Central to the battle was - Mametz Wood in north west France
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- Of the 8,000 - killed or wounded there...
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- ..4,000 came from - the 38th Welsh Division
0:22:06 > 0:22:08- Ypres, north west France...
0:22:10 > 0:22:11- ..April 1916.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17- By this time, spring had started - to adorn the countryside.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23- It looked very fertile - and the land was green and lush.
0:22:28 > 0:22:33- The thing which really attracted - my attention was the horses.
0:22:33 > 0:22:35- Grey and white ones.
0:22:35 > 0:22:38- Heavy horses with good frames.
0:22:41 > 0:22:45- It reminded me of a time - when I worked on a farm in Bala...
0:22:45 > 0:22:48- ..and I saw the smartest horses - I've ever seen.
0:22:49 > 0:22:51- They would lie down...
0:22:51 > 0:22:55- ..then they would jump up, - flinging their hooves around.
0:22:55 > 0:23:01- It was wonderful to watch them enjoy - themselves in the morning mist.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37- I can certainly say - that there was a lot of fighting...
0:23:37 > 0:23:39- ..but there were quiet periods.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43- We had chances to peer - out of the trenches...
0:23:43 > 0:23:46- ..and see the Germans - doing the same thing...
0:23:46 > 0:23:48- ..and looking back at us.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52- We thought they were Bavarians.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56- It's understandable - that they didn't want to fight.
0:23:56 > 0:23:59- Some of them - shouted across to us in English.
0:24:00 > 0:24:02- "We don't want to fight.
0:24:03 > 0:24:06- "Don't you fire. We won't fire."
0:24:08 > 0:24:11- And that's how it was - while we were there.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23- And then the day that would - change my life forever dawned.
0:24:26 > 0:24:30- We were called suddenly one night...
0:24:30 > 0:24:33- ..to fight the Huns - in a huge forest.
0:24:35 > 0:24:40- A place known as Mametz Wood.
0:24:41 > 0:24:46- It was a terrible battle, in which - the Welsh fought all day and night.
0:24:48 > 0:24:53- The Germans used machine guns, - or daisy cutters as they were known.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56- Daisy cutters - describes exactly what they did.
0:24:57 > 0:25:01- They shot at the enemy's legs - and the men would fall over.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06- They would then be finished off, - as the gun was still at a low level.
0:25:06 > 0:25:10- That's the kind of thing - they were up against at Mametz.
0:25:10 > 0:25:14- It was a strategically important - location for the Germans.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17- They wanted to use it as a base...
0:25:18 > 0:25:22- ..from which they could advance - deeper into France.
0:25:24 > 0:25:29- We were told that we were to - take the woods sometime before dawn.
0:25:32 > 0:25:35- The bombardment began - at around seven o'clock.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46- Around 200 heavy artillery guns - shelled the woods...
0:25:46 > 0:25:49- ..as we waited in the trenches - to go over the top.
0:25:58 > 0:26:03- A little while later, - they started to shoot liquid fire.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09- The trees ignited - and the whole place was aflame.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16- The heat was so intense, - it was unbearable.
0:26:18 > 0:26:20- Then came more shelling...
0:26:20 > 0:26:24- ..and more liquid fire was shot - into the heart of the woods.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29- At sunrise the following morning...
0:26:30 > 0:26:33- ..we were called - to advance into the woods.
0:27:03 > 0:27:07- This was the most terrifying place - ever to be seen.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22- I don't believe you could - even imagine such a place.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35- Thousands died there.
0:27:42 > 0:27:44- Some hanging from branches.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46- Others kneeling.
0:27:46 > 0:27:49- You only had to touch them - and they would fall.
0:27:55 > 0:27:57- I heard other boys groaning...
0:27:57 > 0:28:01- ..but there was very little hope - of help arriving.
0:28:15 > 0:28:18- This was an unforgettable day - for many.
0:28:22 > 0:28:26- 16 July 1916.
0:28:42 > 0:28:48- Some allegedly intelligent men - directed the soldiers.
0:28:49 > 0:28:54- We know what General Haig said after - one of the Passchendaele battles...
0:28:55 > 0:28:59- ..where 30,000 men were killed - in a single day.
0:28:59 > 0:29:02- He wrote in his diary - that it was "A good day's work".
0:29:03 > 0:29:05- What sort of man would write that?
0:29:05 > 0:29:07- It's beyond comprehension.
0:29:07 > 0:29:12- It's impossible to understand - the thought processes of generals...
0:29:13 > 0:29:15- ..and other high-ranking officers.
0:29:15 > 0:29:20- What on earth did the - ordinary soldier make of it all?
0:29:20 > 0:29:25- There was clearly a huge amount - of naivety attached to them.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37- I saw blood pouring from my face.
0:29:39 > 0:29:42- Having gathered myself - reasonably well...
0:29:42 > 0:29:45- ..I thought it best - that I attempted to move.
0:29:46 > 0:29:51- I felt myself grow weaker - because of the blood loss.
0:29:53 > 0:29:55- And then came the full stop.
0:29:58 > 0:30:02- It was getting dark - when two stretcher-bearers found me.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07- They proceeded to carry me, - though I don't know how far.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14- When we reached - the first dressing station...
0:30:14 > 0:30:19- ..my face felt swollen - and I could only see out of one eye.
0:30:23 > 0:30:28- And then, I was placed on the ground - next to some other casualties.
0:30:28 > 0:30:31- Some complained loudly - and others groaned.
0:30:35 > 0:30:36- A doctor came by.
0:30:36 > 0:30:40- "Take him to the ambulance. - And him. And him."
0:30:40 > 0:30:41- He then reached me.
0:30:43 > 0:30:46- "We'll leave him. - He might not come through."
0:30:53 > 0:30:56- But I had another opportunity...
0:30:56 > 0:30:59- ..and I was taken away - from the din of the battle.
0:31:07 > 0:31:12- He said he was conscious for a while - after his face was blown up.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18- Some Welshmen had come past - and told them to let him die.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22- But one of the Germans - looked at him and said...
0:31:22 > 0:31:25- .."He's still breathing. - We'll save him."
0:31:25 > 0:31:28- Ever since then, - he admired the Germans.
0:31:28 > 0:31:32- He saluted Germans, - no matter what happened...
0:31:32 > 0:31:35- ..even if it was - something on television.
0:31:35 > 0:31:38- He had great respect - for the Germans.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40- I remember that very clearly.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47- It was a huge stroke of luck.
0:31:47 > 0:31:51- He'd been lying in the mud for days.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55- People walked past him - and he heard voices say...
0:31:55 > 0:31:59- .."Leave him! He's dead. - He'll never make it."
0:32:00 > 0:32:02- He doesn't challenge it.
0:32:02 > 0:32:06- He didn't come home from the War - having become a pacifist.
0:32:07 > 0:32:08- He accepted his lot.
0:32:08 > 0:32:11- He was a soldier - and injuries happened.
0:32:12 > 0:32:16- Having said that, he never - talked about these atrocities.
0:32:23 > 0:32:23- .
0:32:28 > 0:32:28- Subtitles
0:32:28 > 0:32:30- Subtitles- - Subtitles
0:32:36 > 0:32:41- Two million British troops - were wounded during the War
0:32:43 > 0:32:49- The majority of those - were sent back into battle
0:33:03 > 0:33:06- The journey to Boulogne - was a long one.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13- Ships sailed from there to Blighty - but I was not allowed to leave.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17- I was put in the hospital.
0:33:18 > 0:33:23- A doctor there - specialized in facial wounds.
0:33:23 > 0:33:27- I was one of his first patients.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32- He had no previous experience - of working on humans.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36- He would catch wild animals - and practise on them.
0:33:36 > 0:33:38- When war broke out...
0:33:38 > 0:33:41- ..he thought he should come over - to help the boys.
0:33:50 > 0:33:52- Half his face had gone.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54- His nose had disappeared.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58- The doctors used processes - which were very new at the time.
0:33:58 > 0:34:02- They used what's now known - as plastic surgery...
0:34:02 > 0:34:04- ..to rebuild his face.
0:34:05 > 0:34:08- They used one of his ribs - to create a new nose.
0:34:08 > 0:34:11- That was a totally new technique...
0:34:11 > 0:34:14- ..and a very new science - in the medical world.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24- I'll never forget the story...
0:34:24 > 0:34:29- ..of the time when he was lying - in bed, waiting to go into surgery.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33- He described the way - they removed part of his rib...
0:34:33 > 0:34:35- ..and used it to create a new nose.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40- They then removed skin from - his forehead to place over the nose.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43- I think that's what struck me - the most.
0:34:43 > 0:34:48- He underwent surgery in 1916 - in a very primitive hospital.
0:34:48 > 0:34:53- This remarkable man who did this - great job of repairing his face...
0:34:53 > 0:34:58- ..which allowed him to live a fairly - normal life following that...
0:34:58 > 0:34:59- ..is incredible.
0:35:00 > 0:35:02- The photographs show very clearly...
0:35:02 > 0:35:06- ..what major facial surgery - he underwent and survived.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17- They took a photograph as a record - of your condition on arrival.
0:35:27 > 0:35:30- The first task - was to construct a new upper lip.
0:35:31 > 0:35:34- A month later, I had one...
0:35:34 > 0:35:36- ..and I could speak again.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42- He then proceeded - to create a new nose for me.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47- He took a piece of skin - from my left arm....
0:35:47 > 0:35:49- ..and stitched it to my face.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53- I was like that for six weeks.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56- I couldn't move a muscle.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03- When they removed the bandages...
0:36:03 > 0:36:07- ..they found - that it had been unsuccessful.
0:36:07 > 0:36:10- They had a second attempt, - using a section of a rib...
0:36:11 > 0:36:13- ..inserted into my forehead.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21- After two months, it had taken.
0:36:22 > 0:36:25- Then they cut around the rib...
0:36:25 > 0:36:30- ..leaving plenty of skin - so the doctor could create a nose.
0:36:36 > 0:36:41- I had 18 operations in all - before it was a success.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00- One day, the sister - came onto the ward...
0:37:01 > 0:37:04- ..and asked me - if I could help the nurses tidy up.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08- They were expecting special visitors - after lunch.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14- Rumours flew around that it was - to be the King and Queen.
0:37:15 > 0:37:19- They'd heard - about the doctor's work.
0:37:19 > 0:37:24- Everyone who was physically capable - of doing so stood by their bed.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27- The Queen touched my nose...
0:37:27 > 0:37:30- ..and asked me if it was stuck.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36- When they'd left, we had a tea party - and a concert on the ward.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- Many of us had suffered terribly...
0:37:46 > 0:37:49- ..but we were fortunate - compared to some others...
0:37:50 > 0:37:52- ..and we were quite happy - with our lot.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00- Another Christmas came...
0:38:00 > 0:38:03- ..and I was told - that I would head for Blighty.
0:38:04 > 0:38:09- The day soon arrived - and I left to board the ship.
0:38:11 > 0:38:16- I arrived at Royal St George's - Hospital, London, on a fine day.
0:38:17 > 0:38:23- On the third day, the matron asked - if we'd like to go into town.
0:38:25 > 0:38:30- The buses were free of charge - and everyone was terribly kind.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35- Some took us to buy food - and some took us to the cinema.
0:38:37 > 0:38:42- Some people came to the hospital to - ask if we wanted to go for a walk.
0:38:44 > 0:38:48- We had an interesting and fun time, - all things considered.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- January 1918.
0:39:22 > 0:39:25- Orders came through - to move us to Wrexham...
0:39:25 > 0:39:27- ..where I expected to be discharged.
0:39:27 > 0:39:31- But there wasn't a mention - of being released from the army.
0:39:34 > 0:39:37- We were then given orders - to fall in on parade...
0:39:38 > 0:39:41- ..and each one of us - was told to fetch a rifle.
0:39:42 > 0:39:43- Nobody moved.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48- The officer told us - we had to obey orders...
0:39:49 > 0:39:51- ..or face a court martial.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57- We told him - we were expecting a discharge...
0:39:57 > 0:39:59- ..because we'd done our bit.
0:40:02 > 0:40:06- Then, suddenly, - the great flu arrived...
0:40:06 > 0:40:08- ..and many boys died.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- We had to bury them - and give them a military funeral.
0:40:15 > 0:40:19- That meant we had to - shoot our rifles over the grave.
0:40:20 > 0:40:26- We buried two, three - or four every day.
0:40:29 > 0:40:30- Hundreds died.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40- Summer 1918.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44- One sunny afternoon, I went - for a walk through the camp...
0:40:44 > 0:40:47- ..and out a little - into the countryside.
0:40:49 > 0:40:54- A group of around two dozen soldiers - came to meet me.
0:40:55 > 0:40:59- Among that group - was John, my brother.
0:41:01 > 0:41:04- I hadn't seen him since 1915.
0:41:06 > 0:41:10- News had reached me - that he'd suffered a foot injury...
0:41:11 > 0:41:13- ..but that he'd returned to France.
0:41:14 > 0:41:16- I'd heard nothing more...
0:41:18 > 0:41:20- ..until I saw him that afternoon.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36- Rumour had it - that we were to be discharged.
0:41:38 > 0:41:40- It couldn't come soon enough for me.
0:41:42 > 0:41:44- At long last, it came.
0:41:46 > 0:41:49- I hadn't been home - for over three years.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51- The excitement was great.
0:41:52 > 0:41:57- I was also nervous - because of my facial injuries.
0:42:01 > 0:42:04- Words cannot describe - my experience that day.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09- Everyone wanted - to take a look at me.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16- And then, my father appeared.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21- But he didn't recognize me.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34- What went through his mind?
0:42:34 > 0:42:37- What did they see - when they looked at him?
0:42:37 > 0:42:39- He looked totally different...
0:42:40 > 0:42:43- ..and he must have borne - psychological scars.
0:42:44 > 0:42:49- Visually, he clearly wasn't the same - man as the one who left Trawsfynydd.
0:42:49 > 0:42:52- It must have been - going through his mind.
0:42:52 > 0:42:55- On the other hand, - like any other person...
0:42:55 > 0:43:00- ..he was glad to be home - with family and friends...
0:43:00 > 0:43:04- ..and leave - that horrific war behind him.
0:43:08 > 0:43:10- Despite all those injuries...
0:43:11 > 0:43:14- ..somehow or other, - he settled back into village life.
0:43:15 > 0:43:19- He even went back to work - two or three years later.
0:43:19 > 0:43:22- He worked on the railway - until he was an old man.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27- He went back to playing football too - as photographs show.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31- He played football - despite his facial injuries.
0:43:31 > 0:43:33- He was an extremely brave man.
0:43:35 > 0:43:39- I remember going to Llandudno - with him in his Austin 7.
0:43:40 > 0:43:45- We were about to set off for home - but we went to the toilet first.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48- Just as he went to the toilet...
0:43:48 > 0:43:51- ..a mother and her young son - passed us.
0:43:51 > 0:43:56- He said, "Mummy, look at that man! - He's got a face like a monkey."
0:43:57 > 0:43:59- We struggled - to get him to come home.
0:44:00 > 0:44:01- He was broken-hearted.
0:44:02 > 0:44:05- That's the only time - I saw him really upset.
0:44:06 > 0:44:08- That incident has stuck in my mind.
0:44:08 > 0:44:10- He felt really hurt that day.
0:44:21 > 0:44:25- I was a child - of the 1950s and the 1960s.
0:44:26 > 0:44:30- We saw nothing - and we had no experience...
0:44:30 > 0:44:35- ..of what World War I - or World War II were really about.
0:44:36 > 0:44:40- We had no idea about the things - which these simple, ordinary men...
0:44:41 > 0:44:44- ..went through - when they were so very young.
0:44:44 > 0:44:48- Many of them never came home.
0:44:48 > 0:44:52- It's vital that we remember them - and remember what they endured.
0:44:52 > 0:44:54- We must never forget.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00- The diary is a record - of the life of an ordinary man.
0:45:01 > 0:45:05- Uncle Ellis wasn't famous, - nor would he want to be famous.
0:45:05 > 0:45:10- I'm not even sure he'd be happy now - that his story is being told!
0:45:10 > 0:45:12- But it's extremely important.
0:45:12 > 0:45:15- He represents - thousands of young men.
0:45:15 > 0:45:17- Everyone knows Hedd Wyn's story.
0:45:18 > 0:45:20- But thousands - died in the trenches...
0:45:20 > 0:45:25- ..and thousands of others - were wounded and returned home.
0:45:25 > 0:45:30- Thousands of young men had no - opportunity to tell their story...
0:45:30 > 0:45:34- ..but now, after Unc has passed away - his story is very much alive.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09- This is the most pleasant - and warmest spot in the area.
0:46:11 > 0:46:15- It offers shelter - from the cold westerly wind...
0:46:16 > 0:46:22- ..and you know nothing - of rough weather and storms...
0:46:24 > 0:46:28- ..other than the sound of the wind - in Glasfryn woods.
0:46:46 > 0:46:54- Ellis Williams died in February 1967 - in Trawsfynydd aged 71