A SERVICE was held at Llandudno War Memorial to mark the 20th anniversary of the death of Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans.
Lance Cpl Evans, of Llandudno, died in a helicopter accident in Kuwait on March 21 2003. The 24-year-old was one of the first soldiers to die in the Iraq war.
Known as 'Welly' to his family and friends, Lance Cpl Evans had been in the army since 1996. His younger brother served in the same unit.
The memorial service, organised by the Llandudno branch of the Royal British Legion, was held on Tuesday, March 21.
Lance Cpl Evans's family and soldiers from his former unit were in attendance as well as Lord Lieutenant of Clwyd, Harry Fethersonhaugh, and cllr Carol Marubbi, the mayor of Llandudno.
The service was led by Reverend Nigel Rodgers.
Peter Kingston, chairman of the Llandudno branch, Royal British Legion, said: "It is important to pause, reflect and remember those who both served and died in the Iraq War as their service is often overlooked compared to other wars and conflicts."
Lance Cpl Evans was the oldest son of Theresa Evans and the late Gordon Evans and grew up on Conway Road, Llandudno. He was a former Ysgol John Bright pupil and was with the "local" army cadet force for five years before joining the army in 1996. He passed through Army Training Centre, Pirbright. After further training at Larkhill, he successfully completed the Commando Course.
He initially served with 8 Commando Battery before a transfer to 148 (Meiktila) Commando Forward Observation Battery, 29 Commando, Royal Artillery.
Adrian Hughes, secretary of the Llandudno branch, Royal British Legion, said: "148 Battery are specially qualified in calling artillery, naval gunfire control and airstrikes to support 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines and UK Special Forces. They are experts in covert insertion, patrols behind enemy lines, concealment, encrypted communications and battle damage assessment.
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"Welly was deployed in Sierra Leone and Afghanistan before being sent out to the Gulf in 2003. He was one of six lads from the same street who served in the Gulf. They called themselves the 'Conway Crushers'. Lance Bombardier Evans was a keen sportsman and played rugby for Llandudno Rugby Club.
"Operation TELIC was the codename for British operations in Iraq, which lasted from March 19 2003 to May 22 2011. During the campaign, 179 British service personnel died.
"20-years-ago last Tuesday, an American Sea Knight helicopter crashed south of the Kuwaiti border with the loss of eight British troops and four US servicemen. Amongst those who died were three men of 148 Battery: Sergeant Les Hehir, Lance Bombardier Llywelyn Evans aged 24 of Llandudno and Operator Mechanic Communications Ian Seymour, Royal Navy."
Mr Kingston paid tribute to Lance Cpl Evans's mother, Theresa Evans.
He said: "She has done so much for the armed forces community since her son’s death."
In 2010, Lance Cpl Evans's death was recognised with the Elizabeth Cross and Memorial Scroll. Mrs Evans, who endured further suffering when her husband Gordon died and her other son Dewi was killed in a car crash in 2008 on Christmas day, received the medal in his honour.
Mr Hughes thanked all those who attended the service.
He added: "Thank you to the businesses that have been so generous with their support and donations including funeral directors Lord Brown and Harty who printed the service sheets for free, the Troop Café on Mostyn Broadway that served free refreshments after the service and Asda, Llandudno who supplied cakes and biscuits."
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