Dorothy Thomas is the widow of the late Reverend Canon Harald Thomas.
She was at last Saturday’s service to rededicate the war memorial in Pontnewydd on its 100th anniversary.
Guests were told: “On behalf of the Royal British Legion, I would like to thank Mrs Dorothy Thomas, her son Michael, and other family members, for being with us today. Dorothy’s husband. was the late Reverend Canon Harald Thomas MBE, himself an army veteran who completed his national service in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.
“Harald’s father John, fought in the First World War, he saw action in the battle for Mametz Woods, where he was gassed, but in spite of this, he later went on to fight in two other campaigns.
“Post-war, John was one of those involved in the coordination and organisation, leading to the founding and construction of this cenotaph.
“As this, the 100th anniversary of the cenotaph was approaching, it was Harald’s wish to conduct today’s service as this cenotaph has a deep family connection.
“As we know, sadly, Harald passed away on the 16th of May 2025, but his memory, along with others from Pontnewydd, Cwmbran and the surrounding districts, lives on through this memorial.”
Dorothy told Cwmbran Life: “My husband’s a Pontnewydd boy, born and bred. He loved it so much and always did the services here on the cenotaph. It’s wonderful that they commemorated him and his father which was wonderful.”
Harald was ordained at Holy Trinity Church in Pontnewydd in 1997 after many years of dedicated involvement in the church community. His service was later recognised nationally when he received an MBE in the 2007 New Year Honours, aged 73.
Dorothy and Harald got married at Holy Trinity Church in 1963.