The Welsh Republican Movement 1949-2004 and Free Wales Army (FWA) | The Welsh Republican Movement was set up in September 1949 as a result of Plaid Cymru's indifference to Welsh Nationalism. Around fifty of the Plaid Cymru senior and most active members decided to walk out of the conference and set about creating their own party. Gwilym Prys-Davies, W. Huw R. Davies, Trefor Morgan and Cliff Bere were among them. |  | | "They believed that Plaid Cymru's emphasis upon the Welsh language and upon the interests of the rural areas prevented it from gaining support in the industrial south-east, they also argued that the pacificism of Gwynfor Evans, the leader since 1945, hindered the adoption of a militant stance." John Davies, History of Wales | | The WRM fielded a candidate to represent the movement in Ogmore during the 1950 General Election. This candidate was Ithel Davies (1894-1989). Ithel Davies was a former member of the Labour Party, and in the 1935 General Election he was the Labour candidate for the University of Wales seat. |  | | There was a patriotic feel to the election pamphlets and the 'Republican Manifesto'. This is a part of Ithel Davies' election pamphlet for 1950: "To me, Wales is what it is because of its people. It is the people of Wales that have kept the country and it's nationality and culture alive through many long years of English oppression. It is those people that I care for, for their freedom and the long lives that we wish for them and could guarantee them under our own government. Our lives are at a bigger risk than ever before because of the selfish demands of the English government on our land, our resources and our people." | | | The Welsh Republican Movement published a newspaper under the title Y Gweriniaethwr between 1950 and 1957. Harri Webb (1920-94) was one of the editors and Cliff Bere (1915-1997) was a major contributor. |  |  | Cliff Bere published his pamphlet, The Welsh Republican in October 1947. He was very active within the movement, and a court case was brought against him after he burnt the Union Jack on several occasions, as in Aberdare and in the Caerphilly National Eisteddfod in 1950. The Movement was accused by Plaid die-hards of being 'too radical' and causing damage to property several times. The movement continued to inspire republicanism and had strong support from grass-root members of Plaid Cymru. | | The Welsh Republican reappeared in August 1973 after fifteen years. It changed afterwards to Y Faner Goch, which was seen as a radical but not a republican paper. The Welsh Socialist Republican Movement was established in 1980. Welsh Republican Comment was established as an occassional newsletter in 1989, and was first published on the internet in 2000. In 2001 it took the name of the Republican/Y Gweriniaethwr. We are the inheritors of a fine and noble political tradition, and in our actions we seek to emulate past great leaders whose own lives pointed so gallantly to the establishment of a new, Free Wales.
Roll of Honour: FREE WALES ARMY William Edward Julian Cayo-Evans | 
Glandenys, in the Parish of Silian. | An extraordinary man. William Julian Cayo-Evans, or 'Cayo' as he was always known, was born at home on the 22nd April 1937, in the mansion bought by his parents, John & Freda, in 1933, 'Glandenys'.
Cayo was well educated at Millfield and Cirencester. It was here he found his calling both politically and professionally. He grew to be a colourful, confident character with a great love of horses. He was later to become a renowned breeder of Welsh Cobs, and also farmed Welsh Black Cattle.
Married in 1966 and divorced in 1975, and, being a bit of a one for the ladies, Cayo has two children within marriage, Dalis and Rhodri, and five without. Rhian, Jennifer and three others.
| Dreaming Of Freedom. Cayo was conscripted into the British Army aged 18, and served actively in Malaya. This experience coupled with a fascination with politics inspired by a Polish man who taught him at Millfield, embittered him towards the British Government and their manhandling of Wales.
This ultimately led to the formation of The 'Free Wales Army', with Cayo at its head. They were active for a short period in the 1960's, with a campaign that shook Britain.
Find the 2nd ed of the book about The F.W.A. here at 'Y Lolfa'. | 
The book about 'The Free Wales Army', by Roy Clews | 
A Nation mourns:The Funeral, April 1995 | Still Dreaming. Cayo died at home on March 28th, 1995. There was a huge gathering at the church and a wave of sadness amongst many of the Welsh peoples. There are songs about him, the book; and here and there 'Cofia Cayo' is to be seen painted in his memory. He is much missed, for his fiery idealism and for his charismatic presence as a person.
| Fe Godwn Ni Eto... We Shall Rise Again Cayo and his old F.W.A. friends gathered every year: To pay homage to the last Prince of Wales, reminisce, and to have some fun together. They would march to the stone, make fiery speeches, return to the 'Prince of Wales' pub in Cilmeri, and share a glass or two. There was no official gathering in those days, unlike today. Nowadays there is a charming service and a solomn and respectful gathering.
There is a public house named after Cayo in Cardiff, the capital of Wales. 'The Cayo Arms' opened in 2000, by an old friend, it has already won prizes for the best beer in Cardiff. It is supplied by Tomos Watkins, a small brewery based in Llandeilo, West Wales. There is also a beer named after him, 'Cwrw Cayo' which is to be found locally during the most famous festival of bards in Wales, the 'Eisteddfod', and at other festivals throughout Wales. Cayo's legacy to Cymru is not beer. He dared to dream, educated, plan and act for the cause of Welsh Freedom. This is the legacy he and his brave volunteers have left the younger generations born in a Wales where Super Ted is honoured with Mrs.Zeta-Jones. Cayo's dream, the dreams of Meibion Glyndwr, Free Wales Army, MAC and the new cluster cells of volunteers is moving from the shadowlands of a nightmarish sleep- to the beauty of Freedom's call. Rhoddri Morgan said that the advent of the Puppet Assembly showed that "Wales had grown up...her time has come." Our time has come. Cofio Cayo! Remember Cayo! Fe Godwn ni eto! We shall rise again!
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Cayo at Cilmeri, the Stone erected in memory of the last Prince of Wales - Llywelyn 'Ein Llew Olaf' | | |  |
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