A mural paying tribute to the armed forces and civilian efforts during wartime is set to grace the sides of Aberdare Library in the valleys town of Rhondda Cynon Taf. The application, submitted to the Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) Council, proposes a street art mural on the building depicting scenes of remembrance in a storyboard format.
The planned mural on the south and east facing sides of Aberdare Library is intended to honour the armed forces and civilian contributions to the war effort. The east side of the building will feature a portrayal of a parent or loved one bidding farewell to their family members going off to war, represented by the three armed services – a ship, aircraft, and tank. The artwork will then transition to depict a grieving service person and an elderly veteran paying homage to fallen comrades.
On the south side of the building, the mural will showcase life on the home front, recognising the vital civilian roles in supporting the war effort. This includes depictions such as Land Army women and men aiding in farming, Bevin Boys supplying coal, as well as the home front civil defence force maintaining order. The mural will also acknowledge munitions workers, evacuees, and the “dig for victory” campaign.
The heritage impact statement accompanying the application highlighted that the mural would enhance the public library area by adding quality artwork created by a respected street artist. It is expected to brighten up the building facades and become a significant public attraction. The proposal follows the successful establishment of a memorial garden nearby, which has become a place of remembrance for the community, military personnel, and veterans.
The application for the mural has been made by the Cynon Valley Armed Forces Memorial Garden committee and the Royal Welsh Comrades Association Aberdare. If approved, the mural is poised to bring a commemorative, symbolic, and historical value to the area, enriching the public space with artistic tributes to wartime sacrifices and contributions.