My job takes me to some strange places sometimes.

Whilst covering Cambrian patrol I visited one of the sites the exercise is being run on. It is set in a old mental asylum in Talgarth. I was tasked to cover a wreath-laying ceremony behind a derelict church to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of a soldier. Private John Lewis died on October 20, 1915, while being cared for at a military wing of a hospital in Talgarth in mid-Wales. However, his grave was left untended to for years until a soldier stumbled across it while walking his dog. The wreath was laid by Lieutenant General James Everard, Commander Land Forces.

1 Rifles bugler Lance Corporal Koen Jacob playing The Last Post.


The head of the British Army has taken part in a wreath-laying ceremony behind a derelict church to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of a soldier.


Private John Lewis died on October 20, 1915, while being cared for at a military wing of a hospital in mid-Wales. Talgarth. However, his grave was left untended to for years until a soldier stumbled across it while walking his dog.



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Lance Corporal Koen Jacob, 1 Rifles bugler, plays The Last Post

Lieutenant General James Everard, Commander Land Forces, to lays the wreath while on his visit to Cambrian Patrol.


The head of the British Army has taken part in a wreath-laying ceremony behind a derelict church to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of a soldier.


Private John Lewis died on October 20, 1915, while being cared for at a military wing of a hospital in mid-Wales. Talgarth. However, his grave was left untended to for years until a soldier stumbled across it while walking his dog.



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Lieutenant General James Everard, Commander Land Forces, places the wreath at Pte Lewis' grave.

The grave of Pte J. Lewis


The head of the British Army has taken part in a wreath-laying ceremony behind a derelict church to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of a soldier.


Private John Lewis died on October 20, 1915, while being cared for at a military wing of a hospital in mid-Wales. Talgarth. However, his grave was left untended to for years until a soldier stumbled across it while walking his dog.



Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

The headstone of Private John Lewis

For more on the story see here 

Once the service had finished I spoke to one of the guys who was staying in the church there for the duration of the exercise. He had a key to get into the hospital grounds and asked me if I wanted to have a look round. I jumped at his offer and we went through the gates. 

Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

One of the hallways leading into the hospital

Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Most of the stairs leading to the upper levels had collapsed

Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

The main auditorium

Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

A ouija board in the auditorium Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

"The Bar"

Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

I looked for a sell by date on this can but it was too rusty to find one.   Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright Cambrian patrol 2015

Photographer: Cpl Timothy Jones RLC Crown Copyright

Wonder what sort of entertainment went on here?

I love doing this urban exploring sort of stuff. It's great to find out about the history about the place then go and see what it is like now. I have visited a few different places over the years including mental hospitals in Bristol, an old quarry in the Midlands but the highlight was getting into the Tajbek palace in Kabul in 2011. I may do a post on that soon. 

Thanks for looking!