Dennis Coslett
Encyclopedia
Dennis Coslett was a Welsh political activist, best known as a member of the Free Wales Army
, who became notorious in 1969.
Born in Carmarthen
, Coslett was conscripted at the age of 18. He served as an infantryman with the Royal Welch Fusiliers
and later became a merchant seaman. On his return to Wales, Coslett worked as a shot-firer in many of the small private coal mines in west Wales. Coslett lost the use of his left eye in an accident underground, and subsequently lost his job.
The flooding of the Tryweryn valley and destruction of Welsh language communities had sparked controversy. Many Welsh nationalists became frustrated by the refusal by Plaid Cymru
to take a tougher stance on such issues at the time. Coslett had initially set up his own militant group, the Welsh Republican Army but in 1965, he joined forced with Cayo Evans
' as part of the Free Wales Army
.
The pair were interviewed on television by David Frost
in 1967. The presenter made a number of facetious comments and referred to Coslett as Dai Dayan, because of his resemblance to Moshe Dayan
, the Israeli general who also wore a patch on his left eye. Both were adept at courting the media, publicising their gatherings which were essentially harmless. The Free Wales Army was also quite happy to have acts of protest committed by other organisations credited to them, such as explosions, damage to second homes owned by English people and the defacing or destruction of English language road signs.
Their self-publicity essentially led to their imprisonment as the police were under pressure to react to protests and threats of violence which preceded the investiture
of the Prince of Wales
at Caernarfon
. Many members of the Free Wales Army were subsequently charged with various offences, they included Evans and Coslett. Coslett faced eight charges under the Public Order Act
at the trial in Swansea
in May 1969. The trial lasted 53 days, Coslett refused to speak in English throughout the hearing, he and Cayo Evans were each sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. The case rested on little more than press cuttings including exaggerated claims which Evans and Colsett had themselves uttered to the journalists.
Following his release from prison, Coslett began his new career as a poet, essayist and speaker. Publishing two books, Rebel Heart and Patriots and Scoundrels.
Coslett married Averil Webb and had one daughter, and two sons.
He died at hospital in Llanelli
, Carmarthenshire
on 20 May 2004.
Free Wales Army
The Free Wales Army was a paramilitary Welsh nationalist organisation, formed in Lampeter, Mid Wales, by William Julian Cayo-Evans in 1963. Its objective was to establish an independent Welsh republic.-History:...
, who became notorious in 1969.
Born in Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
, Coslett was conscripted at the age of 18. He served as an infantryman with the Royal Welch Fusiliers
Royal Welch Fusiliers
The Royal Welch Fusiliers was an infantry regiment of the British Army, part of the Prince of Wales' Division. It was founded in 1689 to oppose James II and the imminent war with France...
and later became a merchant seaman. On his return to Wales, Coslett worked as a shot-firer in many of the small private coal mines in west Wales. Coslett lost the use of his left eye in an accident underground, and subsequently lost his job.
The flooding of the Tryweryn valley and destruction of Welsh language communities had sparked controversy. Many Welsh nationalists became frustrated by the refusal by Plaid Cymru
Plaid Cymru
' is a political party in Wales. It advocates the establishment of an independent Welsh state within the European Union. was formed in 1925 and won its first seat in 1966...
to take a tougher stance on such issues at the time. Coslett had initially set up his own militant group, the Welsh Republican Army but in 1965, he joined forced with Cayo Evans
Julian Cayo-Evans
William Edward Julian Cayo-Evans , was a Welsh political activist and one time leader of the Free Wales Army.-Life:...
' as part of the Free Wales Army
Free Wales Army
The Free Wales Army was a paramilitary Welsh nationalist organisation, formed in Lampeter, Mid Wales, by William Julian Cayo-Evans in 1963. Its objective was to establish an independent Welsh republic.-History:...
.
The pair were interviewed on television by David Frost
David Frost
Sir David Frost is a British broadcaster.David Frost may also refer to:*David Frost , South African golfer*David Frost , classical record producer*David Frost *Dave Frost, baseball pitcher...
in 1967. The presenter made a number of facetious comments and referred to Coslett as Dai Dayan, because of his resemblance to Moshe Dayan
Moshe Dayan
Moshe Dayan was an Israeli military leader and politician. The fourth Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces , he became a fighting symbol to the world of the new State of Israel...
, the Israeli general who also wore a patch on his left eye. Both were adept at courting the media, publicising their gatherings which were essentially harmless. The Free Wales Army was also quite happy to have acts of protest committed by other organisations credited to them, such as explosions, damage to second homes owned by English people and the defacing or destruction of English language road signs.
Their self-publicity essentially led to their imprisonment as the police were under pressure to react to protests and threats of violence which preceded the investiture
Investiture of the Prince of Wales
The Investiture of the Prince of Wales is the ceremony marking the formal creation of the title of Prince of Wales, similar to a coronation. An Investiture is not required for the Princes of Wales, as the title is created via Letters patent, and consequently the ceremony is for formal purposes...
of the Prince of Wales
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
at Caernarfon
Caernarfon
Caernarfon is a Royal town, community and port in Gwynedd, Wales, with a population of 9,611. It lies along the A487 road, on the east banks of the Menai Straits, opposite the Isle of Anglesey. The city of Bangor is to the northeast, while Snowdonia fringes Caernarfon to the east and southeast...
. Many members of the Free Wales Army were subsequently charged with various offences, they included Evans and Coslett. Coslett faced eight charges under the Public Order Act
Public Order Act
Public Order Act is a stock short title used for legislation in Rhodesia, Sierra Leone, Hong Kong, and the United Kingdom, relating to public order offences.-Rhodesia:...
at the trial in Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
in May 1969. The trial lasted 53 days, Coslett refused to speak in English throughout the hearing, he and Cayo Evans were each sentenced to 15 months imprisonment. The case rested on little more than press cuttings including exaggerated claims which Evans and Colsett had themselves uttered to the journalists.
Following his release from prison, Coslett began his new career as a poet, essayist and speaker. Publishing two books, Rebel Heart and Patriots and Scoundrels.
Coslett married Averil Webb and had one daughter, and two sons.
He died at hospital in Llanelli
Llanelli
Llanelli , the largest town in both the county of Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed , Wales, sits on the Loughor estuary on the West Wales coast, approximately west-north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarthen. The town is famous for its proud rugby...
, Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
on 20 May 2004.