File:The Grave of the controversial Colonel, Rev.. John Williams D.D., Brynsiencyn - geograph.org.uk - 939238.jpg

English: The Grave of the controversial Colonel, Rev.. John Williams D.D., Brynsiencyn Here in Llanfaes, in adjacent graves, lie two of the most powerful and controversial figures of Welsh Calvinism, John Williams, Brynsiencyn and John Elias, the "Anglesey Pope". A hate figure for later generations, John Williams (1854-1921) in his day was perhaps the most powerful and influential leader in Welsh Nonconformism. A master of pulpit oratory, he was minster first of Horeb, Brynsiencyn and then of the prestigious Princes Road Chapel in Liverpool. When WWI broke out Lloyd George set about establishing a Welsh Army led by Brig-Gen Owen Thomas of Llanfechell, Anglesey SH3691 and appointed John Williams as Chaplain-general and chief recruiter with the rank of full colonel. Williams dressed in his uniform preached in chapels and market places throughout rural North Wales urging country lads to enlist to fight for the rights of small nations. By 1915, 100,000 Welshmen had joined the forces, the number rising to 270,000 by 1918. Of these 35,000 did not return, one of the highest per capita loss of any of the participating nations. Though honoured by the establishment, Williams by the time of his death had become the object of derision and historians trace back the decline in the grip of Nonconformity on the nation to the trauma caused by the losses of WWI and the role of leaders such as John Williams in the recruitment campaign

   http://www.llgc.org.uk/ymgyrchu/Heddwch/Recruitment-WW1/index.htm 

http://www.cymdeithashanesmechell.co.uk/SirOwenThomas.htm