A memorial for Major General the Reverend Morgan Llewellyn, of Llangattock, will be held at Brecon Cathedral on Friday, May 16.

Major General the Reverend Morgan Llewellyn, who died on December 10, 2024, aged 87, was born on August 22, 1937.

Known simply as Morgan, he grew up in Monmouthshire and was educated at Haileybury. His National Service in 1956 was spent as a second lieutenant in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, seeing service in Malaya and Cyprus, moving to the regular list in 1958. He was also Director of Army Staff Duties from 1985 to 1987, then succeeding Sir Peter de la Billière as General Officer Commanding, Wales. From 1990 to 1991, he was chief of staff at the United Kingdom Land Forces headquarters in London.

Colonel of the Royal Welch Fusiliers from 1990 to 1997, he fought hard for Welsh identity within the military. In 2005, he proudly opposed the Minister of Defence’s plan to remove the Welsh regiments’ historic names. He chaired the Gurkha Welfare Trust in Wales and the local branch of the Army Benevolent Fund, as well as being a vice-patron of the War Memorials Trust. He was also a vice-president of the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Scripture Readers Association and served as an honorary chaplain to the University of Wales Officers’ Training Corps, where he was highly regarded for his contributions.

His dedication did not go unnoticed by the Royal Family. He was appointed MBE in 1976, followed by an OBE in 1979, and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1992.

He was also an Officer of the Order of St John and served as a Deputy Lieutenant of Powys.

After an illustrious military career, Llewellyn was ordained as an Anglican clergyman, having found his faith later in life - though in many ways it seemed destined. His family had a long history of church building.

In 1991, in his mid-50s, Llewellyn felt a strong call to ordained ministry. Within two months, he retired from the army and enrolled at Salisbury & Wells Theological College. He was ordained as a deacon in 1993, and entered the priesthood the following year. During his curacy, he served as a minor canon at Brecon Cathedral.

Llewellyn’s ministry brought him to Christ College, where the headmaster invited him to become chaplain - a role he would hold for the rest of his life. Deeply respected by students, he was known for offering comfort and wisdom, and many found solace in his words.

A memorial service for Major General the Reverend Morgan Llewellyn will take place at Brecon Cathedral on Friday, May 16 at 2.45pm. 66 military personnel are expected to attend the service, including those who served with him in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and during his time with the Gurkhas. The Regimental Goat and Goat Major, Sergeant Jackson, will also be present. A wake will follow the service.

He leaves behind his wife, Polly, who he had three sons and two daughters with.