Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller History Month: A Romani Memorial on Moel y Golfa

Romany Monument to Ernest Burton looking north, with Criggion Quarry and Rodney’s Pillar visible in the background, and the Severn Valley below.

A stone monument stands near the summit of Moel y Golfa commemorating the Romani Chell (Chief), Ernest Burton. Constructed of over twenty-five tonnes of granite, it commands an impressive situation, overlooking the surrounding countryside.

Memorial inscription to Ernest Burton, Romany Chell, died 1960.

As a Romani leader Ernest was not sedentary, travelling throughout Britain and Ireland, but he was born and lived often in Wales, breeding horses and trading horses and cattle. His connection with the Breidden hills was obviously personal, as he wished for his ashes to be spread there after his death. When Ernest died in 1960 his son Uriah honoured this wish, flying in an aeroplane to carry it out. However, his family wished to do more, returning three years later to erect the stone memorial.

Memorial inscription to Uriah Burton, son of Ernest, who died 5th November, 1986.

Ernest’s sons Uriah and Hosiah took the lead. Uriah (aka Hughie or ‘Big Just’) was a formidable fighter. From c.1960, he was ‘King of the Gypsies’, a title signifying the best bare knuckle boxer. His fighting prowess has been inherited by his grandsons, British light heavyweight champion Hosea Burton and former world heavyweight champion Tyson Fury. Their grandfather left an impressive legacy: a plaque on the monument notes that he was undefeated from the age of five. ‘Big Just’ was also known for his fairness. In 1964 he founded a travellers’ site in Partington, Manchester, administering justice to the inhabitants.

Land for the monument was obtained through donation, but contractors stated that the proposed structure was unfeasible. Undeterred, the Burtons decided to do it themselves, with others’ assistance, and the granite blocks were shipped from Devonshire. However, when construction began many who had promised to help failed to come. The brothers reportedly impressed the truants, taking a bus throughout Britain, handcuffing the men, and driving them to Wales. In an article in The People (Nov. 1963) Uriah clarified that this was, more or less, accurate, although his use of ‘kidnapping’ was possibly facetious. As he said, ‘they had made a promise and should keep it’.

Once in Wales, the workers were housed and provided with food and drink. The Burtons even offered remuneration, an offer most refused. The work was difficult and dangerous. An eighteen-wheel lorry was lent for the task but the rough path and steep incline almost caused the lorry to overturn. Eventually it was saved but afterwards no one would drive it apart from Hosiah.

Ultimately the monument was completed: a dozen feet of granite with an inscription near its top commemorating Ernest and his wife Dora. This was not the end of construction, however, as after Uriah’s death in 1986 a plaque was added memorialising his life, fighting prowess, and character: ‘a true legend in his own time … known and respected by all Gypsies and creeds’. The stones on Moel y Golfa therefore serve as a memorial to two generations of Romani leaders, father and son: an impressive addition to the monuments of Wales.

Further Reading:

• Bartley Gorman with Peter Walsh, Bare Knuckle Fighter (Dublin: Maverick House Publishers, 2005), esp. Chapter 4, ‘Big Just’.

Twitter: #GRTHM

By Adam N. Coward

26/06/2018