The Clunderwen and Llandyssilio Rolls of Honour
For the Great War- 1914-1918
Clunderwen War Memorial
Benjamin Jones Edwards, Gunner, 150601.
Benjamin was born in Clynderwen, the son of Son of Rees and Mary Edwards, of Gwynfryn. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 290th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. The Battery was at Ypres for the Battle of Passchendaele, when Benjamin was Killed in Action, aged 30, on the 26the August, 1917. He is buried at Talana Farm Cemetery, in Grave III. J. 12.
Edwin Howard Edwards, Private, 19145.
Edwin was born at Egremont to William and Rachel Edwards, of Bryn Bank, Egremont, Clynderwen. He enlisted at Egremont into the 8th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, which was part of the 63rd Brigade, 37th Division. The Battalion had originally crossed to France during the beginning of September, 1915 with the 21st Division, and fought at the Battle of Loos, and the Battle of the Somme. On the 8th July the Battalion transferred into the 37th Division, and they took part in the diversionary attack on Gommecourt, north of the main Somme battle areas. They then fought in the closing stages of the Somme Offensive, at the Battle of the Ancre, before taking part in the opening of the Arras Offensive, where they fought in the First Battle of the Scarpe, where they took Monchy-le-Preux by the 14th April, 1917. On the 23rd April the Second Battle of the Scarpe began, and it was during this day that Edwin was Killed in Action, aged 27. He is remembered in Bay 4 of the Arras Memorial, Northern France.
Henry Stephen Evans, Private, 46471.
Henry was born at Neyland to Henry and Martha Evans, later of 14, Plasygamil Rd., Goodwick. Prior to the war he had married Elizabeth Evans, of Cwmbrechfa, Llanycefn, Clynderwen. Henry enlisted at Goodwick into the 9th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division crossed to France during July, 1915, and suffered heavy casualties during the Battle of Loos in September 1915. During 1916 they moved South to the Somme sector, and played a major part in the opening of the Somme Offensive by capturing La Boisselle, where the famous Lochnagar Crater still remains today. They suffered terrible casualties, but remained on the Somme, fighting at Pozieres, and at the Winter 1916/1917 Battles of the Ancre, alongside the Royal Naval Division. It was during that terrible, bleak Somme Winter that Henry was Killed in Action, on the 2nd March, 1917. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, on Pier & Face 7A.
Griffith
Morris Gibby, Pioneer, 220284. Griffith was born in Clynderwen, the son of William and Martha Gibby, of Glynllewelyn Farm, Llanycefn. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Engineers, and was transferred into the No. 2 Special Company, R.E. This was a ‘Gas’ Company, Chemical Warfare Engineers, allocated to the Fourth Army. The Special Companies handled the firing of gas shells from the 4-inch ‘Stokes’ mortars, and this was usually used as an offensive weapon prior to an Infantry attack. During June, 1918, the British were hard pressed, trying to stem the relentless German Advance on the Western Front, and it was sometime then that Griffith was Wounded in Action. He was transported back to the Military Hospital at St. Omer, where he sadly Died of Wounds on the 25th June, 1918, aged 30. He is buried at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, in Grave V. B. 87. Not on Memorial.
Gad Griffiths, Private, 28946.
Gad was born at Narberth, the son of Thomas and E. Griffiths, later of Carminefawr, Clynderwen. He enlisted into the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, part of the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division fought through the Battles of Loos, the Somme and Passchendaele, and were one of the most Southern-most Division on the Western Front during the latter stages of the war, when Gad was Killed in Action during the Battle of the Selle. It was the 20th October, 1918, and Gad was 25 years old. He is buried in St. Aubert British Cemetery, Grave IV. C. 7. Not on Memorial.
Samuel Edward James, Private, 99356.
Samuel was born at Clynderwen to Mr & Mrs Sam James, Pwllyrarian. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Army Service Corps, but was quickly transferred to the 249th Company, Machine Gun Corps. The Company was attached to the 14th (Light) Division, and took a leading role in the Passchendaele Offensive, attacking the Village of Langemark on the 22nd August, 1917. Samuel was Killed in Action this day, aged 24. He had been in France less than two months, and was fated to remain there. His body was lost on the Battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, on Panel 154-159.
Thomas George James, Private, 200212.
Thomas was born in Prendergast, Haverfordwest, the son of William and Emily Ann James, of 65, Prendergast. It is thought that he lived in Clynderwen prior to the War, working with Great Western Railways, and enlisted back at Haverfordwest into the 1/4th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment. They formed part of the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and during July 1915 they sailed from Devonport for Egypt. They were then sent to Gallipoli, landing on the 9th August, 1915, and stayed on the Peninsula until the withdrawal in December that year, suffering heavy casualties. The Division were back in Egypt by the 23rd December, 1915 and fought in the Palestinian Campaign against the Turkish Empire. It was during the First Battle of Gaza that Thomas was Killed in Action, aged 23, on the 27th March, 1917. He is buried at Deir El Belah War Cemetery, in Grave A. 3.
Henry John, Private, 202910. Henry was born in Clynderwen, the son of Mr & Mrs T. John, Brynhill. He enlisted at Nantwich into the 2/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, part of the 172nd Brigade, 57th Division. The Division moved to France during February 1917, and were sent to the Armentieres Sector to familiarise themselves with trench warfare. It was at Armentieres that Henry was wounded, and on the 7th June, 1917 he Died of Wounds at Hospital in St. Omer. He was aged 32, and is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, in Grave IV. C. 14. Not on Memorial- named on Llanddewi Memorial.
Benjamin Llewellyn, Private, 14316.
Benjamin was born in Llanycefn, to Griffith and Martha Llewelyn, of Vron, Llanycefn, Clynderwen. He enlisted at Goodwick into the 8th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, who formed part of the 40th Brigade, 13th Division and in January 1915 became Pioneers to the Division. The Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire at the beginning of 1915, and by the end of June the entire Division had left the U.K. for the Mediterranean. They arrived at Mudros from Alexandria, and then were landed at Gallipoli during July, 1915, taking part in the Battles of Sari Bear, Russell’s Top and Hill 60, and were evacuated from Helles on the 6th January, 1916. They held the Suez Canal defences for a month, but were sent to Mesopotamia to attempt the Relief of the besieged Garrison at Kut during March and April 1916, and it was during this campaign that Benjamin was Wounded in Action. He Died of Wounds on the 28th April, 1916 and is buried at Basra War Cemetery. He was only 21 years old. Not on Memorial.
Hugh Morris, Private, 39645.
Hugh was born in Clynderwen to John and Maria Morris. He must have worked as a Miner, as upon enlistment at Ammanford, he resided at Garnant. Hugh joined the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division had fought at the Battle of Loos, and on the opening day of the Somme Offensive, and was posted North to the Flanders sector afterwards, to recuperate. Hugh Died of Sickess in Flanders, on the 5th April, 1917 aged 30. He is buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, Grave I. E. 3. Not on Memorial.
David George Perkins, Able Seaman, 197231. David was born at Bushey, Hertfordshire, and moved with his family to Clynderwen, the son of Mr. George Perkins, Mason's Arms, Clynderwen. Prior to the outbreak of war, he had already served for 14 years in the Royal Navy, and it was with the Royal Navy, serving aboard H.M.S. Swiftsure, that he sailed to the Mediterranean, to support the Gallipoli offensive. David suffered from Gas Poisoning on Gallipoli, and Died of Wounds on the 6th June, 1915. He was buried at Sea, and so is remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. He was 33 years old.
Ebenezer Perkins, Corporal, 11397.
Ebenezer was born at Chelsea, the brother of David George Perkins, and the son of George Perkins of the Milford Arms, Clynderwen. He resided at St. Clears prior to the War, and enlisted at Pentre into the 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, part of the 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. During May, 1915 the Division moved to the Western Front. They fought at Hooge and Bellewarde during late 1915 at Second Ypres, and gained the dubious honour of becoming the first Division to be attacked by flamethrowers at Hooge. They moved to the Somme at fought at Delville Wood before moving North to Flers, where it was during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette that Ebenezer was Killed in Action on the 16th September, 1916 aged 27. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 2A.
Jason Peters, Able Seaman, Z/2331.
Jason was born at Clynderwen on the 9th September, 1892, the son of T. & Margaret Peters of Jones Terrace. The family moved upon the death of Jason’s father to Bethesda Cross, Near Narberth. He enlisted at Abertridwr into the Anson Battalion of the Royal Naval Divison, part of the 189th Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Royal Naval Division had been formed at the request of Winston Churchill, making use of the several thousand men of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who were left without ships to serve on, and were surplus to requirements. They first saw action during the Defence of Antwerp, and were sent to Gallipoli. They saw substantial service here, and by the withdrawal from the Peninsula, very few of the original men with naval service remained. The Division arrived at Marseilles during May 1916, and were used in the Somme offensive, taking part in the Battle of the Ancre, where they made a distinguished name for themselves that was to live with them throughout the war. It was during this Battle that Jason was Killed in Action on the 13th November, 1916. He was 24 years old, and his body was lost in the now swamp-like Ancre Valley. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, on Pier & Face 1A.
Frederick Lloyd Phillips, Private, 45045.
Frederick was born at New Moat to Thomas and Margaret Phillips, latterly of Penbrist, Rosebush, Maenclochog. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 15th (Carmarthen) Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division fought at Mametz Wood and Passchendaele, and played a major part in the defence of the Somme Sector in 1918 at the time of the German Offensive. It was during the Second Battle of Bapaume that Frederick was wounded. Frederick Died of Wounds on the 5th September, 1918 aged 29. He had been evacuated to the Military Hospital at Rouen, where he now lies in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Grave Q. IV. G. 21.
Frederick George Tansill, Private, 42156.
Frederick was born in Clynderwen, to George and Catherine Tansill, latterly of 1, Towy Villa, Station Rd., Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, part of the 150th Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Division moved to France on the 16th April, 1915 and fought at Second Ypres, the Battle of the Somme, the Battle of Arras and the Battle of Passchendaele. They fought defensive Battles on the Somme during the German Spring Offensive, and upon the turning point of the war in August 1918, were pushing the Germans back toward the Hindenburg Line. Frederick was Killed in Action aged just 19, on the 8th September, 1918. He is buried in St. Erme Communal Cemetery Extension, in Grave B. 7. Not on Memorial.
William James Tansill, Sapper, 448488.
William was also born in Clynderwen, the brother of Frederick, and the son of George and Catherine Tansill. He enlisted at Carmarthen, into the 437th Field Company, Royal Engineers, part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. William served at Gallipoli with the Division, before they moved to Egypt, and was to Died of Sickness in Palestine on the 29th July, 1917, aged 22. He is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Grave D. 163. Both William and Frederick are also remembered on the Great Western Railways Memorial at Carmarthen. Not on Memorial.
James Thomas, Private, 1913. James was born in Clynderwen to Morris and Martha Thomas. He enlisted at Neath into the 1st Battalion, the Welsh Guards, part of 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. James survived the carnage of the Battle of Loos during September, 1915, and was with the Division when they moved South to the Somme area. At the Somme, the Division fought in the Battle of Morval, and it was here that James was Killed in Action aged 32, on the 25th September, 1915. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier & Face 7D. Not on Memorial.
William Thomas, Private, 1546.
William was born in Clynderwen, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Thomas, of Blaenconin Cottage. He enlisted at Treharris into the 1/5th Battalion, the Welsh regiment, part of the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division landed at Gallipoli on the 9th August 1915, and were defending the British positions at Cape Helles when William was wounded. He Died of Wounds on the 17th September, 1915 and must have been buried at sea from a Hospital Ship, as he is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Panel 140-144.
Thomas Arthur Williams, Private, 372792.
Thomas was born at Narberth, the son of Daniel Williams. Thomas lived at Clynderwen with his wife Frances E. Williams, at Crosslanes. He enlisted at Clynderwen into the 8th Battalion (Post Office Rifles), the London Regiment, part of the 140th Brigade, 47th Division. The Division were on the Somme in 1916, taking part in the Battle of Le Transloy, when Thomas was Killed in Action aged 33, on the 7th October, 1916. He is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, Grave I. E. 21.
Llandyssilio War Memorial
John Bowen, Private, 59427. John Bowen was born in Llanboidy to Thomas and Mary Bowen, who later resided at Maes-y-Bryn, Clynderwen. John enlisted at Pontardulais into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, a Regular Army Battalion, that had served in France since landing at Rouen on the 11th August, 1914. The 2nd RWF was the Battalion of Robert Graves and Siegfried Sassoon, and also of the later author, Frank Richards, D.C.M., M.M. They fought during all of the major engagements on the Western Front, and on the 6th February, 1918 were allotted to the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. On the 12th September, 1918, whilst in the midst of the Battle of Havrincourt, during the advance on the Hindenburg Line, John was Killed in Action. He was aged just 22, and was buried in Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, in Grave I. G. 12.
Gwilym Tyndale Evans, Private, 10765. Gwilym was born in Llandyssilio, the son of the Rev. J. J. Evans, and Mrs. Charlotte Evans, later of "Glan Rhydwilym," Clynderwen. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 26th (Bankers) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, part of the 124th Brigade, 41st Division. The Division were in France by the 6th May, 1916, and took part in the Battles of Flers and Le Transloy on the Somme, before moving North to Ypres, where they fought at the opening of the Passchendaele Offensive, at Messines, and at the Battle of Pilckem alongside the 38th (Welsh) Division. On the 23rd September, 1917, the Division were in the midst of the Battle of the Menin Road, when Gwilym was Killed in Action. He was aged only 20, and his body was lost in the Flanders mud. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, on Panel 28-30.
John George, Private, 48945. John was born at Llandyssilio, the son of Philip and Anne George, of Bron-y-Gaer. He enlisted at Narberth into the 14th (Swansea City) Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. Between November and December 1915 the Division moved to France, where it was sent to the Nursery Area around Armentieres. They moved south to the Somme, where they were decimated at the Battle of Mametz Wood, and spent a year rebuilding their losses before taking part of the Battles of Pilckem and Langemark, part of the Passchendaele Offensive. They helped to stem the German Offensives in the months after the German Spring Offensive of 1918- the Kaiserschlacht- and took part in the Battle of Epehy, where the tide had turned, and the British and Dominion Armies had begun to push the weary German Armies back to their starting positions of the Hindenburg Line. John was wounded at some time during this stage of the war, and was sent home to Mary Hills Hospital in Leeds, to recover. He sadly Died of Wounds sustained in action on the 6th October, 1918, and his body was transported back to Llandyssilio, where John was laid to rest at Rhydwilym Chapel on October 11th, 1918. He was just 24 years old. Not on Memorial.
A. James. Cannot presently be identified.
Thomas I. H. James, Private, 59832. Thomas was born in Llandyssilio, to Thomas and Emma James, of The Pwllquarre Arms. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, which had been in France since August, 1914. The Division fought in every major engagement on the Western Front throughout the war, and during the latter stages of the War in late 1918 were pushing the Germans back toward the Hindenburg Line when Thomas was Killed in Action, aged 33, on the 3rd October, 1918. He is buried in Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy in Grave IV. H. 5.
David Jenkins, Corporal, S4/065142. David was born in Llandyssilio, the son of Elias Jenkins. He was the Husband of Annie Jenkins, of "Granville," Park Terrace, Llandrindod Wells, and it was here that he enlisted into the Army Service Corps. Not a lot is known about David, except that he Died of Sickness at Home, on the 29th October, 1918 aged 47. He is buried in Aldershot Military Cemetery, Grave AF. 2121. Not on Memorial.
Benjamin Owen, Lance Corporal, 25302. Benjamin was born at Clynderwen to Mr & Mrs A. Owens, later of Tycoch, Llandissilio. He was the husband of Mrs. Blodwen Owens, of 3, Woodland Terrace, Bodreaman, Aberdare, and enlisted at nearby Cardiff into the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who formed part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The 1st Division were in France at the outbreak of war, and fought there throughout the campaign. At the latter stages of the war in 1918, they were in the Lys area in Northern France, and were taking part in the Advance on the Hindenburg Line when Benjamin was Killed in Action aged 28, on the 18th August, 1918. He is buried in St. Mary’s A.D.S. Cemetery near Loos, in Grave X. F. 7.
Thomas Robert Owen, Private, 2534.
Thomas was born in Llandyssilio to Thomas Owen, of Brynmaen. He enlisted at Swansea into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, part of the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Welsh Guards were formed in France by Royal Warrant on the 6th February, 1915. The backbone of the newly formed Regiment was made of Welshmen who served in the Coldstream Guards and transferred over. They fought with distinction at Loos and on the Somme, then at Passchendaele, before being caught up in the German Spring Offensive of March 1918. The Division fought bravely against a superior force, and suffered many casualties, and in May were caught up in the 1918 Battle of Arras, where they helped to defend the ancient City. Thomas was Killed in Action here, aged 22, on the 27th May, 1918. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, Bay 1.
John Meurig Thomas, Lieutenant. John was born in Clynderwen, the son of Abel and Ann Thomas, of Thornville Grove. He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, the Welsh regiment, but was attached to the 2nd Welsh, part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had been in France from the start of the war, and were in the French Flanders sector around Cambrin in Spring 1918 when the German Armies were pushing toward the Town of Bethune in Northern France. John was Killed in Action here, aged 28, on the 23rd May, 1918. He is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension, Grave T. 1. A.
Below are two scans of commemorative sheets that appeared in the Western Mail in the 1920's, commemorating the men of Blaenconin and Rhydwilym Chapels in the area.
