Clunderwen War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918
Benjamin Jones Edwards, Gunner, 150601, Royal Garrison Artillery. 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 26 August 1917. He is buried at Talana Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Edwin Howard Edwards, Private, 19145, Somerset Light Infantry. 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 63 Brigade, 37th Division. The Battalion had originally crossed to France during the beginning of September 1915, and fought at the Battle of Loos, and the Battle of the Somme. On 8 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 14 April 1917. On 23 April 1917 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, France.
Henry Stephen Evans, Private, 46471, Welsh Regiment. Henry was born at Neyland to Henry and Martha Evans, later of 14, Plasygamil Road, Goodwick. Prior to the war he had married Elizabeth Evans, of Cwmbrechfa, Llanycefn, Clynderwen. Henry enlisted at Goodwick into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 58 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 2 March 1917. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Henry does not seem to be commemorated locally.
Griffith Morris Gibby, Pioneer, 220284, Royal Engineers. 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 25 June 1918, aged 30. He is buried at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. Griffith doesn't seem to be commemorated locally.
Gad Griffiths, Private, 28946, South Wales Borderers. 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 58 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, on 20 October 1918, and Gad was 25 years old. He is buried in St. Aubert British Cemetery, France. Gad is commemorated at Llanddewi Velfrey.
Samuel Edward James, Private, 99356, Machine Gun Corps. Samuel was born at Clynderwen to Mr and 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 22 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, Belfium.
Thomas George James, Private, 200212, Welsh Regiment. 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, and enlisted back at Haverfordwest into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. They formed part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and during July 1915 they sailed from Devonport for Egypt. They were then sent to Gallipoli, landing on 9 August 1915, and stayed on the Peninsula until the withdrawal in December that year, suffering heavy casualties. The Division were back in Egypt by 23 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 27 March 1917. He is buried at Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Israel.
Henry John, Private, 202910, South Lancashire Regiment. Henry was born in Clynderwen, the son of Mr and Mrs T. John, Brynhill. He enlisted at Nantwich into the 2/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, part of 172 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 7 June 1917 he Died of Wounds at Hospital in St. Omer. He was aged 32, and is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France. Henry is commemorated at Llanddewi Velfrey.
Benjamin Llewellyn, Private, 14316, Welsh Regiment. Benjamin was born in Llanycefn, to Griffith and Martha Llewelyn, of Vron, Llanycefn, Clynderwen. He enlisted at Goodwick into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who formed part of 40 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 6 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 28 April 1916, aged 21, and is buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. Benjamin doesn't seem to be commemorated locally.
Hugh Morris, Private, 39645, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 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 58 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 5 April 1917 aged 30. He is buried in Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery, France. Hugh doesn't seem to be commemorated locally.
David George Perkins, Able Seaman, 197231, Royal Navy. 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 6 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, Somerset Light Infantry. 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 43 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 and fought at Delville Wood before moving North to Flers, and it was during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette that Ebenezer was Killed in Action on 16 September 1916 aged 27. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Jason Peters, Able Seaman, Z/2331, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Jason was born at Clynderwen on 9 September 1892, the son of Thomas and 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 189 Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Royal Naval Division had been formed at the request of the First Lord of the Admiralty, 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 13 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, France.
Frederick Lloyd Phillips, Private, 45045, Welsh Regiment. Frederick was born at New Moat to Thomas and Margaret Phillips, latterly of Penbrist, Rosebush, Maenclochog. He enlisted at Carmarthen into thearmy, and was posted to join the 15th (Carmarthen) Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was in France attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had fought at Mametz Wood and Passchendaele, capturing the Pilckem Ridge, and played a major part in the defence of the Somme Sector in 1918 at the time of the German Offensive. From 21 August 1918 onwards the 15th Welsh crossed the River Ancre, and began its part in the great offensive which was to win the war. It was during the Second Battle of Bapaume that Frederick was wounded. Frederick Died of Wounds on 5 September 1918 aged 29. He had been evacuated to the Military Hospital at Rouen, where he now lies in the St. Sever Cemetery Extension, France.
Frederick George Tansill, Private, 42156, East Yorkshire Regiment. Frederick was born in Clynderwen, to George and Catherine Tansill, latterly of 1, Towy Villa, Station Road, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, part of 150 Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Division moved to France on 16 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 8 September 1918. He is buried in St. Erme Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Frederick is commemorated at carmarthen.
William James Tansill, Sapper, 448488, Royal Engineers. 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 29 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.
James Thomas, Private, 1913, Welsh Guards. James was born in Clynderwen to Morris and Martha Thomas. He enlisted at Neath into the 1st Battalion, 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 25 September 1915. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France. James is not commemorated locally.
William Thomas, Private, 1546, Welsh Regiment. 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, Welsh Regiment, part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division landed at Gallipoli on 9 August 1915, and was immediately plunged into heavy fighting over the coming days. were defending the British positions at Cape Helles when William was wounded. He Died of Wounds on 17 September 1915 and must have been buried at sea from a Hospital Ship, as he is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Henry James Frederick Weeks, Gunner, 741191, Royal Field Artillery. Henry was born at Clynderwen around December 1885. He later lived at Newport, Monmouthshire, and enlisted there into the Royal Field Artillery. Henry was posted to France to join D Battery, 124th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 37th Division. Henry was killed during the Third Battle of Ypres, on 4 September 1917. He was 31 years old, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Henry is not commemorated locally.
Thomas Arthur Williams, Private, 372792, London Regiment. 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 140 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 on 7 October 1916. He was 33 years old, and is buried in Warlencourt British Cemetery, France.
Clunderwen War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945
Benjamin Lewis, Ordinary Telegraphist, LT/JX428399, Royal Naval Patrol Service. Benjamin was the Son of Daniel T. and Annie Howell Lewis, of Gwynfryn, Clynderwen. He served during WW2 in the Royal Naval Patrol Service, aboard H.M. Trawler Kingston Beryl, which was lost at sea on 25 December 1943. Benjamin was just 19 years old, and his body was lost with the ship, and so he is remembered on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk.
James Thomas Rees, Flight Sergeant (Pilot), 1337576, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. James was the Son of John Henry and Anna Maria Rees, of Brynderwen, Clynderwen. He was a Pilot with 74 Squadron, RAF. James died on 24 July 1945, aged 23 and is buried at Llandyssilio (Pisgah) Congregational Chapelyard.
Iorwerth Thomas, Private, 14623559, The Welch Regiment. Iorwerth was the Son of John and Margaret Thomas, of Pembroke, and resided at Clunderwen prior to the outbreak of war. He served in the 1/5th Battalion, the Welch Regiment, which was part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division landed on the Normandy beachhead after D-Day as a reinforcement. Iorwerth was Killed in Action in France on 12 August 1944, aged just 19, and is buried at Brouay War Cemetery, France.
Llewellyn Emrys Williams, Stoker, D/KX109585, Royal Navy. Llewellyn resided at 11, Jones Terrace, Clunderwen, and enlisted into the Royal Navy, where he served as Stoker 1st Class aboard H.M.S. Whitaker. Llewellyn died on 1 November 1944, and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon .
Llandysilio War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918
John Bowen, Private, 59427, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. 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 11 August 1914. The 2nd RWF was the Battalion of Robert Graves and Siegfried Sassoon, and also of the later author, Frank Richards, DCM, MM. They fought during all of the major engagements on the Western Front, and on 6 February 1918 were transferred to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. On 21 August 1918 the 38th Division launched its attack across the River Ancre, and began to drive the Germans back across the old Somme battlefields of 1916. On 12 September 1918 the 2nd RWF were in the line near Gouzeaucourtm preparing to launch an attack the following day, but were caught in heavy German shellfire. Over twenty men were killed that day, one of whom was John. He was aged just 22, and was buried in Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France.
Gwilym Tyndale Evans, Private, 10765, Royal Fusiliers. 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 124 Brigade, 41st Division. The Division were in France by 6 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 23 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, Belgium.
H. M. Evans, Private, Royal Fusiliers. This man cannot be identified, but the memorial shows that he resided at Portisbach, Llandyssilio.
John George, Private, 48945, Welsh Regiment. 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 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. In December 1915 the Division had 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 during this stage of the war on 6 September 1918, and was sent home to Mary Hills Hospital in Leeds, to recover. He sadly Died of Wounds sustained in action on 6 October 1918, and his body was transported back to Llandyssilio, where John was laid to rest at Rhydwilym Chapel on 11 October 1918. He was just 24 years old, and is not commemorated locally.
Alfred James, Private, 57926, Royal Fusiliers. Alfred was the Son of Benjamin and Ruth James, of Gilfachwen Farm, Clynderwen. He had married before the war, and lived with his wife Daisy James, at 10, Park Parade, Palmer's Green, London. Alfred enlisted in London into the Royal Fusiliers, and was posted to the 9th Battalion, which was attached to 36 Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. The Division had fought at Loos in 1915, and in 1916 saw much fighting on the Somme. During 1917 it fought at Arras and Cambrai, then relieved the 38th (Welsh) Division in the Fleurbaix front line in February 1918. On 22 March orders were received warning the Division of an imminent move, and two days later concentrated in the Busnes area and moved that night by motor lorry to Albert. Here the Division became hard pressed, taking part in the First Battle of Bapaume, where they tried to stem the German Offensive, suffering heavy losses before moving to Toutencourt. Alfred was killed during the desperate defence of Albert on 5 April 1918. He was 37 years old, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Thomas I. H. James, Private, 59832, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in Llandyssilio, to Thomas and Emma James, of The Pwllquarre Arms. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who had been in France since the outbreak of war, attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. 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 3 October 1918. He is buried in Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy, France.
David Jenkins, Corporal, S4/065142, Royal Army Service Corps. David was the Son of Elias Jenkins, of Llandissilio, Carmarthenshire, and the Husband of Annie Jenkins, of Granville, Park Terrace, Llandrindod Wells. He had served overseas with the Army Service Corps, but had returned to Britain at some point, due to becoming unwell. David died on 29 October 1918/ He was 47 years old, and is buried at Aldershot Military Cemetery, Hampshire. David does not seem to be commemorated locally.
Benjamin Owens, Lance Corporal, 25302, South Wales Borderers. Benjamin was born at Clynderwen to Mr and Mrs A. Owens, later of Tycoch, Llandyssilio. 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 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division moved to 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 on 18 August 1918. He was 28 years old, and is buried in St. Mary's A.D.S. Cemetery, Loos, France.
Thomas Robert Owen, Private, 2534, Welsh Guards. 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 in 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 27 May 1918. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.
John Meurig Thomas, Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. John was born in Clynderwen, the son of Abel and Ann Thomas, of Thornville Grove. He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, but was attached to the 2nd Welsh, which was attached to 3 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 23 May 1918. He is buried in Cambrin Churchyard Extension, France.
Llandysilio War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945
William Richard Jenkins, Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. William was the Son of John and Blodwen Jenkins, of Llandyssilio, and served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Porthmeor, a Cardiff based ship. William drowned on 20 August 1941, aged only 19, and is remembered aboard the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Llandyssilio Unknowns- Help Required!
E. G. Thomas, Ordinary Seaman, Llanycefn. This man cannot be traced at the moment, and it is unknown whether he died during WW1 or WW2.
