Newport War Memorial
The Great War, 1914-1918
Henry Augustus Butters, Second Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. Henry was the son of Henry Augustus Butters and his wife Lucy Woodworth Beebee of Alta Vista, San Francisco. He arrived in the U.K. in 1915 and lived initially at Stow on the Wold, where he was commissioned into the 11th Battalion, the Warwickshire Regiment. After his commission he was living at Newport, when he was transferred into the Royal Field Artillery, serving in ‘B’ Battery, 109th Brigade. The Brigade moved to France, and fought at the Battle of the Somme, and it was on the Somme that Henry was Killed in Action, aged 24, on the 31st August, 1916. He is buried at Meaulte Military Cemetery, Grave E. 27. Not on Memorial.
Rowland Griffith Daniel, Sergeant, 290291, Welsh Regiment. Rowland was born at Newport to Thomas and Elizabeth Daniel, of The Mount. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 7th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which were formed at Newport Road, Cardiff on the 4th August, 1914. The Battalion remained in the U.K. for the remainder of the war, at Berwick and Montrose, and were at Seaton Carew in early 1917 when Rowland took ill and Died on 27th March 1917 aged 22. He is buried at St. Mary’s Churchyard Newport in Grave 13.21.
David Philips Davies, Master Mariner, Mercantile Marine. David was born in Newport, the son of the late John and Mary Davies, and served in the Mercantile Marine as Second Mate aboard the S.S. Gisella (London). The Gisella struck a mine on the 17th April 1917, killing David, who was aged 60. David is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.
Garibaldi William Davies, Private, 61766, Royal Army Medical Corps.
Garibaldi was born at Newport, the son of William and Martha Davies, later of Bryn Hywel, Efailwen, near Clynderwen. He was the husband of Margaret Elizabeth Davies, of 29, King Edward St., Blarngarw, Glamorgan. Garibaldi enlisted at Cardiff into the Royal Army Medical Corps, being posted to the 2nd/1st East Anglian Field Ambulance. This F.A. served in Gallipoli and Palestine, and was helping to rescue men wounded on the battlefield during the Battle of Gaza, when Garibaldi was Killed in Action aged 31, on the 20th July, 1917. He is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, in Grave VII. G. 3. Not on Memorial.
George Davies, Due to the number of men of this name who died during the Great War, this man cannot be identified.
Gwilym Davies, Corporal, 15710, Army Pay Corps. Gwilym was the son Of The Reverend William And Hannah Davies, Of Bank Terrace Newport, and served during the Great War in the Army Pay Corps. He Died at home on the 3rd March 1919, Aged 21 and is buried at St Mary’s Churchyard Newport, in Grave 16.14.
James Lloyd Davies, Corporal, 18507. James was the son of Thomas James Davies and Martha Davies, Of Newport, and served during the Great War in the 152nd Field Company, Royal Engineers. He Died of Wounds at home on 13th October 1918 aged 30, and is buried at St Mary’s Churchyard Newport, in Grave 11.12.
John Davies, Master, Mercantile Marine. John was born in Newport, and lived in Swansea, with his wife Letitia Davies, of 1, Rhyddings Park Rd., Swansea. He served in the Mercantile Marine, as Master on the S.S. ‘Franz Fischer’, and lost his life at the age of 59, on the 1st February, 1916. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Not on Memorial.
John Howard Davies, 2nd Lieutenant. John was born in Newport, the son of John Philip and Priscilla Anne Davies, later of Bron-y-Coed, Pontardawe, Glamorgan. John was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which landed in France on the 6th November, 1914 joining the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division at Bailleul. On the 1st September, 1915 the Battalion was transferred to the 47th Division, becoming it’s Pioneer Battalion. John was then posted to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who had arrived at Marseilles from Gallipoli via Egypt, on the 15th March, 1916. He fought at the Somme with the Battalion, before they moved north to Ypres to take part in the Battle of Passchendaele. John was Killed in Action at Ypres, on the 4th July, 1917, aged only 22. He was buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Grave II. J. 5.
John William Davies, Seaman. John was born in Newport, the son of David and Margaret Davies, Penrallt Fach. He served in the Mercantile Marine aboard the S.S. ‘Torrington’ (Cardiff), and was drowned as a result of attack by an Enemy Submarine on the 9th April 1917 Age 18. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Joseph Davies, Master Mariner. Joseph was the son of Walter and Mary Davies and the Husband of Jane Davies of Llysfair, St. Mary’s Street, Newport. He served in the Mercantile Marine as 1st Mate aboard the S.S ‘Bayreaulx’ (London). Joseph Died on the 20th October 1916 Aged 47 and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial London.
Edward Francis Drewitt, Private, 307170. Edward was born at Holt, Wiltshire, and resided at Newport with his wife Sarah, who later moved to Sutton Rd., Somerton, Somerset. At the outbreak of war Edward enlisted at Newport, into the 2/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, part of the 197th Brigade, 66th Division. The Division landed at Havre on the 28th February, 1917, and moved to the Flanders sector. Edward had only been in Flanders a few weeks when he was seriously wounded. He was brought back to the Base Hospital at St. Omer, but Died of Wounds there on the 17th April, 1917, aged 37. He is buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, Grave IV. B. 54.
Arthur Edwards, Private, 4943. Arthur was born in Newport, the son of James and Sarah Edwards, of Fern Hill. He enlisted at Pontypridd into the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 22nd Brigade, 7th Division. They had been rushed back from Garrison duty in Malta prior to the war and landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th October, 1914 but were too late to prevent the city falling, and so moved south to Ypres, where they fought at First Ypres. The Division fought at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and the Battle of Aubers Ridge, before being embroiled in the Battle of Festubert, which began on the 15th May 1915. Arthur was Killed in Action, aged 22 on the 16th May 1915. He is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, on Panel13 And 14.
Benjamin Edwards, Private, 35229.
Benjamin was born in Aberdare, the son of David and Amelia Edwards, Rhos-Y- Nanty Newport. He served in the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, which had been in France since the outbreak of War, fighting in the Battle of Mons all of the way through most of the major Battles of the War, all along the Western Front. The final action fought in by the 2nd Welsh was the Battle of the Sambre, where they fought the Passage of the Sambre-Oise Canal. Not much is known about how Benjamin Died, whether through injury or illness, but he died at home on the 7th February 1919 aged 22. Born Aberdare, Glamorgan. He is buried at St Mary’s Churchyard, Newport in Grave 16. 11.
John Edwards, Private, 43175. John was born at Newport to Benjamin and Elizabeth Edwards, who later lived at 18, Grove St., Nantyfyllon, Glamorgan. John enlisted at Maesteg into the Welsh Regiment, but later transferred into the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, part of the 16th Brigade, 6th Division. The Division had landed at St. Nazaire on the 10th September, 1914 and fought on the Aisne and at Hooge before the 1st Leicester’s were transferred into the 71st Brigade, 6th Division on the 17th November, 1915. They fought on the Somme and at the Battle of Cambrai, before being heavily involved in trying to stem the German Spring Offensive of 1918, where they fought at Cambrai before being sent north to Flanders, where they fought in the Battle of Bailleul. John was Killed in Action at Bailleul, aged 35, on the 14th April, 1918. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Panel 50 to 51. Not on Memorial.
William Edwards, Fireman.
William was born at Newport, the son of Mrs Mary Anne Evans and Husband of Hannah Edwards, Brondsbury House, Newport. He served as Fireman in the Mercantile Marine, aboard the S.S ‘Cressida’ (Southampton), and Drowned As A Result Of Attack by an Enemy Submarine on the 17th March 1918 Aged 43. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
George Erriottis, Private, 33891. George was born at Whitechapel, Middlesex, to Demetrius and Jessie Erriottis. Prior to the outbreak of war he had moved to Newport, and he enlisted at Fishguard into the 9th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division arrived in France in July, 1915 and their baptism of fire was at the Battle of Loos. They moved south to the Somme, where they took part in the Somme Offensive, capturing La Boisselle, and stayed on the Somme for the duration of 1916. They later moved north to Ypres where they fought at the opening of the Battle of Passchendaele- the Battle of Messines, and it was at Messines that George was Killed in Action aged 18, on the 7th June, 1917. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 37. Not on Memorial.
David William Evans, Private, 48054.
David was born at Cardigan, the son of John and Mary Evans, of 23, St. Mary Street. He resided at Newport, and when war broke out, he enlisted in the Town also, into the 21st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (Tyneside Scottish), part of the 102nd Brigade, 34th Division. The Division moved to France during January 1916 and saw their first action at the opening of the Battle of the Somme, and fought through until the end of 1916 on the Somme before moving north to Arras. David Died age 25 on the 1st March, 1917 and is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave I. G. 41. Not on Memorial.
Raymond Evans, Apprentice. Raymond was born in Newport, the son of Benjamin Raymond and Mary Evans of Virginia House, Newport. He gained an Apprenticeship in the Mercantile Marine, aboard the S.S. Paddington (London), but Drowned as a Result of Attack by an Enemy Submarine on the 21st July 1917, aged only 17. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
William Clifford Evans, Corporal, 9987. William was born at Newport, the son of Thomas and Anne Evans, of Glanafon. He moved to live in Cardiff, and enlisted there into the 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, part of the 19th Brigade, 33rd Division. The Battalion was actually disbanded in France on the 16th February, 1916 but William is listed as serving with them at the time of his death, when he was Killed In Action on the 25th December 1916 Aged 21. He is buried at Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte in Grave II. G. 2.
Price Gibby, Corporal, 40724. Price was born at Dinas Cross, the son of David and Magdalen Gibby, latterly of the Royal Oak Newport. He worked and lived at Llandeilo and enlisted at Ammanford into the 15th Service Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, a Bantam Battalion which formed part of the 105th Brigade, 35th Division. The Division first fought at the opening stage of the Somme Battle, then during the Battle of Passchendaele and Battles of 1918 during the German Offensive. Price was Killed in Action on the 4th July 1918 aged 21. He is buried at Westoutre British Cemetery, Belgium in Grave K. 1.
Thomas Howell, Reverend.
Thomas was born in Newport, the son of Howell and Mary Ann Howell, later of Fishguard. He was a Chaplain 4th Class, attached to the 6th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, who fought with the 20th Light Division at the Battle of Cambrai. The Division had suffered terribly at Welsh Ridge, and the on the 1st December 1917 were to attack the fortified village of Gonnelieu on the Hindenburg Line, but were repulsed by the Germans, and Thomas was Killed in Action here that day, aged 33. He is buried in Fifteen Ravine Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, in Grave IV. C. 16.
Freddie Howells, Seaman.
Freddie was born at Newport, the son of Howell Howells. Freddie served in the Mercantile Marine aboard the S.S. ‘T.R. Thompson’ (Sunderland), and was Killed In Action on the 29th March 1918, aged 28. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
George S. Hughes, 2nd Engineer. George was born in Newport, the son of John and Mary Hughes. He served in the Mercantile Marine as 2nd Engineer aboard the S.S. ‘Sonnie’ (London), and was Drowned as a Result of Attack by an Enemy Submarine on the 11th August 1917, aged 33. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
William James, Gunner, 28282. William was born in Newport, the son of Thomas and Mary James, of Summer Hill, Newport. He enlisted at Goodwick into ‘A’ Battery, 75th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which were attached to the 16th (Irish) Division until August, 1915, when they joined the Guards Division, and fought with them at the Battle of the Somme, where he was Killed in Action on the 12th October 1916 aged 22. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 1 A and 8 A.
Frederick William (Freddie) John, Private, 31159. Freddie was born in Newport, and enlisted at Newport originally into the Welsh Regiment. He transferred into the 5th Battalion, the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, part of the 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division, and they landed at Boulogne on the 20th May, 1915. The Division fought at Hooge and Bellawarde, and also on the Somme in 1916, then fought in the Battles of Arras and Passchendaele, suffering heavy casualties. It was during the second phase of the Passchendaele Offensive, the Battle of Langemarck, that Freddie was Killed in Action on the 22nd August, 1917. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Panel 112-113.
John Oliver Jones, Gunner, 117839. John was born at Ferndale, and enlisted at Ferndale into the 54th Battery, 34th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The 34th Brigade were attached to the 2nd Division until January, 1917, then left the Division to be an Army Brigade. Not a lot is known of John, but he was Killed in Action at the Battle of Passchendaele, on the 15th August, 1917. He is buried at New Irish Farm Cemetery, Grave I. C. 5.
Ernest Lawrence, This man cannot be traced at present.
John Herbert Lloyd, Private, 38519. (Probably) John was born at Eglwyswrw, the son of David & Elizabeth Lloyd, of Rofftcharles. He enlisted at Carmarthen, originally serving with the South Wales Bordererers, but was transferred to the 8th Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment, which formed part of the 57th Brigade of the 19th (Western) Division. The 19th Division fought at Loos and the Somme, then moved to Flanders, where they fought in the Battle of Passchendaele. It was on the opening day of the Battle of the Menin Road that John was Killed in Action, aged just 19. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Marteine Kemes Arundel Lloyd, Captain.
Marteine was born at Bronwydd in 1890, the Son of Sir Marteine Owen Mowbray Lloyd, 2nd Baronet And Lady Katharine Helena Of Bronwydd, Henllan, Cardiganshire. He was educated at Lyndhurst and Eton, and was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, 4th Guards Brigade, 2nd Guards Division. The Guards Division had fought admirably at Ypres, and Loos, and had moved south to the Somme, where they fought at Ginchy. Marteine was Killed In Action on the 15th September 1916 aged 26, and is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, in Grave XVI. I. 1.
Thomas Morris, Master Mariner.
Thomas served in the Mercantile Marine, as 1st Mate On The S.S. ‘Atlantic City’. He Died At Sea on the 13th November 1918, probably of sickness. No record is known of his burial or place of commemoration, possibly as he was not an ‘official’ war casualty.
Arthur Edward Nichols, Gunner, 371340. Arthur was born at Newport, the Husband Of Rosena Nichols Of 4 King Street, Newport. He enlisted at Newport into the 275th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Not a lot is known of Arthur’s service, but he was wounded at Ypres during the Battle of Passchendaele, and Died of Wounds at the Casualty Clearing Station at Lijssenthoek on the 14th November 1917 aged 25. He is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, in Grave XXII. DD, 6A.
George Norfield, Private, 1250011. George was born at Old Chesterton, Cambridge on January 2nd, 1893, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Norfield. The family emigrated to Canada, with George working as a printer, and they resided in 3rd Avenue East, Watrous, Saskatchewan, Canada. George enlisted into the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Winnipeg on the 6th June, 1916, being drafted into the 9th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. George Died on the 1st January, 1919 aged 28 and is buried at Newport (St. Mary) Churchyard. Not on Memorial.
David Owen, Seaman. David was born at Newport, the son of the late Joshua and Esther Owen, and the Husband of Keturah Owen of 2 High Street, Newport. David served in the Mercantile Marine aboard the S.S. ‘Cressida’ (Southampton), and Drowned as a result of attack by enemy submarine on the 17th March 1918 aged 41. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Thomas John Peregrine, Gunner, 25989. Thomas was born at Newport, the son of David and Elizabeth Peregrine, of Goat Street, Newport. He enlisted at Goodwick, serving in ‘A’ Battery, 74th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, and was Killed In Action on the 5th October 1915 Aged 23, during the preliminary artillery offensive that preceded the Battle of Loos. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial, Panel 3.
Thomas Llewellyn Rees, Private, 315631 (Probably).
The only man whose name matches up was born in Bridgend, the Husband of Jessie Annie Williams, of 4 Church Place, Maesteg. He enlisted in Cardiff into the 4th Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment, which was a Home Service Battalion. Died on the 14th January, 1917, aged 26 and is buried at Llangynwyd (St. Cynwyd) Churchyard Extension, Grave 10. 19.
Daniel Thomas, This man cannot be identified at present.
David Watkyn John Thomas, Donkeyman, Mercantile Marine. David was born in Newport, later moving to London, with his wife Elizabeth Mary Thomas, of 45A, Well St., Whitechapel, London. David served in the Mercantile Marine, as Donkeyman aboard the H.M.S. ‘Ophir’, and Died of Disease aged 36 at Gibraltar. He is buried at Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery in Grave C. 3491.
John Thomas, Private, 16284. John was born at Dale, and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 10th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which became part of the114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on the 29th April, 1915. The Division landed at Havre during December, 1915 and spent the Winter in trenched in the Armentières sector, before moving South to take part in the Somme Offensive, The suffered terrible casualties taking Mametz Wood, and were moved back north to Ypres to rebuild, and it was during a ‘quiet spell’ at Ypres that John was Killed in Action on the 11th May, 1917. He is buried at Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Grave III. C. 8.
John Elwyn Thomas, Mechanical Engineer.
John was the son of the Reverend & Mrs Thomas, of Major House, Newport. He served in the Mercantile Marine as a Mechanical Engineer aboard the SS. ‘Falaba’, which was sunk by a torpedo from the German U-Boat U-28 on the 28th March, 1915. She was carrying a cargo of munitions and materiel for Russia, bound for Archangel. The excellent Welsh Mariners website states that John was Drowned as a result of the sinking, aged 26. There is no record of his commemoration on the Tower Hill Memorial, but there is a Brass Memorial Plaque In The Lady Chapel at St Mary’s Church, Newport dedicated to him, and acknowledging his death. Strangely enough, the ‘Times’ casualty list of the ‘Falaba’ sinking does not list him?
John Tudor, Chief Steward. John was born at Fishguard, the Son of David And Elizabeth Tudor, and the Husband of Blanche Tudor (nee John) of Glanydon, Newport. John served in the Mercantile Marine as Chief Steward aboard the S.S. ‘Australade’ (Brisbane), but drowned on the 19th October 1917 aged 53 after the Australade was torpedoed and sunk near the Spanish Coast. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Thomas Edmund Varney, Able Seaman. Thomas was born at Newport, the son of Jesse and Mary Anne Varney, of Penrallt, Newport. Thomas served in the Mercantile Marine, aboard the S.S. 'Kariba’, and drowned as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine on the 21st April 1917 Aged 24. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
David Vaughan, Private, 202517. David was born at Dinas Cross, the son Of Benjamin and Maria Vaughan, of Forest, Dinas Cross. He enlisted at Fishguard into the 17th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, a Bantam Battalion which formed part of the 119th Brigade, 40th Division at Prees Heath Camp, Shropshire. The Division landed in France during June 1916, and fought during the latter stages of the Somme Battles, before taking part in the Battle of Cambrai, where David was Killed in Action on the 25th November 1917 aged 18. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, on Panel 7.
Newport War Memorial
World War 2, 1939-1945
Kenneth Stanley Chessum, Flight Sergeant (Air Bomber), 1424441, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Kenneth was the Son of the Revd. Albert James Chessum and Margaret Chessum, and the husband of Eileen Mary Oliver Chessum, of Newport. Kenneth served with 12 Squadron, RAF, which had departed for France at the outbreak of war, as part of the Advanced Air Striking Force equipped with Fairey Battles. After the British withdrawal from France in June 1940, the Squadron began night attacks on enemy shipping and re-equipped with Wellingtons. Two years later, Lancaster’s were taken on strength and these lasted until August 1946, when Lincolns replaced them. Kenneth died after the war, on the 1st February, 1946. He was 32 years old, and is buried at Binbrook (St. Mary) Churchyard.
David Reginald Davies, 2nd Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. David was the Son of John and Margaret Davies, and the Husband of Florence Davies of Netley Abbey, Hampshire. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard S.S. Graigwen (Cardiff), which was a 3,600 ton merchant steamer. During October, 1940 Graigwen was sailing in Convoy SC-6, with a cargo of maize, bound for Barry from Montreal. On the 9th October, 1940 the convoy was spotted by the U-103, which sank two of the ships in the Convoy, and damaged the Graigwen. The Graigwen then slowed to a crawl, lagging behind the main convoy, and the next day, on the 10th October, 1940 the U-103 returned and sank the helpless ship. David was killed in the sinking that day. He was 47 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Wilfred Eurfyl Davies, Stoker, LT/KX108142, Royal Naval Patrol Service. Wilfred was the Son of Samuel Lewis Davies and Martha Ann Davies, of Manorowen. He served in the Royal Naval Patrol Service, aboard H.M. Trawler Vidonia. Vidonia was patrolling the English Channel during the Normandy Battles, on the 6th October, 1944 when she collided with another vessel and sank. Wilfred must have made it ashore, as he died the following day, on the 7th October, 1944. He was 27 years old, and is buried at Bayeux War Cemetery. Six of his crewmates were lost on the Vidonia, and are remembered on the Lowestoft Memorial.
William Ellis Davies, Quartermaster, Merchant Navy. William was the Husband of Jane Ellis Davies. He served in the Merchant Navy, aboard S.S. City of Guildford (Liverpool). On the 27th March, 1943 the City of Guildford was torpedoed and sunk by U.593 off Madeira. William was drowned in the sinking that day. He was 51 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Oliver James Edwards, Mate, Merchant Navy. Oliver was the Son of Mr. And Mrs. D. Edwards, Of Newport, Pembrokeshire, and the Husband of Edith Mary Edwards, Of Fishguard. He served in the Merchant Navy, aboard the S.S. Greenawn (Goole). Greenawn was a cargo ship, which had set sail from London on the 25th March, 1941 bound for Invergordon. The ship went missing on the voyage, and was declared a ‘War Loss’ on the 3rd April, 1941. Oliver disappeared with the ship on the 3rd April, 1941. He was 37 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Thomas David Edwards, Master, Merchant Navy. Thomas served in the Merchant Navy as Master of the S.S. Ocean Fame (Manchester). Records show that the Ocean Fame survived the war, so Thomas must have died aboard her, and been buried at sea on the 20th March, 1945. He was 59 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
David Glyn Harries, Third Officer, Merchant Navy. David was the Son of Mrs. A. Harries, of Newport. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Empire Stream (Greenock), which was a British Cargo Steamer built in 1941, of 2,922 tons. On the 25th September 1941 she was on route from Huelva for Dundee carrying a cargo of 3,500 tons of potash when she was torpedoed by U-124 and sunk. 8 men were lost from a total crew of 35, one of which was David Harries. He was 25 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. His brothers Kenneth and Howard also fell.
Howard Levi Harries, Chief Steward, Merchant Navy. Howard served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. British Monarch (Glasgow). Howard was drowned when the British Monarch was torpedoed and sunk by the German U-48 on the 19th June, 1940. He was 25 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. His brothers Kenneth and David also died on Merchant service during the war.
Kenneth George Harries, Third Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. Kenneth was the Son of Mrs. A. Harries, of Newport. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Garlinge (London).Kenneth died when the Garlinge was sunk by the German submarine U-81 on the 10th November, 1942. Kenneth was just 21 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. His brothers David and Howard also fell. The U-81 had sunk the Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Ark Royal on the 13th November, 1941.
Thomas Gwyn Harries, Private, 14342641, The Middlesex Regt (Duke of Cambridge’s Own). Thomas was the Son of Owen and Margaret Harries, and the husband of Elizabeth Mary Harries, of Parrog. He served in the 1/7th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, which were a support unit to the 51st (Highland) Division. The 51st was mobilised at the outbreak of WW2 and they were sent to France and Belgium. In 1940, under French command, they fought a series of bold rearguard actions against the German advance, but were isolated and cut off at St Valery and were forced to surrender before they could be evacuated. The Division was reformed in England in 1941, and in June 1942 they were trained and ready and embarked for Egypt and the North African campaign. They fought in North Africa during El Alamein, Mareth, Medenine and Wadi Akarit, and later landed in Sicily. They were then moved back to the United Kingdom to prepare for the landings in North West Europe. Thomas had fought with the Division through the Normandy Battles, and through France and Belgium into Holland. After an epic march, and a series of battles, through Holland, the British reached the German border, and fought in the Battle of Reichswald. Thomas was killed in action on the 12th April, 1945 aged 32, and is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
Trevor David Hoskins, Midshipman, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Trevor was the Son of William David and Eva Ann Hoskins, of Luton, Bedfordshire. He served with the RNVR at H.M.S. Byrsa, which was the Royal Naval establishment at Naples. Trevor died on the 13th February, 1946 aged just 19, and is buried at Phaleron War Cemetery, Greece.
John Anthony Hughes-Rees, D.F.M., Flying Officer (Pilot), 113942, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the Son of Anthony Hughes-Rees, and of Anne Hughes-Rees, of Newport. He joined 609 Squadron, RAFVR on the 18th September 1940 at Middle Wallop as a Sergeant pilot. On 25th September his engine failed and he crash landed at Glastonbury in Supermarine Spitfire L1008. On the 8th July 1941 he was shot down in combat with several Messerschmitt Bf109's and baled out of his Supermarine Spitfire. John was rescued by Air Sea Rescue off the Goodwin Sands at 06:30hrs. John was then awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal for his gallant flying, gazetted on the 8th August, 1941. His citation read ‘This airman has completed a large number of operational sorties against the enemy and has destroyed at least four of their aircraft. In. every engagement he has shown courage and enterprise.’ John returned to his Squadron in November 1941, and was commissioned in December. In March 1942 he was posted to 73 OTU at Abu Sueir in Egypt as a Flying Instructor, and was promoted to Flying Officer in October 1942. Sadly John Hughes-Rees contracted Poliomyelitis and died on 30th April 1943, aged 22 years, and was buried at Moascar War Cemetery. John is recorded as a Fighter Ace, having 4 and 1 shared destroyed, 1 probably destroyed and 1 damaged.
Idris Owen Isaac, Corporal, 7519883, Royal Army Medical Corps. Idris was the Son of David Isaac, and Margaret Isaac, of Newport, and the husband of Peggy Jeannette Isaac, of Millbrook Devon. He served with 32 Company, Royal Army Medical Corps, which was in Singapore at the time of the Japanese invasion, and was killed in action on the 14th February, 1942, the day before the City was surrendered to the Japanese. Idris was 26 years old, and is remembered on the Singapore Memorial.
Wyndham Isaac, Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. Wyndham was the Son of William Lloyd Isaac and Kathleen Isaac, of Newport. He served in the Merchant Navy, aboard the S.S. Tregarthen (London). She was sailed from Cardiff for Kingston, Jamaica, with a cargo of coal, and joined Convoy OB-329, which had left Liverpool on the 31st May, 1941. Halfway across the Atlantic she was torpedoed and sunk by the German Submarine U-48, on the 6th June, 1941. Wyndham was drowned in the sinking of the ship that day. He was 28 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Daniel Alcfryn James, Private, 1771319, the Welch Regiment. Daniel was the Son of Joseph and Lena James, and the husband of Daisy Maude James, of Newport. He served with the 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment, which was stationed in Palestine at the outbreak of war. They served in the Western Desert, and moved to Greece, but were diverted to Crete. The Battalion was almost wiped out on Crete when the Island was invaded by elite German Paratroopers, and the remnants of the Battalion were evacuated to North Africa. Here they again suffered terrible casualties, before being brought up to strength. They then fought during the invasion of Italy, where Daniel was killed in action on the 21st April, 1945. He was 28 years old, and is buried in Faenza War Cemetery, Italy.
Cecil Lewis, Chief Officer, Merchant Navy. Cecil was the Son of Thomas and Anne Lewis of Newport, and the husband of Harriet Lewis, of Endon, Staffordshire. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Stangarth (London). Built by Pickersgill, the ship was on a voyage from Sunderland to India when she was torpedoed on the 16th March, 1942. Cecil drowned that day as a result. He was 35 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Arthur John Alexander Llewellin, Squadron Leader, 39998, Royal Air Force. Arthur was the Son of Arthur E. and Lillian Llewellin of Newport, and the husband of Pamela Llewellin, of Woodford Wells, Essex. He served with 232 Squadron, RAF, which had fought in the Battle of Britain, flying Hurricanes. In April 1941, the squadron became non-operational for transfer overseas, embarking on the 10th May. No.232's pilots were at that engaged in ferrying duties and its ground echelon remained afloat until disembarked on the 6th June. Becoming operational again in north-east England, the squadron finally left for the Middle East in November. By the time the convoy arrived in South Africa, the Japanese had attacked the Far East and No.232 was diverted to Singapore. On the 13th January 1942, the ground echelon disembarked at Singapore but the squadron's pilots were embarked in HMS 'Indomitable' two days later and flown off to Java on the 27th January from a point 50 miles south of Christmas Island, as the Singapore airfields had become untenable. Air and Ground echelons were reunited at Palembang in Sumatra on the 2nd February but the Japanese landings forced a withdrawal to Java on the 15th February. No.232's Hurricanes were serviced by No.242 Squadron until they merged with the latter unit while the squadron's ground echelon was evacuated to Ceylon, where it dispersed among other units on arrival, and were posted to Singapore. Arthur was killed in action on the 24th March, 1942 during this chaotic time. He is remembered on the Singapore Memorial.
William Morris, Quartermaster, Merchant Navy. William was the Son of Thomas and Margaret Ann Morris, of Dinas Cross, and the husband of Anne Morris, of Newport. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. City of Guildford (Liverpool), which was torpedoed by a German Submarine on the 27th March, 1943. William was drowned in the sinking that day. He was 31 years old and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Thomas Nicholas, Chief Officer, Merchant Navy. Thomas was the Son of Daniel and Mary Nicholas, of Newport, and served in the Merchant Navy aboard the M.V. Fook On (Hong Kong). Thomas died in Hong Kong on the 31st October, 1942 aged 48, and is buried at Stanley Military Cemetery.
Leslie Edward Owen, Gunner, 14594627, Royal Artillery. Leslie served with the 107 (The South Notts. Hussars) Regiment, Royal Artillery, which had been created in North Africa from the survivors of 32 Regiment, R.A., and fought in the Western Desert and in Sicily before being moved to England at the beginning of 1944. The regiment landed in Normandy during D-Day, and fought throughout the Battle of Normandy, and into Northern France and Belgium into Holland. After supporting the Airborne Assault on Arnhem in 1944, the Battalion were rushed to the Ardennes, to reinforce the weakened American lines, during the German Offensive that was to become known as the ‘Battle of the Bulge’. Leslie was killed in action here on the 20th December, 1944. He was just 19 years old, and is buried at Leopoldsburg War Cemetery, Belgium.
John Ross Rhedyneg Price, Lieutenant, 71422, Royal Engineers. John was the Son of Gwilym and Hannah M. Price of Newport. He had worked his way through University, gaining a B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, and was an Associate Member of the Institute of Civil Engineers. This helped John gain a Commission into the 151 Railways Construction Company, Royal Engineers, and John served with them as part of the BEF in France in 1939. John was killed during the BEF’s retreat through northern France to Dunkirk on the 10th May, 1940. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Merville Communal Cemetery Extension.
Evan Edward Richards, Chief Officer, Merchant Navy. Evan was the Son of Edward William and Clara Nora Richards of Newport and the husband of Florence Jeanette Richards, of Ferndale, Glamorgan. He served as Chief Officer aboard the S.S. Pacific, which was torpedoed by a German Submarine on the 1st March, 1941. Evan was killed during the resulting explosion, aged 41, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Thomas Summers, Driver, T/3704863, Royal Army Service Corps. Thomas was the Son of Hercules and Mary Ann Summers, and the husband of Morfydd Summers, of Newport. He served in the Royal Army Service Corps, attached to the II Corps Ammunition Park, as part of the BEF in France in 1939, and was killed in action during the epic retreat to Dunkirk on the 26th May, 1940 aged 36. Thomas is buried at the WW1 Cemetery of Dozinghem Military Cemetery, near Ypres.
David Thomas, Boatswain (Bosun), Merchant Navy. David was the Husband of Eliza Thomas, of Newport, and served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Blairatholl (Glasgow). On the 27th November, 1942 the Blairatholl collided with the Dutch ship John Bakke, and sank. David went down with the ship, aged 60, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Rhys Thomas, Private, 7372578, Royal Army Medical Corps. Rhys was the Son of Arthur and Louisa Annie Thomas, of Caerau, Glamorgan. He served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, in 32 Company, which was stationed in Singapore. Rhys was sadly killed during the Japanese invasion of Singapore, on the 14th February, 1942 aged 24, and is remembered on the Singapore Memorial.
Thomas Daniel Varney, Assistant Steward, Merchant Navy. Thomas was the Son of James Davies Varney and Diza Varney, of Newport. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard S.S. Norman Monarch (Glasgow). She was originally scheduled to be part of Convoy HX-125, but had been switched to the next, HX-126, which departed Halifax on the 10th May, 1941. The cargo of the Norman Monarch was wheat, bound for Barry. On the night of the 9th/10th May, 1941 a torpedo struck the starboard side of the ship. Water flooded in, and at daylight the crew were ordered to abandon ship. They moved via the ships lifeboats to the waiting S.S. Harpagus, and they rejoined the convoy, with no casualties. However at 23.20 on the 20th May the Harpagus was torpedoed, and sank in about 3 minutes. Thomas was killed during his second encounter with a U-Boat in ten days. He was just 21 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.
John Henry Wylde, Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. John was the son of Herbert James Wylde and Mrs. Wylde. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Dartford (London), which was a British Cargo Steamer built in 1930 and of 4,093 tons. On the 12th June 1942 when on route from Tyne & Oban for Sydney, N.S.W. in ballast, she was torpedoed by U-124 and sunk. 30 crew were lost from a total crew of 47, one of which was John Wylde. He was 32 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
