Saundersfoot (St. Issell's) War Memorial
The Great War, 1914-1918
William George Bennett, Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class, M.4301, Royal Navy. William was the Son of Richard William and Amy Rixon Bennett, of "Cartier," Saundersfoot. He served aboard the modern Battlecruiser H.M.S. Queen Mary, which was attached to the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. Built by Palmers, she was launched in 1912. HMS Queen Mary took part in the Battle of Heligoland Bight, the Battle of Dogger Bank and the Battle of Jutland. During the Battle of Jutland, after receiving direct hits from the German ships Seydlitz and Derfflinger the Queen Mary blew up with the loss of 1,266 crew. Only 9 men survived the explosion. One of the unfortunate men killed aboard her was William, who was Killed in Action on the 31st May, 1916 aged 25. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.
William Henry Bodill, Bandsman, 5629, 10th Prince Of Wales' Own Royal Hussars. William was the Son of William and Charlotte Elizabeth Bodill, of Folkestone, Kent. He was residing in Saundersfoot prior to the outbreak of war, and enlisted at Cardiff into the 10th Prince Of Wales' Own Royal Hussars, who were stationed in South Africa at the start of the war. In August, 1914 they sailed from Cape Town, and upon their arrival in England joined 6th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division. On the 8th October the Division landed at Ostend, where they fought during the Defence of Antwerp. The then moved to Ypres, where they took part in First Ypres, and in 1915 fought at Second Ypres and the Battle of Loos. They were in reserve on the Somme, waiting for the breakthrough that never came, when William was wounded. He was brought back to the Casualty Clearing Station, where he Died of Wounds on the 10th October, 1916 aged 25. He is buried at Contay British Cemetery, Contay.
William George Phelps Brinn, Private, 48457, South Wales Borderers. William was the Son of William P. and Martha Brinn, of St. Issell's, Saundersfoot. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who were attached to the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division moved to France in December, 1915 and proceeded to positions near Erquinghem, where they remained until June, 1916 when they moved south to the Somme. Here they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood, which began on the 7th July. It was to be almost a week until the wood was finally captured, at great loss to the Division, and they were removed from the line and sent to Ypres, where they remained for the next twelve months. At some time, William had become attached to the 115th Trench Mortar Battery, within the Division. They then fought at Third Ypres, at the Battles of Pilckem Ridge and at Poelcappelle, before settling down for the winter near Armentieres. When the German Spring Offensive fell upon the British Lines on the Somme on the 21st March, 1918, the 38th (Welsh) were called upon to move to the Somme, and they took up positions around Aveluy Wood and Albert. They remained here for the next few months, fighting a desperate defence, before the tide of war turned, and the great advance began. The Welsh fought their way back across the Somme, to positions in front of the Hindenburg Line, and fought in the final battles here to capture positions from which the Allies could launch their final attacks on the mighty Hindenburg Line. William was Killed in Action here, during the Battle of Epehy, on the 18th September, 1918 aged just 19, and is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery.
William Charles Chapple, Gunner, 371273, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was the Son of H. T. and Mary A. Chapple, of 5, Ridgway, Saundersfoot. He enlisted at Saundersfoot into the Royal Garrison Artillery, but little is known of his service. William Died on the 28th December, 1917 aged 19, and is remembered on the Hollybrook Memorial, Southampton.
John Childs, Sergeant, 146696, Royal Garrison Artillery. John was born in the Parish of St. Issell’s, and enlisted in Saundersfoot into the Pembrokeshire Battery of the Royal Garrison Artillery. At a later date he transferred into the 306th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. It is not known at present when John arrived on the Western front, but John was wounded during the initial bombardments of the Third Battle of Ypres, and was taken to the Casualty Clearing Station at Proven, where he Died of Wounds on the 29th July, 1917. He was 27 years old, and is buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery.
Arthur G. Collins, Gunner, 617, Royal Garrison Artillery. Arthur was the Son of Thomas Langley Collins, and the husband of Martha Ann Collins, of Churchton, Saundersfoot. He had enlisted at Saundersfoot into the Pembroke Company of the Royal Garrison Artillery, but sadly Died at home on the 1st August, 1916 aged 26. He is buried at St. Issell's Cemetery, Saundersfoot.
Francis David, Lance Corporal, 30780, Welsh Regiment. Francis was born in Saundersfoot, the Son of the late John and Emily L. David, later of "Eastcliffe", Saundersfoot, Ringwood, Victoria, Australia. He enlisted at Pembroke into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which were stationed in India at the outbreak of war. They returned swiftly back to England, where they joined the 84th Brigade, 28th Division, and landed at Havre on the 1st January, 1915. Here they moved to Flanders, and fought throughout Second Ypres, where the Division suffered terrible casualties. They then moved south, taking up positions around Loos, and Francis was Killed in Action during the Battle of Loos, on the 2nd October, 1915. He was 23 years old, and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.
Joseph Davies, Private, 14040, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Joseph was born in Saundersfoot, the Son of Joseph and Mary Davies, of St. Mary's Hill Cottage, Tenby. He enlisted at Merthyr Tydfil into the 7th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, which was formed at Shrewsbury in August, 1914. The Battalion were attached to the 76th Brigade, 25th Division, and on the 28th September, 1915 landed at Boulogne. The Brigade then transferred to the 3rd Division, and changed to the 8th Brigade. Joseph first saw action in the trenches in Flanders, where the 3rd Division remained through the first half of 1916, fighting at the Bluff and St. Eloi Craters. They then moved south to take part in the Somme Offensive, which is where Joseph was Killed in Action during the Battle of Albert on the 14th July, 1916 aged 25. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Sidney Davies, Private, 583500, Labour Corps. Sidney was the Son of John and Mary Davies, of Scar Farm, Saundersfoot. Sidney originally enlisted into the Pembroke Yeomanry, with the number 320417. Some time later he transferred into the Labour Corps, but no further details of his service are known. He Died on the 2nd May, 1919 aged 23, and is buried at St. Issell's Cemetery, Saundersfoot.
William Griffiths, Private, 2141, Welsh Guards. William was born at Saundersfoot, and enlisted at Pembroke into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, who were attached to the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Division had formed in France during August, 1915, and saw its first action at the Battle of Loos. In July, 1916 they moved to the Somme, and fought at the Battles of Flers-Courcelette and Morval. William was Killed in Action at Ginchy on the 10th September, 1916 aged 27, and is buried at London Cemetery & Extension, Longueval. The CWGC list his next of kin as John Griffiths, of Jeffreston.
Edward Haydn Harries, Private, T/362594, Army Service Corps. Edward was born in Swansea, the Son of D. and M. Harries, and he was the husband of Lillian May Harries, of Morcroft, Saundersfoot. He had served with the Army Service Corps, at the M.T. Depot, Grove Park, and died at home on the 2nd November, 1918. He was 32 years old, and is buried at Swansea (Oystermouth) Cemetery. Not on Memorial.
Henry Howells, Able Seaman, Mercantile Marine. Henry was born at Saundersfoot, the Son of George and Sarah Howells, and served in the Mercantile Marine, aboard S.S. "Middleton", a Hull registered ship. Not much is known of the Middleton, but Henry died at sea on the 30th November, 1915, aged 58, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.
Wynne G. Odyerne Hulm, Lieutenant, Devonshire Regiment. Wynne was the Son of Wynne Patrick Hulm and Elizabeth Hulm, of 124, Finborough Rd., West Brompton, London. He received a commission into the Devonshire Regiment, and served with their 8th Battalion, which was attached to the 20th Brigade, 7th Division. They had landed in France on the 26th July, 1915 and had been attached to this already battle-hardened Division to train. Wynne was Killed in Action during his first Battle, on the 25th September, 1915, the first day of the Battle of Loos. He was aged 27, and is buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery.
William Jackson, Private, 20337, Connaught Rangers. William was born in Begelley, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry. Some time later he transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Connaught Rangers, who were a Reserve Battalion. The Battalion had been stationed in Ireland for most of the war, and moved to Newcastle in November, 1917. They then moved to Dover in May, 1918 where they remained for the duration of the war. William died on the 11th November, 1918, the day the Armistice was signed, and is buried at Begelley (St. Mary) Churchyard.
William Hubert James, Private, 36053, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. William was born in the Parish of St. Issell’s, the Son of Richard James, later of Barnsley, Redhill, Haverfordwest. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Cheshire Regiment, but later transferred into the 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The Battalion had been in France since landing on the 21st November, 1915 at Havre. On the 26th December they became attached to the 15th Brigade, 5th Division, and moved to positions near Arras. In July the Division moved to the Somme, and fought at High Wood, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. By the 5th October the Division moved north, and held the line at Festubert, where they remained until March, 1917. They then fought at Vimy, at La Coulotte and the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive, and in September, 1917 moved to Ypres, where they took part in the Passchendaele Offensive. Here they fought at Polygon Wood, Broodseinde, Poelcappelle and at Passchendaele Village, and when the battle was closed down, the Division moved to Italy. However, March, 1918 turned out to be a terrible time for the British Army, after the German Spring Offensive had decimated many of the British Front Line Divisions on the Somme. The 5th were hurriedly recalled to France, where they took part in the Battle of Hazebrouck. During August, the Allies had turned the tide of war in their favour, and the Division moved south to positions near Albert, where they fought in the great advance from Albert, through Bapaume, the Battle of Epehy and the Battle of the Canal Du Nord. The Hindenburg Line was then breached, and the Allies poured through, pushing the Germans back towards the Selle and the Sambre on to final victory. William was Killed in Action during the Battle of the Selle, on the 21st October, 1918 aged just 19. He is remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial. Not on Memorial.
Hubert John Jenkins, Gunner, 620, Royal Garrison Artillery. Hubert was the Son of Thomas and Martha Jenkins, of Hill, Saundersfoot, and had enlisted at Saundersfoot into the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was posted to their 114th Siege Battery, which was formed at Pembroke Dock on the 3rd March, 1916. The Battery moved to France on the 14th June, 1916 equipped with 6 inch Howitzers. They moved to the Somme, where they took part in the great offensive from July, 1916 onwards, and Hubert was Killed in Action on the Somme on the 4th November, 1916 aged 22. He is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont.
John Lewis Jenkins, Gunner, 371277, Royal Garrison Artillery. John was born at Penally, the Son of Lewis and Selina Jenkins, later of Treberth Farm, Saundersfoot. He enlisted into the Royal Garrison Artillery, and was posted to their 409th Siege Battery, which was attached to the 3rd Army. John was wounded during Third Ypres, and brought to the Casualty Clearing Station at Vlamertinghe, where he Died of Wounds on the 17th September, 1917 aged 19. He is buried there, in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery.
Arthur Morgan John, Private, 33698, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Arthur was born in Saundersfoot, the Son of William John, later of Oxford House, Lower Frog St., Tenby. He enlisted at Neath into the Army Service Corps, but later transferred into the 1/8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which was attached to the 75th Brigade, 25th Division. The Battalion had originally been part of the 143rd Brigade, 48th Division, and had first landed in France on the 22nd March, 1915. They fought on the Western Front until moving to Italy during November, 1917, and after two years there on the Italian Front, they returned to France, moving back from Italy on the 19th September, 1918, to take part in the final advance. Arthur was Killed in Action during the Battle of the Selle on the 10th October, 1918 aged 23, and is buried at Maurois Communal Cemetery. Not on Memorial.
David Lloyd Jones, Private, 65115, Welsh Regiment. David was born in Saundersfoot, the Son of Thomas and Martha Jones, of Lan Farm, Llansamlet. He married prior to the war, and was the Husband of Ethel Maud Jones, of Swanfield Villas, Baglan, Briton Ferry, which is where he enlisted into the Welsh Regiment. David served with the Depot Battalion, on Home Service, and died at home on the 8th November, 1918 aged 36. He is buried at Baglan (St. Catherine) Churchyard. Not on Memorial.
Arnold Cecil Ewart Lewis, Private, 35027, Welsh Regiment. Arnold was the Son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Lewis, of Pontycymmer, Garw Valley, Glamorgan. Benjamin and Elizabeth were both from Saunderfoot, and had moved to Pontycymmer looking for work, which is where Arnold was born. Sadly, when Arnold was just 6 years old his parents died from TB, and so Arnold and his sister Elizabeth went to live with their Aunt and Uncle Bill and Ann Frost, in Stammers, Saunderfoot. Arnold lived there until enlisting at Bridgend into the Army, and he was posted to the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The 15th Welsh had been formed during October, 1914 as the Carmarthenshire Battalion, and moved to Rhyl for training. They became part of the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division the following year, and moved to France during December, 1915 and moved to positions near Richebourg, in French Flanders. This was known as the ‘Nursery Sector’ where new units were blooded into trench life, and after an initial, relatively quiet spell in the lines, the Division moved further south during the Spring of 1916, taking up positions near Ginchy. It was here that Arnold lost his life, when he was killed on the 9th March, 1916. Arnold was just 22 years old, and is buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy. Many thanks to David Harries for the information and photographs.
John Claude Murray, Second Lieutenant, South Wales Borderers. John was commissioned into the South Wales Borderers, and attached to their 2nd Battalion, which had began the war stationed in China. The Battalion fought at Tientsin against the German forces there, before being recalled to England, landing at Plymouth on the 12th January, 1915. They were then attached to the 87th Brigade, 29th Division, and moved to Gallipoli, landing on the 25th April, 1915. They remained at Gallipoli until evacuation on the 11th January, 1916, and then moved from Egypt to France. The Division fought during the Somme Offensive of 1916, and John was Killed in Action during the Battle of Albert on the 9th July, 1916. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Charles Ormond, Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class, 271703, Royal Navy. Charles was born at Tenby, and he served as a pre war regular in the Royal Navy, aboard H.M.S. "Defence". Defence was a Minotaur Class Armoured Cruiser, and was stationed in the Mediterranean at the start of the war. She became the flagship of the First Cruiser Squadron, and took part in the Battle of Jutland. During the height of the Battle, the Defence was closing in on the crippled SMS Wiesbaden, when she was hit by a German salvo in the magazine. She blew up and sank almost immediately, taking down with her her entire crew of 903 men. Charles was Killed in Action on the Defence during the Battle of Jutland, on the 31st May, 1916 and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Alfred George Prout, Private, 73683, Machine Gun Corps. Alfred was born in Saundersfoot, but resided in Tonypandy prior to the war. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment, and later transferred into the 3rd Company, Machine Gun Corps, who were attached to the 1st Division. The Division had been in France since the beginning of the war, and had fought from Mons to the Marne, then at Ypres in 1914. They had fought at Aubers Ridge and at the Battle of Loos in 1915, and in 1916 the Machine Gun Companies were formed prior to the Somme Offensive, by forming the trained Machine Gunners from the Infantry Battalions into dedicated Machine Gun Units. Alfred fought throughout the Somme Offensive with the Division, and then in the advance to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917. Later that year they moved north to take part in an offensive on the Flanders Coast, but the Battle of Third Ypres stagnated in the Flanders mud, and were rushed to Ypres. Alfred was wounded during the Second Battle of Passchendaele, and sadly Died of Wounds on the 10th November, 1917. He is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery. His brother Philip was also Killed at Third Ypres. Not on Memorial.
Philip John Prout, Private, 56938, Welsh Regiment. Philip was born in Saundersfoot, and had moved with his two brothers Alfred George and William Thomas Prout, to 31, Ely St., Tonypandy, Glamorgan. He enlisted at Tonypandy into the Pembroke Yeomanry, but later transferred into the 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who were attached to the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had been in France since landing in December, 1915, and moved to positions near Armentieres. They moved south in June, 1916, and then fought on the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The first attack went in on the 7th July, but it was over a week until the wood was eventually captured, at great loss to the Division. They were then pulled from the line and moved north to positions north of Ypres, where they remained for the next twelve months, until being used at the opening of Third Ypres. Philip was Killed in Action during the Battle of Pilckem, on the 31st July, 1917 aged 21, and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Not on Memorial.
Charles Richards, Gunner, 358, Royal Garrison Artillery. Charles was the Son of George and Mary Richards, of Griffithston Hill, Saundersfoot, and had enlisted at Saundersfoot into the Royal Garrison Artillery. He served with No. 2, Pembroke Company, which was a Home Service unit, and sadly Died at home on the 23rd June, 1916 aged 21. Charles is buried at St. Issell's Cemetery.
Charles Seabourne, Private, 63259, Welsh Regiment. Charles was born at Abergavenny, and enlisted at Tenby into the Cheshire Regiment. He later transferred into the 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who were attached to the 119th Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division, and in June, 1916 landed in France. They moved to the Somme, and fought during the latter end of the Somme Offensive, at the Battle of the Ancre. They followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917, and remained in the area until taking part in the Battle of Cambrai later in the year. They were still in the area when the German Spring Offensive hit in March, 1918, and fought at the Battles of St. Quentin and Bapaume, before being moved to Flanders to rebuild. However, in February, 1918 the 17th Welsh were disbanded. It is not known which Battalion Charles transferred to, but he would certainly have fought through some stage of the German Offensive, and then in August, the war turned, and the Allies went on the offensive. Charles was wounded around this time, and Died of Wounds on the 30th September, 1918. He is buried at Hermies Hill British Cemetery.
Joseph Slaymaker, Battery Sergeant Major, 1478, Royal Garrison Artillery. Joseph was the Husband of Margaret Elizabeth Slaymaker, of The Valley, Saundersfoot. Sadly nothing is known of any details of his service, except that he had served in Salonika with the 84th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Joseph sadly died of sickness aged 42 on the 20th November, 1918, and is buried at Sofia War Cemetery.
Albert Thomas, Gunner, 371257, Royal Garrison Artillery. Albert was born in Saundersfoot, the Son of Mrs. S. J. Thomas, later of Sandy Hill, Tenby. He enlisted at Tenby into the Royal Garrison Artillery, and was posted to their 323rd Siege Battery. Albert was Killed in Action during the Battle of Bapaume on the 1st September, 1918 aged 22, and is buried at Wancourt British Cemetery.
Benjamin Thomas, Gunner, 371182, Royal Garrison Artillery. Benjamin was the Son of Mrs. Mary Thomas, of Picton House, Saundersfoot, and enlisted at Hubberston into the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was posted to their 114th Siege Battery, and moved to the Western Front. Benjamin was Killed in Action during the Arras Offensive, at the Battle of Vimy Ridge on the 10th April, 1917. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Thelus.
Samuel Mervyn Williams, Second Lieutenant, Notts & Derby Sherwood Foresters. Samuel was the Son of the late Dr. R. H. Williams and of Mrs. H. W. Silcott (formerly Williams), of Penfro, St. Bride's Hill, Saundersfoot. Samuel was born in Pembroke Dock, And was educated at Llandovery, Plymouth and St. George’s College, Kingsway. He passed into Sandhurst on the 18th January, 1915 and was commissioned into the Sherwood Foresters on the 15th August. Samuel was then posted to their 2nd Battalion, which was attached to the 71st Brigade, 6th Division, arriving on the Western Front on the 4th October, 1916. The Battalion had been in France since landing at St. Nazaire on the 11th September, 1914. They had rushed to reinforce the BEF on the Aisne, and had then been transferred to Hooge. In 1916 the Division moved south, to take part in the Somme Offensive, and fought at Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. Samuel had only gone into action for the first time on the 13th October, but was Killed in Action just three days later, on the 16th October, 1916 during the Battle of Le Transloy. He was aged just 19, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
World War Two, 1939-1945
Bernard Ollin Badham, Stoker 2nd Class, D/KX. 164530, Royal Navy. Bernard was the son of William Ollin Badham And Doris Mary Badham, Of Saundersfoot, and served with the Royal Navy aboard H.M.L.C.S.(L) 255. This was a Landing Craft, which was designated His Majesty’s Landing Craft Support (Small), No. 255. Bernard sadly died on the 17th October, 1943 aged just 20, and is buried at Saundersfoot (Bethesda) Presbyterian Church Of Wales Chapelyard.
Geoffrey David Badham, Boy 1st Class, D/JX.171749, Royal Navy. Geoff was the Son of William Ollin Badham and Doris Mary Badham, of Saundersfoot, and served in the Royal Navy, aboard H.M.S. "Maori". Maori was a Tribal Class destroyer that had been launched on the 2nd September, 1937. She was involved in the pursuit of the Bismarck, and served with the 4th Cruiser Squadron, which was part of the Mediterranean Fleet, at the Battle of Cape Bon, off the coast of Tunisia during December, 1941. Geoffrey may have been injured during the Battle, as he died just days later at Alexandria, on the 30th December, 1941 aged just 17, and is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. The Maori was finally sunk while anchored at Malta on the 12th February, 1942, when she went down with the loss of one crew member.
Ivor George Badham, Aircraftman 2nd Class, 1279531, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Ivor was the Son of William and Annie Badham, of Kilgetty and served in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve as an Aircraftman. Very little is known of his service, but he died on the 21st May, 1942 aged 24, and is buried at Middleton Holy Trinity Old Cemetery, Canada. Ivor must have been one of the thousands of Allied Airmen who had been sent to Canada to train, and was sadly one of the many who never returned. The Memorial erroneously lists him as being J. Badham.
Charles John Westley Brinn, Sergeant (Observer), 563306, Royal Air Force. Charles served in 59 Squadron, which was attached to Fighter Command. The Squadron had moved to France during October, 1939, equipped with Blenheim’s, and undertook reconnaissance missions in conjunction with the rapidly retreating BEF during those desperate few months in 1940, when they were being pushed back by the Germans towards Dunkirk. Charles died when his plane was shot down over France on the 22nd May, 1940, and is buried at Fricourt Communal Cemetery.
Charles Llewellyn Davies, Sapper, 14527401, Royal Engineers. Charles was from Saundersfoot, and had served during the war with the Royal Engineers. Little is yet known about him, except that he died on the 5th September, 1947, and is buried at St. Issells Cemetery, Saundersfoot.
Charles Royston Davies, Gunner, 837579, Royal Artillery. Charles was the Son of William Thomas Davies, and of Gertrude Hester Davies, of Saundersfoot, and served with the Royal Artillery. He was attached to their 9, Coast Regiment, which was stationed at Singapore, as part of the Coastal Defence. Charles was taken prisoner when Singapore fell to the Japanese on the 15th February, 1942. Charles died just days later, on the 19th February, 1942 aged 29, and is remembered on the Singapore Memorial.
Greville Gascoine Esnouf, Sergeant (Pilot), 929408, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Greville was the Son of Reginald Vernon Esnouf and Violet Esnouf, of Saundersfoot, and served with 35 Squadron RAFVR. 35 Squadron was reformed on the 5th November, 1940 at Boscombe Down, and equipped with the Halifax Bomber. Greville was Piloting a Halifax on a daylight bombing raid on the 24th July, 1941, bound for the Battleship Schanrnhorst, which was at anchor in Brest, when his plane was brought down over France. He was aged only 19, and is buried at Angles Communal Cemetery, France
J. E. Ebsworth, Captain, Royal Air Force. Cannot presently be identified.
Gerald John Sandeman Gay, Lieutenant-Commander, Royal Navy. Gerald was the Son of Levi John Albert and Isabel Maud Gay, and the husband of Mary Herma Sandeman Gay, of Saundersfoot. He had worked his way up in the Royal Navy to Lieutenant-Commander, and served aboard H.M.S. Gurkha. Gurkha was an ‘L Class’ Destroyer, which had originally been intended to have been named ‘Larne’, and had been renamed to Gurkha when the original ship of that name was sunk in April, 1940. She fought during the Commando Raid on the Lofoten Islands in 1941, and carried out escort duties with the Malta Convoys, where she was torpedoed by the U-133 off Sidi Barani on the 17th January, 1942. She sank in 90 minutes, and one of the men killed aboard her that day was the 32 year old Gerald. He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
C.E.A. Hobbs, Private, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Cannot presently be identified.
Albert Edward James, Leading Aircraftman, 942850, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Albert was the Son of Albert John and Ellen Ada James, of Evesham. He served with 271 Squadron, RAFVR. The Squadron had reformed at Doncaster in 1940, and was used in a Transport role, first flying the Handley Page Harrow, and then the Bristol Bombay. They flew in support of the BEF in France, and evacuated many troops from there. In 1942 the Squadron began training with the Airborne Forces, and were transferred to Transport Command, flying Dakota’s, and saw much service later in the war at D-Day and at Arnhem. Albert sadly died at home though, on the 14th December, 1943 aged 25, and is buried at Evesham Cemetery.
Kenneth J. Morgan, Private, 14594437, The Welch Regiment. Kenneth was the Son of John and Lena Morgan, of Woodside, and served with the 1/5th Battalion, The Welch Regiment. After spending the entire war training in the UK, the Battalion embarked for Normandy as part of the reinforcing troops after the landings of the 6th June, and landed in Arromanches between the 26th and 28th June, 1944, attached to the 160th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division remained in Reserve while they organised themselves, and were then rushed to take over from the 15th (Scottish) Division five miles west of Caen. The 1/5th Welch saw their first action here when they came under the attack of 105mm Howitzers, and suffered their first casualties, before being replaced by the 4th Welch on the 3rd July. On the 18th July, the Battalion moved to positions at Hill 112 and the Le Bon Repos Crossroads, and over the next few days dug into positions here. On the morning of the 21st July, the Germans brought reinforcements into the area opposing the Welch, and at 16.00 part of the Battalion, ‘A’ Company, was attacked by four Tiger Tanks of the S.S. Panzer Division. At 18.00 hours ‘B’ Company was overrun, and the British rushed four of their own tanks into the battle. One was knocked out almost immediately, and a lone stretcher bearer moved in to help a wounded crewman of the tank to safety, when the S.S. machine gunned them both, whilst under a Red Cross Flag. At 20.00 ‘A’ Company reported more tanks closing in on them, and their last radio report came at 21.30, reporting the enemy as being 10 yards away. No more was heard of them, until 4 days later, when it was discovered that the whole Company had been wiped out that night. One of the men killed during this German counter-attack was Kenneth. He was Killed in Action on the 21st July, 1944 aged just 19, and is remembered on the Bayeux Memorial.
Sydney Mansel Rees Morris, Craftsman, 14550215, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Sydney was the Son of Sydney John and Elizabeth Ann Morris, and served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Sydney had survived the rigours of the war in North West Europe, and had stayed in Germany as part of the British Army of the Rhine, as part of the Occupation Forces. Sadly he died in Germany aged 25 on the 14th May, 1947 and is buried at Munster Heath War Cemetery.
John Arthur Hugh Geraint Pennant, Flight Sergeant (Pilot), 1387662, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the Son of Dufrig Hughes Pennant and Rachel Pennant, and the husband of Elizabeth Thomson Pennant. He served with 137 Squadron, RAFVR, which formed on the 20th September, 1941 at RAF Charmy Down. They flew Whirlwinds as part of Fighter Command, and by June, 1943 re-equipped with the Hurricane IV, equipped with 40mm Cannons and rockets. In January, 1944 they changed to the Hawker Typhoon, and moved to France in June in support of the invasion of Europe, strafing retreating German troops and trains, and supported the Airborne Landings at Operation Market Garden. John was killed when his plane was shot down over Germany on the 14th April, 1945 aged 23, and is buried at Hanover War Cemetery.
William John Picton, Captain, 189399, The Welch Regiment. William was the Son of Thomas and Ada Matilda Picton, of Saundersfoot, and the husband of Julia Picton, of Saundersfoot, and served with the 1/5th Battalion, The Welch Regiment. After spending the entire war training in the UK, the Battalion embarked for Normandy as part of the reinforcing troops after the landings of the 6th June, and landed in Arromanches between the 26th and 28th June, 1944, attached to the 160th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division remained in Reserve while they organised themselves, and were then rushed to take over from the 15th (Scottish) Division five miles west of Caen. The 1/5th Welch saw their first action here when they came under the attack of 105mm Howitzers, and suffered their first casualties, before being replaced by the 4th Welch on the 3rd July. On the 18th July, the Battalion moved to positions at Hill 112 and the Le Bon Repos Crossroads, and over the next few days dug into positions here. On the morning of the 21st July, the Germans brought reinforcements into the area opposing the Welch, and at 16.00 part of the Battalion, ‘A’ Company, was attacked by four Tiger Tanks of the S.S. Panzer Division. At 18.00 hours ‘B’ Company was overrun, and the British rushed four of their own tanks into the battle. One was knocked out almost immediately, and a lone stretcher bearer moved in to help a wounded crewman of the tank to safety, when the S.S. machine gunned them both, whilst under a Red Cross Flag. At 20.00 ‘A’ Company reported more tanks closing in on them, and their last radio report came at 21.30, reporting the enemy as being 10 yards away. No more was heard of them, until 4 days later, when it was discovered that the whole Company had been wiped out that night. One of the men killed during this German counter-attack was William, who was Killed in Action on the 21st July, 1944 aged 31, and is buried at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery. The History of the Battalion remarks of the bravery of Captain Picton.
John Clement Rees, Private, 852820, Suffolk Regiment. John was the Son Of John And Margaret Rees, Of Saundersfoot, and the Husband Of Margaret Ann Rees, Of Saundersfoot. He served with an unknown Battalion of the Suffolk Regiment, and died at home on the 9th March, 1944 aged 29. He is buried at Sardis Congregational Graveyard.
Thomas Henry Richards, Fusilier, 4205140, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Thomas was the Son Of William And Margaret Richards, Of Saundersfoot, and the Husband Of Olive Richards, Of Stepaside. He served with an unknown Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, and died on the 19th October, 1941 aged 25. He is buried in Sardis Congregational Graveyard.
Sidney Benjamin Scourfield, Gunner, 1710050, Royal Artillery. Sidney served as a Gunner with the 240th Battery, 77th Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, who were en-route for the Middle East in 1942. They were instead diverted to Java, because of the Japanese offensive, and were then based in the Dutch East Indies. Sidney was captured by the Japanese sometime after arriving in Java, and sadly died on the 19th November, 1942. He is remembered on the Singapore Memorial, Column 29.
William Frederick Royston Thomas, Gunner, 958867, Royal Artillery. William was the Son Of William And Martha Thomas, and the Husband Of Irene Thomas, Of Wiseman's Bridge, Saundersfoot. He served with the 132nd (Welsh) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, who were attached to the 8th Army, as part of the 78th (Battleaxe) Division. They formed specifically for Operation Torch, at Algiers in 1942, but William must have either have been wounded, or sent home ill, as he died on the 3rd May, 1942 aged 24, and is buried at Sardis Congregational Graveyard. Not on Memorial.
