The men of the town of Haverfordwest who fell during the Second World War are commemorated on two bronze panels, set into the gateposts of the War Memorial gates, which are situated outside the District Council Offices. These men are commemorated on this page. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph of the gates, and of the photos of the memorial panels. Just a few feet further from the gates is another bronze plaque, in memory of the only Pembrokeshire man to have served at the Battle of Rorkes Drift on 22/23 January 1879. Private Thomas Collins was from Camrose, and survived the Zulu onslaught. He served with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot.

Haverfordwest War Memorial

World War Two, 1939-1945

John Henry Adams, Sergeant, 1412902, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the Son of George Thomas Adams and Mary Eliza Adams, of Haverfordwest. He served with 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was equipped with the Vickers Wellington, and operated in the Middle East in support of the ground offensive in North Africa. John was killed during the invasion of Italy on 27 January 1944. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial, Malta.

Albert Leslie George Badham, Fireman, Fishing Fleet. Albert was the Son of Thomas and Emily Badham; husband of Ellen Badham, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Fishing Fleet, aboard the Fishing Vessel John Baptish, based at Milford Haven. She was a Castle Class steel sided trawler, with coal boilers, which had been built in 1918. In 1938, she was transferred and registered at Milford Haven. The John Baptish was on a fishing trip when she disappeared, presumed mined, South of Coningbeg Light Vessel, and lost with all hands on 7 September 1940. Albert was 35 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his crew-members.

 

Harry Brown Barr, Chief Engineer, Merchant Navy. Harry served aboard the Fishing Vessel Respondo, which was registered at Hartlepool. Harry died when Respondo was lost with all hands while fishing off the Irish Coast on 10 September 1940. He was 39 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

 

William Ronald Bennett, Ordinary Telegraphist, LT/JX 405153, Royal Naval Patrol Service. William was the Son of William Robert and Marian Bennett, of Appeldore, Devon. He served aboard HM Trawler Birdlip, which had been converted to an anti submarine role. On 13 June 1944, the German submarine U-547 attacked a small convoy, consisting of the Saint Basile and the three trawlers HMS Birdlip, HMS Turcoman and HMS Inkpen off Greenville, Libera and sank HMS Birdlip. William was just 19 years old when he died during the loss, and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk.

 

J. Bird. Cannot be identified.

Robert Charles Bishop, Sergeant, 653306, Royal Air Force. Robert was the Son of Albert Philip and Emmie Bishop, of Haverfordwest, and served with 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a bomber squadron, equipped with the Vickers Wellington, based at RAF Stradishall. Robert died when his Wellington was lost on 23 November 1940. He was 21 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

Michael J. Bryant, BEM, Warrant Officer Class I (RSM), 1913949, Royal Engineers. Michael was the Son of Michael and Mary Bryant, of Cork. He married Mildred Martha Thomas at Haverfordwest late in 1939. Michael served with 934 Port Construction and Repair Company, Royal Engineers, and had been awarded the British Empire Medal for his gallantry during the withdrawal to Dunkirk in 1940. He landed back in France in June 1944, his unit being involved in the construction and repair of pontoon bridges. Michael was killed in Germany on 18 April 1945. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

Frank John James Cannon, Skipper, Royal Naval Reserve. Frank was the Son of James and Margaret Cannon, and the husband of Alice Irene Cannon, of Sydenham, London. He served with the Royal Naval Reserve aboard HMS Lord Hotham, which was a converted trawler, which was used for anti submarine work. Frank died at Gibraltar on 14 July 1941. The cause of his death is not known. He was 38 years old, and is buried at Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery, Gibraltar.

 

Frederick Rodney Albert Chalk, Sergeant (Air Gunner), 534048, Royal Air Force. Frederick was the Son of Joseph Hiram and Alice Louisa Chalk, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Doreen Mildred Chalk. He served with 240 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a seaplane squadron. In August 1939 it moved to Invergordon and began patrolling the North Sea, and in May 1940 it moved to Pembroke Dock, its area shifting to the Western Approaches, having converted to Short Stranraers in June. Having moved back to Scotland in July 1940, the squadron re-equipped with Consolidated Catalinas in March 1941. Frederick was one of eight men who died when their Catalina, Serial AM265, crashed into a mountain on 21 March 1941. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Irvinestown Church of Ireland Cemetery, Ireland.

P. J. Cole. Cannot be identified.

Felix Creaney, Rifleman, 7011620, Royal Ulster Rifles. Felix was the Son of John and Mary J. Creaney, of Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, and the husband of Dilys E. Creaney, of Haverfordwest. He served with the 2nd Battalion, The London Irish Rifles. The battalion fought in North Africa, before taking part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy in 1943. Felix was killed in Sicily on 12 August 1943. He was 29 years old, and is buried at Catania War Cemetery, Sicily.

A. Davies. Cannot be identified.

Brynmor Edgar Davies, Cadet, Merchant Navy. Brynmor was the Son of Jean Davies, and stepson of W. H. Thompson, of Haverfordwest. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Hartington, a London registered cargo vessel. Hartington left Great Britain on 18 September 1942, joining Convoy ONS 134, bound for Halifax Nova Scotia, and arrived in Halifax on 7 October. Twenty days later, Hartington left Halifax in Convoy SC 107, laden with urgent supplies, destined for the United Kingdom. On the night of 2 November 1942, Hartington was the fourth ship of the Convoy to be torpedoed by enemy submarines. Brynmor was lost that night. He was 18 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

C. T. Davies. Cannot be identified.

Charles James Davies, Gunner, 747878, Royal Artillery. Charles was born at Haverfordwest, and served with the 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. The regiment served during the North African campaign, before taking part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy in 1943. Charles was killed in Italy on 21 August 1944. He is buried at Caserta War Cemetery, Italy.

John Edwin Devonald, Engineman, LT/KX 99905, Royal Naval Patrol Service. John was the Son of Edwin and Martha Elizabeth Devonald, and served as an Engineman aboard H.M. Drifter Reed. She had been Requisitioned in September 1939 as a minesweeper, and converted to an auxiliary patrol vessel in August 1940. She was sunk by a mine in Thames Estuary on 7 November 1940, killing John who went down with the boat. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk.

 

George Harris Evans, Trooper, 7958106, Royal Armoured Corps. George was the Son of John Llewellyn Evans and Elsie Phyllis Evans, of Haverfordwest, and the grandson of Mrs. A. E. Harris, of Haverfordwest. He served with the 17th/21st Lancers, which were attached to the Royal Armoured Corps. In November 1942, the regiment moved to Tunisia after Operation Torch, equipped with Valentine tanks, and saw a lot of action. It was then equipped with M4 Sherman tanks, and joined the 6th Armoured Division when it deployed to Italy in March 1944, and fought to breach the Gustav Line. George was killed here on 29 May 1944. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Caserta War Cemetery, Italy.

Henry Morris Evans, Fusilier, 4502633, The Royal Welch Fusiliers. Henry was born at Haverfordwest, and served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion formed part of 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and landed in Normandy in June 1944. After breaking out from Normandy, the Division fought through France and Belgium into Holland. Henry was killed in Holland, during the Battle of s'Hertogenbosch, on 24 October 1944. He was 31 years old, and is buried at Uden War Cemetery, Netherlands.

William James Evans, Fusilier, 4198817, The Royal Welch Fusiliers. William was the Son of J. S. and Frances Evans, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion fought in the Far East during the war. William was killed in Burma on 18 March 1943. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar.

James John Everson, Able Seaman, D/JX 284334, Royal Navy. James served with the Royal Navy, aboard HMS Hurworth, a Hunt Class Destroyer. She had been commissioned in 1941, and saw service with the Atlantic Convoys before moving to the Mediterranean. James died when Hurworth was lost off Kalymnos, one of the Greek Dodecanese islands, on 22 October 1943, with the loss of 133 lives. He is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

 

James Wynford Eynon, Fireman, Fishing Fleet. James was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Eynon, of Picton and served aboard the Fishing Vessel John Baptish, based at Milford Haven. She was a Castle Class steel sided trawler, with coal boilers, which had been built in 1918. In 1938, she was transferred and registered at Milford Haven. The John Baptish was on a fishing trip when she disappeared, presumed mined, South of Coningbeg Light Vessel, and lost with all hands on 7 September 1940. James was 26 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his crew-members.

 

Dennis George Finn, Gunner, 89033, Royal Artillery. Dennis was born at Reading, Berkshire in 1925, and served with the local Territorial unit, the 102 (The Pembroke Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Dennis died on home service on 24 January 1942. He is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

William Kenneth Fuller, Craftsman, 3961543, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. William was the Son of John and Mary Fuller, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Workshop, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. William served in North Africa, and was killed during the invasion of Italy on 18 February 1944. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Anzio War Cemetery, Italy.

Geoffrey Garrett, Corporal, 2136922, Royal Engineers. Geoffrey was the Son of Mr. And Mrs. Richard Garrett, Of Hakin, Milford Haven, and served in the Middle East with the Royal Engineers. He was killed in Iraq on 14 August 1942, aged 29, and is buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq.

George Arthur Gordon, Seaman, LT/JX 221383, Royal Naval Patrol Service. George was the Son of Ernest Edward and Eva Mabel Gordon, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service, aboard HM Trawler Ellesmere. She had been requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1939 and converted for anti submarine use. George was killed when Ellesmere was sunk by the German submarine U-1203 on 24 February 1945. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk.

Hugh Thomas Griffiths, Sapper, 14585940, Royal Engineers. Hugh was the Son of Edward Gwilym Celestine Griffiths and Dorothy Margaret Escott Griffiths, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Engineers as part of the British Army of the Rhine after the end of the war. Hugh died in Germany on 9 February 1947. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.

Albert Joseph Harries, MM, Private, 4032405, The King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Albert was the Son of David John and Elizabeth Harries, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 2nd Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry. The battalion had served at the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940, then in North Africa, and during the invasion of Italy, before returning home, where it took part in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Albert was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery during the Normandy campaign, and then fought with the battalion during the drive through Holland. He was killed in Holland on 17 October 1944, and is buried at Venray War Cemetery, Netherlands.

 

F. Harries. Cannot be identified.

George Matthew Headley, Flight Sergeant, 2206703, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. George was the Son of Ernest and Rose Headley, of Hull, and he served with 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was an elite pathfinder unit, equipped with the Avro Lancaster, and was based at RAF Warboys. George was killed when his Lancaster III, Serial JA925, was shot down by German night fighters while returning from a raid on Berlin on 2 January 1944. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

George Alexander Brockhurst Higgins, Sapper, 2121087, Royal Engineers. George was the Son Of John And Edith Rosina Higgins, Of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Engineers. Little else is known of him, but he died on active service on 15 January 1941, aged 21, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

T. Howell. Cannot be identified.

James John Hughes, MID, Pilot Officer, 131806, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. James was the Son of Abel and Florence Hughes, of Haverfordwest, and served with 405 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was a heavy bomber unit, equipped with the Avro Lancaster, based at RAF Topcliffe in 1942. James died when his Lancaster was lost during a raid on 28 June 1942. He was 31 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

William Henry Hughes, Chief Engineer, Fishing Fleet. William served with the Fishing Fleet, aboard the Fishing Vessel John Baptish, based at Milford Haven. She was a Castle Class steel sided trawler, with coal boilers, which had been built in 1918. In 1938, she was transferred and registered at Milford Haven. The John Baptish was on a fishing trip when she disappeared, presumed mined, South of Coningbeg Light Vessel, and lost with all hands on 7 September 1940. William was 41 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his crew-members.

 

Wilfred Hunter, Sapper, 2020350, Royal Engineers. Wilfred was the Son of William Sydney and Nellie Hunter, and the husband of Irene Hunter, of Haverfordwest. He served with 74 Field Company, Royal Engineers. Wilfred was killed during the allied attack which followed the Battle of the Bulge, on 24 February 1945. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Garrod Henry John, Petty Officer Stoker, C/K 66365, Royal Navy. Garrod was the Son of Samuel Charles and Alice John, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Ivy Georgina John, of Gravesend, Kent. He served with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Wryneck, which was an old Great War built W-Class Destroyer. By 1938 she was laid up at Gibraltar, and was then converted to a fast escort destroyer. Upon being commissioned she remained in the Mediterranean, but was sunk while rescuing troops from Greece on 27 April 1941. Garrod was killed in the sinking off Suda Bay. He was 34 years old, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

Peter Stanley John, Signalman, 3971731, Royal Corps of Signals. Peter was the Son of Peter and Elizabeth John, and the husband of Minnie Anne John, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Corps of Signals, and was posted to India where he became attached to the Indian Signal Corps. Peter died in India on 4 July 1914. He was 27 years old, and is buried at Kirkee War Cemetery, India.

Richard William John, Deck Hand, Fishing Fleet. Richard served aboard the Fishing Vessel Charmouth, which based at Milford Haven. She had had an adventurous war, being attacked by German fighters off Milford Haven in November 1940, she survived, and fished throughout the rest of the war. Sadly Charmouth was lost in the Irish Sea with all hands when she struck a German mine on 14 November 1946. Richard is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial along with his fellow crewmen.

 

W. Johns. Cannot be identified.

James Johnstone, Captain, 200848, Border Regiment. James was the Son of James and S. J. Johnstone, and the husband of Margaret Joyce Johnstone, of Haverfordwest. He was a Schoolmaster prior to the war, before being commissioned into the Border Regiment, and was posted to their 9th Battalion, which was in the Far East, after sailing from Britain in May 1942. James was killed during the Battle of Kohima on 14 May 1944. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Imphal War Cemetery, India.

A. Jones. Cannot be identified.

David Rhys Geraint Jones, MID, Lieutenant, 247467, The Monmouthshire Regiment. David was the Son of William Emlyn David and Mary Ceinwen Jones, of Haverfordwest. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Cheltenham College and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. In 1942 he passed through Sandhurst and received a commission to the Royal Armoured Corps, before being posted to the 3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment. The battalion landed in Normandy as part of 11th Armoured Division in June 1944, and took part in the break out from the beach head. David was killed when his Company were attacked by the 12th S.S. Panzer Division, during Operation Epsom on 28 June 1944. He was 22 years old, and is buried at St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, France. He had been Mentioned in Despatched during his brief time in France, and was a well known Poet.

 

Iorwerth Jones. Cannot be identified.

Reverend Harold Samuel Jones, Chaplain 4th Class, 104052, Royal Army Chaplains' Department. Harold was the Son of John and Mary Jane Jones, and the husband of Lilian Louisa Jones, of Haverfordwest. He served as a Chaplain in the Army, and was based in Greece during the German invasion in 1941. Harold was killed during the evacuation of Greece on 24 April 1941. He was 39 years old, and is commemorated on the Athens Memorial, Greece.

Thomas John Jones, Private, 37302, New Zealand Infantry. Thomas was the Son of Thomas Frederick and Ada Jane Jones, of Haverfordwest, and had emigrated to New Zealand before the war. He served with the 25th Battalion, New Zealand Infantry, which was attached to the 2nd New Zealand Division, and moved to North Africa in 1940. Thomas survived the Divisions desperate fighting during the defence of Crete, and was one of the men evacuated to North Africa. He was killed during the Battle of El Alamein on 22 July 1942. Thomas was 28 years old, and is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.

William D. Jones. Cannot be identified.

Albert Gordon Laugharne, B.A., Sub-Lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Albert was the Son of Albert and Rose Laughame, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Rosamond Mair Laughame, of Ammanford. He served in the RNVR aboard H.M.S. Blackwood, which was an American Lend-Lease Destroyer that had been taken over by the Royal Navy on 27 March 1943. After over a year spent carring out escort duties with the Atlantic Convoys Blackwood was torpedoed by U-764 off Portland Bill on 15 June 1944, and sank the next day under tow. Albert was killed in the initial torpedo strike and was 27 year old. He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

 

Cyril Thomas William Leman, Leading Aircraftman, 951530, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Cyril was the Son of Montagu William and Ethel Maude Leman, Of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Cyril was listed as Died on Active Service on 31 August 1940. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

Henry Victor Lewis, Serjeant, 7598283, Royal Electrical And Mechanical Engineers. Henry was the Son of David Henry and Edith Lewis of Cartlett, Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during the war. Henry died on 4 January 1944. He was 38 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

T. G. Lewis. Cannot be identified.

Robert Reginald Mathias, Gunner, 910931, Royal Artillery. Robert was the Son of Alfred and Rose Mathias, and the husband of Florence Doris Mathias. He served with 102 (The Pembroke Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, which was the local Territorial unit. The unit landed at Algiers in February 1943, joining the First Army. After fighting in North Africa it moved to Italy in December 1943, and took part in the bloody advance northwards. Robert was killed in Italy on 24 April 1945. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Argenta Gap War Cemetery, Italy.

Thomas Gwyn James Mathias, Lieutenant (E), Royal Navy. Thomas was the Adopted Son Of Thomas Lloyd Mathias R.C.N.C. And Frances Ann Mathias, Of Combe Down, Bath, Somerset. He served with the Royal Navy at HMS President, a naval gunnery school. Thomas died on 23 October 1940, and is buried at Pembroke Dock (Llanion) Cemetery. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph.

 

William Ronald Mathias, Flight Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.), 552542, Royal Air Force. William was the Son of Lewis Mathias and of Elizabeth Mathias (nee Thomas), of Haverfordwest. He served as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with 226 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was based at Rheims in France after the outbreak of war, equipped with the Fairey battle. After the fall of France, the squadron spent several months in Northern Ireland, before moving to RAF Wattisham, Suffolk, in May 1941, and converting to Bristol Blenheims. It then carried out anti-shipping operations, and strikes against small targets. William was killed when his Blenheim was shot down over France on 4 July 1941. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France.

 

Thomas Gwyn Matthias, Sub Lieutenant (A), Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was the Son of William T. and Margaret E. Matthias, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, based aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious. Thomas served as a Pilot aboard Victorious, and was killed when his aircraft was lost at sea on 23 February 1942. He was 20 years old, and is commemorated on the Lee-On-Solent Memorial, Hampshire.

Albert Edward Mills, Private, 4692344, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Albert was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Mills, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of E. E. Mills, of Rochdale, Lancashire. He served with the 1st Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The battalion had fought during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940, and sailed for India in 1942, before moving to North Africa, and joining the Eighth Army. Albert was killed in North Africa on 1 April 1943. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt.   

Thomas Leonard Morgan, Second Lieutenant, 307384, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). Thomas was the Son of William Charles and Edith Morgan, of Oxford. He served with the 4th Battalion, The Buffs. In October 1940 the battalion sailed for the Mediterranean, remaining at Malta until September 1943 when they moved to Alexandria. In October the battalion was sent to the Greek Island of Leros, to defend the Island from German attack, but the battalion was wiped out within weeks, Thomas being killed on 23 November 1943. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Leros War Cemetery, Greece.

Gwilym Nicholls, Sergeant (Flight Engineer), 951248, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Gwilym was the Son of Horace William and Margaret Nicholls, of Haverfordwest. He served with 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a heavy bomber unit, equipped with the Avro Lancaster. Gwilym was killed when his Lancaster was shot down over France on 21 December 1942. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Vavincourt Communal Cemetery, France.

William John Orchard, Skipper, Royal Naval Reserve. William served with the Royal Naval Reserve at HMS St Angelo, which was the Royal Naval base at Malta. William died at Malta on 14 April 1942. He was 41 years old, and is buried at Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Malta.

Leonard George Phillips Owen, Private, 6108354, Parachute Regiment. Leonard was born at Haverfordwest, and served with the 8th Battalion, Parachute Regiment. The formed in early 1943 from the 13th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment. On |D-Day the battalion dropped behind German lines at Ranville, tasked with destroying bridges and roads, and harassing German units trying to reach the beaches. After a tough campaign in Normandy, the battalion saw its next action during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 to January 1945. Leonard was killed during the battalions next major action, during the crossing of the River Rhine on 28 March 1945. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

Francis Henry Perrins, Craftsman, 7597122, Royal Electrical And Mechanical Engineers. Francis was the Son of Jack and May Perrins, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was stationed at Windsor when he died on active service on 5 December 1943. Francis was 19 years old, and is buried at Windsor Cemetery, Berkshire.

Donald Charles Perry, Corporal, 1873120, Royal Engineers. Donald was born at Haverfordwest. He served with 40 Fortress Company, Royal Engineers, which was stationed at Hong Kong at the outbreak of war. Donald was taken prisoner when Hong Kong fell to the Japanese on 25 December 1941. Donald was one of over 1,800 POWs who were loaded onto the Japanese 'Hell Ship' SS Lisbon Maru, when she was struck by an American torpedo on 1 October 1942. With the ship grinding to a halt, the Japanese guards closed all the hatches to the holds containing the POWs, making the already atrocious conditions even worse. Hundreds of men died of dysentery during the next 48 hours, while more were machine gunned by the Japanese while trying to escape the hold to get fresh air. Donald is recorded as having died aboard Lisbon Maru between 1 and 2 October 1942. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Sai Wan Memorial, Hong Kong.

Alwyn Thomas John Phillips, Pilot Officer (Air Bomber), 137542, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Alwyn was the Son Of John Howell Phillips And Martha Elizabeth Phillips, Of Tiers Cross, and the Husband Of Stella Adrienne Phillips, Of Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex. He was training as an Air Bomber with the Royal Air Force when he was killed during an aeroplane crash on 1 March 1943. Alwyn was 33 years old, and is buried at Tiers Cross Congregational Cemetery. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph.

 

Daniel Phillips, Gunner, 1737835, Royal Artillery. Daniel was the Son of Jack and Anna Phillips, and the husband of Gladys Phillips, of Haverfordwest. He served with 130 Battery, 23 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Daniel must have been stationed at Southampton, and served with the air defences at the busy port. He was killed there on 22 June 1941, aged 34, and is buried at Southampton (Hollybrook) Cemetery, Hampshire.

Herbert Charles Phillips, Sapper, 1881743, Royal Engineers. Herbert was the Son of Charles Henry and Martha Anne Phillips, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 2nd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. Herbert served with his unit in North Africa, and was killed there on 3 December 1942, during the Second Battle of El Alamein. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Benghazi War Cemetery, Libya.

J. T. Pugh. Cannot be identified.

Aerwyn Thomas Rees, Driver, 225227, Royal Army Service Corps. Aerwyn was the Son of William Thomas Rees and Margaret Rees, of Croesgoch, and served with the Royal Army Service Corps. He was stationed at Singapore Island at the outbreak of war, and was taken prisoner when the Island surrendered to the Japanese on 15 February 1942. Aerwyn was sent to Thailand with 'H' Force in May 1943. He was 29 years old when he died of cholera at Malay Hamlet Camp, Kannyu on 27 June 1943, and was buried in Kannyu Jungle Cemetery. His grave has since been relocated to Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. Many thanks to Rod Beattie for the photograph, and for the extra information on Aerwyn.

 

Dewi Rees, First Radio Officer, Merchant Navy. Dewi was the Son of Mrs. P. E. Rees, of Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, and the husband of Elizabeth Rees, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Merchant Navy, aboard the MV Fort Richepanse, a Belfast registered requisitioned French ship. Dewi was killed when Fort Richepanse was bombed by German aircraft, then torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-567 on 3 September 1941. He was 29 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Cecil Charles Reidmuller, Sergeant (Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner), 979560, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Cecil was the Son of Auguste and Emma Mary Elizabeth Reidmuller, and the nephew of Miss G. Cecil, of Haverfordwest. He served as Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with 149 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a bomber squadron, equipped with the Vickers Wellington. Cecil was killed when his Wellington was brought down over France on 2 July 1941. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery, France.

William Raymond Reynish, Private, 14584269, The Hampshire Regiment. William was the Son of George and Beatrice Reynish, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Ethel Reynish, of Bearwood, Smethwick, Staffordshire. He served with the 1/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, which was attached to 128 Infantry Brigade. The brigade fought in North Africa, then in the invasion of Sicily and Italy from 1943. William was killed in Italy on 6 December 1944. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Forli War Cemetery, Italy.

William Charles Robbins, Private, 14552346, Pioneer Corps. William was the Son of Alfred George and Elizabeth Ann Robbins, of Haverfordwest, and served with 95 Company, Pioneer Corps. The Company landed in Normandy in June 1944, and took part in the drive through France and Belgium into Holland after the breakout from the Normandy beachhead. William was killed during a road accident, at the time of the Battle of the Bulge, on 22 December 1944. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Schoonselhof Cemetery, Belgium.

George Sheffield, Signalman, D/JX 274545, Royal Navy. George was the Son of George Sheffield, and of Anne Camellia Sheffield, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Royal Navy aboard HM Trawler Ullswater. George was killed when Ullswater was torpedoed and sunk by a German motor torpedo boat in the English Channel on 19 November 1942. He was 21 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. His brother Harold also fell.

 

Harold John Sheffield, Stoker 1st Class, D/KX 179052, Royal Navy. Harold was the Son of George Sheffield, and of Anne Camellia Sheffield, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Royal Navy at HMS Northney, which was a Royal Marine training establishment, based on Hayling Island. Harold was killed at sea on 6 June 1944, so must have been involved in the D-Day landings on Normandy. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. His brother George also fell.

 

Robert John Smith, Trooper, 7899889, Royal Armoured Corps. Robert was the Son of Charles Edward and Beatrice Mabel Smith, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 8th Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. The regiment was part of the famous Desert Rats, and fought in the North African campaign before taking part in the invasion of Italy in 1943. Robert was killed in Italy on 8 June 1944. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy.

Charles Thomas, Fourth Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. Charles was the Son of Charles Albert and Mary Dorothy Thomas, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Tregarthen, a London registered vessel. Charles was killed when Tregarthen was torpedoed and sank by the German submarine U-48 on 6 June 1941. He was 22 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Ivor George Thomas, Private, 4202154, The Gloucestershire Regiment. Ivor was the Son of Charles and Lucy Thomas, and the husband of Lilian Lydia Thomas, of Prendergast. He initially enlisted into the Royal Welch Fusiliers, then served with the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, which saw active service in Burma against the invading Japanese forces. Ivor was killed in Burma on 1 May 1942. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar.

James Edward Thomas, Second Engineer Officer, Fishing Fleet. James was the Son of Job and Mary Thomas, and the husband of Margaret Elizabeth Thomas, of Haverfordwest. He served aboard the Fishing Vessel John Baptish, based at Milford Haven. She was a Castle Class steel sided trawler, with coal boilers, which had been built in 1918. In 1938, she was transferred and registered at Milford Haven. The John Baptish was on a fishing trip when she disappeared, presumed mined, South of Coningbeg Light Vessel, and lost with all hands on 7 September 1940. James was 46 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his crew-members.

 

William G. Thomas, Corporal, 4198122, Parachute Regiment. William was the Son of William and Hannah Thomas, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 1st Battalion, Parachute Regiment. The battalion had formed in September 1941 from elements of 2 Commando, and moved to North Africa in November 1942. William was killed during their first major operation at Beja on 8 March 1943. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia.

Frederick Richard Waite, Sergeant, A/36, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Frederick was the Son of Thomas and Mary Waite of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Mary Isabelle Waite, of Barrie, Ontario, Canada. He served with the 1st Hussars, 6th Armoured Regiment, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Frederick was among the first troops to land on the Normandy beaches on D-Day, 6 June 1944, aboard his Sherman Duplex Drive tank. After five days of tough fighting, Frederick was killed when his Sherman was destroyed during the Battle of Le Mesnil-Patry on 11 June 1944. He was 38 years old, and is commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial, France. Many thanks to the Cadets of No.3 Welsh Wing Air Cadets for the photograph.

 

Hanvar Walters, Sapper, 1881335, Royal Engineers. Hanvar was the Husband of Violet Theresa Walters, of Tenby, and served with 930 Port Construction Company, Royal Engineers. Little else is known of him, but he died on 27 August 1941, aged 28, and is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.

John George Watts, Assistant Steward, Merchant Navy. John was the Son Of John Benjamin And Margaret Emma May Watts, Of Haverfordwest, and served in the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Empress Of Britain. She was a luxury passenger liner, which had been built in 1928, and was requisitioned by the Admiralty as a troop transport. On the morning of 26 October 1940, Empress of Britain was travelling around the west coast of Ireland, after returning from a trip to Suez, with over 600 people on board, when she was attacked by German fighter aircraft and badly damaged. Later that day the German submarine U-32 torpedoed her, sending her to the bottom of the sea. John was killed in the sinking. He was 20 years old, and his body was returned to Haverfordwest, to be buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

B. Williams. Cannot be identified.

F. Williams. Cannot be identified.

Frederick Ambrose Williams, Warrant Officer, Royal Air Force. Frederick was born in 1902, the Son of Ambrose John and Elizabeth Lettice Williams, of Gate House (near Bethany Row), Haverfordwest. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force towards the end of the Great War, and by the outbreak of the Second World War had risen to the rank of Warrant Officer. Frederick was serving with a detachment of the RAF Rhodesia when he became ill and died on 1 March 1941. He was 39 years old, and is buried at Bulawayo (Athlone) Cemetery, Zimbabwe. His brother John Philpin Williams also fell. Many thanks to David Williams for helping to identify Frederick.

James Thomas George Williams, Guardsman, 2614943, Grenadier Guards. James was the Son of Thomas George and Rose Williams, of Prendergast, Haverfordwest. He served with the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. James was killed during the withdrawal to Dunkirk on 31 May 1940, probably while attached to the 1st or 2nd Grenadier Guards. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, France.

 

John Philpin Williams, Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.), 983072, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the Son of Ambrose John and Elizabeth Lettice Williams, of Haverfordwest. He served as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with the Royal Air Force, and was attached to No 3 Group Training Flight. On 6 January 1942, John was one of the crew of Vickers Wellington L7863, which took off from Newmarket Heath in Suffolk for a gunnery detail training flight. As the Wellington climbed, the port engine stopped and the Wellington lost height and crashed onto a railway embankment, skidded into a building and burst into flames, killing all bar two of her crew. John was 26 years old, and is buried at Uzmaston (St. Ismael) Churchyard. His elder brother, Frederick Ambrose Williams, had died on active service a year earlier.

Laurence Bain Williams, Private, 19109253, Royal Electrical And Mechanical Engineers. Laurence was the Son of William and Margaret Jean Williams, Of Prendergast, Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Laurence probably didn't see service in WW2, but died soon after, on 18 March 1947. He was 18 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (Prendergast) Cemetery.

V. Williams. Cannot be identified.

William Bernard Williams, Private, 5575773, The Wiltshire Regt (Duke Of Edinburgh's). William was the Son of David and Jane Williams, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. The battalion fought in India during the war, and helped in the evacuation of Burma. William was 30 years old when he died in India on 8 May 1942. He is buried at Delhi War Cemetery, India.

William Ernest Williams, Able Seaman, D/SSX 16110, Royal Navy. William was the Son of David and Maud Williams, of Prendergast, and served with the Royal Navy aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious. Glorious had been one of the first aircraft carriers in the world, after being converted from a Great War cruiser, and had seen service in the Mediterranean by the outbreak of World War 2. She was recalled to home waters to support the British during the German invasion of Norway in 1940, but was attacked and sank by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau while returning to Scapa Flow on 8 June 1940, after Norway had fallen. William was among 1,500 men of Glorious who either died in the sinking. He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

 

Frank George Wood, Private, 925736, The South Wales Borderers. Frank was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Wood, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was raised in July 1940, and sailed for Bombay in October 1942. They fought during the Burma campaign for the remainder of the war. Frank died in Burma on 19 December 1944. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Digboi War Cemetery, India.