Tenby War Memorial
The Great War, 1914-1918
Robert Dudley Ackland, Private, 19653, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Robert was born in Tenby, and enlisted in London into the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who had been formed at Wrexham in August, 1914 as part of the 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. The Division moved to Mudros in July, 1915 and from there moved to Gallipoli between the 6th to the 16th July, landing at Cape Helles. The Division then moved to the ANZAC sector, and fought at the Battles of Sari Bair, Russell’s Top, and Hill 60. They moved again, to Suvla, but were evacuated on the 19th December, and moved to Helles again for a rest, but it was at Helles that they faced the last Turkish attacks, where Robert was Killed in Action on the 6th January, 1916. He is buried at Twelve Tree Copse Cemetery.
George Young Allen, M.I.D., C.Q.M.S., 7658, Royal Berkshire Regiment. George was born at Blewsbury, Berkshire, the Husband of Florence Selina Allen, of 8, Queen's Parade, Tenby, and enlisted at Reading into the 1st Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, who were in Aldershot at the outbreak of war, part of 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. The Division were one of the first in France, and fought at the Battle of Mons, and during the epic fighting retreat to the Marne, where the BEF held the German attack. The Germans pulled back, and were stopped again on the Aisne, forming the basis of the Western Front line for the duration of the war. After holding the German Advance toward Paris, the 2nd Division moved to Flanders, and fought at First Ypres. They spent the winter in Flanders, and in May, 1915 fought in the Battle of Festubert. They then fought at Loos in September and remained in the area throughout the winter of 1915/16, before moving to the Somme in July, 1916, where they fought at Delville Wood and the Ancre. They followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917 and then fought at the opening move of the Arras Offensive, where George was Killed in Action during the Battle of the Scarpe on the 25th April, 1917 aged 32. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Richard Allen, Gunner, 43600, Royal Garrison Artillery. Richard was born in Tenby, the Son of Ben and Sarah Allen. He enlisted at Liverpool into the Royal Garrison Artillery, and was posted to their 16th Heavy Battery. Not much is known as yet of the work of the 16th Heavy Battery, but Richard was wounded during the Battle of the Scarpe, and Died of Wounds on the 28th April, 1917 aged 31. He is buried in Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension.
Richard Lancelot Baugh Allen, Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. Richard was the Son of His Honour Judge Wilfred Baugh Allen, of Irosemount, Tenby. He had received a commission into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to the 67th Brigade, RFA, which was attached to the 13th (Western) Division. The Division moved to Mudros in July, 1915 and from there moved to Gallipoli between the 6th to the 16th July, landing at Cape Helles. The Division then moved to the ANZAC sector, and fought at the Battles of Sari Bair, Russell’s Top, and Hill 60. They moved again, to Suvla, and on the 15th October, 1915 the 67th Brigade, RFA joined the 10th Division in Salonika. They remained in Salonika until early September, 1917 when they moved to Egypt. They then spent the remainder of the war fighting in Palestine, until then end of the war, when they moved back to Cairo. Richard Died of illness here on the 27th December, 1918 aged 31, and is buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Lionel William Richard Benson, Gunner, 371219, Royal Garrison Artillery. Lionel was the Eldest Son of William Walter Benson and Mary Anne Benson, of Gaspard House, Clarbeston Rd., Tenby. He had enlisted at Milford Haven into the Royal Garrison Artillery, and been posted to their 68th Siege Battery in France. The Battery were armed with the 30 cwt 6” Howitzer, and they fought during the Gommecourt Offensive in July, 1916. After spending the remainder of 1916 on the Somme, the Battery moved to Arras, which is where Lionel was wounded. He Died of Wounds on the 30th April, 1917 aged 23, and is buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre.
Howard Benjamin Best, Private, 379343, Labour Corps. Howard was born at Camden Town, London, but resided in Tenby prior to the Great War, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Fusiliers, serving in their Training Battalion. He transferred into the Labour Corps, serving with the 260th Area Employment Company, and was taking part in the Battle of Cambrai when he died on the 4th December, 1917. He is buried in Toutencourt Communal Cemetery.
Henry L. Bevan, Private, 5444, Pembroke Yeomanry. Henry was the Son of William and Sarah Bevan, and the husband of Kate Bevan, of Frog St., Tenby. Not much is known of him, but he served during the Great War with the Pembroke Yeomanry, probably on Home Service due to his age. He died at home on the 27th August, 1918 aged 45, and is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
Percy William Innes Boswell, Sergeant, 1764, Manchester Regiment. Percy was born at Tenby, the Son of James Grinton Smith Boswell and Jane Kay Boswell, of 58, Llanfair Rd., Canton, Cardiff. He had graduated from the Welsh University with a B.Sc., and had moved to Cardigan prior to the war. Percy enlisted at Manchester into the 1st/6th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, which was attached to the 127th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The Division sailed from Southampton on the 10th September, 1914 to Egypt, to garrison the Suez Canal. Arriving on the 25th September, the Division concentrated around Cairo, leaving the Manchester Brigade at Alexandria. They remained in Egypt until April, 1915, and on the 1st May embarked at Alexandria to join the Gallipoli expedition. On the 6th May the Division landed at Cape Helles, and from that time on fought continuously through the campaign, where Percy was Killed in Action on the 7th August, 1915 aged 23. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Foss Hunter Brown, Second Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. Foss was born at Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne, the Son of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Brown, later of Tenby. He received a commission into the Royal Engineers, and served with the 76th Field Company, Royal Engineers. The Field Companies were the technical men of the army at the time, and the 76th Field Company arrived in France attached to the 16th (Irish) Division. They moved to the Guards Division in August, 1915, and landed in France with them that month. The first action seen by the Guards Division was during the Battle of Loos. They then fought at Flers-Courcelette and Morval on the Somme, before following the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917. The Division then moved to Ypres, and took part in the Battle of Pilckem, where Foss was Killed in Action, on the 31st July, 1917 aged just 19. He is buried at Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery.
Henry Simeon Burton, Lance Sergeant, 6952, Duke of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Henry was born at Salisbury, and prior to the war had resided at Pembroke. He enlisted at Devizes, Wiltshire, into the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, which was attached to the 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, and they moved to France in August, 1914, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and the epic retreat south via Le Cateau to the Marne where the Germans were stopped. After pushing the Germans back to the Aisne, the Division moved to Flanders, and fought at La Basee, Messines and First Ypres before spending the winter in Flanders, and taking part in the famous Christmas Truce that year near Ploegsteert. In 1915 they fought at Bellewaarde and Hooge during Second Ypres, and on the 18th October, 1915 the Battalion transferred to the 25th Division. They were at Vimy when the Germans attacked in May, 1916, and after a brief rest period moved to the Somme to take part in the big offensive. Henry was wounded during the Battle of the Somme, and had returned home for treatment, but sadly Died of Wounds on the 23rd September, 1916, aged 31. He is buried in Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
John Carne, Private, 18582, Welsh Regiment. John was born in Tenby, but prior to the war had moved to Bridgend. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was sent to France as part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, landing at Havre on the 13th August, 1914. After the retreat from Mons to the Aisne, they were moved to Ypres, and again stopped the Germans during First Ypres. They moved to the French Flanders sector near Neuve-Chappelle in that first winter, where John was sadly Killed in Action on the 22nd December, 1914. He is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg L'Avoue.
Thomas Henry Coffey, Private, 31843, South Wales Borderers. Thomas was born in Bedwas, but resided in Tenby prior to the war. He enlisted at Aldershot into the Military Foot Police, but later transferred into the 8th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to the 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division landed at Boulogne on the 6th September, 1915, but were almost immediately ordered to proceed to Marseilles, embarking there on the 30th October for Salonika. They remained here for the duration of the war, and sadly Thomas Died of Illness here on the 6th September, 1918. He is buried at Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery.
Charles Cecil Coombes, Lance Corporal, 6380, Duke of Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment. Charles was born at Brixton, London, but previous to the war had resided at Tenby. He enlisted at London into the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, which was attached to the 7th Brigade, 3rd Division, and they moved to France in August, 1914, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and the epic retreat south via Le Cateau to the Marne where the Germans were stopped. The German Divisions pulled back to the Aisne River to regroup, and the BEF followed them there, taking part in the Battle of the Aisne on the 12th September, 1914. Charles was wounded here, but sadly Died of Wounds on the 23rd September, 1914. The location of his grave could not be identified after the war, and so Charles is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Joarre Memorial.
Joseph Clement Cossins, Bombardier, 950475, Royal Field Artillery. Joseph had been born in London, the Son of Louis and Maria Cossins, and the family moved to Tenby, setting up home at "Scarborough House," The Paragon, Tenby. Joseph enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery, and served in their "B" Battery, 235th Brigade, which was a pre-war Territorial unit, attached to the 47th (London) Division. The Division moved to France in March, 1915 and saw action during most of the major battles thereafter, fighting at Aubers, Festubert, Loos, Vimy, the Somme Offensive. They fought during the opening of Third Ypres, at the Battle of Messines, and then at Cambrai later in 1917. When the German Spring Offensive was launched in March, 1918, the Division were caught in the thick of it, during the Battles of St. Quentin and Bapaume. It was during the terrible period that followed that Joseph was Killed in Action, on the 5th July, 1918 aged 27, and he is buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension.
John Alfred Davies, Sapper, 302677, Royal Engineers. John was born at Tenby, the son of William and Eliza Davies. He served in the Royal Engineers with the Inland Waterways and Docks Company, which was a specialist arm of the Royal Engineers, providing services to develop and operate transport on the canals and docks of France and Belgium. Not much can be found of John’s part in the war, but he died at home on the 5th August, 1917 aged 39, and is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
Thomas Maurice Davies, Sergeant, 6017, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born on the 23rd October, 1879 at Penffordd, Bletherston. Thomas worked at Narberth Post Office prior to 1898, and served with the 1st Volunteer Battalion, Welsh Regiment. In 1899 the Battalion was sent to South Africa to fight in the Boer War. Thomas was awarded the QSA and KSA for his time in South Africa, and moved to India with the 2nd Welsh in 1902, not returning to Wales until 1905. In 1908 he married Elizabeth Morgan of Tenby, and resided at Lodge Gate, New Hedges, Tenby, with Thomas working there as a Postman. Thomas re-enlisted at Pembroke Dock at the outbreak of WW1, into the 8th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which were part of the 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. In January, 1915 the Battalion became the Divisional Pioneers, and in June, 1915 the Division embarked for the Mediterranean, and from there to Gallipoli via Mudros, landing at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th August, 1915. On Gallipoli, the Division fought in the Battles of Sari Bair, Russell’s Top and Hill 60, before moving to Suvla Bay, from where they were evacuated in January, 1916. After being moved to Egypt, the Division was sent to Mesopotamia, as part of a force to relieve the Siege of Kut el Amara. Thomas was Killed in Action here, at Abu Romans Mound, near Sannyiat, Mesopotamia, aged 36, on the 23rd April, 1916. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Basra Memorial.
William Davies, Petty Officer Stoker, 160757, Royal Navy. William was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Davies, of Tenby, and the husband of H. Davies, of 98, St. Leonard's Rd., Kirkley, South Lowestoft. He was a pre-war regular in the Royal Navy, serving aboard their Canopus Class Battleship H.M.S. "Goliath". She had been launched on the 23rd March, 1898 and commissioned at Chatham on the 27th March, 1900. Designed for the China station, she had a narrow draught, to enable her to use the Suez Canal. She remained there until 1903, and in 1904 went into commissioned reserve at Portsmouth. In May 1905 she joined the Mediterranean fleet, transferring to the channel fleet in December and remaining there until March 1907. She was then commissioned in April 1909 at Sheerness for the 4th Fleet (Nore Reserve). HMS Goliath was mothballed in 1913, and joined the 3rd Fleet (Pembroke Reserve), to be brought out in August 1914 to join the battle squadron operating from Devonport. Her complement was drawn up from the naval reserve on the 2nd of August 1914, and she was despatched in September 1914 to the East Indies for escort duties, operating against the German light cruiser Konigsberg in November (Rufigi River, East Africa). In April 1915 she was transferred to the Dardanelles, to support the ill-fated landings around Cape Helles. She was damaged on 25th April and 2nd May, and then finally sunk by 3 torpedoes fired by the Turkish torpedo boat ‘Muavanet’ on the 13th May 1915. 570 of her crew were lost, including the 42 year old William. His body went down with the ship, and so he is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Arthur Edwards, Gunner, 100984, Royal Garrison Artillery. Arthur was the Son of John and Martha Jane Edwards, of East Williamston, Tenby, and the husband of Ellen Ann Edwards, of Chapel House, Kilgerran. He served in the Royal Garrison Artillery, with their 188th Siege Battery, which arrived in France on the 30th October, 1916. They were equipped with four 9.2” Howitzers, and would have fought in all of the major campaigns on the Western Front until the Armistice. Arthur Died of Sickness aged 33, on the 17th November, 1918. He is buried in Cambrai East Military Cemetery.
John Evans, Gunner, 371058, Royal Garrison Artillery. John was the Son of James and Elizabeth Evans, of 2, Jubilee Cottages, Tenby. He enlisted at Tenby into the Royal Garrison Artillery, and served with their 114th Siege Battery. The Battery was formed at Pembroke Dock on the 3rd March, 1916 and moved to France on the 14th June, 1916. It comprised of four 6” Howitzers, and fought on the Somme, and at Vimy Ridge, where they were attached to the Canadian Corps. The Battery had moved to Flanders to prepare for the forthcoming Battles of Third Ypres, when John was Killed in Action on the 14th June, 1917, aged 36. He is buried at Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery.
William George Evans, Lance Corporal, 381481, Kings Liverpool Regiment. William was born in Tenby, and also resided there when he enlisted into the 5th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment. The Battalion landed on the 22nd February, 1915 at Le Havre, where they became attached to the 6th Brigade, 2nd Division. They moved to Flanders, and on the 15th May, 1915 fought at the Battle of Festubert, and later moved to Loos, taking part in the Battle of Loos from the 25th September, 1915 onwards. On the 15th December, they moved to the 99th Brigade, still in the 2nd Division, and on the 7th January, 1916 they transferred again to the 165th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division, which had been reformed around Hallencourt. The Division moved to Wailly in February, and remained here until moving south to the Somme at the end of July, where they fought at Guillemont, Guinchy, Flers-Courcelette and Morval. The Division moved to Ypres in October, 1916, taking over the section near Railway Wood, and here they remained for almost a year, taking part in the Battles of Third Ypres. In September the Division moved south to Cambrai, near Lempire, and fought at the Battle of Cambrai, where the Division were decimated during the German counter-attacks. In 1918 the Division moved to Festubert, and in April met with the ferocious onslaught of the German Offensive in Flanders. After the Battle of Estaires, the Division had made a stand that was to become famous, gaining the respect of even the German High Command. After a hard campaign in Flanders, the tide turned in favour of the Allies, and the Division took part in the final advance in Flanders. William was Killed in Action during this epic push, on the 21st October, 1918 and is buried at Ere Churchyard, Belgium. His is one of only two burials here.
Ronald Gifford Fishwick, Private, 3047, Australian Infantry. Ronald was born at Tenby, the Son of Richard and Elizabeth J. Fishwick, and the family emigrated to Australia, setting up home at "Esson", 217, Denison St., Waverley, New South Wales. Ronald enlisted at Liverpool, New South Wales on the 10th April, 1915 into the 1st Battalion, Australian Infantry, and was sent to Egypt as part of the 10th Reinforcements for the Battalion, which was part of the 1st Brigade, 1st Australian Division, fighting at Gallipoli at the time. Ronald arrived in Egypt in January, 1915, after the evacuation of the Australians from Gallipoli. After a spell of training in Egypt, the AIF was sent to France, landing at Marseilles on the 28th March, 1916, and moved to the ‘Nursery Sector’ near Armentieres. In July, 1916 the Australian 1st and 2nd Divisions moved south to the Somme, where the First Division attacked the German stronghold of Pozieres on the 22nd July, 1916. The battle raged for days, but the men of the AIF successfully captured Pozieres, at great cost, and Ronald was reported missing during the capture of the village, sometime between the 22nd and the 25th July, 1916. A later court of enquiry came to the conclusion that Ronald had been Killed in Action, and as his body was lost in the ongoing fighting in the area, Ronald is remembered on the Villers-Brettoneaux Memorial. He was just 21 years old.
Charles Frederick Arthur Fordham, Private, 53684, Welsh Regiment. Charles was born in Tenby, and had enlisted there into the Pembroke Yeomanry. Later he transferred into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was sent to France as part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, landing at Havre on the 13th August, 1914. After the retreat from Mons to the Marne, where the Germans were stopped, they fought at the Aisne, and were then moved to Ypres, again stopping the Germans during the Battle of First Ypres. They moved to the French Flanders sector near Neuve-Chappelle in that first winter, and fought at Aubers, before moving south again, and fighting at the Battle of Loos. After a few months spent at Loos, the Division moved to the Somme, where they fought in most of the Battles of the Somme Offensive in 1916, and were in the area in March, 1917 when the German withdrew to the Hindenburg Line. Charles was Killed in Action about this time, on the 3rd March, 1917 aged just 22, and he is buried at Assevillers New British Cemetery.
Alfred William Forsyth, Private, 200206, Welsh Regiment. Alfred was born at Tenby, and enlisted at Pembroke into the 1/5th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment. The Battalion was formed at Pontypridd during August, 1914, and on the 17th April, 1915 were attached to the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. In July 1915 the Division sailed from Devonport for Egypt, and from there were landed at Gallipoli on the 9th August. From here on they fought throughout the remainder of the disastrous campaign on the Peninsula, which resulted in such a terrible loss of men that the merging of the 4th & 5th Welsh became necessary for several months, during which the Division were evacuated to Egypt in December, 1915. After spending some time defending the Suez Canal, the Division moved to Palestine, and fought through the Battles of Gaza, before finally capturing Jerusalem in December, 1917. Alfred was killed in Action on the 28th December, 1917 and is buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery.
Henry James Fouracre, Gunner, 141470, Royal Garrison Artillery. Henry was born at Grangetown, Glamorgan, and prior to the war resided at Tenby. He enlisted at Pembroke Dock into the Royal Garrison Artillery, serving with their 148th Siege Battery on the Western Front, after being formed at Harwich on the 22nd May, 1916. Henry was Killed in Action during Third Ypres, on the 20th October, 1917, and he is buried at The Huts Cemetery, Ieper.
Cebert Douglas Gibbon, Sergeant, 17520, Essex Regiment. Cebert was born in Tenby, but prior to the war resided at Ilford, Essex, and enlisted at nearby Stratford into the 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment. The Battalion had been formed at West Ham on the 27th December, 1914, and in August, 1915 were attached to the 100th Brigade, 33rd Division and they moved to France in November, 1915. On the 22nd December, 1915 the Battalion transferred to the 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, and joined their new Division at Loos, after the Battle had closed down. In July, 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, and fought at Delville Wood at the Battle of the Ancre, where Cebert was Killed in Action on the 13th November, 1916. He is buried at Serre Road Cemetery, No. 2.
Arthur Glass, Sergeant, 6886, Duke Of Edinburgh's (Wiltshire Regiment). Arthur was born at Tenby, but previous to the war moved to Swindon, which is where he enlisted into the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. At the outbreak of war, the Battalion were at Tidworth as part of the 7th Brigade, 3rd Division. The Division moved rapidly to France, and took part in the Battle of Mons, and also at Solesmes and Le Cateau, before fighting in the epic retreat south to the Marne, where the German Offensive was stopped. They fought at the Battle of the Aisne, and were sent to Flanders, taking up positions around La Bassee, where they again held a German attack towards the coast. They fought at the Battle of Messines, during First Ypres, where Arthur was Killed in Action on the 18th October, 1914. Arthur’s body was lost on the battlefields, and so he is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg L'Avoue.
Charles Stewart Glencross, Sergeant, 371034, Royal Garrison Artillery. Charles was the Son of Richard and Caroline Glencross, of 2, Upper Park Rd., Tenby, and enlisted at Tenby into the Royal Garrison Artillery, serving with their 204th Siege Battery. Not much is known of Charles’ war service, but he was Killed in Action during the opening of the German Spring Offensive during the Battle of First Arras aged 26, on the 28th March, 1918 and is buried at Anzin-St. Aubin British Cemetery.
William Edward Glinn, Private, 235691, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was born at Tenby, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the South Wales Borderers. Sometime later he transferred into the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (possibly due to wounding), which formed part of the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had been in France since December, 1915, and had fought at Armentieres, then at Mametz Wood on the Somme, and through the Battle of Third Ypres at Pilckem and Langemarck. When the German Spring Offensive hit the Allies on the Somme in March, 1918, the 38th Division were rushed to positions around Albert, where they remained until the German Offensive was turned by a brilliant Australian victory on the 8th August, 1918 at Villers-Brettoneux. The German Army had now been bled dry, and the Allies swiftly moved toward the mighty Hindenburg Line, and it was during this advance over the old battlefields that William was wounded. He was moved to the Base Hospital at Rouen, where he sadly Died of Wounds on the 9th September, 1918. He is buried there, at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen.
Richard John Goodridge, Private, 34602, Welsh Regiment. Richard was born at Tenby, but resided prior to the war at Treorchy. He enlisted at Tonypandy into the 20th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which had been formed during July, 1915 as a local Reserve Battalion. Sadly Richard died at home on the 18th November, 1915, and is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
Walter John Gough, Corporal, 16386, Oxfordshire And Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Walter was born at Tenby, but resided at West Bromwich prior to the war, enlisting at Birmingham into the 5th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, which were formed at Oxford during August, 1914, attached to the 42nd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. On the 20th May, 1915 they landed in France, and saw their first major action at Hooge, where the Division gained the dubious distinction of being the first to be attacked with German Flamethrowers on the 30th July, 1915. They remained at Ypres during the coming months, and were then moved to the Somme, where Walter was Killed in Action on the 24th August, 1916. His body was lost on the Somme Battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Ernest Atherton Gregory, Private, 27244, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Ernest was born at Pembroke, the Son of E. A. Gregory and Sarah J. Gregory, who later moved the family to 9, Edward St., Tenby. Ernest enlisted at Tenby into the Brecknockshire Battalion, South Wales Borderers, but later transferred into the 7th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, who were initially attached to the 76th Brigade, 25th Division. The Battalion landed in France on the 28th September, 1915 and on the 15th October they moved with the Brigade to the 3rd Division. They transferred to the 8th Brigade of the 3rd Division just four days later, remaining with them through the war, fighting at Ypres before moving to the Somme, where they fought throughout most of the actions in 1916. The Division then took part in the 1917 Arras Offensive, fighting at the Scarpe and Arleux, then moved to Ypres, and fought during Third Ypres at the Menin Road and Polygon Wood. In November they were on the move again, and fought at the Battle of Cambrai, and were in the area when it was hit by the German Spring Offensive of March, 1918. They fought throughout 1918, and were taking part in the Battle of Albert when Ernest was Killed in Action, aged just 19, on the 23rd August, 1918. He is buried at Douchy-Les-Ayette British Cemetery.
Frank Harris, Private, 208162, Notts & Derby (Sherwood Foresters). Frank was born in Shrewsbury, but prior to the war resided at Tenby. He returned to Shrewsbury to enlist in the 15th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, which were formed in Derby in August, 1914. On the 12th May, 1915 they joined the 139th Brigade, 46th (North Midland) Division, which were already in France, and they saw their first major action at Loos, at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The Division moved to Egypt in December, 1915, but were moved back to France the following month, and moved to the Somme where they took part in the Diversionary attack on Gommecourt. After suffering heavy casualties here, they didn’t see action until later in the year, where they occupied lines near the Ancre. They followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917, and fought at the Battle of Hill 70 during the Arras Offensive in Spring, 1917. In 1918 they were near Wytschaete, and took part in the Advance in Flanders. They moved south to the Somme area, and gained themselves immortality during the Battle of the St. Quentin Canal, when the 137th Brigade stormed and captured Riqueval Bridge, thus breaking the Hindenburg Line. From ehere on the Germans were in disarray, and the Division pursued them towards Cambrai, and toward the River Selle, where Frank was Killed in Action on the 20th October, 1918. He is buried in Vichte Military Cemetery.
James Henry Harris, Private, 10475, Welsh Regiment. James was born at Tenby, the Son of Jacob and Maria Harries, and the brother of John (below). He resided at Neyland prior to the war, enlisting at nearby Pembroke into the 1st Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was stationed in India at the outbreak of war. They swiftly returned to England, landing at Plymouth on the 22nd December, 1914, where they were attached to the 84th Brigade, 28th Division, and moved to France in January, 1915. The Division moved to Ypres, and fought through the terrible battles of Second Ypres, where James was wounded. He was brought to the Base Hospital at Boulogne, where he Died of Wounds on the 24th May, 1915 aged 31, and was buried there in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.
John Harris, Private, 8592, Welsh Regiment. John was born in Tenby, the son of Jacob and Maria Harris, and the brother of James Henry Harries (above). He enlisted at Pembroke into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was in Bordon in August, 1914 attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The Division moved to France that month, and fought at the Battle of Mons, and in the epic retreat to the Marne, where the German attack was halted. The Germans withdrew to the Aisne to regroup, and the BEF met them there, during the Battle of the Aisne, where the advance on Paris was halted. Moving to Ypres, the Division fought at First Ypres, where they stopped the German advance toward the Channel Coast, and saved the ancient City of Ypres from capture, and then settled down to their first winter in Flanders. In 1915 they fought at Aubers, and later at Loos, and remained at Loos for the remainder of the year, and the beginning of 1916, until moving to the Somme, where they fought throughout the Offensive there from July onwards. In March, 1917 they followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and moved to the Belgian Coast in the Summer, where they prepared for an offensive there. The offensive was cancelled due to the stagnation of the attack at Ypres, but John was wounded here, and Died of Wounds on the 8th September, 1917 aged 32. He is buried at Zuydcoote Military Cemetery.
Henry May Henderson, M.I.D., Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Engineers. Henry was the Son of Capt. John Hamman Henderson, R.N., and Mrs. J. H. Henderson, of Red House, Tenby, and the nephew of Admirals William, Sir Reginald and Frank Hannam Henderson. He obtained his commission in January, 1899, and served with the 13th Field Company during thee Boer War. He remained in the Royal Engineers after the Boer War, steadily making his way through the ranks, and was with the BEF in France when war broke out. He was wounded on the 15th September, 1914, during the Battle of the Aisne, and sent home to recuperate. On his recovery he was posted to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst as Chief Instructor in Military Engineering, and remained there until being sent to the front again in March, 1916 as Major in charge of a Field Company, attached to the 18th Division. He was wounded again on July 9th, during the opening phase of the Somme Offensive, but remained in France, and was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in January, 1917, and appointed Commanding R.E. of the 18th Division. Henry was also Mentioned in Despatches on the 4th January. Sadly Henry was Killed in Action on the Somme on the 10th March, 1917 aged 38. He is buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension.
Thomas John Hodges, Gunner, 229058, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was the Son of John and Julia Hodges, and the husband of Mary Naomi Hodges, of 28, Harries St., Tenby. He served with the 9th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery, and sadly died at home on the 21st May, 1917 aged 39. He is buried at Coddington (All Saints) Churchyard, Herefordshire.
Charles W. Howells, Seaman, 2444A, Royal Naval Reserve. Charles was born at Tenby, the Son of Thomas and Annie Louisa Howells. He served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve aboard the S.S. Trenta-y-Tres, but died of sickness at Uruguay on the 4th January, 1919 aged 26. He is buried at Buceo British Cemetery, Montevideo.
John Wesley Howells, Second Lieutenant, Lancashire Fusiliers. John was the Son of William and Sarah Jane Howells, of Arch House, St. George St., Tenby. John served with the 7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, which were formed in Salford in August, 1914, as part of the East Lancs Division. On the 25th September, 1914 the Battalion arrived in Egypt, where they fought in several skirmishes with Turkish controlled Arabs, and on the 5th May, 1915 were landed on Gallipoli, where they became attached to the 125th Brigade, 42nd Division. The Division fought during some of the hardest fighting during their stay on Gallipoli, which must reduced their strength. The Battalion were withdrawn from Gallipoli at the end of December, 1915, and proceeded to Egypt via Mudros. Arriving at Alexandria, the Division moved to guard the Suez Canal, and in early August, 1916 pushed on to Rumani, where they won a hard battle against the Turks, before moving across the Sinai to Palestine. The Division was however to move to the Western Front, and had left Alexandria by the end of February, 1917. John had remained in Palestine, attached to another Division (as yet unknown). He was Killed in Action on the 23rd July, 1917 aged 30, and is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial.
William Henry Hurley, Gunner, 463, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was born at Tenby, the Son of Mr. T.J. Hurley and Mrs. M. A. Hurley, of 1, Arcade Terrace, Garnant, Carmarthenshire. He enlisted at Swansea into the Royal Garrison Artillery, but sadly Died at home of sickness on the 27th May, 1915 aged 23. He is buried at Pembroke Dock Military Cemetery.
Charles Jeffries, Private, 1633, Welsh Guards. Charles was born in Tenby, the Husband of Miriam Jeffries, of 72, Middle St., Pontypridd, Glam. He enlisted at Porth into the Welsh Guards, and served in the 1st Battalion, part of the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Welsh Guards were raised under a blaze of publicity after the Royal Warrant on 26th February, 1915. After being formed, they became part of the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division, which was formed in France in August, 1915. Their first taste of battle was at Loos, before being brought south to the Somme in 1916. During the Somme Offensive the Division fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and at Morval, and followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917. Their next major action was during the offensive of Third Ypres, where Charles fought with the Welsh Guards at the Battle of Pilckem. They moved to positions near the Menin Road, where Charles was Killed in Action on the 4th September, 1917 aged 27. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
A.T.W. Jenkins, Private, 19086, Army Pay Corps. Sadly I cannot find the first name of Private Jenkins, as he doesn’t appear on the MIC lists, but he was the Son of William and Martha Annie Jenkins, of 29, Norton, Tenby, and died aged 22 on the 28th April, 1918. He is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
Hugh Davies John, Gunner, 3123, Australian Imperial Force. Hugh was born at Cresselly, the Son of William Davies John and Sarah Catherine John. Prior to the war, Hugh emigrated to Australia, which is where he enlisted on the 22nd June, 1915 at Blackboy Hill, Western Australia, into the 15th Depot Company. Hugh’s enlistment papers show his next of kin to have been his Uncle Thomas John, of 6, Croft Terrace, Tenby. He transferred into the 16th Battalion, and was sent to France with their 10th Reinforcements, but upon arrival was posted to the 48th Battalion at Serapeum. Hugh was then transferred, just four days later, on the 17th March, 1916 to the 4th Division Artillery, and after a spell in Hospital with Scabies, embarked at Alexandria on the 6th June, 1916 to join the BEF in France, arriving at Marseilles on the 13th. Hugh had only been in France a few days when he was admitted to Hospital with bronchial problems, and he was sent to England for treatment. He returned to France on the 24th November, but just a month later was readmitted to Hospital suffering from influenza. Upon his return to the field, Hugh was posted to the 7th Field Artillery Battery, Australian Field Artillery, which was attached to the 3rd Australian Division, and after less than a month in the action, was wounded by a gunshot to the buttock. Again he returned to England, where he was treated at Norfolk General Hospital, and he didn’t rejoin his unit until February, 1918. Again though just days after returning, he was in Hospital suffering from a venereal disease, and didn’t finally return to action until another bout of scabies, on the 31st May. On the 17th October, Hugh was wounded again, and admitted to Hospital with a gunshot wound to his foot. He again returned to Hospital in England, but ended up Dying of Pneumonia at the Central Military Hospital, Chathem, on the 30th October, 1918 aged 26. His body was taken back to Pembrokeshire, where his family arranged his burial at Minwear (St. Womar) Churchyard, on the 5th November, 1918.
Thomas Henry John, Private, 38127, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born at Tenby, but had moved to Trebanog, enlisting at nearby Tonypandy into the 15th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was part of the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. In the summer of 1915 the Battalion moved with the remainder of the Welsh Division to Morn Hill Camp, Winchester, where it completed its training and equipping, and embarked for France from Folkestone on December 5th, 1915, disembarking at Boulogne the same day. During the winter and spring of 1916 the Battalion held the line in the Armentières sector, and at the end of May, 1916 moved South with the remainder of the 38th (Welsh) Division to the Somme area, in readiness for the First Battle of The Somme. The 38th Division were tasked with the taking of the infamous Mametz Wood, with the first attack going in on the 7th July, when the division lost heavily in 'Death Valley' during the advance on the 'Hammer Head'. The next attack went in on the 10th, and by 14th July the wood was cleared - but at the cost of over 5,000 casualties in the 38th (Welsh) Division. Thomas was Killed in Action during the attack on the 11th July, 1916. His body was lost during the coming fighting over the area, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
William John, Private, 55464, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was born at Tenby, the Husband, of Mrs. M. E. John, of 29, Victoria St., Tenby. He enlisted at Tenby into the Pembroke Yeomanry, but later transferred into the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh Division). The Division embarked at Folkestone on December 5th, 1915, disembarking at Boulogne the same day. During the winter and spring of 1916 the Battalion held the line in the Armentières sector, and at the end of May, 1916 moved South with the remainder of the 38th (Welsh) Division to the Somme area, in readiness for the First Battle of The Somme. The 38th Division were tasked with the taking of the infamous Mametz Wood, with the first attack going in on the 7th July, when the division lost heavily in 'Death Valley' during the advance on the 'Hammer Head'. The next attack went in on the 10th, and by 14th July the wood was cleared. Due to the terrible casualties taken by the Division during the capture of Mametz Wood, they were removed from the front, and posted to Ypres to rebuild. William was sadly Killed in Action during that first winter at Ypres, on the 15th January, 1917 aged 33. He is buried at Essex Farm Cemetery.
Frank Thomas Jones, Private, 10732, Machine Gun Corps. Frank was born at Tenby, the Son of Henry and Elizabeth Jones, of 3, Marsh Rd., Tenby. He had initially enlisted at Burry Port into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but later transferred into the 33rd Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, which were attached to the 33rd Division. The Division had been in France since December, 1915. They had fought throughout the Battles of the Somme, and during the Arras Offensive and at Third Ypres, and were in Flanders when the German Spring Offensive of 1918 hit the area. The Division fought during the desperate following few months, and moved to the Somme in September, 1918, and were taking part in the advance on the Hindenburg Line, prior to the Battle of the St. Quentin Canal, when Frank was wounded. He sadly Died of Wounds aged just 21 on the 21st September, 1918, and is buried at Villers Hill British Cemetery, Villers-Guislain.
James Arthur Jones, Chief Stoker, 300369 (Dev), Royal Navy. James was the Son of William and Sara Jones, of 1, Upper Park Rd., Tenby. He served at H.M.S. Vivid, which was the Navel Barracks at Devonport. James sadly died at home on the 15th November, 1918 aged 36, and is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
James Arthur Jones, Captain, South Wales Borderers. James was the Son of the Rev. James Jones (late Vicar of Llandebie) and of Mrs. Jane Jones, of Hill Cottage, Heywood Lane, Tenby. He served in the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, part of the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. In the summer of 1915 the Battalion moved with the remainder of the Welsh Division to Morn Hill Camp, Winchester, where it completed its training and equipping, and embarked for France from Folkestone on December 5th, 1915, disembarking at Boulogne the same day. During the winter and spring of 1916 the Battalion held the line in French Flanders, and then moved south to the Somme, where they fought at Mametz Wood. After a year in reserve, they fought at Pilckem Ridge and Langemarck in Third Ypres, and were back on the Somme in 1918 facing the German Offensive. After playing a leading role in pushing the Germans back in late 1918, James was Killed in Action on the 8th October 1918 during the Battle of Cambrai. He is buried in Guizancourt Farm Cemetery, Gouy.
Donald Kenworthy, Captain, Somerset Light Infantry. Donald was born at Tenby in 1888, the Son of John and Mary H. Kenworthy, of Tenby. Donald was the youngest of five sons who served during the Great War, and was one of two that died. He was educated at St. Andrews School Tenby and then at Cheltenham College. After graduating from Cheltenham he enrolled at Sandhurst and was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 2nd Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry on the 19th September, 1908, serving with them at Malta, Tientsin and Quetta. In 1911 Donald passed through the Signalling School at Aldershot and was promoted to full Lieutenant. By the time was had broken out, Donald was a Captain, serving with the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. The Battalion were stationed at Colchester as part of the 11th Brigade, 4th Division, and they arrived in France in time to join II Corps at the Battle of Le Cateau. They took part in the epic fighting retreat to the Marne where the German Offensive was held, and then helped push the Germans back to the Aisne before being moved to Flanders. Here the Division fought at First Ypres, at the Battle of Messines on the 12th October, and held the lines at Ploegsteert Wood during the famous Christmas Truce of 1914. On the 22nd April, 1915 the Germans attacked Yprs again, and the Division fought through the battles of Second Ypres, which is when Donald was Killed in Action on the 17th May, 1915 aged 27. He is buried at New Irish Farm Cemetery, just east of Ypres.
John Gibson Kenworthy, Lieutenant, Canadian Infantry. John was born in Hurst, Lancashire on the 27th August, 1881, the Son of John and Mary H. Kenworthy, of Tenby, and the elder brother of Donald. He had emigrated to Canada with his wife Iris John Kenworthy, and they set up home there. John had already had 10 years service with the Lancashire Fusiliers in the British Army, and when he enlisted at Valcartier on the 7th September, 1914 into the 16th (Canadian Scottish) Battalion (Manitoba Regiment) he was commissioned as Lieutenant straight away, and sent to England, arriving on the 14th October, 1914. The Battalion was attached to the 3rd Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division at Salisbury Plain and during February, 1915 moved to the Western Front, taking up positions at Ypres. The Germans renewed their attacks on Ypres on the 22nd April, 1915 with the release of 168 tons of Chlorine Gas on a 4 mile front held by French Colonial Troops at Gravenstafel, killing around 6,000 men in the first ten minutes. The line broke, and the 1st Canadian Division were rushed into the line, becoming embroiled in the terrible Battle of Gravenstafel for the first two desperate days. On the 24th April the Canadians were still in the line, desperately holding their positions at St. Julien, when John was reported as wounded in action. He was then posted as Missing, but sadly was found to have been Killed in Action that day. His body was never found due to the terrible state of the battlefield by that time, and so John is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Francis John Dobree Knowling, M.C., Captain, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. Francis was the younger Son of Dr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Knowling, of North Bay House, Tenby. He was educated at St. Andrews, Tenby and at Cheltenham College, and sat an Agricultural Course at Harper Adams College, Shropshire, which led to him being employed at Lord Rendlesham’s Estate in Suffolk. When war broke out, Francis enlisted in the Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, and on September, 22nd, 1914 was commissioned into the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, and was posted to their 10th Battalion, attached to 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. He moved to France with the Division in May, 1915, and they fought at the Battle of Loos in September, where Francis was gazetted Captain, and was awarded the Military Cross for distinguished service in the field during June, 1916. The Division were now at the Somme, and fought through most of the Somme Offensive, as well as the March 1917 Arras Offensive and at Third Ypres and the Battle of Cambrai. At sometime in 1917 Francis was wounded whilst serving on the Staff at Brigade Headquarters. After six months recuperating at home, he was passed fit for Home Service and was attached to an Officer Cadet Battalion at Crookham, Fleet as an Instructor but he must have become bored, and in January, 1918 volunteered to return to his old Battalion at the front. Sadly Francis was soon Killed in Action, on the 8th March, 1918 at Ypres. He was 26 years old and is buried at Canada Farm Cemetery.
Arthur Henry Ormond Lea, Lance Corporal, 6491, Honourable Artillery Company. Arthur was the Only Son of Mrs. E. and the late Mr. Henry Lea, of "Holmlea," Tenby, and he served with the 2nd Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company. The Battalion had been formed at Finsbury in August, 1914 and on the 3rd October, 1916 moved to France and joined the 22nd Brigade, 7th Division. The Division had just come through the Somme Battles, and spent the winter in the area, before following the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917, where they got caught up in the fighting around Bullecourt, where they fought alongside the Australian Corps. Later that year they moved north, and fought throughout the Battles of Third Ypres, where they suffered terrible casualties in the awful conditions there. They were relieved from positions near Polygon Wood on the 26th October, 1917 and immediately moved to Italy, in support of the Italian Army. On the 23rd October the Division fought at the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, and Arthur was killed here on the 26th October, 1918 aged 31. He is buried at Tezze British Cemetery.
William Lea, Private, 29011, South Wales Borderers. William was the Husband of Alice Lea, of 1, Elm Cottage, St. John's Hill, Tenby. He served with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which had began the war at Tientsin, China, where they defeated a German Force and captured the Island, before being recalled home. They landed at Plymouth on the 12th January, 1915 and were attached to the 87th Brigade, 29th Division, and on the 16th March they were on the move again, being shipped to Egypt and then on to Gallipoli, landing at Cape Helles on the 25th April, 1915. After a long and arduous campaign on Gallipoli, the Division were withdrawn on the 2nd January, 1916 and moved to Egypt. On the 29th March, 1916 they were moved again, landing at Marseilles on the 29th March, and they remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war. The Division saw their first action on the Somme, during the attack on Beaumont Hamel. They remained on the Somme until after the Ancre Battles had ground to a halt at the end of 1916, and moved to Arras, where they fought at the Scarpe. Later that year, they moved to Ypres, and fought at Third Ypres, from Langemarck to Poelcappelle, and then saw further action at the end of 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. The Division were in Flanders in 1918 when the area was hit by the German Offensive, and fought at Estaires, Messines, Hazebrouck, Bailleul and Kemmel, before fighting in the final Battle of Ypres, when William was killed in action, aged 34, on the 28th September, 1918. He is buried at Zantvoorde British Cemetery.
Arthur Scott Lewis, Private, M/352041, Royal Army Service Corps. Arthur was the Son of the late William and Alice Lewis, of Milford House, Tenby, and the Husband of Mrs. M. M. Lewis, of Spencer Creek Ranch, Cochrane, Alberta. Canada. Arthur had enlisted at Carmarthen into the 604th Mechanical Transport Company, Royal Army Service Corps, but whilst in France during the terrible period of the German Offensive in Flanders, Arthur was pressed into action with the Royal Garrison Artillery, probably as a Driver. He was wounded during the Kaiserschlacht, and Die of Wounds on the 30th May, 1918 aged 33. He is buried at Ebblinghem Military Cemetery.
Thomas H. Lillycrop, Seaman, 2470/A, Royal Navy. Thomas was born at Pembroke, but his brother Walter James Lillycrop (who also served in the Royal Navy) was born at Tenby, so the family must have moved there at some time. Not much can be traced of Thomas, but in 1901 he worked as a Shipbuilder, Rivet Heater, at South Shields, and was 19 years old. Thomas served at the base depot in Plymouth, H.M.S. Vivid, and sadly died on the 9th September, 1918 aged 36. He is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
Francis Oswald Lloyd, Second Lieutenant, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Francis was born in Rangoon Burma on the 26th April, 1883, the Son of Colonel R.O. Lloyd, of Treffgarne Hall, Pembs, and Grandson of the late Reverend Charles Lloyd, Canon of Christ Church, Oxford. He was educated at Marlborough College, and passed for Woolwich in 1900, to follow in his father’s footsteps in the Royal Engineers. He sadly failed his eyesight test, and so joined the Cape Mounted Police, and served during the Boer War, and stayed on after the war, serving in the British South Africa Police in Rhodesia. The adventure seeking Francis then moved to Canada and joined the North West Mounted Police, before taking up Civil Engineering, working on the Canadian Railways. When war broke out, Francis enlisted into the 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, at Valcartier, and was immediately promoted to Sergeant. The Battalion shipped to England, arriving on the 14th October, 1914, and moved to Salisbury Plain as part of the 2nd Canadian Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. The Division moved to France in February, 1915 and moved to Ypres, where they were caught up in the German Gas Attacks on Gravestafel on the 22nd April, as part of the Second Battle of Ypres. After a desperate move by the Canadian Division to fill the gaps left in the line by the 6,000 gas casualties of the French Colonial Troops, the Canadian held the lines and saved Ypres. Francis was wounded sometime at Ypres, and returned home to recuperate. He was commissioned in August, 1915 into the British Army, and after passing his Officer Instruction class at Tenby, was posted to the 6th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, which were part of the attached to the 60th Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. The Division saw it’s first action at Fromelles on the 25th September, 1915. They moved to Ypres, where Francis was to fight alongside his old Canadian Division, but sadly Francis was Killed in Action on the 12th February, 1916 aged 32. His body was lost on the Flanders Battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
John Morris Philip Lloyd, Gunner, 371154, Royal Garrison Artillery. John was the Son of Mrs. Mary Ann Lloyd of 19, St. Domingo Place, Tenby, and served with the 114th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. John was serving on the Western Front during the Battle of Vimy Ridge, when he was Killed in Action on the 24th April, 1917. He is buried at Bois-Carre British Cemetery, Thelus. His brother William also fell.
William Henry Lloyd, Private, 687387, Canadian Expeditionary Force. William was born at Tenby on the 24th October, 1892, the Son of Mrs. Mary Ann Lloyd, of 19, St. Domingo Place, Tenby. Prior to the war, William had emigrated to Canada, which is where he enlisted on the 24th January, 1916 into the 54th Battalion (Central Ontario), Canadian Infantry. The Battalion was attached to the 11th Canadian Brigade, 4th Canadian Division, and the Division was formed in Britain during April, 1916. They embarked for France in August that year, and saw their first major action during the end of the Somme Offensive at Le Transloy, and the Battle of the Ancre, where they captured Regina Trench. The following year the Division moved north above Arras, and took part in the Battle of Vimy, where the Canadian Corps successfully captured the heights of Vimy Ridge. William was Killed in Action during the initial assault, aged 24, and is buried at Givenchy Road Canadian Cemetery, Neuville-St. Vaast. His brother John also fell.
Gerald David Lomax, Second Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Gerald was born in Manorbier on the 6th January, 1895, the son of Captain David Alexander Napier Lomax and Annette. Gerald’s father was Killed in Action at Driefontain on the 10th March, 1900, leaving Annette widowed with her young sons Gerald and Charles. Annette married Major Frank Towle, and they set up home in Regent’s Park, London, from where Gerald and his brother Charles were brought up. Gerald was educated at Marlborough College and was gazetted into the 3rd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment on the 15th August, 1914. He was then attached to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Berkshire Regiment, and suffered serious wounds whilst with them at Fromelles on the 9th May, 1915. Gerald Died of Wounds on the 11th May, 1915 and was buried at Estaires Communal Cemetery, in Grave II. A. 5. He was just 20 years old.
Arthur George Lord, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Arthur was the Son of George and Phoebe Lord, of Fairfield, Tenby, and had been commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was a Reserve Battalion. He transferred into the 2nd Battalion, which had been on the Western Front since the 11th August, 1914. After fighting at the Battle of Loos, the Battalion transferred along with the 19th Brigade to the 33rd Division, and they moved to the Somme area prior to the beginning of the great offensive on the 1st July, 1916, fighting at the Battles of Albert, and Bazentin, and at High Wood, where Arthur was Killed in Action aged just 20, on the 20th July, 1916. His body was lost on the battlefields, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Henry Pierce Mackenzie, M.I.D., Captain, Cameronians (Scottish Rifles). Henry was the Son of Captain John and Charlotte Uppleby Mackenzie of Tenby, and the husband of Jane Catherine Frances Mackenzie, of Kirkcudbright, Scotland. Henry served as Captain in the 9th Battalion, Cameronians, who were attached to the 28th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. The Division landed at Boulogne on the 12th May, 1915 and saw their first major action at the Battle of Loos. Henry was Killed in Action during the first attack of the Battle on the 25th September, 1915 aged 37, and is buried at Cambrin Churchyard Extension.
George A. Mallin (Served as Matthews), Private, 1343, Welsh Regiment. George was born at Tenby, and served with the Welsh Regiment, in their Special Reserve Battalion. Not much is known of him, but he died at home on the 15th January, 1917 and is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
David Richard Mason, M.I.D., Lieutenant-Commander, Royal Naval Reserve. David was the Husband of Selina Rachel Mason, of Ivy Bank, Tenby. He had been educated at the King Edward VI School, Norwich, and at the age of 14 was apprenticed to sea. He served on board the Steamship Ellisland from 1895 to 1899, and then as Second Officer on the Fleur-De-Lis on which he was promoted Chief Officer in 1900. On the outbreak of the Boer War, he returned to Wales and joined the Pembrokeshire Imperial Yeomanry, where he was promoted to Sergeant, and gained the Queen’s Medal with Five Clasps for service in South Africa. On returning home he entered into his father’s business, Frank B. Mason, Auctioneers, and in 1905 he married Selina Rachel Stanley-Johnson, the daughter of Thomas Stanley-Johnson and Mrs. Stanley-Johnson of Stanley House, Hereford. David returned to sea as Second Officer on the Steamship Emma of Cardiff, and then the Eddystone of London. David then entered the service of the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, and by the outbreak of war had been promoted to Command of the R.M.S.P. Yare. In January, 1915 he offered his services to the Admiralty and was given a temporary commission as Lieutenant. Again he worked his way up to Lieutenant-Commander, and was Mentioned in Despatched on the 14th September, 1917. By now David was serving aboard the H.M.S. "Osmanieh", and he was sadly Killed in Action on the 31st December, 1917 when the Osmanieh struck a mine off Alexandria. He was 38 years old, and is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. He had left behind his bereaved wife, a son and a daughter.
John W.A. Mason, Sergeant, 313827, Royal Air Force. Sadly not much is known of John except that he served with the Royal Air Force during the Great War, and died at home on the 24th August, 1921. He is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
John Hamon Massy, Private, S/11606, Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders. John was born at Tenby, and was residing at Worthing in Sussex prior to enlisting at Inverness into the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own Cameron Highlanders, which formed at Edinburgh on the 4th August, 1914. Just ten days later they landed at Le Havre, and on the 5th September were attached to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division. The Division swiftly moved to Belgium, and fought in the Battle of Mons, and during the epic retreat to the Marne where the German advance was halted. The Germans pulled back to the Aisne, and the BEF met them there, fighting a battle which formulated the position of the Western Front for the duration of the war. The next move for the 1st Division was to Ypres, where they again helped stem the German advance, suffering terrible casualties, and they remained here for the first winter of the war, where John was Killed in Action on the 11th November, 1914. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
William Henry George Day Mathias, Lance Corporal, 18115, Royal Defence Corps. William was born at Tenby, the Son of Anthony and Susan Mathias, and the husband of Hannah Mathias, of Laurie Cottage, Tenby. He served with the Royal Defence Corps, in their 335th Protection Company. William died on the 17th May, 1915 aged 50, and is buried in Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
Cecil George Mathie, Private, 24046, East Surrey Regiment. Cecil was born at Tenby, and resided at Streatham, Surrey prior to the war, enlisting at nearby Kingston-on-Thames into the 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, which had been formed there during September, 1914 and were attached to the 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. On the 1st September, 1915 the Division landed at Boulogne, and saw their first major action during the Battle of Loos. In July, 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, and fought at Delville Wood and Guillemont. March, 1917 saw them take part in the Battle of Vimy, alongside the Canadian Corps, and they also fought during Third Ypres, at the Battles of Messines, Pilckem and Langemarck. They were in the St. Quentin sector in early 1918 when Cecil was wounded. He Died of Wounds on the 21st March, 1918 and is buried at Kingston-On-Thames, Surrey.
George Henry Matthews, Able Seaman, 194159, Royal Navy. George was the Son of George and Jane Matthews, of 19, Lower Park Rd., Tenby, and served in the Royal Navy aboard H.M.S. Mastiff, which was a Miranda Class Destroyer, which had been launched on the 5th September, 1914 and had served throughout the war with the Harwich Force. He died on the 27th August, 1915 aged 35, and is buried in Gillingham (Woodlands) Cemetery.
James Percy May, Major, Indian Army. James was the Son of Mr. T. and Mrs. J. May, of Red House Tenby, and he served in the Indian Army, with the 102nd King Edward's Own Grenadiers. When war broke out in August, 1914, the Battalion moved to German East Africa, and fought there for two years, before moving to Mesopotamia. James was serving with the Grenadiers in Mesopotamia when he was Killed in Action on the 12th February, 1917. He is buried at Amara War Cemetery.
William Herman Henry McGrath, C.Q.M.S., 11949, South Wales Borderers. William was born at Salford, Lancashire, the Husband of Sarah McGrath, of St. George St., Tenby. He enlisted at Pembroke Dock into the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who were stationed at Tientsin, China at the outbreak of war. The SWB fought a German garrison at Tsingtau Island, and were then moved to Hong Kong, where they embarked on the 4th December, 1914 for England, landing at Plymouth on the 12th January, 1915. They joined the 87th Brigade, 29th Division at Rugby soon after arriving home, and on the 17th March the Division set sail for the Mediterranea, arriving at Alexandria on the 29th March. From here the Division were landed as part of the first wave at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on the 25th April, 1915, and they fought throughout the abortive campaign here, where William was wounded and evacuated to a hospital ship anchored off shore. Sadly, William died of wounds aboard the ship, aged 45, on the 30th August, 1915 and was buried at sea. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial.
William Fenn Miles, Leading Boatman, 157978, H.M. Coastguard. William was the Husband of Louisa Miles, of 2, Corsehill St., Streatham, London. He served in His Majesty’s Coatguard, at H.M. Coastguard Station, Tenby. And died aged 43 on the 31st October, 1918. William is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.
Jack Greville Moore, Lieutenant, Royal Air Force. Jack was the Son of W. Greville and Mary Beatrice Moore, of Morton Cottage, Tenby. He served with 81 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which had been formed on the 7th January, 1917 at Gosport as a Training Unit. Jack died at home on the 2nd April, 1918 aged 19, possibly of the result of a training accident, and is buried at Lincoln (Newport) Cemetery.
Edward Taylor Morley, Sapper, 89274, Royal Engineers. Edward was born at Tenby, and enlisted at York into the Royal Engineers, serving with their 70th Field Company. Edward was serving with his company in French Flanders when he was Killed in Action on the 8th June, 1916. He is buried at Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery Extension.
James Murphy, Corporal, S/8610, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. James was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Murphy, of 16, Lower Saltern, Tenby, and the husband of L. E. M. Murphy, of 29, Kensal Rd., Westbourne Park, London. James served with the 43rd Company, Royal Army Ordnance Corps, and sadly Died of Sickness after the Armistice, in Salonika, aged 24 on the 21st December, 1918. He is buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria.
Harold Thomas Nicholls, Private, 36778, King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Harold was born at Tenby, the Son of Thomas Hugh and Edith Mary Annie Nicholls, of "Ardenne," Banstead Rd., Belmont, Sutton. He enlisted at Rhyl in December, 1914 into the 9th Battalion, King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), which had been formed at Lancaster during October, 1914 as part of the 65th Brigade, 22nd Division. In September, 1915 the Division landed in France, but were soon transferred to Salonika, landing on the 7th November. Harold survived most of the campaign in Salonika, but was wounded during the Battle of Doiran, and Died of Wounds on the 19th September, 1918 aged just 20. He is buried at Karasouli Military Cemetery.
William Harold Nicholls, Captain, Australian Infantry. William was born in Tenby, the Son of William and Catherine Nicholls, and the husband of Lilian May Nicholls, later of 3, Central Terrace, Llanbradach, Cardiff. He had emigrated to Australia prior to the war, and enlisted at Ipswich, Queensland on the 21st September, 1914 into the 15th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. The 15th Battalion formed part of the 4th Australian Infantry Division, 4th Australian Infantry Brigade, and embarked at Melbourne on the 22nd December 1914 aboard His Majesty’s Australian Troopship Ceramic, bound for Egypt, where the Anzacs were readied for the Gallipolli campaign. The 4th Brigade landed at Anzac Cove, Gallipolli on the afternoon of the 25th of April 1915, and from May to August, the battalion was heavily involved in establishing and defending the ANZAC front line. William was commissioned to Second Lieutenant whilst at Gallipoli, on the 18th August, 1915. They remained here until December, 1915 when they were evacuated off the Peninsula to Egypt. Here William was promoted to full Lieutenant, and the Australian Divisions guarded the Suez Canal for a while, before being moved to France in June, 1916 where they took over a part of the line near Armentieres. The 4th Division soon moved south though, to accompany the 1st and 2nd Australian Divisions to the Somme, where they fought at Pozieres and Mouquet Farm, suffering terrible casualties for little gain. The Australians remained on the Somme for the winter of 1916/17, and during November William was promoted Captain. Sadly he was Killed in Action soon after, on the 26th January, 1917 aged 29. He is buried at Guards' Cemetery, Lesbouefs.
George Henry Nichols, Sergeant, 144838, Canadian Infantry. George was born in Tenby on the 9th May, 1884, the Son of R. H. Nichols and Elizabeth Nichols, later of 35, Huntingdon Rd., Earlsdon, Coventry. He enlisted in Canada into the 78th Battalion (Manitoba), 12th Can