Whitland War Memorial
The Great War, 1914-1918
Harry Montague Allen, Private, 20965, Welsh Regiment. Harry was born in Prendergast, Haverfordwest, in 1896, the eldest son of Thomas & Edith Allen. Thomas had been born in Amroth, and his wife Edith in Haverfordwest, and they had four other children. Ellen Allen, Frederick, Thomas and Edwin Jack Allen, who were born in Neyland. Thomas was a Plumber with Great Western Railway, and he was transferred to their Depot at Whitland, where the family made their home at 3, Glendale Terrace. Harry followed his father into the Railway, becoming a Carpenter at the Llanelli Depot. At the outbreak of War, Harry was enlisted into the Army, entering the 15th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was the Carmarthenshire Battalion. Raised as part of the Welsh Army Corps, the Carmarthenshire Battalion fought in some of the major actions of the war. The Battalion was first raised in Swansea during October and November, 1914, by the Carmarthenshire County Committee, attached to 129th Brigade, 43rd Division, and was composed at first of men recruited from Lancashire. Recruiting in Lancashire was stopped at the end of 1914, and all subsequent recruiting was carried out in Carmarthenshire and South Wales. The preliminary training of the battalion was carried out at Rhyl. From 28th April, 1915 the Battalion became attached to 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, part of K4. 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 nearly every section of the British line from Givenchy on the La Bassée Canal to Laventie, about six miles South of Armentières. At the end of May, 1916, the Battalion moved South with the remainder of the 38th (Welsh) Division to the Somme area, in readiness for the First Battle of The Somme, which commenced on July 1st 1916. The 38th Division were tasked with the taking of the infamous Mametz Wood. The first attack on Mametz Wood was on 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. It was during the first attacks on the wood that Harry Montague Allen was mortally wounded. He was shot in the chest by a German sniper, and brought back by rail to the 38th Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly, in the Somme valley. Harry Allen died of his wounds on the 11th July, 1916, and was laid to rest in Heilly Station Cemetery, in joint grave II.A.35.
Vincent Allen, Private, 16474, Welsh Regiment. Vincent was born in Whitland, but had moved with his family to Gloucester before the war. He enlisted at Caerphilly into the Welsh Regiment, and became a Private in the 10th Battalion. The 10th Battalion was originally formed in the Rhondda Valley as part of K3, attached to the 25th Division. Upon the creation of the Welsh Division, they transferred to the 129th Brigade, 43rd Division, and on the 29th April, 1915 the Division was renumbered and the Battalion were then 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. Vincent was Killed in Action during the first attack on the 10th July, 1916. His body was never recovered. And so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Not on Memorial.
James Beynon, Private, 13097, Welsh Regiment. James was born in Robeston Wathen, the son of Alfred and Sarah Beynon, and the family later moved to Whitland, residing at Gorse Farm. James enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which formed part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The Division were one of the first to arrive in France, and fought during the epic retreat from Mons to the Aisne, where the German advance was stopped before moving to Ypres, where again they helped stop the Germans taking the ancient city. After a hard winter at Ypres, the Welsh fought at the Battle of Aubers, which was the first major Allied offensive of the war. James was Killed in Action here, on the 3rd May, 1915 aged only 20. He is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg-L’Avoue.
George William Henry Bodman, Private, 2060, Welsh Guards. George was born in Narberth, but resided in Whitland prior to the war. George enlisted at Cardiff into the newly formed Welsh Guards. 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 this is where George was Killed in Action on the 16th September, 1916. George’s body was lost on the battlefield and never recovered, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Not on Memorial.
John Bowen, Private, 59427, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born in Llanboidy, the son of Thomas and Mary Bowen, later of Maes-y-Bryn, Clynderwen. John enlisted at Pontardulais into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who had been in France since the 11th August, 1914. On the 22nd August they were attached to 19th Brigade and they fought in the rearguard actions from Mons toward the Aisne. On the 12th October the Brigade became part of the 6th Division, who had been sent to France to reinforce the BEF on the Aisne, before moving to Flanders. On the 31st May, 1915 the Battalion transferred to 27th Division, and on the 2nd August moved to the 2nd Division, where they took part in the Battle of Loos. After Loos the Battalion again transferred, moving to the 33rd Division, with whom they fought during the Somme Battles of 1916, The Battles of Arras in 1917, and during the Battle of Third Ypres, or Passchendaele. On the 6th February, 1918 the Battalion again transferred, this time to the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. It was with the Welsh Division that the 2nd RWF took part in the major British offensives of 1918, after the German armies had burnt themselves out with their desperate offensive of Spring, 1918. The Division fought over the old Somme Battlefield, pushing the Germans back toward the Hindenburg Line, and took part in the Battle of Havrincourt on the 12th September, where John was sadly Killed in Action that day, aged only 22. He is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery.
Henry George Coombs, Private, 2015, Welsh Guards. Henry was born at Bristol, the son of Frederick and Alice Coombs, and the family came to live at Whitland, at Holly Grove. Henry enlisted at Newport into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, who 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 the Battle of Morval, before settling down into the defensive stage during the winter of 1916/17, when Henry was Killed in Action on the 9th December, 1916. He is buried at Bronfay Farm Cemetery. Not on Memorial.
David John Davies, Private, 475279, Canadian Infantry. David was born at Whitland on the 25th December, 1876, the son of Rees and Hannah Davies, of Springfield, Whitland, but had emigrated to Canada prior to the outbreak of war. He enlisted on the 11th September, 1915 at Montreal into the Canadian Expeditionary Force, and was soon posted overseas, as a reinforcement to the 11th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. David had arrived in Britain in the winter of 1915/16, and was stationed at Folkestone, where on the 5th February, 1916 he was with a group of fellow soldiers, scrambling to board a bus, when he was knocked over, dying of severe injuries quickly after. He was 37 years old, and his body was brought back to Whitland for burial, where on the 11th February, 1916 David was laid to rest at Soar Independent Chapelyard. Not on Memorial.
David John Price Davies, Gunner, RMA/11928, Royal Marine Artillery. David was born at Whitland, the Son of David and Eliza Davies, later of 186, Battersea Park Rd., London. David had enlisted prior to the war into the Royal Marine Artillery, and was posted aboard the Cruiser H.M.S. Defence, part of the First Cruiser Squadron of the Royal Navy. H.M.S. Defence had been built at Pembroke Dock, and was stationed in the Mediterranean at the outbreak of war. Upon her transfer to the First Cruiser Squadron, the Defence took part in the Battle of Jutland on the 31st May, 1916, and was attacking the German Cruiser SMS Wiesbaden when she was struck by a salvo from a German Battlecruiser hidden in a bank of smoke. She blew up and sank immediately, taking down her entire crew of 903 men, including David Davies, who was 27 years old. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Not on Memorial.
James Verdi Davies, Private, 13116, Welsh Regiment. James was born at Lampeter Velfrey, the Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Davies, later of Lowmead House, Whitland. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment which formed part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The Division were one of the first to arrive in France, and fought during the epic retreat from Mons to the Aisne, where the German advance was stopped before moving to Ypres, where again they helped stop the Germans taking the ancient city. After a hard winter at Ypres, the Welsh fought at the Battle of Aubers, which was the first major Allied offensive of the war. Here James fought alongside his friend James Beynon who he had enlisted with, and was Killed in Action just two weeks later, on the 25th May, 1915. James is remembered alongside James Beynon on the Le Touret Memorial.
Richard Davies, Private, 34034, South Lancashire Regiment. Richard was born in Whitland, the Son of Thomas and Julia Ellen Davies, and the family moved later to The Post Office, Goodwick. Richard enlisted at Fishguard into the Welsh Regiment, with the service number 2405, but must have been wounded at sometime, resulting in his transferring into the7th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, part of the 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division had arrived in France in July, 1915 and saw considerable action during the Battle of Loos, before moving to the Somme area, where it attacked and took the village of La Boiselle. After a brief rest period, they took to the line again, fighting at Pozieres, and then spending time at the Ancre, where Richard was Killed in Action on the 14th November, 1916. His body was lost in the terrible conditions in the Ancre valley, and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Not on Memorial.
Evan Evans, Private, 14151, Somerset Light Infantry. Evan was born in Whitland, and enlisted at Merthyr Tydfil into the 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, part of the 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. The Division arrived in Flanders during the Summer of 1915, fighting at Hooge on the 2nd June 1915 onwards, where Evan was wounded. He was transported back to the Field Ambulance at Vlamertinghe, where he Died of Wounds on the 28th June, 1915. Evan is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery. Not on Memorial.
William Evans, Driver, 24474, Royal Field Artillery. William was born at Milford Haven, the son of Stephen and Anne Evans. Not much is known of Williams’ ties with Whitland, but he probably worked with the GWR, and enlisted at Tonyrefail into the Royal Field Artillery, being posted to ‘B’ Battery, 33rd Brigade, part of 8th Division. The 8th Division was a regular army unit which moved to the Western Front during September 1914. It was formed of units brought back from around the Empire, and fought at all of the major actions of the war, at Neuve Chappelle, Aubers, and Bois Grenier, before moving to take part in the Somme Offensive. It was during the Battle of Le Transloy that William was Killed in Action on the 7th November, 1916 aged 34. He is buried at Pozieres British Cemetery.
Bertram Heil, Private, 355837, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Bertram was born in Bethnal Green, Middlesex, the Foster Son of Mrs. S. Archer, of 103, G Block, Queen's Buildings, Collinson St., Borough, London. Bertram resided in Whitland prior to the outbreak of war, and enlisted at Melton, Suffolk into the Welsh Horse Yeomanry with the service number 1159. The Welsh Horse was formed as a Welsh Cavalry unit, and fought at Gallipoli and in Palestine as a dismounted Pioneer Battalion, until the 4th March, 1917 when they were formed into the 25th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 231st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division pushed north into Palestine, and had taken Gaza before fighting in The Battle of Nabi Samweil. Bertram was Killed in Action here on the 30th November, 1911 aged just 22, and is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial. Not on Memorial.
William John Howells, Captain, Welsh Regiment. William was born in White Lion Farm, Eglwys Cummin, in 1888. His Grandfather was Ben John of Brook, who William was living with before he enlisted. William was educated at Tremoilet School and Whitland Grammar Schools, before gaining a BA with Honours at Aberystwyth University. He then moved on to work in Lampeter University before the war broke out. William enlisted into the Welsh Regiment at the outbreak of hostilities, and was commissioned into the 8th Battalion, the Welsh regiment as a Lieutenant. The 8th Battalion formed at Cardiff during August 1914 as part of K.1. They were then attached to 40th Brigade, 13th Western Division. The 40th Brigade assembled at Salisbury Plain along with 40 Division, and then moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Toward the end of February 1915, the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. On June 7th 1915, orders were received for the Division to move to the Mediterranean, then by the 4th July from Alexandria to Mudros-preparing for the landing on Gallipolli. On the 4th July 1915 the Division landed on Cape Helles and relieved the 29th Division. From there, the Division took part in several actions, most notably The Battle of Sari Bair between the 6-10th August 1915 and the Battle of Russell’s Top on the 7th August 1915. The Battalion War Diary for the period from the 8th August 1915 shows that they had moved up to positions around Chunuk Bair, in support of the Gloucester’s and the Wellington Battalion. The fighting was ferocious and the diary shows that on that one day, the 8th Battalion suffered 4 Officers and 4 Other ranks killed, 9 Officers and 154 Other Ranks wounded, and 4 Officers and 266 Other Ranks Missing in Action. One of the wounded officers was Captain William John Howells. William was evacuated from Gallipolli, but died of his wounds on the 10th August 1915 aboard the Hospital Ship HMHS Valdivia. William was buried at sea, so he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Turkey, on Panel 140-144.
George Jacobs, Lance Corporal, 12338, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. George was born at Whitland, and enlisted at Llanelli into the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which formed part of the 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. The Battalion moved with the Division to the Med, arriving at Mudros by July 1915, before landing on Gallipoli that month. On Gallipoli the Division saw more than their fair share of fighting, taking part in the Battles of Sari Bair, Russells Top and Hill 60, before moving to Suvla Bay where they withheld the Turkish attacks on January 7th, 1916. After evacuating to Egypt the Division moved to Mesopotamia, where they attempted the relief of Kut. George Died of Wounds in Mesopotamia on the 26th January, 1917 and is buried at Amara War Cemetery. Not on Memorial.
David James, Farrier Sergeant, Royal Engineers. David was born at Llanybri near Carmarthen on the 19th of October 1884. He moved to the Smithy, Llanddowror in 1908, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2nd First Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers on the 14th of November 1914, Regimental Number 448350. David was promoted Farrier Sergeant on September 27th 1915, and was sent to the Dardanelles in October 1915 and from there was transferred to Egypt in December that year. He marched with the Forces from Egypt to Palestine and was present at the Battle of Gaza and other engagements. He returned to England in November 1917 for a brief spell, and was returning to Palestine on the Troopship Aragon when the ship was torpedoed by a submarine on December 30th 1917 and he was drowned aged 33. David is remembered on the Alexandria (Chatby) Memorial. He is remembered on Llanstephan and Llanddowror Memorials also.
Joseph Johnson, Private, 29688, East Yorkshire Regiment. Joseph was the son of James Henry Johnson and Emma Johnson, and was born in London in 1889. Joseph moved to West Wales and settled between Laugharne and Llanddowror, marrying Mary Phillips on the 25th October 1913. Joseph enlisted at Carmarthen on the 11th March 1915, and joined the Army Service Corps as a driver, with the serial number T4/059339. In France, he was attached to No. 1 Section, 99th Company, 27th reserve Park, before transferring to the Infantry joining the 1st Battalion, the East Yorkshire Regiment, who were part of 18th Brigade, 6th Division. They landed at St. Nazaire on the 10th September 1914. On the 26th November 1915 they became part of 64th Brigade, 21st Division at Armentieres. From June to July 1916, the 1st Battalion took part in the Battle of Albert-the opening of the Battle of the Somme. They fought through all of the major battles of the war, moving to the Ypres Salient in 1917, before returning to the Somme in 1918. It was here that the Battalion were to face the might of the ‘Kaisershlacht’. On the 21st March, 1918, the Battle of St. Quentin began. The Germans had reinforced their lines on the western Front with over 50 Divisions facing the British lines, and inflicted heavy casualties on the British, throwing caution to the wind and gambling on a last ditch offensive to try and win the war before the Americans could amass enough troops to make an impact on the outcome. Joseph was killed in action aged 29, on the 31st March 1918 whilst his Battalion were fighting a fierce defensive battle against the superior numbers of the German Army. It shows how chaotic and awful the conditions were, as nothing at all had been heard of him by his family, until Christmas Day 1919. Joseph’s wife received a telegram from the War Office saying that he had been confirmed as killed. Joseph’s body , like so many others of that terrible time, was lost, and so Joseph is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, on panels 27 & 28. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918. Joseph left two children-Oliver Henry Johnson had been born on the 2nd March 1915 and Joseph Randall Johnson born on the 20th July 1917. Joseph’s bereaved widow Mary sadly died on the 10th February 1920 after a short illness, leaving the two boys orphaned. Joseph is also remembered on the Llanddowror and Laugharne Memorials.
Clifford Jones, Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Clifford was born in Whitland, the only Son of Rev. Daniel Jones (Baptist Minister, Whitland) and Mrs. E. A. Jones, of Bodlondeb, Whitland. Clifford was an Honours Graduate of Wales and Oxon, and was commissioned into the 15th (London Welsh) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which formed part of the 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division 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. After surviving the Battle of Mametz Wood, Clifford moved with the Battalion to reserve in the Ypres sector, and the Division didn’t fight again for almost twelve months, until they were brought into the line north of Ypres, tasked with the taking of the village and strongpoint of Pilckem. Clifford was Killed in Action three days into the Battle of Pilckem, on the 2nd August, 1917, aged 25. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.
John Jones, Private, 23413, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born in Newchurch, the son of Evan and Ellen Jones, later of Dolgellau. John resided in Whitland prior to the war, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 76th Brigade, 3rd Division. The 10th RWF’s first action with the Division was during the actions of the St. Eloi craters, south of Ypres, during March, 1916. John was wounded during his first action, and was brought to the Base Hospital at Boulogne, where he Died of Wounds on the 4th April, 1916 aged 29. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Not on Memorial.
Thomas George Lewis, Gunner, 100593, Royal Garrison Artillery. Thomas, or George as he was better known, was born in Cilfynydd. The family came to live in St. Mary Street, Whitland, and George attended Whitland Council and County Schools, before taking up a post at Lloyd’s Bank n Llandovery. George was engaged to a Miss Thomas, and he enlisted at Llandovery into the Royal Garrison Artillery, being posted to their 48th Heavy Battery, part of the 3rd Brigade, R.G.A. Not much is known of where George fought except that during the spring of 1918 he was at Ypres. The German offensive of Spring 1918 had been launched on the 21st March, and they turned their attentions to Flanders a month or so later. George was Killed in Action at Ypres on the 30th May, 1915 and is buried at Canada Farm Cemetery. Some time later, his mother received a letter from a Welsh Chaplain who was attached to the Brigade- ‘This is a great shock to you, and I hasten to convey to you personally, and on behalf of the battery to which your son was attached, our greatest sympathy. I understand that he was greatly respected, and that his loss will be felt by all…’
Daniel Thomas, Guardsman, 6995, Guards Machine Gun Regiment. Daniel was born at Clyngarw, the Son of Rowland and Elizabeth Thomas, of Tynewydd Rhydypark, Cwmfelyn, Whitland. He enlisted into the 5th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Regiment, part of Guards Division, which had been formed in France on the 10th May, 1918 by Royal Warrant, from the four Machine Gun Battalions of the Guards Division. Daniel was hospitalised in Spring 1918 with pneumonia, and sadly died on the 7th July, 1918 aged 21. He is buried at Caterham & Warlingham Burial Ground. Not on Memorial.
Herbert Benjamin Thomas Lewis, Corporal, 16292, Northamptonshire Regiment. Herbert was born in Whitland on the 22nd March, 1879, the son of Robert and Mary Lewis, late of Waunfaur Farm. The family moved to Hackleton, Northampton, which is where Herbert enlisted into the 3rd Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment on the 31st October, 1914. He transferred into their 2nd Battalion, part of 24th Brigade, 8th Division. Herbert arrived in France on the 2nd March, 1915 and fought in the Battle of Neuve Chappelle, and was Killed in Action during the Battle of Aubers Ridge on the 9th May, 1915 aged 37. In a letter to Mary after the battle, his Lieutenant Haldane wrote- ‘I am sorry to say that details as to what happened on 9th May are very hard to get, but I do know that Herbert B T Lewis advanced with his company in the attack. They were the leading company, and he with many of his company members were caught with machine gun fire..’ Not on Memorial.
John Lewis, Sapper, 157811, Royal Engineers. John was born at Maenclochog, and enlisted into the Royal Engineers at Llanelli, becoming a Sapper in their 254th (Tunneling) Company. The Tunneling Companies were formed with the task of attempting to break the stagnated positions on the Western Front by undermining the German positions, laying mines to blow them out of existence. They also carried out other tasks, such as digging underground shelters and dugouts near the front line, always dangerous and uncomfortable work. John was wounded at Ypres during the Battle of Passchendaele, and Died of Wounds on the 22nd October, 1917. He is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery.
Dan Phillips, Corporal, 40214, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Dan was born at Cilmaenllwyd, the Son of William and Anne Phillips, of Blaen Heraeth, Henllan, Whitland. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 76th Brigade, 3rd Division. The 10th RWF’s first action with the Division was during the actions of the St. Eloi craters, south of Ypres, during March, 1916, and then they moved south to the Somme, where they took part in the opening battles of July 1916. The Division captured Longueval, then fought through Delville Wood before moving to the Ancre Valley where they spent the winter. Dan was Killed in Action after the Battle of Delville Wood, on the 16th August, 1916 aged 25. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Thomas Aston Phillips, Private, 931114, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Thomas was born at Narberth on the 11th July, 1875. Thomas must have worked at Whitland prior to the war, and the family then emigrated to Canada, where Tom worked as a Rancher. On the 4th April, 1916 Thomas enlisted at Fernie, British Columbia, into the CEF, and upon arriving in France was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Canadian Mounted Rifles, part of the 8th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. The Division saw heavy fighting at Mount Sorrel, south of Ypres, during June 1916, then moved to the Somme, and fought at Flers, Thiepval, Le Transloy and the Ancre. They were in the Arras sector in 1917, and took part in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, staying in the area until October 1917 when they moved to Ypres, fighting at Passchendaele village. In 1918 they moved south, taking part in the turning point of the war, the Battle of Amiens, on the 8th August, 1918 and stayed on the offensive, pushing north-east toward the Scarpe and the Canal Du Nord, where they captured Bourlon Wood. Thomas was Killed in Action during this later battle, on the 29th September, 1918. He was 43 years old, and is buried at Cantimpre Canadian Cemetery. His brother William Lewis Phillips also fell, as did his cousin William Bowen Stephens. (Please see the Narberth page).
Thomas Herbert Phillips, Lance Corporal, 11217, Dorsetshire Regiment. Thomas was born at Milford Haven, the Son of the late John and Mary Phillips. The family moved to Whitland prior to the war, and Thomas enlisted at Aberavon, into the 6th Battalion, the Dorset Regiment, part of the 50th Brigade, 17th Northern) Division. The Division had landed in France during July, 1915, and taken up positions south of Ypres. They fought during the opening of the Somme Offensive, taking heavy casualties during the attack on the 1st July, and managed to capture Fricourt. They were removed from the line to rebuild, and moved to the Arras sector, taking part in the opening stages of the 1917 Battle of Arras, fighting at the Battle of the Scarpe. Thomas was Killed in Action during the Second Battle of the Scarpe on the 22nd April, 1917. He is buried at Cabaret Rouge Miltary Cemetery.
David Pugh, Lance Corporal, 3278, South African Expeditionary Force. David was born at Whitland. Not much is known of him, but he emigrated to South Africa, possibly even staying on there after the Boer War, and he enlisted on the 17th August, 1915 for service in the South African Overseas Expeditionary Force. David was sent to France, as a member of the 4th (Scottish) South African Infantry Regiment, part of the 9th (Scottish) Division, and fought during the Battle of the Somme, where David was Killed in Action on the 10th July, 1916. He is remembered on the Thiepval memorial to the missing.
James Ranger, Private, G/53571, Middlesex Regiment. James was born at Dorking in Surrey, and was the Stepson of G. Ranger, of 105, All Saints Street, Hastings. Prior to the outbreak of war, James lived in Whitland, enlisting at Carmarthen into the 1/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, part of the 167th Brigade, 56th (London) Division. The Battalion had landed at Le Havre on the 9th March, 1915, attached to the 28th Division, and fought at Ypres, before moving to the 8th Division on 23rd June 1915, again in Flanders. On the 9th February, 1916 they moved to the 56th Division, which took part in the Attack on Gommecourt in July 1916, as a diversionary measure to the main Somme Offensive. They remained on the Somme through 1917, moving to Arras in 1917, then to Ypres, where they fought at Langemark. They fought in the Battle of Cambrai in late 1917, and were in the Arras area when the German Spring Offensive hit, and were pushed back over the old Somme battlefields. The Division fought in the great advance of 1918, at the Canal Du Nord and at Cambrai, the pursued the retreating Germans back to the Selle and beyond. James was Killed in Action just days before the Armistice, on the 7th November, 1918, aged only 21. He is buried at Hautrage Military Cemetery. Not on Memorial.
David Thomas, Sergeant, 24219, Welsh Regiment. David was born in Whitland, and enlisted at Barry into the 16th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, part of the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during late 1915 and had spent the Winter being initiated into trench warfare around the Armentieres area, before moving south in June, 1916 to take part in the Battle of the Somme. The Division were tasked with the capture of the formidable Mametz Wood, and begun their attack on the 7th July, suffering many casualties. One of the casualties during the initial attack was David Thomas. His body was lost in the ensuing fighting over the Wood, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
John Winford Thomas, Private, 29828, South Wales Borderers. John was born in Whitland, the Son of Mrs. S. Thomas, of 2, King Edward St., Whitland. He enlisted in July, 1916 at Cardiff into the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who were Pioneers to the 25th Division. John saw his first action near Ypres, fighting in the Battle of Messines, where they successfully took the ridge, at the side of the Ulster and New Zealand Divisions. They then moved north, taking part in the Battle of Pilckem, and remained in the area for the next two months, before moving south to the Bethune sector where John was Killed in Action on the 31st October, 1917 aged only 19. He is buried in Gorre British and Indian Cemetery.
Levi Thomas, Private, 8226, South Wales Borderers. Levi was born in Whitland, and enlisted at Pontypridd into the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, part of the 87th Brigade, 29th Division. The 2nd Battalion had a very interesting war to say the least. They were based in Tientsin in China at the outbreak of war, where they aided the Japanese army to force the German garrison from Tsingtao. They embarked from Hong Kong on the 4th December 1914 for Plymouth. Once back on British soil, they joined the 87th Brigade, 29th Division at Rugby, and this is where Thomas Jackson joined his Battalion. On the 17th March 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth on the SS Canada for Alexandria, and on the 25th April 1915 they landed at Gallipoli. Levi was Killed in Action during the landings on Gallipoli that Day. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial to the missing. Not on Memorial.
Willie Morris Thomas, Private, 73210, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Willie was the Son of William and Martha Thomas, of "Brynawel" Henllan Amgoed, Whitland. He enlisted at Carmarthen originally into the South Wales Borderers, but transferred into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Battalion landed at Boulogne on the 19th July, 1915 and fought during the Battle of Loos, the Battle of the Somme, and the Battles of Third Ypres, gaining themselves a reputation as one of the best Divisions on the Western Front. The Division suffered heavily during the German Spring Offensive, being caught up in the German attack on the Eastern Somme sector during the First Battle of Bapaume, and Willie was Killed in Action in the area between Achiet-Le-Petit and Sailly-Au-Bois on the 26th March, 1918, aged just 19. He is buried in H.A.C. Cemetery, Ecoust-St. Mein.
Idris John Williams, Private, 13924, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Idris was born at Ffynonwen, Login, the Son of David and Mary Ann Williams. The family moved to Rock House, Tumble, Llanelly. He enlisted at Tumble into the 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of the 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division landed in France in September, 1915, but were sent to Salonika almost immediately, landing there by the 5th November. It was in Salonika that Idris contracted typhus. He Died on the 29th March, 1916 and is buried in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery. He was only 19 years old. Not on Memorial.
Whitland War Memorial
World War Two, 1939-1945
Benjamin Stanley Davies, Fusilier, 4201888, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Benjamin was the son of Thomas and Anne Davies of Efailwen, Whitland. He served in the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The Battalion had suffered terribly during the German invasion of France, and the remnants were evacuated from Dunkirk. Back in the U.K., it was brought back up to strength by drafting in men from other Battalions of the R.W.F., and in 1942 they sailed to the Far East to face the Japanese invasion. After a brief stop in Cape Town they arrived in India in the Summer of 1942 and were employed in quelling the rebellion there at first. After some training in amphibious landing, the Battalion were sent to Burma, landing on Akyab Island. In March 1943 they moved to Donbaik where they had their first taste of battle against the Japanese. After suffering heavily, they managed to evade encirclement and were pulled out of Burma back to India, where they rebuilt and underwent further training. In 1944 the Japanese crossed the Chindin River in Burma, and were advancing on Imphal and Kohima. The R.W.F., as part of 6th Brigade, 2nd Division, were rushed to the area during April, where they met the Japanese head on, finally winning the battle. After that, the Japanese were on the back foot, being pushed back by the advancing British troops, and it was during this period that Benjamin was Killed in Action, on the 29th September 1944 aged 30. He is remembered on the Rangoon Memorial.
Charles Llewellyn Davies, Sapper, 14527401, Royal Engineers. The Memorial shows a Myrddin L. Davies, but the only possible match for this is Charles Llewellyn Davies. Not much is known of him, but he died at home on the 5th September, 1947 and is buried at St. Issells Cemetery.
Dalis George Davies, Pilot Officer, 48776, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Dalis was the Son of Benjamin and Annie Davies, of Whitland. Dalis was sent to Canada to undergo Pilot training, through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan. This scheme in Canada produced thousands of well trained aircrew, more than enough to keep the various air forces of the Commonwealth supplied with men throughout the course of the war, but thousands died whilst training in Canada, and one of these unfortunate men was Dalis, who died on the 8th September, 1942, aged 24. He is buried at Caron Municipal Cemetery, Ontario.
Norman Davies, Lance Bombardier, 842041, Royal Artillery. Norman was the Son of Mrs. E. B. Davies, and stepson of Mr. W. Mansfield, of Whitland. He had enlisted into the 8th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, which formed part of the 6th Division during the beginning of WW2, but were sent to the Middle East, where they were attached to the Australian forces at Mersa Matruh. In September, 1940 the Italians invaded Egypt, with the intention of taking the oil fields of North Africa, but after some initial success they met their match against the Allies, and the intervention of Germany was needed. Norman died in North Africa on the 24th November, 1940. He is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery.
Thomas Eric Davies, Leading Aircraftman, 1832131, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was the Son of John Albert & Mary Davies of Narberth. Not much is known of him, but he served in the R.A.F.V.R., and died at home on the 6th July, 1943 aged only 19. He is buried at Lampeter Velfrey, in Bryn Sion Congregational Chapelyard. Not on Memorial.
Gwyn Edwards, Lieutenant, Monmouthshire Regiment. Gwyn was the Son of David Edwards, and of Asenath Mary Edwards, of Henllan-Amgoed. He had been commissioned into the 2nd Battalion, the Monmouthshire Regiment, which was a Territorial Battalion that had been mobilised at the outbreak of war. The Battalion were trained in Northern Ireland for the first two years of war, and returned to England in 1941, where it remained until June, 1944, when it was moved to France as part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Battalion moved into battle positions on the 30th June, 1944 near the River Odon, and it was during this first action that day that Gwyn was Killed in Action, aged 35. He is buried at Bayeux War Cemetery.
Emrys Evans, Pilot Officer, 119172, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Emrys was born in Whitland, the Son of Gwilym and Anne Evans, later of Johnstown, Carmarthen. He had graduated from University with a B.Sc. from the Welsh Board of Education, but had enlisted into the R.A.F.V.R., joining 156 Squadron as an Air Gunner. 156 Squadron were formed at Alconbury in 1942 as a medium bomber squadron, flying the Vickers Wellington Mark III, and operated with No. 3 Group. Emrys was commissioned into the Squadron from Flight Sergeant on the 21st March, 1942. On the 30th May, 1942 a massive raid was launched by Bomber Command on Cologne. 1,047 aircraft took to the sky, amongst them was the Wellington X3598 of Emrys Evans and his crew, under the command of Pilot Officer Bain D.F.C. 898 aircraft managed to drop their deadly cargoes on the city, causing terrible fires. Emrys and his crew were intercepted and shot down over Holland on the return journey, at 00.35 on the morning of the 31st May, 1942. Emrys and his five other crew-mates died in the crash, aged 25 and is buried at Bergen-Op-Zoom War Cemetery.
Ivor Evans, Fusilier, 4201922, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Not much is known of Ivor but he served in the 6th Battalion, R.W.F., which formed part of 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division landed in France late in June 1945, and took part in the break out from the beach head, and were part of 12 Corps fighting West of the Orne when Ivor was Killed in Action on the 17th July, 1944. He is remembered on the Bayeux Memorial.
Gordon Wreford Griffiths, Leading Aircraftman, 1315678, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Gordon was the Son of Alfred and Winifred Ann Griffiths, of Mount Pleasant, Swansea. Not much is known of him, but he died at home on the 26th October, 1941 and is buried at Goodwick Cemetery.
Reginald Allenby Douglas Griffiths, 6402909, Royal Sussex Regiment. Reginald was the Son of Dan and Margaret Griffiths, of Whitland. He served in the 4th Battalion Royal Sussex Regiment. The Battalion were part of the B.E.F. in France at the outbreak of war, and were evacuated from Dunkirk after suffering heavy losses. In May 1942 the Battalion sailed to North Africa, as part of 44th Division, and landed at Suez in July, 1942, joining the 8th Army. They fought the Afrika Corps at Alan El Haifa, then joined the 10th Armoured Division. The Battle of El Alamein started on the 23rd October, 1942, and on the 27th the Sussex were ordered to capture Woodcock. They successfully advanced two miles into the German lines, suffering heavy casualties, one of which was Reginald, who was Killed in Action that day, aged 24. He is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery. Not on Memorial.
John Wynford Jones, Flight Sergeant, 1062633, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John served in 103 Squadron, R.A.F., which was reformed in 1936 due to the growing German threat. They were based in France at the outbreak of war, as part of the Advanced Air Strike Force, equipped with the obsolete Fairey Battle, but were withdrawn in June 1940 when the situation in France became critical. After spells at RAF Abingdon and Newton, they took up permanent residence at R.A.F. Elsham Wolds in July 1941, as part of 1 Group, Bomber Command. By now they had been re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington, and were taking part in the 1,000 bomber raids on Nazi Germany. In July 1942 they were equipped with the Halifax, but they proved to be not up to the job, and after heavy losses the squadron converted to Lancasters three months later. They squadron now took part on bombing missions over the industrial Ruhr Valley, and on the 22nd June, 1943 took off as part of a 557 aircraft raid on Mulheim. The town was almost completely destroyed, but John and his Lancaster must have been shot down on the return flight, as John was killed the following morning on the 23rd June, 1943. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial.
William Francis Lanfear, Gunner, 3963334, Royal Artillery. William (Billy) was the Son of Thomas Francis and Elizabeth Anne Lanfear, of Whitland, and served with the 4th Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery. The Maritime Regiments were used as Anti Aircraft gunners aboard Merchant Vessels such as this, and served in some of the most dangerous theatres of war, such as the Arctic, Malta and Atlantic Convoys. Billy served aboard the SS Empire Wildebeeste, which was a 5,600 ton steamship. On the 24th January, 1942 the ship was taking part in one of the Atlantic Convoys (Convoy ON-53), bound from Hull to the United States. The convoy was spotted just North West of Bermuda by the German Submarine U-106, Captained by Hermann Rasch, and he fired a spread of torpedoes at the Empire Wildebeest. She sank within minutes of the torpedo strike, and only 34 men survived the sinking. They were rescued by the American Destroyer USS Lang some days later. Billy was one of the men who died when the Empire Wildebeest sank. He was just 21 years old, and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
Dyfrig George Morgan, Able Seaman, D/SSX26145, Royal Navy. Dyfrig served aboard H.M.S. Matabele, which was a ‘Tribal’ Class Destroyer, completed on the 25th January, 1939. She served in the 6th Destroyer Flotilla, and fought during the battles of Norway in 1940, and on the Arctic Convoys in 1941 and 1942. She saw varied service, being an escort to various Commando landings, and was used for anti submarine duties, as well as convoy escort work. During January, 1942 she was nominated for escort work on Convoy PQ8 to Murmansk, and on the 17th January 1942 was hit by a torpedo from the German submarine U-454 and exploded, sinking immediately. Only two men survived. Dyfrig went down with the ship that day, and is remembered o the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Parry Glyn Morgan, Signalman, 2334207, Royal Signal Corps. Parry was the Son of Henry David and Lilian Edith Maud Morgan, of Llanfallteg. He enlisted in the Royal Corps of Signals, along with his brother Walter (below), and was transferred to Malaya Command. Parry was taken Prisoner by the Japanese in Thailand, and was marched, alongside thousands of other POW’s to the POW base at Kanburi, where the men were distributed to other camps from which they would build the Burma Railway. Parry Died on the 9th June, 1942 aged 23, and is buried at Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, in Thailand, near Kanburi.
Walter Hugh Morgan, Signalman, 2362588, Royal Signal Corps. Walter was the Son of Henry David and Lilian Edith Maude Morgan, of Llanfallteg. Not much is known of him, but he died at home on the 3rd January, 1940 aged just 22, and is buried at Henllan-Amgoed Congregational Chapelyard.
James Edward O’Brien, Sapper, 4208432, Royal Engineers. James, or Jimmy as he was known, served in the 1024 Docks Operating Company, Royal Engineers. The men of the Company consisted of the various trades required to operate a dockyard, crane drivers, forklift drivers, engine drivers and so on. Jimmy was possibly an engine driver with the GWR, which led to his being called up into the Royal Engineers, and he served with them in North Africa, but sadly died in Tunisia on the 4th August, 1943. He is remembered on the Medjez-el-Bab Memorial, 60 km west of Tunis.
Leslie George Islwyn Owen, Sergeant, 1288474, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Leslie was the Son of Hugh Vaughan Owen and Rowena Lilian Owen, of Whitland. He served in the R.A.F.V.R. , in 148 Squadron, which was formed at Scampton as a long range medium bomber unit in 1937. By March, 1939 the Squadron were armed with Vickers Wellingtons, and moved to R.A.F. Harwell, then moved to Malta in December, 1940 from where it flew valuable bombing raids over North Africa. Leslie was killed on the 8th July, 1942 aged 25 and is buried at Fayid War Cemetery in a joint grave, along with his crew mates. Not on Memorial.
David Parry Thomas, Fusiliers, 4097613, Royal Welch Fusiliers. David was the Son of John and Esther Thomas, of Whitland. He served in the 1st Battalion, R.W.F., which was posted to the Far East in March 1942, serving in India and Burma. At the end of the War in the East, the RWF moved back to India on Garrison duties, and David died in India on the 9th December, 1945 aged 28. He is buried in Kirkee War Cemetery.
Denzil Jonah Thomas, Leading Aircraftman, 651354, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Denzil served in 30 Squadron, R.A.F.V.R., which had originally been formed in Ismailia in 1915. Prior to the outbreak of WW2, the Squadron were in Iraq, but moved to Egypt by 1938, flying Blenheims. They flew bomber escort duties in North Africa, and moved to Greece when invasion was imminent, but when Greece fell were hurriedly evacuated to Crete, being stationed at Maleme Airfield. The Battle of Crete began on the 20th May, 1941, with Junkers transport planes dropping scores of elite German Paratroopers near the airfield. Denzil was killed in the Battle of Crete on the 20th May, 1941 and is remembered on the Alamein Memorial. Also on the Llanboidy Memorial.
