Haverfordwest, St. Martin of Tours Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Alfred Arran, Private, 2001, Welsh Regiment. Alfred was the Son of John and Mary Arran, of 41, Quay Street, Haverfordwest, and the Husband of Sarah Arran, of 5, Maeryerngran Cottages, Priory Street, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh Regiment, and was posted to the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. On 13 June 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli, and between 6 and 16 July 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles to relieve the 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3 and 5 August 1915, taking part in the Battle of Sari Bair. Alfred was killed in action here on 8 August 1915. He was 36 years old. Alfred has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

William Arran, Private, 78532, Royal Fusiliers. William was the Stepson of Mrs. Thomas, of 9, Holloway Street, Haverfordwest. William enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Army Service Corps, and had the Regimental Number T2/017640. William later transferred into the 1st Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, which was attached to 17 Brigade, 6th Division. The Division had been on the Western Front since 1914, and had fought through most of the major Battles. In the spring of 1918 the Division was one of those hit by the German Offensive on the Somme, which had been launched on 21 March 1918, and the Division took part in the Battle of St Quentin. They were moved from the line, and went to Flanders to rest, but the following month the Germans launched another offensive on the Lys, and the Division fought during the Battle of Bailleul, the First Battle of Kemmel, and the Second Battle of Kemmel. During August 1918 the Allies had recovered sufficiently to be able to launch their own attacks on the Germans, and after a brilliant victory at Villers Brettoneux on 8 August, attacks were launched at Albert on the Somme. The 6th Division took part in the Advance in Flanders, before moving south, where they took part in the advance on the Hindenburg Line, during the Battle of Epehy, and then at the Battle of the St Quentin Canal. Once the Line had been breached, the Division took part in the Battle of Beaurevoir and the Battle of Cambrai, before the final Pursuit to the Selle and the Battle of the Selle, where they saw the end of the war out. William was killed in action less than a week before the end of the war, on 5 November 1918. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Cross Roads Cemetery, Fontaine-au-Bois, France.

William Arran, Sapper. No trace can be found of this man.  

Ernest Axford, Trimmer, 302TS, Royal Naval Reserve. Ernest was born on 16 July 1896 at Milford Haven, and was the Adopted son of Simon and Elizabeth Davies, of 15, Perrotts Terrace, Barn Street, Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Naval Reserve, aboard H.M. Trawler Kirkland. She was requisitioned during August 1914, for service as a mine sweeper. Ernest was drowned when the Kirkland struck a mine off Fugla Skerry, Papastour, Shetlands, on 20 August 1917. He was 21 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Many thanks to Shirley Thomas for the photograph.

James Allen Bevan, Driver, T4/254138, Army Service Corps. James was the Son of James and M. Bevan, of 1, Ebenezer Row, Haverfordwest. He served with the Army Service Corps, and was posted to Salonika, where he served as a Driver with the 857th Horse Transport Company. James died at Salonika on 24 November 1918 aged 23, and is buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria. Many thanks to Adrian Wright for the photograph.

Harold Edmund Collins, Sapper, 15477, Royal Engineers. Harold was the Son of James and Mary Collins, of Northgate, Haverfordwest, and the husband of Bessie Collins, of Welcheston Lodge, Woolhope, Hereford. He had enlisted at Swansea into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to their 5th Field Company. The Company was sent to the Western Front with the BEF at the outbreak of war, and took part in the fighting at Mons, and in the epic retreat south to the Marne. The Germans were stopped at the Marne, and the BEF followed their retreat back north to the Aisne, where they met in Battle. Harold was wounded here, and died of wounds on 9 October 1914. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Soupir Churchyard, France.

Austin Pugh Cook, Lieutenant, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Austin was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Cook, of 21, Bridge Street, Haverfordwest. He had been commissioned into the Royal Marine Light Infantry, and served with the 2nd Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Naval Division. The Naval Brigades were originally sent to Antwerp and Dunkirk in September and October 1914 to guard against invasion by the Germans. However Antwerp fell to the Germans soon after, and so many of the RND units were withdrawn to England. After a lengthy period of refit and training the Division moved to Egypt preparatory to the Gallipoli campaign. Landing on 25 April 1915 the Division fought throughout the Campaign on Gallipoli. They were transferred from the authority of the Admiralty to the War Office on 29 April 1916, and was redesignated the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on 19 July 1916. The Division moved to France, arriving at Marseilles during May 1916 and moved to positions on the Somme, where it took part in the Battle of the Ancre, and the resulting Operations on the Ancre. In April 1917 the Division were at Arras, and fought at the Second Battle of the Scarpe, where they captured Gavrelle. They then fought at the Battle of Arleux. Austin was killed in action near Gavrelle on 26 July 1917. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Naval Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle, France.

Francis Newton Allen Cromie, C.B., D.S.O., Captain, Royal Navy. Francis was the son of Captain Charles Francis Cromie, of Cincinatti, Ohio. Charles served with the Hampshire Regiment, and was the Consul General, at Dakar. Francis was the husband of Mrs. Cromie, of 9, Old Park Road, Clapham Common, London. His maternal Grandparents, Thomas Ince Webb-Bowen and Catherine Luther Anne Bowen Allen lived in Haverfordwest. Francis had taken part in suppressing the Boxer Uprising in Peking, and then joined the Royal Navy Submarine Service in 1903. In 1915 he navigated the submarine HMS E19 through Oresund into the Baltic Sea, to prey on iron ore transports from Sweden to Imperial Germany. Francis was the commander of the British submarine flotilla in the Baltic during World War I, and in May 1917 he was appointed the Naval Attaché in Petrograd (Saint Petersburg). 1917 was the year of the Russian Revolution, and Francis was captured by the Revolutionists. On 31 August 1918 Francis was shot dead in front of the British Embassy in Petrograd. He was 36 years old, and is remembered on the Archangel Memorial in Saint Petersburg. Francis had been highly decorated throughout his Naval Career. He was a Chevalier, Legion of Honour; Order of St. Vladimir with Swords (Russia); Cross of St. George (Russia). Awarded Royal Humane Society's Medal (1906). He was also Mentioned in Despatches during the Boxer Rebellion.

Henry Davies, Private, 26934, Welsh Regiment. Henry was born at St. Martins, Haverfordwest, and enlisted there into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion was in India at the outbreak of war, and was recalled to Britain, where it joined 84 Brigade, 28th Division. The Division formed in England between December 1914 and January 1915 from regular units returning from India, Singapore and Egypt. During January 1915 it moved to France, landing at Le Havre and moved to the Western Front, where it saw its first major action during the Second Battle of Ypres. Following serious casualties at Ypres, a Composite Brigade was formed, composing of the 2nd Battalion, the Buffs, 2nd Battalion, the Cheshires, 1st Battalion, the Welsh, and 1st Battalion, the York and Lancaster. It was dissolved on the 19th May 1915, and the formation assumed its normal configuration, taking part in the Battle of Loos. Henry was killed in action just before the Division was pulled from the line to embark for Salonika, on 2 October 1915. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Loos Memorial, France.

William Davies, Private, 220, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Haverfordwest and enlisted there into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion had been formed at Carmarthen during August 1914 and became attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July, 1915 arriving at Mudros by 5 August 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on 9 August. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counter-attack during the Battle of Sari Bair, and then at the Attack on Scimitar Hill. William was wounded during the first few weeks at Gallipoli and evacuated for treatment at Mudros Island. He died there on 28 September 1915 and is buried at East Mudros Military Cemetery, Gallipoli.

Cyril Norman Green, Driver, 122243, Royal Field Artillery. Cyril was born at Pembroke Dock, the Son of John and Bessie Rundle Green, later of 7, Bridge Street, Haverfordwest. Cyril had moved around West Wales, living at Tenby, Brecon, and Haverfordwest, which is where he enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery, serving with the 55th Division Ammunition Column, attached to the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The complete Division was reformed in France between 3 and 27 January 1916 in the Hallencourt area, and relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, in the area Wailly- Bretencourt by 16 February. Trench warfare commenced, with many raids and minor operations. Relieved by the 11th (Northern) Division on 25 July, the 55th now moved south and took up a place in the front line opposite the village of Guillemont. Here they fought at the Battle of Guillemont and the Battle of Ginchy. There was a short period of rest at Ribemont from 12 to 17 September, and then the Division fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the Battle of Morval. Relieved by 41st Division on 28 September, the Division withdrew to the area of Buire and Ribemont, before relieving the 29th Division in the Ypres salient in October 1916. It was destined to remain in this area for almost a year, stationed near Railway Wood. Cyril was wounded at Railway Wood, and evacuated to the Base Hospital at Boulogne, where he died of wounds on 11 March 1917. He was just 21 years old, and is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

Archie Griffiths, Private, G/5868, Royal Sussex Regiment. Archie was the Son of William and Maria Griffiths, of 44, Dew Street, Haverfordwest. He enlisted in September, 1914 into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, which was attached to 2 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had been one of the first to arrive in France, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and taking part in the retreat to the Marne, where the Germans were stopped. They then fought at the Aisne, and at Chivy, before being moved North to Ypres. Here they fought at the First Battle of Ypres, where they again stopped the German Offensive, before wintering in Flanders. The following year saw them in action again at the Battle of Aubers, before moving South to Loos, where they fought during the Battle of Loos, and the action at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. Archie was killed in action whilst the Division was near Arras, on 30 June, 1916, just prior to their move to the Somme. He was just 20 years old, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. His brother Walter James Griffiths also fell.

Frederick Griffiths, Private, 111677, Tank Corps. Frederick was born at St. Davids in 1892, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Griffiths. By 1901 the family was residing at 6, North Gate, Haverfordwest. Frederick and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Royal Field Artillery, with the Regimental Number 263376. He was transferred into the Tank Corp sometime after 1916, and served with the 11th Battalion, Tank Corps. Frederick was killed in action during the period of the offensive against the mighty Hindenburg Line, on 27 September 1918, aged 26. He is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France. His brother Ivor also fell.

Ivor Griffiths, Private, 445, Welsh Regiment. Ivor was born at St. Davids, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Griffiths. The family later resided at 6, North Gate, Haverfordwest. Ivor enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion was formed at Carmarthen during August 1914 and was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The 53rd Division moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July 1915 arriving at Mudros by 5 August 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on 8 August. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, and fought at the Battle of Sari Bair, where Ivor was wounded. He was evacuated from Gallipoli, and brought to Gibraltar for treatment, but sadly died at sea of his wounds on 4 September 1915, aged 19. Ivor was buried ashore, at Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery. His brother Frederick also fell.

Francis Alexander Blair Harper, Deck Hand, 3925DA, Royal Naval Reserve. Francis was born was born in Aberdeen on 16 August 1884 and was a fisherman. After the outbreak of war he served with the Royal Naval Reserve, aboard HM Trawler, Ocean Angler. Francis' wife Isabella died on 18 January 1917 leaving him with three daughters to look after, so Francis moved his three daughters, Mary, Frances and Mabel, to Haverfordwest, close to his base at Milford Haven. Soon after this he married Alice Warlow in Haverfordwest, and the couple had a son, Frank Harper. Sadly not long afterwards, Francis died in hospital in Ireland, on 8 February 1919, aged 34. He was brought home for burial at St. Martin's Cemetery, Haverfordwest. Many thanks to Mr. Alex Buchan for sending in additional information about Francis.

Seth John Harries, Private, 320015, Welsh Regiment. Seth was born at Haverfordwest in 1889, the son of John and Phoebe Harries. He enlisted there into the Pembroke Yeomanry, with the Regimental Number 251. The Pembroke Yeomanry was attached to the South Wales Mounted Brigade, and moved to Egypt in 1916 where it was dismounted, and used for duties on the Suez Canal defences. In early 1917 the Battalion was merged with the Glamorgan Yeomanry to form the 24th (Pembroke & Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion, Welsh Regiment, attached to 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division had formed in Egypt in January, 1917 and had fought through the Palestinian Campaign, at the Battles of Gaza and the Battle and capture of Jerusalem. Seth was killed during the Third Battle of Gaza, on 6 November 1917, aged 29. He is buried at Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel.

Sidney James, Private, 76210DA, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Sidney was the Son of James and Elizabeth James, of 46, City Road, Haverfordwest. Sidney served with a Home Service Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and died at home on 18 December 1918, aged just 19. He is buried at St. Martin Cemetery, Haverfordwest.

Charles Jenkins, Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Charles was born on 2 January 1897, the second son of John Lewis and Bessie Jenkins, of Cleddau Lodge, Haverfordwest. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Charles then attended the London Wireless College, and from there he enlisted into the Signal Section of the Royal Engineers on 11 November 1914. Charles served on the Western Front from January 1916 and returned to England in July 1917 to train at Winchester and Oxford. In November 1917 Charles was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps, and gained his Wings in January 1918. Charles was sadly killed whilst flying at Upavon, Wiltshire on 21 March 1918. He was buried days later at St. Mary's Church Cemetery, Haverfordwest. His Commanding Officer wrote in a letter to John and Bessie; 'Your son was a fine and fearless Pilot, very popular, and we feel his loss keenly'.

Clement Daniel Jones, Private, G/29321, Middlesex Regiment. Clement was born at Haverfordwest in 1887, the son of George and Mary Jones. He worked as a Draper prior to the war, for Messrs J. Barnes Co. Ltd, 191 and 217 Finchley Rd, Hampstead, and enlisted there into the 21st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. The Battalion was raised in Islington by the Mayor and Borough on 18 May 1915, and in July 1915 joined 118 Brigade, 39th Division. Taken over by the War Office in August, they moved in October 1915 to Aldershot, then in February 1916 to Witley, where the Battalion moved to 121 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. During June 1916 the Division landed in France, and moved to the front near Loos. Late in 1916 they moved south to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of the Ancre, and remained in the area over the winter. In March 1917 the Germans withdrew to their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division was one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. Later in the year they took part in the Battle of Cambrai, playing an important role in the attack on Bourlon Wood. Clement was wounded at Cambrai, and died of wounds on 24 November 1917. He was buried on the battlefield, but his grave must have been lost over the coming few months of fighting in the area, as he is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France. His brothers, Peter McKenzie Jones and John Daniel Jones, also fell.

John Daniel Jones, Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. John was born in 1871, the Son of George and Mary Jones, of Haverfordwest. His wife, Mrs A. M. Jones, resided at 53, Charlton Road, Blackheath, Kent. John was a long serving soldier, and had completed 28 years service by the time war erupted, and landed in France on 19 August 1914 as a Battery Sergeant Major with the 28th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. John would have taken part in the epic retreat from Mons to the Marne, and on 3 November 1914 was commissioned as a Lieutenant. He served on the Western Front throughout several major battles thereafter, taking part in First and Second Ypres. John was wounded at the beginning of 1916, and evacuated to the Base Hospital at Le Havre, where he sadly died of his wounds on 21 February 1916, aged 45. John is buried there, at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. His brothers, Peter McKenzie Jones and Clement Daniel Jones, also fell.

Peter McKenzie Jones, Private, 122194, Machine Gun Corps. Peter was the Son of George and Mary Jones. He was a native of Haverfordwest, but the family had moved to London prior to the war, living at Paddington. Peter enlisted at Woolwich into the Army Ordnance Corps, with the Regimental Number 029162, but was later transferred into the 35th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, which was attached to the 35th Division. The Division had moved to France in late January and early February 1916. It saw it's first major action during the Battle of the Somme, at the Battle of Albert. After a spell out of the line, rebuilding, the Division followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917. Later in the year they moved north to Ypres, and fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. By Spring of 1918 they were back on the Somme, and fought at the First Battle of Bapaume, during the German Offensive. They were then moved back north, and fought later in the year at the Battle of Ypres, and then the Battle of Courtrai, and the subsequent Action of Tieghem. Peter was wounded during Fourth Ypres, and sadly died of his wounds at the Casualty Clearing Station west of Ypres, known as Remy Sidings, on 16 October 1918. He was 30 years old, and is buried there, at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. Peter is shown as Welsh Regiment on the Memorial. His brothers John Daniel Jones and Clement Daniel Jones also fell.

David Rees Lewis, Private, 53981, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of John Lewis, of 60, City Road, Haverfordwest. He married Sarah Alice Owens in 1912, of 137, Back Lane, Prendergast, Haverfordwest. David enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh Regiment, and was posted to the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the Carmarthen Pals battalion, attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they took part in the famous capture of Mametz Wood. David probably joined the battalion after it had moved to Boesinghe, north of Ypres, in August 1916. Here they fought at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and the Battle of Langemarck. They then moved to Armentieres, where they remained from September 1917 until March 1918 when the German Spring Offensive was launched. The British had been over-run on the Somme, and so in April the Division was moved South, taking up positions North of Albert, from where they weathered the storm of the coming months. On 10 May 1918 the 15th Welsh were ordered to assault the German lines inside Aveluy Wood, and were to be supported by a creeping artillery barrage. Sadly due to an error in range calculations, the shellfire fell short, and created havoc amongst the 15th Welsh. David was one of many men killed that day. He was 24 years old and is buried at Martinsart British Cemetery, France.

Thomas Henry Lewis, Private, 27474, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Thomas was the Husband of Martha Jane Lewis, of 1, Queen's Square, Haverfordwest. He enlisted there into the Welsh regiment, with the Regimental Number 3657, but later transferred into the 1st Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry, which was attached to 16 Brigade, 6th Division. On 10 September 1914 the Division landed at St Nazaire and proceeded to the Western Front, and arrived in time to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF on the Aisne, before the whole army was moved north into Flanders. Here they took part in the Action of Hooge during June 1915, and in 1916 moved to the Somme, where the Division fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy. The following year saw them at Arras, where they fought at the Battle of Hill 70, and then during the Battle of Cambrai later in the year. In the spring of 1918 the Division was one of those hit by the German Offensive on the Somme, which had been launched on 21 March, and the Division took part in the Battle of St Quentin. They were moved from the line, and went to Flanders to rest, but the following month the Germans launched another offensive on the Lys, and the Division fought during the resulting withdrawal. During August 1918 the Allies had recovered sufficiently to be able to launch their own attacks on the Germans, and after a brilliant victory at Villers Brettoneux on 8 August, attacks were launched at Albert. The 6th Division took part in the Advance in Flanders, before moving south, where they took part in the advance on the Hindenburg Line, during the Battle of Epehy. Thomas was killed in action here on 24 September 1918. He was 35 years old, and is buried at Trefcon British Cemetery, Caulaincourt, France.

James William Manning, Private, 277854, Royal Engineers. James was the husband of Dorothy Ellen Manning (nee Collins), of 28, North Crescent; Haverfordwest. He had enlisted on 8 May 1917, and served with the 488th Field Company, Royal Engineers. James was discharged from the army on 28 October 1918, and died at Haverfordwest during the First Quarter of 1919, aged 33. He is not commemorated by the CWGC, so his place of burial is not yet known.

William Howard Martin, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was the Son of Thomas Henry and Martha Martin, of 14, Kensington Terrace, Barn Street, Haverfordwest. He was commissioned from the Artists Rifles into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 8 September 1916, and was attached to their 2nd Battalion. The Battalion had been on the Western Front since the outbreak of war, and by early 1916 was attached to 19 Brigade, 33rd Division. The Division moved to positions on the Southern end of the Somme sector, and fought through the Battles of the Somme, from July 1916 onwards. They then fought at Arras, at the Battle of the Scarpe and at Bullecourt, before heading to Ypres, and fighting at the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood. William was killed in action at Ypres on 31 July 1917, aged 29. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Thomas Morgan Mathias, C.S.M., 2, Welsh Regiment. Morgan was the Husband of Edith Alice Mathias, of 14, North Crescent, Haverfordwest. He had served in the South African Campaign, and was recalled to the colours at the outbreak of war, becoming a Company Sergeant Major in the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, at Carmarthen. Morgan was issued the Regimental Number 2. The Battalion became attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division some months later, and moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July 1915, and arrived at Mudros by 5 August 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on 9 August. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counter-attack during the Battle of Sari Bair, and then at the Attack on Scimitar Hill. Morgan was killed in action on his second day at Gallipoli, on 10 August 1915. He was 39 years old, and having no known grave, is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

Edward Morgan, Able Seaman, Wales Z/633, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Edward was born on 1 September 1890, the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Morgan, of 3, Coed Terrace, Waterloo, Talywain, Monmouth. He enlisted on 23 March 1915 into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, and was embarked as part of a draft of men for the MEF on 1 August 1915, joining Hawke Battalion at Gallipoli. Edward was invalided to Britain on 2 December 1915 suffering from dysentery, and it wasn't until 9 October 1916 that he was posted to France, joining Nelson Battalion, which was attached to the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the Somme. Edward was invalided home suffering from trench foot on 6 February 1917, and on 4 June 1917 returned to France, rejoining Nelson Battalion at Ypres. Edward would have fought in the Battle of Passchendaele later that year, and early in 1918 came home on leave. He returned to France on 18 April 1918, and was posted to Drake Battalion, RND. Edward was killed in action during the Battle of Albert, 21 August 1918, aged 28. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France. Edwards' links to Haverfordwest are unclear, but no other Able Seaman E Morgan died during the war.

James Henry Morgan, Driver, 38442, Royal Engineers. James was born in Pembroke, the Son of James and Martha Morgan, later of 3, North Gate, Haverfordwest. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but was later transferred to the Royal Engineers. He was posted to their 127th Field Company, attached to the 22nd Division. The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, with all units being concentrated near Flesselles by the 9th of the month. However it's stay in France was to be very short, as on 27 October, 1915 the Division, having been moved by train to Marseilles, began to embark for Salonika. It completed concentration there in November, although the final artillery units were still coming in as late as the 13th December 1915. It remained in the theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the Retreat from Serbia during December, 1915. Between 10 to 18 August 1916 they fought at the battle of Horseshoe Hill, and around this time, James took ill and was hospitalised. He died on 22 August 1916, aged 21, and is buried at Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece.

James Oliver, Private, 200189, Welsh Regiment. James was born on 1 March 1889, the Son of John and Margaret Oliver, of 18, Spring Gardens, Haverfordwest. James was educated at Haverfordwest, and worked there as a Compositor prior to the war. When war was declared in August 1914 James enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. Just after enlisting, James married Frances Charlotte Hale Davies, daughter of Richard Davies, of 26, Prendergast Hill, Haverfordwest. The Division then moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July 1915 and arriving at Mudros by 5 August 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on 9 August. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counter-attack. The Division remained here throughout the coming months, and suffered severe losses in manpower strength during the great November 1915 blizzard on Gallipoli, when its total strength was reduced to less than that of a full-strength Brigade. On 11 December 1915 the Division was evacuated to Mudros, and by the 23rd December 1915 were moved to Egypt. They remained on the Suez Canal Defences for the next twelve months, and in early 1917 moved into Palestine, where they remained for the duration of the war, fighting at the Battles of Gaza, and successfully capturing Jerusalem. James was wounded during Operations in the Jordan Valley, and died on 10 March 1918. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.

Francis Leonard Owen, Private, 10021, Royal Fusiliers. Francis was the Son of William Henry and Eliza Owen, of 3, Gloucester Terrace, Haverfordwest. He enlisted there into the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, which was attached to 17 Brigade, 24th Division. They moved to France during August 1915 and marched to positions near Loos, where they took up reserve positions for the main Battle of Loos. The Division were sent into battle on 26 September 1915 at Loos and suffered terrible casualties due to not being properly trained for battle, and were pulled from the line until the following year. In 1916 they took part in the Battle of the Somme, and fought at Delville Wood and Guillemont, before moving north of Arras in early 1917. Francis was killed here, in French Flanders, on 26 January 1917. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe.

Charles Picton Owens, Engineman, 4846ES, Royal Naval Reserve. Charles was born on 1 March 1890, the Son of Thomas and Anne Owens, of 40 Prendergast, Haverfordwest. He was an engineer at Milford Haven prior to the war, and resided with his wife Lilian Owens, at 12 City Road, Haverfordwest. Charles served in the Royal Naval Reserve, aboard H.M. Drifter Active III. Charles died when she was lost at sea on 15 October 1917. He was 27 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

William John Peterson, Lance Corporal, 50289, Machine Gun Corps, Infantry. William was originally born as William John Jones, and was the son of Florence Mary Jones. She later married Mr G. Peterson, of 63, Merlins Hill, Haverfordwest. William had served during the Great War as a Machine Gunner, but was possibly wounded towards the end of the war, as he died in hospital at Cardiff on 19 February 1919, aged 22. William is buried at St. Martin's Cemetery, Haverfordwest.

William Phillips, Private, 45761, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Llawhaden in 1881, the son of William and Hannah Phillips. By 1911 the family had moved to 26, City Road, Haverfordwest. William enlisted at Haverfordwest into the army, and was posted to the 16th (Cardiff) Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they famously captured Mametz Wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and the Battle of Langemarck. William was killed in action here on 4 August 1917, aged 36. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

William Thomas Phillips, Private, 54384, Welsh Regiment. William was born in Haverfordwest, and enlisted there into the Welsh Regiment. He served with the 16th Battalion, which was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they took part in the successful capture of Mametz Wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and the Battle of Langemarck. William was killed in action here on 27 August 1917, when the 16th Welsh made a gallant assault on positions near Langemarck Village, under terrible conditions. He has no known grave, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Daniel Hugh Reynish, Private, 5217, London Regiment. Daniel was the Son of James and Elizabeth J. Reynish, of 60, Barn Street, Haverfordwest. He lived at Battersea prior to the war, and enlisted there into the 23rd Battalion, London Regiment. The Battalion formed at St. John's Hill, London during August 1914 and became attached to 142 Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. The Division moved to France  in March 1915. The Division fought at the Battle of Aubers, and the Battle of Festubert during May 1915 and in September fought at the Battle of Loos, and subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. They were north of Arras when the Germans attacked Vimy Ridge, and then moved south to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Le Transloy, where the Division captured Eaucourt l'Abbe, and took part in Attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. They then moved north to Flanders, and it was there that Daniel was wounded soon after arriving there. He was taken to the Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings for treatment, but died of his wounds there on 27 November 1916. Daniel was 35 years old, and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

James Gwynne Vaughan Rowlands, Rifleman, 393080, London Regiment. James was the Son of William Gwynne Rowlands and Mary Rowlands, of 1, Castle Terrace, Haverfordwest. He enlisted at London into the 28th Battalion (Artists Rifles), London Regiment, and transferred into the 9th Battalion (Queen Victoria's Rifles), which was attached to 169 Brigade, 56th (London) Division. The Division fought during the Battle of the Somme, at the diversionary attack on Gommecourt, then at Ginchy, Flers and Morval, where they captured Combles. They wintered on the Somme, and followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917 before fighting in the Battle of Arras. They then moved to Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of Langemarck. The Battalion was still at Ypres when James was killed in action on 27 September 1917, aged 22. He has no known grave, and so is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

George Thomas Sydney Rumball, MC, Lieutenant, Royal Fusiliers. George was born in Colchester on 18 February 1896, the son of George and Clara Rumball. George's father was to win the Military Cross serving with the 24th Welsh in Palestine in 1917. Sydney was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, then worked as a clerk for the General Post Office's telephone engineering and manufacturing facility at the Mount Pleasant factory. He joined the Civil Service Army Cadets in March, but left in July due to a lack of time, and re-enlisted in March 1915, as a Private in the RAMC, serving in France from August 1915 based at the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station. In August 1916 George applied for a regular army commission, and was gazetted as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 2 April 1917, being posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who were at Arras, attached to 86 Brigade, 29th Division. The Division had suffered heavy casualties during the Battle of Arras over the preceding weeks, and George was probably a reinforcement. In August 1917 the 29th Division relieved the 38th Welsh Division at Boesinghe, and George was awarded the Military Cross here, "for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led patrols on four consecutive nights, returning on each occasion with valuable and accurate information. The consistent example of courage and determination which he set inspired all his men to exert themselves to the utmost. Boesinghe sector (Belgium) 7 to 10 August 1917". Over the coming months George took part in the Battle Of Langemarck, the Battle Of Poelcapelle, and the Battle of Cambrai, where he was seconded to brigade HQ. On 11 April 1918 the Division was in the Lys Valley, when the German offensive hit them. Over the coming days, they fought a desperate rearguard action, and it was here that George was killed on 13 April 1918, aged 22. He is buried at Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extenson, Bailleul, France.

Arthur Llewellyn Thomas, Sapper, 43178, Royal Engineers. Arthur was the Only Son of William and Martha Thomas, of 26, Dew Street, Haverfordwest. He enlisted there into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to the 75th Field Company, which was attached to the Guards Division. This Division has the distinction of being formed in France in August 1915, from the various Guards units that had been with other Divisions. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915, remaining in the area during the coming months, where they also fought in the subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. In July, 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs Village. They remained here for the winter, and in March, 1917 took part in the advance caused by the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Later that year they moved north to Ypres, taking up positions north of Boesinghe, on the Yser Canal. Arthur was killed during a trench raid on 3 July 1917, aged 23. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Hugh Ince Webb-Bowen, Captain, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Hugh was the Eldest son of Thomas Ince Webb-Bowen, late Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire, and Ellen Webb-Bowen. He married Evelyn Flora Abercromby McDougal in Kensington on 18 July 1914. Hugh was a regular soldier who had been commissioned into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers prior to 1910, and had embarked for Gallipoli as part of their Head Quarters Staff. Hugh was sadly wounded on Gallipoli during the early stages of the campaign there, and died of wounds on 24 May 1915, aged 37. He is buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli.

John Lloyd Williams, Private, 241736, Kings Liverpool Regiment. John was born at Haverfordwest, the son of George and Jane Williams, of 2, Castle Square, Haverfordwest. He trained as a school teacher at Carmarthen, and worked at Liverpool Sailors Orphanage prior to the war. John enlisted there into the 6th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment on 9 November 1914. The battalion landed in France on 25 February 1915, and joined 15 Brigade, 5th Division at Bailleul. On 18 November 1915 the Battalion moved to Third Army Troops, and on 26 January 1916 moved to 165 Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, where it took part in many raids and minor operations. Relieved by the 11th (Northern) Division on 25 July, the Division moved south and took up a place in the front line opposite the village of Guillemont. Here they fought at the Battle of Guillemont and the Battle of Ginchy. John was wounded here, and died on 9 August 1916, aged 27. He is buried at Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, France.

World War Two, 1939-1945

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

Phillip John William Cole, Seaman, LT/X 19979A, Royal Naval Patrol Service. Phillip served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service aboard HM Trawler Loch Inver. She was a trawler, which had been requisitioned by the Admiralty in October 1939 and converted to an auxiliary patrol vessel, based at Harwich. Phillip lost his life when Loch Inver was sunk by a mine off Harwich on 22 September 1940, with the loss of fourteen men. All her crew are commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, England.

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

Arthur Hall Davies, Fireman and Trimmer, Merchant Navy. Arthur was born at Haverfordwest in September 1894. He served with the Merchant Navy as Fireman aboard the SS Trewellard, a London registered steamer. On 5 November 1940, Trewellard was part of Convoy HX-84 when it was discovered by the mighty German pocket battleship admiral Scheer. Scheer sank Jervis Bay, and the convoy, escorted only by several ageing destroyers, scattered. Scheer pursued Trewellard, and the outmatched steamship was soon overtaken and sunk by the Scheer, going down with the loss of 14 men. Arthur was one of the dead. He was 46 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

C. T. Davies, Battery Sergeant Major. Cannot presently be identified.

Cyril Edward Evans, Private, T/50674, Royal Army Service Corps. Cyril was born at Haverfordwest in June 1912. He served during World War Two with the Royal Army Service Corps. Little else is known of Cyril, but he died on 16 July 1941, aged 29, and is buried at Pontypridd (Glyntaff) Cemetery, Wales.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Iorwerth Jones, Private, 3969349, Durham Light Infantry. Iorwerth was born in Glamorgan in 1913. Prior to the war he resided at 26b, North Crescent, Haverfordwest. He served with the 16th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. The battalion formed in Edinburgh in July 1940, and sailed from Liverpool on Christmas Day 1942 aboard the MV Staffordshire, as part of 139 Brigade, 46th Infantry Division, for Tunisia. After the fall of the Axis troops in North Africa, the battalion took part in the Salerno Landings of September 1943, and the subsequent campaign in Italy. Iorwerth was killed in Italy on 13 September 1944, aged 31. He is buried in Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, Italy.     

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

William D. Jones, Corporal. Cannot presently be identified.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frederick Albert Waite, Fireman And Trimmer, Merchant Navy. Frederick was the Son of William Edward and Margaret Ann Waite, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Fort Babine, a London registered cargo vessel. On 6 March 1943 Fort Babine was west of Gibraltar, in convoy KMS/10, en-route from Liverpool to Bougie, Algeria, when she was torpedoed and sunk by U-410. She had been carrying a cargo of 3000 tons of government stores. The master, Captain Albert Victor Parkinson Turnbull, crew of 45, 10 gunners and 9 army personnel were rescued and landed at Gibraltar. Strangely Frederick is recorded as having died on 6 February 1943, aged 18, a month before the sinking of the ship. He is buried at Le Petit Lac Cemetery, Algeria.

Copyright © Steven John 2013