Letterston War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918
David John Evans, Gunner, W/829, Royal Field Artillery. David was born in Letterston to James and Rachel Evans, of Green Plain Cottage, Letterston. He enlisted at Bridgend into the 54th Battery, 39th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. This was a regular Army Battery, attached to the 1st Division, and they had been in France since the retreat from Mons in August 1914. He was Killed in Action during the Battle of the Somme, on 13 August 1916, aged 22. David was buried in Quarry Cemetery, Montauban, France.
Samuel Henry Evans, Private, 25083, Welsh Regiment. Samuel was born in Letterston, the son of James and Rachel Evans, of "Blonfair," West St., Newport. He enlisted at Bridgend into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was known as the Carmarthen Pals battalion, and was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. Samuel landed in France with the battalion on 4 December 1915. He would have fought at Mametz Wood the following year, then at Piclekm Ridge in 1917. Samuel must have been taken Prisoner of War at some time, and he died in Germany of tuiberculosis on 21 July 1918, aged 21. Samuel is buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. Photograph courtesy of Michael Bloy.
William Griffiths. Guardsman, 2141, Welsh Guards. William was born in St. Issell's, the brother of John Griffiths, of Jeffreston, Pembrokeshire. He enlisted at Pembroke into the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards, part of 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Welsh Guards were formed in France during August 1915, and were blooded at the Battle of Loos in September 1915. They moved to the Somme, and took part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, (where the famous photo of a Mark I tank rolling through the main street of Flers was later taken). William was Killed in Action on 10 September 1916, and is buried at London Cemetery & Extension, Longueval, France.
Harold Keith De Warenne Harvey, Lance Corporal, 84, Australian Imperial Force. Harold was born at Letterston, the Son of Mr & Mrs J. Harold Harvey of Marrick, Totland Bay, Isle of Wight and the Grandson of George Harries of Trevacoon, St. David's. He had emigrated to Australia prior to the war, where he sought his fortune as a pearl fisherman, and enlisted at Broome, Western Australia, on 5 February 1915 into the Australian Imperial Force. Harold joined the 28th Battalion, AIF, which was attached to the 7th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division. Harold then embarked at Fremantle on 12 July 1915 aboard the HMAT Ascanius, and sailed to Egypt, landing at Gallipoli on 4 September 1915. He was then attached to a Machine Gun unit at Gallipoli, and remained there until being evacuated in January 1916. On 21 March 1916 Harold landed at Marseilles, now back with the 28th Battalion, and they entrained for Northern France, taking the line near Bois Grenier. Harold was killed in action here during a routine spell in the trenches on 25 April 1916. He was 22 years old, and was buried at Ration Farm Military Cemetery, France, in Grave I. B. 10. His younger brother Ralph De Warenne Harvey also fell. Harold is not commemorated locally.
Ralph De Warenne Harvey, Second Lieutenant, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Ralph was born at Letterston, the Son of Mr & Mrs J. Harold Harvey, later of The Willows, Wyke Regis, Dorset, and the Grandson of George Harries of Trevacoon, St. David's. Ralph was educated at Weymouth College, where he excelled at cricket, and was commissioned in January 1915 into the Dorsetshire Regiment. He was then posted to the 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, which was in France attached to 99 Brigade, 2nd Division. The Division had been in France since the outbreak of war. In 1915 they took part in the Battle of Festubert, and in September fought at the Battle of Loos, and subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. Ralph was seriously wounded at Loos, just as the Battalion was beginning its preparations for the move to the Somme, and died of his wounds on 7 June 1916, aged just 18. He is buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France, in Grave Officers A. 2. 12. His elder brother Harold Keith De Warenne Harvey also fell. Ralph, like his brother, is not commemorated locally.
William Charles Henry Jeavons, Bombardier, 72383, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was born in Letterston, the son of Thomas John and Elizabeth Jeavons. The family later moved to Liverpool. He was the husband of Dorothy Hallam Fitzpatrick (formerly Jeavons), of 60A, Anson Rd., Tufnell Park, London. William was a travelling man, who enlisted at Leicester into the 60th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. He must have taken ill in France, and was brought back to Hospital, where he Died of Sickness on 11 March 1918, aged 32. He is buried in Garston (St. Michael) Churchyard. William is not commemorated locally.
David James John, Private, 45356, Lancashire Fusiliers. David was born in Letterston to James and Susan John, of Midland, Letterston. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 19th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who eventually became the Pioneer Battalion to the 49th (West Riding) Division.The Division were pushing the German's back to the Selle River when David was Killed in Action on 13 October 1918, aged only 20. David is buried in Haspres Coppice Cemetery, Haspres, Northern France.
Stephen James John, Private, 54267, Welsh Regiment. Stephen was born in Letterston, to John and Sophia John, of Yetyrhug, Letterston. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which formed part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had suffered catastrophic losses on the Somme, at Mametz Wood, and weren't used in action for another year, taking part in the Battle of Passchendaele, notably the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. The Division attacked the strongly fortified German positions North of Ypres, and despite the terrible conditions they succeeded in their objectives. Sadly Stephen was Killed in Action on 1 August 1917, aged 30. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Thomas John, MM, Private, 22217, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in Letterston, the son of James and Mary John, of Charles Court, Letterston. He enlisted at Maesteg into the 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who were originally attached to 129 Brigade, 43rd Division, but on 28 April 1915 the formation became 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division were attacking toward the Hindenburg Line during the later stages of the war, pushing the German Army back around the Epehy area, when Thomas was Killed in Action on 8 October 1918. He was aged 26, and is buried in Unicorn Cemetery, Vend'huile, France.
Levi Lamb, Private, 54408, Welsh Regiment. Levi was born at Letterston. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to France late in 1916, where he joined the 16th Battalion (Cardiff City), Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division moved to positions at Boesinghe, north of Ypres, in the summer of 1916, after taking part in the capture of Mametz Wood in July. They remained at Boesinghe, until launching their attack on the Pilckem Ridge on 31 July 1917. The 16th Welsh took part in an abortive attack on Eagle Trench, Langemarck on 27 August 1917, and it was during this attack that Levi was killed. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Levi is not commemorated locally.
Evan Ernest Lawrence, Private, 10500, London Regiment (Artists Rifles). Ernest was the husband of Florence Lawrence, and was a School Master at Wolfscastle prior to the war, residing at Bryn Amlwg, Letterston. He enlisted in London into the 1/28th Battalion, the London Regiment (Artist's Rifles), which formed part of the 63rd Royal Naval Division. The Artist's Rifles were an elite Battalion, with many of their men being commissioned as Officers into other Battalions of the British Army. Ernest Died at the 1st London General Hospital of Septicaemia on 10 February 1917, and is buried in Letterston (Saron) Baptist Cemetery.
William Benjamin Lewis, Sergeant, G/25075, Duke of Cambridge's Own (Middlesex) Regiment. William was born at Marloes, but enlisted at Letterston into the 13th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, which formed part of 73 Brigade, 24th Division. The Division were in the St. Quentin sector when the German Offensive (Kaiserschlacht) began on 21 March, 1918. The British and Allied Armies mounted a desperate defensive action over the whole of the Western Front, with many units being totally annihilated by the German Stormtroopers. The first few weeks of the offensive were total chaos for the British, and William was Killed in Action on 28 March 1918. His body was lost on the battlefield, and so William is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
William Bowen Lewis, Private, 50106, Welsh Regiment. William was born in Camrose, but resided in Letterston. He was the brother of Mr. D. A. Lewis, of 9, Bridge Street, Cardigan. William enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which formed part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division. This was a regular Army Division that had been in France since the Battle of Mons, and had fought through almost every major campaign of the Great War. The Division was in French Flanders during the middle of 1918, when they were still in the midst of the epic struggle to hold the German Offensive. William was Killed in Action on 6 June 1918 and is buried in Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Francis John Lloyd, Gunner, 161161, Royal Garrison Artillery. Frank was born at St. Dogmael's, and resided at Letterston. He was the husband of Annie Lloyd, of "Glyn View," Dinas Cross, Pembrokeshire. Francis enlisted at Llanelli into the 76th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Francis Died of Wounds aged 24, on 20 September 1918 and is buried in Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux-St-Marc, France.
William George Mathias, Guardsman, 1210, Welsh Guards. William was born at Letterston. He resided in Fishguard prior to the outbreak of War, and enlisted at Bridgend into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards. The battalion had been formed after the Royal Warrant of 26 February 1915, and joined the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division in France during the summer. They saw their first major action during the Battle of Loos in September 1915. William did not make it to France though, as he Died at home on 20 May 1915. He is buried in Fishguard (Hermon) Baptist Burial Ground. William is not commemorated at Letterston.
William Thomas Morris, Private, 25282, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Letterston, the son of Griffith and Emma Morris. After Griffith died, Emma became Mrs. James Gambold, of Charles Court, Letterston. William enlisted at Bridgend into the Welsh Regiment, but was transferred into 114 Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), part of the 38th (Welsh) Division. William had survived Mametz, but was Killed in Action just prior to the Battle of Pilckem, on 4 June 1917. He is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
David Richards, Driver, 25259, Royal Field Artillery. David was born at Haverfordwest, and was the husband of Eleanor Richards, of 6, Edgware Rd., Uplands, Swansea. David enlisted at Cardiff into 115 Battery, Royal Field Artillery. The Battery was present at the retreat from Mons in August, 1914, and it was sometime during this epic fighting withdrawal that David was Wounded in Action. He was transported to the Military Hospital at Boulogne, where he Died of Wounds on 15 November 1914, aged 31. David is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.
Thomas Henry Thomas, M.M., Private, T/F/291824, Middlesex Regiment. Thomas was born at Letterston but enlisted at Marylebone, into the 2/10th Battalion, the Middlesex Regiment. They formed part of the Welsh Border (160) Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The 53rd Division landed on Gallipoli on 9 August 1915, and after suffering terrible losses on the Peninsula, were moved to Egypt. There, they fought in Palestine, capturing the Holy City of Jerusalem between 7 and 9 December 1917. Thomas was Killed in Action on 12 December 1917, and is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.
Walter Price Williams, Private, 201509, Welsh Regiment. Walter resided in Letterston prior to enlisting at St. David's into the 14th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. Walter was another Letterston man who survived Mametz Wood, only to be Killed in Action at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, on 5 August 1917. He is buried in Welsh Cemetery (Caesar's Nose), Belgium.
Letterston War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945
William Hubert Harries, Gunner, 14206517, Royal Artillery. William was the Son of William and Elizabeth Harries, and the Husband of Helen Harries, of Kilmarnock, Ayrshire. He served in the 145 (Berkshire Yeomanry) Field Company, Royal Engineers, which were stationed in the Far East after leaving the UK in February 1945, when they landed at Malaya. William was possibly taken POW by the Japanese, and died after the war on 3 December 1945, aged 22. He is remembered on the Singapore Memorial. Many thanks to Andy Garnett for the photo.
Thomas James, Driver, T/251529, Royal Army Service Corps. Thomas was the Son of John and Mary James of Letterston, and the Husband of Irene James of Letterston. Sadly nothing much is known of him, except that he served with 235 Corps Company, Royal Army Service Corps, and died, aged 32, on 7 January 1943. Thomas is remembered on the Brookwood Memorial, Surrey.
Phillip John Jenkins, Guardsman, 2740444, Welsh Guards. Phillip was the Son of James and Martha Jenkins, of Letterston. Very little is known of him, but he served with the Welsh Guards, and died, aged 19, on 3 January 1947. He is commemorated by the CWGC, and so his death must have been as a result of the war. Phillip is buried at Letterston (St. Giles) Churchyard, but is not commemorated on the Letterston War Memorial.
Thomas Vivian Lawrence, Leading Aircraftman, 1115769, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was the Son of James and Elizabeth Ann Lawrence, and the Stepson of Mrs. E. Lawrence, of Letterston. He served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and died at home, aged 32, on 12 May 1943. Thomas is buried in Letterston (St. Giles) Churchyard.
Charles Norman Lewis, Flight Sergeant, 517386, Royal Air Force. Charles was the Son Of Arnold H. Lewis And Emma Alice Lewis, Of Letterston. He served with 228 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was in Egypt at the outbreak of WW2 flying the Short Sunderland, and returned home immediately, to Pembroke Dock. In June, 1940 the Squadron returned to Egypt, and in June, 1941 spent several months in Gambia before returning again to Pembroke Dock in August. Charles died at home on 25 August 1942 aged 27 and is buried at Letterston (St. Giles) Churchyard.
Willie George Morris, Gunner, 3914439, Royal Artillery. Willie was the Son of John and Elizabeth Morris of Letterston. He served with 108 Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery, Royal Artillery, which was stationed in the Shetland Isles, guarding the two RAF Stations there. Willie died on Shetland on 22 January 1942 aged 27, and is buried at Fair Isle Cemetery, Dunrossness, Scotland.
Albert James Phillips. Albert lived at The Harp, Letterston. He is not commemorated on the Letterston War Memorial, but he is buried at St. Giles Churchyard, and his headstone states that he died as a result of war wounds on 11 December 1952. He was 53 years old.
Thomas Phillips. Possibly the Civilian Thomas Phillips, who was born in Llanrhian around 1896. Thomas was drinking at the Prince Albert Inn, Melville Street, Pembroke Dock, when the Luftwaffe bombed the Dockyard on 12 May 1941. Thomas was killed in the air raid that day, aged 46.
Little Newcastle War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918
Benjamin George Evans, Artificer Engineer, Royal Navy. Benjamin was the Son of William Evans, of Martell Factory, Little Newcastle. He had enlisted into the Royal Navy prior to the war, and lived with his wife, Mrs K.S. Evans, at 31 Laburnum Grove, North End, Portsmouth. Benjamin served aboard the Battleship HMS Queen Mary. She was attached to the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron, and had seen action during the Battle of Heligoland Bight shortly after the war began. Queen Mary took part in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. She was hit twice by the German battlecruiser SMS Derfflinger during the famous Run to the South, and exploded shortly afterwards. Benjamin was killed in the explosion. He was 34 years old, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.
William L. Howells, Gunner, 102610, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was born at Trecwn, and was the husband of Charlotte Howells, of Llanfair Cottage, Trecwn. William enlisted at Letterston into the Royal Garrison Artillery on 11 December 1915. He spent the next twelve months in England, before joining the BEF in France in December 1916, and was posted to the 121st Heavy Battery, RGA. William was wounded in action at Arras on 25 April 1917, and admitted to Hospital at Rouen, where he remained until 9 June 1917. He was then posted to the 2nd (London) Heavy Battery, RGA, which was at Ypres. William was killed in Action at Ypres during the Battle of Passchendaele on 22 August 1917, aged 37, and was buried on the battlefield. His body was later exhumed, and reburied in Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Belgium. Due to the devastation of Ypres during the war, the exact location of William's grave within the cemetery is unknown, and he is remembered on Special Memorial 6. He left four children, Martha, David, Thomas and Daniel.
David Jones, Private, 48235, South Wales Borderers. David was born at Little Newcastle, the son of I.A. Jones. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Army Service Corps, but was later transferred to the 7th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was attached to 67 Brigade, 22nd Division, and crossed to France in early September 1915. On 27 October 1915 the Division embarked for Salonika, and remained here for the rest of the war. David was killed on 18 September 1918, during the Second Battle of Doiran. He was 26 years old, and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Salonika.
Frank Parry, Lance Corporal, 266, Welsh Guards. Frank was born at Little Newcastle, the Son of John Jenkyn Parry and Caroline Raymond Parry. The family later moved to Pencraigfargoed, Treharris, Glamorgan. Frank enlisted at Merthyr into the Grenadier Guards, but transferred into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, which had formed on 26 February 1915. The battalion moved to France in July 1915 attached to 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Welsh Guards saw their first major action at Loos in September 1915. In the summer of 1916 they moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. Frank was wounded at Flers, and died on 22 September 1916. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe, France. Frank is not commemorated locally.
James Lloyd Thomas, Private, 285170, Gloucestershire Regiment. James was the Son of Arthur and Maria Thomas, of Little Newcastle. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to the 2/6th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, which was attached to 183 Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. The Division moved to the Western Front in May 1916, moving to positions at Fromelles. The first major action in which the Division was engaged was the disastrous attack at Fromelles on 19 July 1916, a subsidiary action to the much larger battle taking place further south on the Somme. The Division suffered very heavy casualties, and was not used again other than for holding trench lines until 1917. In March the Division followed the German withdrawal from the Somme to the Hindenburg Line. Later that year it fought at Battle of Langemarck, part of the Third Battle of Ypres. The Division then moved south, where it took part in the Battle of Cambrai, from 20 November 1917. James was killed here on 2 December 1917. He was 20 years old, and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.
Little Newcastle War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945
Dale K. Canfield, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Force. Dale was from Chapman, Kansas, and served as a Co-Pilot with the 66th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, U.S.A.A.F., which was equipped with the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress. On 3 January 1943, Dale was Co-Pilot of a B-17 which took part in a raid on the U-Boat pens at St. Nazaire, France. Eight out of a force of thirteen managed to hit their targets, and turned for home, but got lost, mistaking the Irish Sea for the English Channel. Running low on fuel, the B-17's headed for airfields in South Wales, with three being forced to crash-land. One of the B-17's crash-landed at New House Crossroads near Little Newcastle, and Dale was killed in this crash, on 3 January 1943. He is buried at Cambridge American Cemetery, and is commemorated by a wooden plaque inside St. Peter's Church at Little Newcastle.
Llanrhian War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918
Arthur William Charles, Private, 45716, Welsh Regiment. Arthur was the Son of John and Phoebe Charles, of Llanrhian. He enlisted at Fishguard into the 20th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was designated the 3rd Rhondda Reserve Battalion. Arthur became ill while training, and died on 6 August 1916. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Mathry (Rehoboth) Congregational Chapelyard.
Gwynfred Ellis Griffiths, Private, 43837, Wiltshire Regiment. Gwynfred was the Son of G. Griffiths, of Groesgoch. Prior to the war, he lived with his wife, Alicia Griffiths, at Wedgwood House, Llandeilo. He enlisted at Ammanford into the army, and was posted to France, where he joined the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, which had been there since the outbreak of war, attached to 7 Brigade, 3rd Division. Gwynfred probably joined the battalion in 1916, on the Somme. They fought throughout the Battle of the Somme, and at the end of October 1916 moved to Ploegsteert. In 1917 the Division fought through Third Ypres, at Messines and Pilckem, and then moved to Givenchy then Bullecourt. They were in positions north west of Bapaume when the German Spring Offensive hit on 21 March 1918. After suffering heavy casualties, they moved to Flanders at the end of March, but were again hit by the German Offensive in Flanders. The Division suffered terrible casualties, and moved to the Aisne to rebuild. Again, they were hit by a German Offensive on the Chemin des Dames at the end of May, and again they held firm. On 21 June 1918 the Battalion transferred to 110 Brigade, 21st Division, and they fought with the Division during the drive through the Hindenburg Line. Gwynfred was killed in action on 8 October 1918, aged 39. He is buried at Bois-Des-Angles British Cemetery, Crevecouer-Sur-L'Escaut, France.
William Meurig Harries, Private, 13746, Welsh Regiment. William was born in Llanrhian, to Mr. and Mrs. William Harries, of Torbant, Croesgoch, Letterston, Pembrokeshire. He was educated at St. David's County School, and joined the 8th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment in September 1914. The CWGC show that he had transferred into the 8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, but they formed part of a Division that didn't go to Gallipoli, so there is a possible error in their database. William was Killed in Action at Gallipoli on 10 August 1915, aged just 20. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
John Hughes, Private, 54156, Welsh Regiment. John was born at Porthgain, near Llanrian, Pembrokeshire, and resided at Letterston with his sister prior to the war. Their father had moved to Pembrokeshire from North Wales, where he worked as a Slateworker, and met and married their mother locally. John enlisted at Swansea, into the 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which formed part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and moved to positions in the 'Nursery Sector' near Fleurbaix. In June they marched south, and took up positions on the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The first attack went in on 7 July 1916, and it was several days later that the wood finally fell to the Welsh, after they had sufffered terrible casualties. The British High Command were unhappy at the time taken by the Division to capture the Wood, and so they were removed from the line and sent to Ypres to rebuild and train. John was Killed in Action while the Division were in reserve at Ypres, on 4 December 1916. He is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Philip Harding Jervois, Second Lieutenant, Royal Garrison Artillery. Philip was born at Rochford in 1899, the Son of Maj. C. E. Jervois (late R.A.) and Mrs. Jervois. He was commissioned into the Royal Artillery during August 1916, and was posted to the 177th Siege Battery, RGA. The battery moved to Ypres, where it supported the Allied assault on Passchendaele Ridge. Philip was wounded on 28 October 1917, when a German shell burst in his gun pit, and died the same day. He was 18 years old, and is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium. Philip is commemorated by a memorial at Llanrhian Parish Church.
Ben Miles, Private, 52949, Welsh Regiment. Ben was the Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Miles, of Croesgoch, Letterston. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to France in the summer of 1916, where he joined the 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and had taken part in the capture of Mametz Wood in July 1916, before being moved to Boesinghe, north of Ypres. The Division held the line here until launching an attack on Pilckem Ridge on 31 July 1917, and remained in the area during the resulting Battle of Langemarck. Ben was killed while acting as a stretcher-bearer at Langemarck on 23 August 1917. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Enoch Slack, Private, 18188, Welsh Regiment. Enoch was the Husband of Mary Slack, of Porthgain, Letterston. He enlisted at Pontycymmer into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the Pioneer Battalion to the 13th (Western) Division. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, and on 13 June 1915 left port, and moved to Alexandria. During July 1915 the Division landed at Gallipoli, and relieved the 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove from 3 August 1915. The Division took part in the Battle of Sari Bair on 8 August 1915, and it was during the initial assault that day that Enoch was killed. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Pontfaen War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918
James Jones, Private, 204719, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. James was the Son of Thomas and Mary Jones, of Penverdir Isaf, Pontfaen. He was a Postman prior to the war, and enlisted into the Welsh Regiment at Carmarthen on 8 April 1916. James landed in France on 20 August 1917, and was posted to the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The battalion had been moved to positions near Armentieres when James joined them, after having taken part in heavy fighting at Ypres. James was struck by shell fragments in his thigh while in the trenches on 3 March 1918. He died of his wounds at 34th Casualty Clearing Station later that day, and is buried at Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Walter Jones, Private, 33961, Welsh Regiment. Walter was born at Nevern, but had moved to Pontfaen before the war, and enlisted at Fishguard into the 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and had been in France since December 1915, and had fought in Flanders, at Mametz Wood on the Somme, and at Pilckem Ridge during the Battle of Passchendaele. In April 1915 the division had been moved to positions north of Albert on the Somme, and remained there until the launching of the great offensive of August 1918. Walter was wounded at Aveluy Wood just before the opening of the Battle of Albert. He died of wounds on 23 August 1918 and is buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, France.
Trecwn War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918
David John Davies, Mate, Mercantile Marine. David was the on of Henry Morgan Davies and Elizabeth Davies (nee Richards), of White Gate, Trecwn, Letterston, Pembrokeshire. Born at Haverfordwest, he enlisted into the Mercantile Marine, and was a Mate aboard SS Holmtown, a London registered Steamship. On 6 February 1918, Holmtown was sailing from Rouen for Penarth Docks in ballast, when she was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-59 east of the Shambles Light Vessel, and sank with the loss of all hands. David was 19 years old, and is remembered alongside his fellow crewmen on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. David doesn't seem to be commemorated locally.
William Howells, Gunner, 102610, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was born at Trecwn, and was the husband of Charlotte Howells, of Llanfair Cottage, Trecwn. William enlisted at Letterston into the Royal Garrison Artillery on 11 December 1915. He spent the next twelve months in England, before joining the BEF in France in December 1916, and was posted to the 121st Heavy Battery, RGA. William was wounded in action at Arras on 25 April 1917, and admitted to Hospital at Rouen, where he remained until 9 June 1917. He was then posted to the 2nd (London) Heavy Battery, RGA, which was at Ypres. William was killed in Action at Ypres during the Battle of Passchendaele on 22 August 1917, aged 37, and was buried on the battlefield. His body was later exhumed, and reburied in Ypres Town Cemetery Extension, Belgium. Due to the devastation of Ypres during the war, the exact location of William's grave within the cemetery is unknown, and he is remembered on Special Memorial 6. He left four children, Martha, David, Thomas and Daniel.
David Thomas Jones, Private, 1111, East Surrey Regiment. David was born at Trecwn, the Son of John Jones, later of Hendy Farm, Blaenffos. He had married prior to the war, and was the Husband of Ann George (Formerly Jones), of Church Cottage, Tonmawr, Pontrhydyfen, Glamorgan. David enlisted at Neath into the Army and was posted to the 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, which was attached to 37 Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. The Division landed at Boulogne on 31 May 1915, and took over the line at Ploegsteert Wood. They then moved south and fought in the Battle of Loos, and the subsequent actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and remained there until March 1916. David was wounded whilst in the line north of Loos, and was evacuated to the Military Hospital at Bethune for treatment. Sadly he died of his wounds here on 22 February 1916. David was 37 years old, and is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, France. David is commemorated at Crymych.
Tom Morse, Sergeant, M/321457, Army Service Corps. Tom was born at Manorowen, Pembroke, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Morse, later of Durbach Farm, Durbach. Tom was a traction engine-driver before the war, and attested to serve with the Motor Transport arm of the Army Service Corps in December 1915, being called up in May 1917. Not much is known of Tom's service in the War, but it is doubtful if he made it to France, serving instead with 'V' Company, ASC at Cambridge. Sadly, Tom became ill with pneumonia towards the end of the war, and died at Colchester Military Hospital on 26 October 1918 aged 32. He is buried in Fishguard (Hermon) Baptist Burial Ground. His service papers show that money was being stopped from his wages for an illegitimate child, the son of Martha Nicholas, of Jordanston, Pembroke, born on 23 July 1913. No more is known of Tom's son.
William Price, Private, 282278, Lancashire Fusiliers. William was born at Llanfair, Pembroke, probably the son of Thomas and Ann Price, and resided at Garndifo, Trecwn prior to the war. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2/7th Lancashire Fusiliers, which was attached to 197 Brigade, 66th Division. The Division fought through the Battle of Passchendaele during the Autumn of 1917, before moving south to the St. Quentin area. Here, the Division was practically wiped out during the German Offensive of March 1918, and was forced to be disbanded. It was on the first day of this German Offensive, on 21 March 1918, that William was Killed in Action when his battalion was almost wiped out. He was 30 years old, and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Thomas Henry Williams, Private, 267123, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born at Abercastle on 9 December 1886, the son of John and Margaret Williams, of Skeddy, Fishguard, and the husband of Mary Anne Williams, of Park Cottage, Dwrbach. He enlisted at Fishguard on 30 May 1916 into the 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, a Bantam Battalion which formed part of 119 Brigade, 40th Division. The Division landed in France during June 1916, and fought on the Ancre, before moving toward the Hindenburg Line following the German withdrawal in early 1917. Thomas joined the Battalion on 7 December 1917, when the Division was in the thick of the Battle of Cambrai. This is where John was sadly killed in Action, aged 30, on 27 December 1917. He is buried in St. Leger British Cemetery, France. Sadly, he left behind his widow Mary Ann, and eight children, one of whom, William John Williams, was sadly killed during World War Two.
Trefin (Trevine) War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918
Sydney James Lawrence, Private, 52972, Welsh Regiment. Sydney was the Husband of Ruth Lawrence, of Pant-y-Ffynon, Trefin. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to France during 1916, where he joined the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion had been in France since the outbreak of war, attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division, and had fought in the retreat from Mons to the Marne, before moving to Ypres later in 1914. Sydney probably joined the battalion on the Somme in the summer of 1916. They followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917, and were then briefed for an operation on the Flanders Coast, and moved there during the summer of 1917. While training on the coast, the Battle of Third Ypres had stalled in the mire, and the Division were recalled to Ypres, where they fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. After spending another winter in Flanders, they were near Estaires when the German Spring Offensive caught them, and it was during the ensuing fighting that Sydney was killed in action, on 9 April 1918. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
William Miles, Private, 24399, South Wales Borderers. William was the Son of William Miles, of The Square, Mathry. He resided at Trefin prior to the war, and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh Regiment, with the number 37840. William was then posted to the 12th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. This Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. The 12th South Wales Borderers were among the first units of the Division in France, landing on 1 June 1916. The remainder of the Division had joined them by 10 June 1916, moving to the front near Loos. William was killed at Loos on 3 September 1916. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France.
William James Phillips, Private, 201432, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of John and Mary Phillips, of Barry Terrace, Trefin. He enlisted at Mathry into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the local Territorial Battalion, attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on 9 August 1915, and was immediately thrown into action, spending 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. 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 23 December 1915 were moved to Egypt. They remained on the Suez Canal Defences for the next twelve months, where it took part in operations against the Sultan of Darfur, and in March 1917 took part in the advance into Palestine. William must have been attached to the 8th Welsh, as he died in Mesopotamia on 10 October 1917. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq.
Joseph Henry Reynolds, Lance Corporal, 41536, Royal Engineers. Joseph was the Son of Ann Reynolds, of White House, Trefin. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the army, and was posted to France, where he joined Z Special Company, Royal Engineers. The Special Companies were early chemical warfare specialists, trained in the handling and delivery of poison gas on the battlefields, using either cylinders or trench mortars. They were also used for the laying of Livens flame projectors. Joseph was wounded during the summer of 1918, and was evacuated to the Base Hospital at Wimille, where he died of his wounds on 18 August 1918. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France.
Trefin War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945
John Islwyn Davies, Chief Steward, Merchant Navy. John was the Husband of Mildred M. Davies, of Trefin. He served with the Merchant Navy, aboard SS Chulmleigh, a London registered Steamship. On 5 November 1942, Chulmleigh was bombed and damaged by a German Ju88 aircraft, and beached at South Cape, Spitzbergen. At 15.58 hours on 6 November, the German submarine U-625 torpedoed Chulmleigh and destroyed her with gunfire. Later the wreck was again bombed by a Ju88. The master, three crew members and nine gunners survived, but 36 crew members and nine gunners were lost, many dying of frostbite and exposure in the coming days. John is listed as having died on 10 November 1942. He was 30 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.