Due to the sheer number of men commemorated on the Milford Haven War Memorial, it has been split into several sections, otherwise a single page would prove too long and difficult to negotiate. The men commemorated on this page served in the Armies of the British Empire, who died during the course of World War Two, 1939-1945. As with the other pages on the site, there is a wide difference in the information available to research these men.

Milford Haven War Memorial

Army Personnel of World War Two, 1939-1945

Leonard Hubert Barnard, Serjeant, 837988, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Leonard was the Son of William Frederick and Florence Barnard of Milford, and the husband of Margaret Barnard, of Neyland. He served with the 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, which was attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Battalion had spent most of the war on home service, but landed in Normandy at the end of June 1944 as part of the reinforcing troops. During the coming weeks, the Welsh Division fought several actions during the break-out of the Normandy Beachhead, and Leonard was killed here on 19 July 1944. He was 29 years old, and is buried at Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, France.

Robert Burder, Private, 3957370, the Dorsetshire Regiment. Robert was the Husband of Hortensia R. L. Burder, of Dover, and served with the Welch Regiment, before being transferred to the 1st Battalion, Dorsetshire Regiment. The battalion had served on Malta for much of the war, and had been brought back to Britain to take part in D-Day, landing on 6 June 1944 attached to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. Over the coming weeks, the Dorsets took part in heavy fighting during the break-out from the beachhead, and it was during this fighting that Robert was killed on 30 July 1944. He was 34 years old, and is buried at Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

Colin Davies, Corporal, 4209021, the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Colin was the Son of William George and Eliza Jane Davies, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Barbara Yvonne Davies, of Pope Hill, Haverfordwest. He served with the 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. Colin landed with the Division on Normandy at the end of June 1944, and fought through the break-out from the beachhead and through the drive into Belgium and Holland. He survived the Battle of the Bulge, but was killed during the advance into the Reichswald, Germany on 13 February 1945. Colin was 27 years old, and is buried at Rheinberg War Cemetery, Germany.

Edward Thomas William Davies, Fusilier, 14761466, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Edward was the Son of William George and Gladys Mabel Davies, Of Milford Haven, and served with the 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. Edward landed with the Division on Normandy at the end of June 1944, and fought through the break-out from the beachhead and through the drive into Belgium and Holland. He survived the Battle of the Bulge, but was killed during the advance into the Reichswald, Germany on 16 February 1945. He was just 18 years old, and is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.

Thomas J. L. Davies, Private, 3971521, the Welch Regiment. The records of the Army Roll of Honour confirm that Thomas Davies was killed on 2 December 1942 while serving with the Welch Regiment. |For some reason he is not commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Arthur Ernest Richard Dow, Private, 14731002, Welch Regiment. Arthur was the Son of Kezia Dow, Of Hakin, Milford Haven, and served with the 2nd Battalion, Welch Regiment. The Battalion served with the 14th Army in Burma, against the Japanese, and it was in Burma that Arthur was killed on 20 May 1945. He was 19 years old, and is buried at Rangoon War Cemetery, Myanmar.

Dennis Joseph Fitzpatrick, M.M., Serjeant, 401023, Royal Armoured Corps. Dennis was born on 4 March 1906 at Weymouth, and enlisted into the Cavalry of the Line on 31 January 1927. After postings with the King's Dragoon Guards, 5th Irish Dragoon Guards, and the 15/19th Hussars, he was finally posted to the 11th Hussars in March 1938. He served with the regiment in Palestine from July to September 1938, for which service his General Service Medal was sent to his mother in October 1945. He continued his service with the 11th Hussars at the outbreak of war. Dennis fought through the North African, Italian and Western Europe Campaigns, and gained the Military Medal for gallantry in North Africa. The citation for his award read; 'On April 7th, Sgt. Fitzpatrick was in charge of a mortar section mounted in a White Scout Car under command of an Armoured Car Troop Leader. Near Djedida he heard German voices and realised that the troop had been ambushed by a strong force hidden in the olive groves. He quickly warned the Troop Leader and almost at once the troop came under heavy fire from two 88mm guns only 400 yards away and many machine guns. The Troop Leader's car was knocked out and Sgt. Fitzpatrick, finding it impossible to turn round, ordered his men to dismount just before his own car was knocked out. For the next hour he led his men, encouraging them and crawling through the cornfields under intense fire and later pursued by infantry. Eventually he got them into safety and under cover of darkness the whole section returned to our lines. By his quick action and fine leadership he saved the lives of his men. Sgt. Fitzpatrick has served in the Western Desert since the outbreak of hostilities and at all times he has shown complete disregard for his personal safety. I recommend that he be awarded the Military Medal.' Dennis then landed with the Regiment in Normandy on D-Day, and fought up though Northern France. through Belgium and into Holland. Dennis was taken captive on September 8, 1944, along with three other 2 troop members between St Nicholas and Kemseke, Holland, during a meeting with a German Mk IV Special Tank, but escaped from his captors, and returned to Britain. He returned to Germany in August 1945, but sadly on 8 September 1945, Dennis was fatally injured in a traffic accident only weeks after returning back to the regiment after escaping captivity. He was 39 years old, and is buried at Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany. His medals were sold at auction in 2003. Many thanks to David Eason for the photographs of Dennis' battledress jacket and grave.

 

Geoffrey Garrett, Corporal, 2136922, Royal Engineers. Geoffrey was the Son of Mr. And Mrs. Richard Garrett, Of Hakin, Milford Haven, and served with the Royal Engineers in Mesopotamia. Little else is known of him, but he died on 14 August 1942 aged 29, and is buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq. He was a qualified architect.

Archibald Glenton, Corporal, 7887997, Royal Armoured Corps. Archibald was the Son of Joseph and Adelaide Glenton, Of Milford Haven, and served with the 1st Royal Tank Regiment. Archibald landed on Normandy on 7 June 1944, and fought until his death on 26 September 1944, during the drive through Holland. Archibald was 24 years old, and is buried at Valkenswaard War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Wilfred George Hall, Lance Bombardier, 1796106, Royal Artillery. Wilfred served with 37 Coast Observer Detachment, Royal Artillery, which was stationed at Singapore. He was captured during the surrender of Singapore during February 1942, and survived two years in captivity before dying on 12 September 1944. Wilfred was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial. Many thanks to Andy Garnett for the photograph.

 

Frank Reginald Hastings, Lance Corporal, PLY/X 100676, Royal Marines. Frank was the Son of Frank and Jessie Hastings, Of Milford Haven, and served with No.40 Royal Marine Commando. The Commando's baptism of fire was at Dieppe on 19 August 1942. After suffering severe losses, the survivors were evacuated, and 40 Commando was rebuilt before being sent to the Mediterranean. It was sent to Sicily in July 1943 and a little later in September it saw action at Pizzio. Later that year the Commando was in action Termoli in October, and in 1944 was embroiled at Anzio. Frank was killed in Italy on 18 January 1944. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Minturno War Cemetery, Italy.

Stanley George Hughes, Serjeant, 1669099, Royal Artillery. Stanley was the Son of William and Sarah Hughes, Of Milford Haven, and the husband Of Gwendoline Petera Sheppard Hughes, Of Milford Haven. He served with the Royal Artillery, and died on 13 June 1941 aged 37. Stanley is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph.

 

G. R. James, Royal Artillery. Cannot be identified.

William Richard James, Serjeant, 847074, Royal Artillery. William was the Son of George Evan James and Ethel May James, of Hakin, and served with 8 Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery. The regiment was stationed as part of the Hong Kong Garrison, and William was present in the desperate fighting for the city during December 1941. William was one of many prisoners captured when the British garrison surrendered to the Japanese on Christmas Day 1941. He survived four years of captivity, but died on 10 September 1945, at the age of 25, after being released from captivity. William is commemorated on the Sai Wan Memorial, Hong Kong.

Howard Clifford Jenkins, Guardsman, 2735429, Welsh Guards. Howard was the Son of James Howard Jenkins and Georgina Hetta Jenkins, Of Hakin, Milford Haven, and served with the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards. The Battalion fought during the fall of France in 1940, and after withdrawal spent the next four years in Britain, before taking part in the invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944. Howard was killed during the fighting around Caen on 11 August 1944. He was 27 years old, and is buried at St. Charles De Percy War Cemetery, France.

Thomas William King, Rifleman, 841864, the Royal Ulster Rifles. Thomas was the Son of Henry Dickson King and Hilda King, and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles. The battalion was part of the 3rd Division and landed on the Normandy beaches on 6 June 1944. Thomas was killed during the Battle of Normandy, on 9 July 1944. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, France.

William J. Lewis, Driver, 3914700, Royal Army Service Corps. Very little is known of William, but he served in North Africa with the Royal Army Service Corps, and died in Tunisia on 30 June 1943. William is buried at Enfidaville War Cemetery, Tunisia.

Lionel Edward Lowman, Trooper, 7943830, Royal Armoured Corps. Lionel served with the 147th Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps which converted from the 10th Battalion, The Hampshire Regiment. The regiment was equipped with the Churchill tank, and landed in Normandy as part of XXX Corps in June 1944. Lionel took part in the advance through Northern France into Belgium and Holland, and saw action during Operation Market Garden, when XXX Corps advanced towards the Rhine Crossings at Arnhem. Lionel died after the end of the war in Europe, on 12 June 1945, aged 34, and is buried at Hamburg Cemetery, Germany.

John Frederick Lyons, Corporal, 3909039, South Wales Borderers. John was the Son of Rose Lyons, of Hakin, Milford Haven, and the Husband of Gladys May Lyons. He served with the 7th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, and died on 15 February 1941. John was 21 years old, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph.

 

Charles Edward Mansell, Serjeant, 8730677, the King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Charles was the Son of Edward John and Beatrice Mansell, of Milford, and the husband of Mary A. Mansell, of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. He served with the 5th Battalion, KSLI, which was raised in 1939, and trained at various places in Shropshire and remained on Home Defence duties for most of the war. Charles was probably attached to the 2nd KSLI, as they were the only battalion of the Regiment to serve in the Far East, and he died on 14 June 1942 aged 25. Charles is buried at Delhi War Cemetery, India.

Ernest Trevor Martin, Fusilier, 14205147, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Ernest was the Son of Thomas Percy and Emily Ellen Martin, Of Milford Haven, and served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The Battalion was part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division, and spent most of the war on home service. It landed on Normandy at the end of June 1944, and after fighting in the break-out from Normandy, took part in the drive into Belgium and Holland, into Germany, where it saw considerable action fighting around the Reichswald Forest. Ernest was killed here on 29 March 1945 aged just 22, and is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

John Percival Mathias, Captain, 177652, Parachute Regiment. John was the Son of Thomas Henry and Maggie Mathias, and the Husband of Gladys Emma Mathias, Of Milford Haven. He originally served with the 10th Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers, which was converted to the 6th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment. John took fought with the battalion in North Africa, and took part in the landings at Sicily, and was killed on 10 September 1943 during the invasion of mainland Italy, when HMS Abdiel was bombed and sank in Taranto Harbour. He was 30 years old, and is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial, Italy.

Howell Charles Morris, Lieutenant, 222124, Royal Artillery. Howell was the Son of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles E. Morris and P. A. Morris, Of Milford Haven, and served with the Royal Artillery. He volunteered early in the war for service with the newly formed Army Commando, and after passing his training at Achnacarry, was posted to No. 9 Commando. 9 Commando were sent to North Africa, to take part in Operation Torch, the Allied Landings on North Africa. They were then sent back to Britain, before moving back to the Mediterranean, and took part in the invasion of Italy. Howell was killed during the Italian campaign on 2 April 1945. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Ravenna War Cemetery, Italy.

Peter Edward Pettit, Fusilier, 14435777, the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Peter was the Son of Joseph and Virtue Pettit, of Johnston, and served with the 4th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division. Peter landed in Normandy with the Division at the end of June 1944, and took part in the subsequent fighting in the break-out from the Beachhead. He was killed on 14 August 1944 aged just 18, and is buried at Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, France. His brother William also died, just two months later.

William James Pettit, Corporal, 4204894, Royal Welch Fusiliers. William was the eldest Son of Joseph Samuel Pettit and Virtue Pettit, Of Milford Haven, and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The Battalion fought in the Far East, in India and Burma, and it was in Burma that William died, just two months after his younger brother Peter, on 25 October 1944. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar.

Clifford V. Potter, Gunner, 858027, Royal Artillery. Not much is known of Clifford, but he served with 370 Coast Battery, Royal Artillery. The Battery was stationed at Hilpsford battery at Barrow, Cumbria, under Western Command. Clifford died on 7 December 1942, aged 32, and is commemorated on the Brookwood Memorial, England. He possibly died at sea.

Margaret Zena Mary Price, Private, W/82980, Auxiliary Territorial Service. Margaret was the Daughter of Arthur James Oliver and Florence E. Oliver, Of Milford Haven, and was the Wife of Lieutenant A. B. Price. Margaret died on 3 February 1944, aged 23, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. Little else is known of her.

 

William Thomas Prior, Fusilier, 4196946, Royal Welch Fusiliers. William was the Son of Thomas and Rosamund A. E. Prior, of Milford Haven, and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion was stationed in India at the outbreak of war, and it was here that William died on 1 May 1940. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Delhi War Cemetery, India.         

Luigi Rabaiotti, Driver, T/143012, Royal Army Service Corps. Luigi was the Son of Giovanni and Maria Rabaiotti of Bardi, Italy, and the Nephew of Giuseppe Rabaiotti, Of Milford Haven. He served with the 656 Ambulance Division Troops Company, RASC, and died in Italy after the war on 2 January 1946. Luigi was 26 years old, and is buried in the Rabaiotti Family Vault at Bardi Communal Cemetery, Italy.

Wilfred Harold John Reed, Private, 3908455, the South Wales Borderers. Wilfred was the Son of Wilfrid Harold John and Elizabeth Reed of Milford, and the husband of Kathleen Reed, of Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He served as a regular, with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The Battalion was sent to Norway to counter the German invasion in 1940, and saw some terrible fighting, in conditions alien to the British troops. Wilfred was killed in Norway on 2 May 1940, aged 24, and is buried at Ballangen New Cemetery, Norway.

Thomas Alfred George Roach, Fusilier, 3977237, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Thomas was the Son of Thomas and Cecilia Roach, and the Husband of Norah Ivy Roach, of Hakin. He served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, part of the 38th (Irish) Infantry Brigade. The 6th Battalion fought in the Tunisian Campaign in North Africa and the 2nd Battalion took part in the landings on Sicily and then Italy, where some units of the 2nd Battalion took part in the fighting at Monte Cassino. Thomas was killed in Italy on 18 January 1944. He was 34 years old, and is buried at Orvieto War Cemetery, Italy.

Albert Frederick Thomas, Gunner, 1796242, Royal Artillery. Albert was the Son of Richard and Phoebe M. Thomas, Of Milford Haven, and served with 89 Battery, 35 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. The Battery served in the Dutch East Indies, and saw hard fighting during the Japanese invasion. Albert was taken prisoner by the Japanese sometime in March 1942, and died on 14 May 1942, aged just 20. He is buried at Jakarta War Cemetery, Indonesia.

Charles William Thomas, Fusilier, 4196674, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Charles was the Son of Richard Charles and Margaret Ellen Thomas, Of Milford Haven, and served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Charles served with the battalion in Burma, fighting against the Japanese, and died there on 5 May 1944. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar.

William Henry Thomas, Fusilier, 4196954, the Royal Welch Fusiliers. William was the Son of John Henry and Ann Thomas, and the husband of Dorothy Catherine Thomas, of Neyland. He served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers in Burma and India, and died there on 25 February 1943. William is buried at Taukkyan War Cemetery, Myanmar.

George Henry Whitfield, Lance Bombardier, 1082599, Royal Artillery. George was the Son of Frederick Walter and Gertrude Ellen Whitfield, Of Milford Haven, and served with 75 Heavy Regiment, Royal Artillery. George was killed during the invasion of Italy on 14 August 1944. He was 35 years old, and is buried at Florence War Cemetery, Italy.

Vivian Francis Williams, Lance Serjeant, 3957411, the Welch Regiment. Vivian served with the 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment, as a regular soldier. At the outbreak of WW2, the 1st Welch was stationed in North Africa, at Mersa Matruh. The Battalion was then sent to Crete, where it was decimated during the German airborne assault of the Island from 16 February 1941 - 31 May 1941, and the few remnants of the battalion were withdrawn to North Africa. The survivors were then caught up in Rommel's drive through the desert, and fought a desperate rearguard action, retreating over several hundred miles of desert between 28 January 1942 and 20 May 1942. Vivian was killed during this retreat, possibly on 14 February 1942. He was 30 years old, and is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Libya.