Pembroke County War Memorial - Mathry and Area War Memorials

Jordanston War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Thomas Henry Davies, Private, 60663, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born at Jordanston Hill, and enlisted at Cardiff into the Welsh Regiment. He was posted to the Mediterranean, where he joined the 24th Battalion, Welsh regiment. The battalion had been formed in 1917 by the merging of the Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry, and was attached to the 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. Thomas was killed in action during the Third Battle of Gaza, on 27 December 1917. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.

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.

Ernest Roland Roberts, Able Seaman, R/3435, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Ernest was born 9 November 1897, the Son of William and Anne Roberts, of the Post Office, Dwrbach. He enlisted on 7 November 1916 into the Pembroke Yeomanry, and transferred to the RNVR, for service with the Royal Naval Division four days later. Ernest was posted to France, where he joined Nelson battalion, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, on 27 September 1917, and took part in the Battle of Passchendaele. Ernest was gassed on 3 November, which brought on pneumonia. He was invalided to Britain on 8 December 1917, and after several months recuperating, went back to France on 6 August 1918, joining Hawke Battalion. Ernest was shot in the right leg on 29 September, and invalided to the UK again on 3 October 1918. He was demobilised at Chisledon on 27 December 1918, as being disabled, with gas and gunshot wounds. Ernest died during December 1923, as a result of his wartime service. He is possibly buried at Machynlleth.

William Roberts, Private. This man cannot presently be identified.

Henry Byron Williams, Second Engineer, Mercantile Marine. Henry was the Son of I. B. and Jane Williams, of Scleddy Park, Manorowen. He lived with his wife, Mary Muriel Williams, at 197, Coventry Road, Ilford, Essex. Henry served with the Mercantile Marine, aboard SS Polperro. She was torpedoed in the Mediterranean in July 1918, killing three of her crew, one of whom was Henry. The ship managed to limp to port in Tunisia, and Henry and two other men were buried at Bizerta Cemetery, Tunisia. Henry was 32 years old.

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, the 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 killed during World War Two.

William David Williams, Private, 36949, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Llangloffan. He enlisted at Ferndale into the South Wales Borderers, but was transferred into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had been one of the first to arrive in France, fighting at the retreat from Mons 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. Again they were required for a major offensive, moving south to the Somme, where they fought during the opening of the Somme Offensive at the Battle of Albert. William was wounded on the Somme, and died on 12 September 1916. He is buried at Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Jordanston War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945

Norman Phillips. This man cannot presently be identified.

Llangloffan War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Henry Davies, Private, 29613, South Wales Borderers. Henry was born at Castle Morris, and resided at Fishguard at the outbreak of War. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division had played an important part in the war, fighting at Loos, the Somme and Passchendaele, and were in Flanders when the German Spring Offensive of 1918 was launched. They suffered awful casualties there, and were brought south to the Bapaume area, where they again suffered badly. They moved further south, to the Aisne, where they fought with distinction again. This is where Henry was mortally wounded, during the Battle of the Sambre Canal. He Died of Wounds on 4 November 1918, and is buried at Canonne Farm British Cemetery-Sommaing, France.

Thomas Henry Davies, Private, 60663, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born at Jordanston Hill, and enlisted at Cardiff into the army. He was posted to the Mediterranean, where he joined the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion had been formed in 1917 by the merging of the Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry, and was attached to the 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. Thomas was killed in action during the Third Battle of Gaza, on 27 December 1917. He is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.

John John, Private, 54504, Welsh Regiment. John was the son of Mrs. Ann John, of St. Nicholas, Fishguard. He served in the 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. John arrived in France after the capture of Mametz Wood in July 1916. He probably took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on 31 July 1917. The Division wintered around Armentieres, and in April 1918 moved to positions north of Albert on the Somme, where they remained until launching their assault across the River Ancre on 21 August 1918. Over the coming weeks the Division drove the Germans back towards the Hindenburg Line, and after the line was broken, advanced past Le Cateau, to the Forest of Mormal. After the Armistice was signed, John was attached to 114 Headquarters staff. He took ill with broncho-pneumonia, and was brought to the 21st Casualty Clearing Station at Caudry, where he died on 7 December 1918. John is buried in Caudry Military Cemetery, France.

George Roach, Private, 25084, Welsh Regiment. George was born at Llangloffan. He enlisted at Bridgend into the Welsh Regiment, and was posted to the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, known as the Carmarthen Pals battalion, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. George probably joined the battalion in France after the fighting at Mametz Wood in July 1916. The Division moved to positions at Boesinghe, where it held the trenches along the Canal Bank over the coming months. On 31 July 1917 the Division launched its attack on Pilckem Ridge, and captured all its objectives, before withdrawing to rest. The 15th Welsh remained in the line and took part in the Battle of Langemarck, before the entire Division was moved to the Armentieres area. George was killed at Armentieres on 11 March 1918, when the Germans raided the 15th Welsh lines at Houplines. George was buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France.

Thomas Evan Roach, Private, 94283, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was born at St. Clears, but worked and resided at St. Nicholas in later life. His mother, Emily, lived at Ramsay Island. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Monmouth Regiment, and later transferred into the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division arrived in France during December 1915 and fought at Armentieres before moving to the Somme, where they were decimated at Mametz Wood. After nearly a year rebuilding, they fought well at Passchendaele, and also played an important role in the battles of 1918, first during the desperate months of Spring 1918, trying to hold the aggressive German advance, and then later on in the great advance to the Hindenburg Line. Thomas was killed in Action on 29 October 1918, during the Battle of the Selle, and is buried at Englefontaine British Cemetery, France.

Mathry War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

James Barrington, Serjeant, 28199, Welsh Regiment. James was the Husband of Elizabeth Mary Barrington, of Upper Houlse, Castle Morris. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division moved to France during June 1916, 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 the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division was one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. James was wounded during this period, and returned to Britain for treatment. He died of his wounds on 31 August 1917, aged 27, and is buried at Mathry Church Cemetery.

Edgar Evans, Private, 54514, Welsh Regiment. Edgar was born at Mathry and was the husband of Phoebe Evans, later of the Cambrian Inn, Fishguard. He enlisted at Fishguard into the army, and was posted to the 19th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the Pioneer Battalion of the 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division arrived in France at the end of November 1915 and was stationed around Armentieres, before moving South to the Somme in June 1916. They famously captured Mametz Wood during July 1916 and suffered terrible casualties, which necessitated them being removed from the Battle and sent north to Ypres to recover. Edgar was mortally wounded at Ypres, and was brought to No. 46 Casualty Clearing Station at Mendinghem, where he died of wounds on 25 May 1917, aged 30. He is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Edwin Evans, Gunner, 725752, Royal Field Artillery. Edwin was born in Fishguard, the son of William and Maria Evans, of 5, Vergam Terrace, Fishguard. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted into 'B' Battery, 98th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 22nd Division. The Division was in France during September, 1915 but were soon to embark at Marseilles for Salonika, arriving by 13 December 1915. They remained there for the duration of the War, and Edwin Died there of sickness on 19 October 1917, aged just 23. He is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Salonika.

James Devereaux Evans, Stoker 1st Class, 282467, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. James was born on 21 June 1876 at Rickerston Bridge, the Son of William and Emma Evans, later of Lammas Fold, Haverfordwest. He was employed as a Labourer prior to enlisting on 4 April 1896 into the Royal Navy. By the time of the Great War, James was in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He re-enlisted, and joined Howe Battalion on 15 September 1915, which was attached to the Royal Naval Division. The Naval Brigades were sent to Antwerp and Dunkirk in September 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. James was killed at Gallipoli on 4 June 1915. He was 39 years old, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

James Harries Evans, Private, 9882, Royal Fusiliers. James was born in Mathry, the son of John and M. M. Evans, later of Drim, Goodwick. He enlisted at Fishguard into the army, and was posted to the 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, part of 111 Brigade, 37th Division. The Division fought at Gommecourt and the Ancre during the Somme offensive, before moving to Arras, where they took the village of Monchy-le-Preux. It was during the Second Battle of the Scarpe that James was killed in Action, on 25 April 1917, aged just 21. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France. James is not named on the Mathry Memorial, but at Fishguard.

William George Griffiths, Petty Officer Stoker, K/2750, Royal Navy. William was born at Mathry on 9 July 1899. He served with the Royal navy aboard HMS Ariadne, a Diadem-class cruiser. In 1917 she was converted to a minelayer and assigned to the Nore Command. She was torpedoed and sunk off Beachy Head by the German submarine UC-65 on 26 July 1917. William died in the sinking that day, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

Sidney Charles Harris, Corporal, 26735, King's Liverpool Regiment. Sidney was the Son of G. and E. Harris, of Spittal. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the army, and was posted to the 6th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment, which was attached to 165 Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The Division moved to France during January 1916, and fought on the Somme that year. During 1917 it took part in the Third Battle of Ypres. The Division relieved 42nd Division in the front line at Givenchy on 15 February 1918, and faced numerous strong enemy raids in March. April was at first much quieter, but it was a lull before the storm, as the Germans launched another offensive here, with the Division taking part in the Battle of Estaires. Sidney was wounded during this tumultuous period, and died of his wounds on 15 May 1918. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France.

William Bowen Lewis, Private, 50106, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Camrose, and was a Schoolmaster at Mathry prior to the war. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to France late in 1916, where he joined the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had taken heavy casualties during the Somme offensive. They followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917, and moved to the Flanders Coast during the summer of 1917. While training on the coast, the Third Battle of Ypres had stalled in the mire, and the Division was moved to Ypres, where it fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. After spending another winter in Flanders, they were near Estaires when the German Spring Offensive caught them, fighting through the Battles of Estaires, Hazebrouck, and Bethune. William was killed here on 6 June 1918. He is buried at Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

William Miles, Private, 24399, South Wales Borderers. William was the Son of William Miles, of The Square, Mathry. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh regiment, but was posted to the 12th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division, and moved to France on 1 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 M. Richards, Pioneer, 130559, Royal Engineers. William was born at Mathry, the son of Joseph and Hannah Richards, later of Fishguard, Pembrokeshire, and the husband of Hannah Richards, of 27, Cranbury Avenue, Southampton. William enlisted 'In the Field', into the South Wales Borderers, but was transferred into the Royal Engineers, serving in 'F' Special Company. The Special Companies were Chemical Warfare Engineers, which handled Gas Shells to be fired from Stokes Mortars. William was Killed in Action on 6 April 1917, during the build up to the Battle of Vimy Ridge, part of the main Battle of Arras, while his Company were situated in the Souchez Valley. He was aged 36, and is buried in Zoave Valley Cemetery, Souchez, France. William is not commemorated at Mathry, but at nearby Fishguard.

Gwyn Lewis Thomas, Corporal, 44345, Royal Engineers. Gwyn was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. George Thomas, of Penlan Square, Mathry. He served throughout the war with the 75th Field Company, Royal Engineers, which was attached to the Guards Division. Gwyn survived the war, but suffered from gas poisoning during the latter stages of the war. He died as a result of his gas poisoning on 2 March 1920. Gwyn was 25 years old, and is buried at Mathry (Rehoboth) Congregational Chapelyard. Gwyn is not commemorated locally.

Lionel George Theophilus Thomas, Second Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Lionel was the only son of Theophilus Evan Thomas and Mrs. Edith H. Thomas of Trehale, Mathry. Lionel was commissioned into the 5th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion was in Palestine, but Lionel went to France attached to another battalion of the Welsh regiment on 2 December 1916. He was attached to the Machine Gun Corps on 5 February 1917. Lionel was killed during the Third Battle of Ypres, on 20 September 1917. He was 19 years old, and is buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium. Lionel is not commemorated locally.

Mathry War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945

Thomas James Levi Davies, Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. Thomas was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi Davies, of Mathry. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard S.S. Amarylis. She was a Panamanian Cargo Steamer of 4,328 tons built in 1918. On 2 December 1942, when on route from Aden for Durban she was torpedoed by the German Submarine U-181, and sunk with the loss of 29 of her crew of 37. Thomas was among the dead. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

James Trevor Willis Morris, Flight Lieutenant (Pilot), 156959, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.James was the Son of James William Charles Bala Morris and Antoinette Paige Morris, and the husband of Muriel Morris. He served as a Pilot with 640 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a heavy bomber squadron, equipped with the Handley Page Halifax III, based at RAF Leconfield, in Yorkshire. On 7 December 1944, while on a raid to bomb the Krupp works at Essen, James' Halifax came down over Germany, killing him and his crew. James was 23 years old, and is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

Arthur Gwynfor Rees, Private, 14550322, Somerset Light Infantry. Arthur was the Son of George and Annie Mary Rees, of Mathry. He served with the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, which landed in Normandy two weeks after D-Day, attached to the 43rd Wessex Division. Arthur survived the war, and remained in Germany as part of the Army of Occupation. He was accidentally killed on 7 July 1946. Arthur was 22 years old, and is buried at Munster Heath War Cemetery, Germany.

Reginald Thomas, Lieutenant, 78890, Parachute Regiment. Reginald was the Son of Theophilus Lloyd Thomas and Anne Eliza Thomas (nee Reynolds), and the husband of Edith Elizabeth Nora Thomas, of Haverfordwest. He was originally commissioned into the Royal Artillery, before volunteering for service with the 11th Battalion, Parachute Regiment. Reginald was in charge of the battalion Mortar Platoon, and was one of 571 men of the battalion to take part in the Airborne operations code-named Operation Market Garden, whose intention was to seize the vital road bridge over the Rhine at Arnhem. Reginald landed in Arnhem on 17 September 1944. He was killed after several days of desperate fighting at Oosterbeek while defending their posiions against a German counter-attack on 21 September 1944. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery, Netherlands.