Pennar is a part of the larger town of Pembroke Dock, in West Wales. The community is served by St. Patrick’s Church, which holds the War Memorial for the fallen of Pennar during the Great War. I do not have a photograph of the memorial to include on the site, but am grateful to Basil Hughes for sending me the roll of the names on the memorial.

Pennar War Memorial

The Great War, 1914-1918

Albert George Victor Adams, Serjeant, 843, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Albert was born at Portsmouth, the son of Albert and Agnes Adams. The family moved to 26, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock by the time of the 1901 Census, and Albert's father was a Schoolteacher. Albert enlisted at Birmingham into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, and was posted to their 14th Battalion. The battalion was attached to 95 Brigade, 32nd Division, and landed at Boulogne on 21 November 1915, before transferring to 13 Brigade, 5th Division at Ypres. March 1916 saw the Division moving to positions between St. Laurent-Blangy and Vimy, near Arras, and the Division saw plenty of action during its spell here. On 1 July 1916 the Battle of the Somme opened, and the Division moved south, taking part in the fighting at High Wood. Albert was killed at High Wood on 23 July 1916. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. His parents were by then living at Heathfield, Allanson Road, Rhos-on-Sea, Colwyn Bay.

Thomas Allan, Sapper, 20214, Royal Engineers. Thomas was the Son of Thomas and Margaret Louisa Allan, of Sunderland, and the husband of Alice Myra Allan, of 30, Clarence Street, Pembroke Dock. He had enlisted at Sunderland into the Army, and was posted to 353rd Entrenching Company, Royal Engineers. Thomas was killed in action during the German Spring Offensive, on 2 April 1918. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery, France, in Grave Ref. I. H. 30.

William Lynn Allen, DSO, Major, Border Regiment. William was born on 8 May 1871 at West Lynn, Altringham, Cheshire, the son of Bulkeley Allen, JP, of West Lynn, Altrincham, and Mary Emma Lynn. He was educated at Rugby before being gazetted to the 3rd Battalion, King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry in 1891, and to the Border Regiment 9 September 1893. He served during the Boer War, where he was mentioned in Despatches twice, and awarded the Distinguished Service Order, 'In recognition of services during the operations in South Africa'. William had married Adeline Miriam prior to the Boer War, and the couple had three children. The battalion was stationed at Pembroke Dock before the outbreak of war, and left Pembroke Dock for the Western Front, sailing on 5 October 1914. The battalion was attached to the 7th Division, and moved to positions east of Ypres. After weeks of desperate fighting, William was killed during a German attack on his battalions' position on 28 October 1914. He was 43 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 35 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

 

Charles George Williams Andrews, Captain, Border Regiment. Charles was born on 16 May 1878, the only son of G. J. W. Andrews, of Dorchester, and the husband of Diana Norrington. He was commissioned in 1897, and served during the Boer War with the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment. The battalion was stationed at Pembroke Dock before the outbreak of war, and left Pembroke Dock for the Western Front, sailing on 5 October 1914. The battalion was attached to the 7th Division, and moved to positions east of Ypres. After several weeks of desperate defensive actions, Charles was killed in action during the same action as William Lynn Allen, on 28 October 1914. He is commemorated on Panel 35 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

Bertie Thomas Ashmore, Private, 899, Welsh Regiment. Bertie was the Son of Charles and Caroline Ashmore, of 32, Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock. He enlisted at Carmarthen at the outbreak of war into the 1/4th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment. The battalion was the local Territorial infantry unit, and formed for war at Carmarthen from 4 August 1914, attached to South Wales Brigade, Army Troops. During November 1914 it moved to Tunbridge Wells, and in February 1915 moved to Scotland on the Forth and Tay Defences. On 17 April 1915 the battalion joined 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, at Bedford, and on 19 July 1915 sailed from Devonport for Mudros, arriving on 5 August, before being transferred to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 9 August 1915. Immediately the 1/4th Welsh became embroiled in heavy fighting, against strongly defended Turkish trenches. Bertie was killed on the following day, 10 August 1915, during a charge against a Turkish post. He was 23 years old, and like so many of the men killed at Gallipoli, is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, on Panel 140 to 144.

Tom Ashton, Private, PLY/11443, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Tom enlisted into the Plymouth Division, Royal Marines on 20 February 1902. At the outbreak of war, he was posted aboard the Canopus Class Battleship HMS Goliath, which was stationed at Pembroke Dock. Goliath then moved to Devoport, and then covered the landing of the Plymouth Marine Battalion at Ostend, Belgium on 25 August 1914. On 25 March 1915, Goliath was ordered to the Dardanelles, where she provided artillery support for the landings of 25 April 1915. On 13 May 1915, Goliath was attacked by the Turkish torpedo boat Muavenet, and was sunk by two torpedoes. Tom was one of 570 men who died during the sinking. He is commemorated on Panel 7 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.               

Edgar James Ball, Driver, 14484, Royal Field Artillery. Edgar was the Son of Hugh and Minnie Ball, of 8, King Street, Pembroke Dock. He enlisted at Pembroke into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to the 28th Brigade Ammunition Column, which was an Army Brigade, attached to 2nd Army. Edgar fought at the Battle of Passchendaele throughout the summer of 1917, and this is where he became wounded, after the main Battle had been called to a halt. Edgar was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station just north of Poperinghe, where he died of his wounds on 5 December 1917. Edgar was 27 years old, and was buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium, in grave Ref. XIV. F. 11.

Edward John Beavil, Petty Officer 1st Class, 174872, Royal Navy. Edward was the Son of Elizabeth Ann Beavil, of Plymouth, and the husband of Muriel Mabel Beavil, of 45, Bush Street, Pembroke Dock. He served aboard HMS Goliath, which was classed as a 1st class battleship, of the 'Canopus Class'. It had been laid down at Chatham Dockyard on 4 January 1897, and was designed for the China station, having a narrow draught, to enable her to use the Suez Canal. She remained there until 1903, and in 1904 went into commissioned reserve at Portsmouth. In May 1905 she joined the Mediterranean fleet, transferring to the channel fleet in December and remaining there until March 1907. She was then commissioned in April 1909 at Sheerness for the 4th Fleet (Nore Reserve). HMS Goliath was mothballed in 1913, and joined the 3rd Fleet (Pembroke Reserve), to be brought out in August 1914 to join the battle squadron operating from Devonport. Her complement was drawn up from the naval reserve on 2 August 1914, and she was despatched in September 1914 to the East Indies for escort duties, operating against the German light cruiser Konigsberg in November. In April 1915 she was transferred to the Dardanelles, to support the ill-fated landings around Cape Helles. She was damaged on 25 April and again on 2 May, and then finally sunk by three torpedoes fired by the Turkish torpedo boat 'Muavanet' on 13 May 1915, with the loss of 570 of her crew, including Edward, who was 37 years old. Edward is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

William John Beddoe, Private, 16882, Essex Regiment. William was the Son of John and Sarah Beddoe, of Pembroke Dock. He enlisted at Pembroke into the Army, and was posted to the 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment. The Battalion formed part of 35 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. William was killed in action near Loos, just before the Division moved to the Somme, on 30 March 1916. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery, France, in grave Ref. II. E. 17.

 

William George Bevan, Leading Seaman, 205220, Royal Navy. William was born at Pembroke Dock on 20 March 1883, and served in the Royal Navy. Towards the end of the war he was serving aboard H.M.P.M.S. Ascot, a Racecourse Class Paddle Steamer Minesweeper. Unluckily for William, Ascot was to be the last Royal Naval vessel to be sunk during the war, when it went down after being torpedoed on 10 November 1918. William is commemorated along with his ship-mates on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, on Panel 20.

Thomas John Birmingham, Sergeant, 9111, Seaforth Highlanders. Thomas was born in 1882, the son of Edward and Johanna Birmingham, of 10, South Park Street, Pembroke Dock, and served with the 7th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, which was attached to 26 Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. , 26th Brigade, and landed in France on 10 May 1915. The Division saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos, which was launched on 25 September 1915. Thomas was wounded early in the battle, and was evacuated back to a Military Hospital near Rhymney, where he died of his wounds on 4 October 1915. Thomas is buried at Rhymney Cemetery, in Grave Ref. A. 356. He was 33 years old.

Edward Bowmaker, Sergeant, 9377, Border Regiment. Edward was the Husband of Sarah Jane Bowmaker, of 98, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, which was attached to 20 Brigade, 7th Division. The Division was formed during September, 1914 and landed at Zeebrugge on 6 October 1914. The City was already falling however, and so the Division was moved to Ypres, where they became the first British Division to hold the city. They fought during the First Battle of Ypres, and helped stop the German advance through Belgium. Edward was killed at Ypres on 26 October 1914. He was 26 years old, and is buried at Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. V. E. 7.

Frederick Brooks, Gunner, 14483, Royal Field Artillery. Frederick was the Son of Joseph and Sarah Brooks of Pembroke. He enlisted at Pembroke into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to 'B' Battery, 92nd Brigade, which was attached to the 20th (Light) Division. On 26 July 1915 the Division completed concentration in the Saint-Omer area, all units having crossed to France during the preceding few days. Early trench familiarisation and training took place in the Fleurbaix area. When the Battle of Loos was launched on 25 September 1915 the Division fought a diversionary attack towards Fromelles. Later that year they moved north, and fought at the Battle of Mount Sorrel alongside the Canadian Corps. Over the winter of 1915/16, the Division remained in positions south of Ypres, and fought at the Battle of Mount Sorrel in June, alongside the Canadian Corps. They then fought through the Somme Offensive, at the Battles of Delville Wood, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. Frederick was killed in action during the fighting at Le Transloy, on 3 November 1916. He was just 22 years old, and is buried at Carnoy Military Cemetery, France.

 

Alfred Henry Bull, Private, 4183, Border Regiment. Alfred was born at Tottenham, and was the husband of Celia Bull. He had enlisted at London into the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, and was stationed with the battalion at Pembroke Dock prior to the outbreak of the Great War. Alfred embarked for the Western Front with his battalion on 5 October 1914, where it became part of the 7th Division, taking up positions east of Ypres. Alfred was killed during a German attack on 24 October 1914. He was 39 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 35 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

 

Frederick James Bunt, Driver, 47949, Royal Garrison Artillery. Frederick was born at Pembroke Dock in 1892, the son of Sidney and Beatrice Bunt. His father was originally from Gosport, Hampshire, and served with the Royal Artillery at Pembroke Dock. Fred followed in his fathers footsteps, and enlisted on 29 August 1907 into the Royal Artillery at Pembroke Dock. On 4 November 1911 he married Annie Maria Cotton, at Newport, Isle of Wight. By the outbreak of the Great War, Fred was stationed at Gosport, where he was attached to No. 33 Company, Royal Garrison Artillery. He served at the Gibraltar Garrison from 27 December 1914, until 15 September 1915, before returning to Gosport. Fred's service papers survive, and show that he was discharged from the Royal Artillery on 15 October 1915 for misconduct. He died on 7 July 1918. Fred is not commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, as he didn't die as a result of active service, so his place of burial has not yet been identified.

Hugh Albert Bunt, Private, 1005, Canadian Infantry. Hugh was born at Pembroke Dock on 23 February 1878, the son of Sidney and Beatrice Bunt, and was the Brother of Frederick and Sydney Bunt, of 28, Wales Street, Pembroke Dock. All three brothers had served with the Royal Artillery prior to the war. Hugh emigrated to Canada prior to the war, and enlisted at Valcartier into the 8th Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. The battalion was known as the Little Black Devils, and was part of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Canadian Division, which arrived in Britain on 14 October 1914, before moving to France. The division saw heavy fighting at Ypres throughout 1915, and was involved in the first German gas attack at Gravenstafel on 24 April 1915, where it held a large gap in the line after the French Colonial troops had fled. In the summer of 1916 the Canadians moved to the Somme, and Hugh was wounded there during the attack on Flers. He died of wounds at a Casualty Clearing Station on 8 September 1916. He was 36 years old, and is buried at Puchevillers British Cemetery, France, in Grave Ref. IV. B. 23. The County War Memorial incorrectly lists Hugh as serving with the Australian Forces.

Lewis Thomas Canton, Company Sergeant Major, 11825, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Lewis was born in 1875, and had enlisted in the Militia in August 1894, joining the 1st Battalion, Staffordshire Regiment three months later. He served in India from 1896 to 1905, and at Sierra Leone from 1907 to 1912. At the outbreak of war he was living at Pembroke Dock, and joined the Warwickshire Regiment, going to France in September 1914 with their 1st Battalion. He was then posted to their 11th Battalion, which was attached to 112 Brigade, 37th Division, and was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme on 10 July 1916. Lewis is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, on Pier and Face 9A, 9B and 10B.

William Charles Stephen Chivers, Serjeant, 8975, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Bristol, He enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, and was stationed with the battalion at Pembroke Dock prior to the war, where he met and married Mary L. Ward. The 2nd Welsh left Pembroke Dock for France at the outbreak of war, and landed in France on 13 August 1914, attached to 3 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 Ridge. William was wounded at Aubers, and died on 28 May 1915. He is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France, in Grave I. B. 43. Mary remarried after the war, to Bradfield Folland, of Pembroke Dock, and died in 1941.

 

John Clements, Lance Sergeant, 26471, Duke of Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment. John was born at Devizes, Wiltshire in 1884, the son of George and Alice Clements. He lived at Pembroke before the war, and returned to Devizes to enlist into the 6th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, which had originally landed in France in June 1915 attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division took part in the opening attack of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. The following year the Division moved to the Somme, where it took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost. It then fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. In 1917 the Division moved North to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcappelle and Passchendaele Village itself, before moving to positions near Ribecourt on the Somme. John was killed here on 22 January 1918. His grave was lost during the German Offensive of March 1918, and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, on Pier and Face 13 A.

 

George Price Davies, Second Lieutenant, South Wales Borderers. George was the Son of James and Louisa A. Davies, of 95, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock, and served with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion had fought in Tientsin, China at the outbreak of war, then at Gallipoli, attached to 87 Brigade, 29th Division. The division then moved to France, and fought during the Battle of the Somme, and at Arras and Passchendaele the following year. They fought at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December, 1917 before moving back to Flanders early in 1918. The German Spring Offensive hit the British on the Somme on 21 March, 1918, and hit in Flanders just weeks later. The 29th Division fought at the desperate defensive battles of Estaires, Messines, Bailleul and Kemmel, before the war turned in favour of the Allies after a series of successes on the Somme in August. The Division then took part in the Offensive in Flanders, where they took part in the Action of Outtersteene Ridge, and then at the Battle of Ypres, and it was here that George was killed on 29 September 1918. He was 37 years old, and is buried at Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. I. D. 26.

William John Davies, D.S.M., Shipwright 2nd Class, 344865, Royal Navy. William was the Husband of Mary E. Davies, of 2, Meyrick Street, Pembroke Dock. He was a Shipwright in the Royal Navy, and served aboard HMS Lancaster. She was a Monmouth Class armoured cruiser, and served for the duration of the war, during which time William was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He died on 26 February 1919 aged 36, and is buried at Pembroke Dock (Llanion) Cemetery, in Grave Ref. U. 183.

 

John Dawkins, Corporal, 245980, Durham Light Infantry. John was born at Neyland, but resided at Pembroke prior to the war. He had originally enlisted at Pembroke into the Welsh Regiment, but was transferred to the 1/5th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry, which was attached to 151 Brigade, 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The division moved to France during April 1915 and saw their first action at Second Ypres. It then fought through the Somme Offensive, and also at Arras and Passchendaele, During March, 1918 they were stationed near St. Quentin, and were hit here by the German Spring Offensive of the 21st March, 1918 during the Battle of St Quentin. They took part in a gallant rearguard action during the Actions at the Somme Crossings, and then at the Battle of Rosieres. After suffering terrible casualties, the Division moved north to Flanders to rest and rebuild, but in April the Germans launched an attack in Flanders, around the Lys, and the Division took part in the Battle of Estaires, and the Battle of Hazebrouck. Following a most trying time on the Somme and Lys battlefields, the Division was withdrawn and sent to IX Corps, then on the Aisne, believed to be a much quieter area. This was unfortunately not the case, as the Division was hit hard by a surprise enemy attack, and fought at the Battle of the Aisne, 1918. John was killed here on the 27th May 1918. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France.

 

Richard Stanley Dier, Private, 10572, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Richard was born at Pembroke Dock, and enlisted at Cardiff into the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. At the outbreak of war the battalion joined 22 Brigade, 7th Division, and moved to Zeebrugge on 7 August 1914. By then the City was falling to the Germans, and 7th Division moved to Ypres, where it took part in the first desperate Battle of Ypres, where the German advance on the Channel posts was halted. Richard was killed at Ypres on 19 October 1914, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium, on Panel 22.

Sidney Thomas Elliot, Private, 2284, Australian Infantry. Sidney was the Son of Sidney Adolphus and Elizabeth Elliott, of 47, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. He had emigrated to Australia, along with his brother Sidney Adolphus Elliot prior to the war, and enlisted at Victoria on 8 July 1915 into the 21st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. Sidney embarked at Melbourne aboard HMAT Hororato on 27 September 1915 and sailed for Egypt, before moving to France aboard the SS Oriana on21 March 1916. There he joined his battalion in the field, where it was attached to the 6th Australian Brigade, 2nd Australian Division, and the division moved to positions near Fromelles in Northern France. Sidney then moved to the Somme with the battalion, and fought during the Battle of Pozieres, and in the later fighting at Mouquet Farm, before being hospitalised, with an abscess on his spine. He rejoined the battalion on 2 December 1916, and remained with it during the Australians first winter on the Somme of 1916/17. On 20 March 1917, the 21st Battalion was in the line near Noreuil, and a patrol was sent out to ascertain the whereabouts of the German lines. Sidney was killed that day during an ensuing engagement. He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Villers-Brettoneaux Memorial, France.

Thomas Edward Emment, Corporal, 18823, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born at Pembroke Dock, and was the Brother of Miss Rosa Emment, of 4, Loraine Road, Holloway, London. He enlisted at London into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, and landed in France during July 1915. The division moved to positions near La Bassee, north of Loos, where they took part in the opening assault of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. Thomas was killed in action that day, aged 24. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France, on Panel 77 & 78.

David Edgar Evans, Lance Corporal, 9746, Royal Fusiliers. David was born at Pembroke Dock, and enlisted there into the Army. He was posted to the 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, which was attached to 190 Brigade, 63rd (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 Marseillesbetween 12 and 23 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. David was killed on the Ancre on 13 November 1916. He is buried in Ancre British Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, France, in grave Ref. III. A. 6.

George Evans, Petty Officer, 206834, Royal Navy. George was the Husband of Alice Rose Evans, of 93, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock. He served in the Royal Navy aboard HMS Tipperary. Tipperary led the 4th Flotilla at the Battle of Jutland, and continued torpedo attacks on the German main battle line as it escaped from the main British fleet during the night action, on 31 May 1916. The 4th Flotilla sank one of the German light cruisers, but Tipperary was sunk on 1 June 1916 by the German dreadnought SMS Westfalen with the loss of 185 hands from her crew of 197. George was among the dead. He was 33 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 11 of the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.

John Edward Martin Evans, Lieutenant (Observer), Royal Flying Corps. John was the Son of William and Eleanor Evans, of Pembroke Dock, and the husband of Emily Ethel Evans, of 116, Hemingford Road, Barnsbury, London. He had originally served with the 8th Manchester's, but was commissioned into the Royal Flying Corps, joining 48 Squadron as an Observer. John died of wounds suffered when he crashed in his Bristol F2b, Serial B1210 on 9 February 1918. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Roye New British Cemetery, France, in Grave Ref. III. A. 7.

Edward Farrington. Edward is listed on the memorial as having died on 5 December 1918. He cannot presently be identified.

John Alfred Griffiths, Sergeant, 17945, Welsh Regiment. John was born at Swansea, but worked and resided at Pembroke Dock prior to the outbreak of war. He enlisted there into the Welsh Regiment, and joined his home unit, the 14th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was known as the Swansea Pals. The Battalion was raised at Swansea by the Mayor and Corporation with the Swansea Football and Cricket Club, and moved to Rhyl in 129 Brigade, 43rd Division. After training, the Division moved to Winchester, where the formation became 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and in December 1915 landed at Le Havre. The Division moved to positions in the so called Nursery Sector near Fleurbaix, and received instruction in trench warfare from the Guards and 19th Divisions. It moved to positions on the La Bassee Canal in the spring of 1916, and it was here that John was killed, on 13 March 1916. He is buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France, in grave ref. III. M. 12.

William George Hobbs, Shipwright 2nd Class, M/21471, Royal Navy. William was the Son of George and Isabella Hobbs, of 84, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock. He served with the Royal Navy, aboard HMS Laurentic. William drowned when Laurentic struck a mine of the north Irish coast on 25 January 1917 and sank. He was 21 years old, and is commemorated on panel 22 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

Frederick James Jones, Gunner, 371305, Royal Garrison Artillery. Frederick was the Son of Evan and Sarah Jones, of Mead Lodge Farm, Pembroke Dock. He had served during the war with 238th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, which had originally moved to France on 22 December 1916. At some time during the latter stages of the war, Frederick was incapacitated by gas, probably as a result of German gas shells. He returned home for treatment, but died of pneumonia as a result of his wounds on 27 December 1918. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Pembroke Dock (Llanion) Cemetery, in Grave Ref. P. 376.

Gilbert John Jones, Private, 13788, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Gilbert was born at Pembroke Dock in 1891, and enlisted at Maesteg into the Army. He was posted to the 7th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, which was attached to 76 Brigade, 25th Division. The battalion moved to France on 28 September 1915, where it was transferred to the 3rd Division, which was at Ypres. In the summer of 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, and took part in the Battle of Albert, and at the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Longueval. They then took part in the Battle of Delville Wood, and the Battle of the Ancre, before settling into another bleak winter in France. In May 1917 the Division were at Arras, and it was here that Gilbert was killed on 3 May 1917. Gilbert has no known grave, and is commemorated on Bay 7 of the Arras Memorial, France.

 

William Jones, Gunner, 655111, Royal Field Artillery. William was born at Pembroke Dock, and was the Husband of Sophia Jones, of Riverbank Cottage, Drybridge. He enlisted at Pembroke into the Royal Artillery, and was posted to the 7th (Meerut) Division Ammunition Column, Royal Garrison Artillery after the outbreak of the Great War. The Division served in the Middle East during the war, and aided in the capture of Lebanon from the Turkish Forces in 1918. William was stationed at Beirut when he died on 6 November 1918. He was 35 years old, and is buried at Beirut War Cemetery, Lebanon, in Grave Ref. 346.

Robert Matthew Ingledew Leonard, Patternmaker, Royal Navy. Robert was born in Hakin in 1862, and was the Husband of Sarah J. Leonard, of 40, Law Street, Pembroke Dock. He worked as a Patternmaker Chargehand at Pembroke Dockyard throughout the war, and died on 21 August 1918, aged 56, after many years service. Robert is not commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, so the location of his burial is not known. Both of his sons served in the army during the Great War, Guion was an Officer in the Indian Army, and Harding served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Albert Seymour Lloyd, MM, Gunner, 15757, Royal Field Artillery. Albert was the Son of Alderman W. G. Lloyd and Mrs. M. A. Lloyd, of Britannia House, Corporation Terrace, Pembroke Dock. He was an Apprentice in HM Dockyard, Pembroke Dock, but enlisted at Pembroke into the Royal Field Artillery. Albert was posted to 'C' Battery, 78th Brigade, which was attached to the 17th (Northern) Division. Between 12 to 17 July 1915 the Division landed in France. They spent their initial period of trench familiarisation and then holding the front lines in the southern area of the Ypres salient. Here they took part in fighting at the Bluff during February, 1916 before moving south, where they fought at the Battle of Albert, where the Division captured Fricourt at heavy cost during the opening of the Somme Offensive. They then saw action during the Battle of Arras, at the First Battle of the Scarpe, and it was here that Albert was killed on 19 April 1917. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, France, in grave ref. I. E. 35. Albert had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

Henry Lloyd, M.M., Corporal, T/069724, Royal Army Service Corps. Henry lived at Owen Street, Pembroke Dock, and served with No. 3 Company, 38th Divisional Train, Royal Army Service Corps. Henry landed in France with the Division on 3 December 1915, and saw action at Mametz Wood the following year. In July 1916 the Welsh Division moved to Ypres, and in August 1917 took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. Henry was awarded the Military Medal, for Bravery in the Field at Ypres, which was listed in the London Gazette of 25 September 1917. He survived the war, but died of influenza at the Hospital at Caudry, in Northern France on 25 November 1918. Henry is buried at Caudry British Cemetery, France, in Grave Ref. II. B. 16.

 

Thomas Lloyd, Private, 125, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Son of Thomas and Maria Lloyd, of 41, Front Street, Pembroke Dock. He had been one of the early enlistees into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment at the outbreak of war, so was probably a serving Territorial. The battalion was the local Territorial infantry unit, and formed for war at Carmarthen from 4 August 1914, attached to South Wales Brigade, Army Troops. During November 1914 it moved to Tunbridge Wells, and in February 1915 moved to Scotland on the Forth and Tay Defences. On 17 April 1915 the battalion joined 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, at Bedford, and on 19 July 1915 sailed from Devonport for Mudros, arriving on 5 August, before being transferred to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on 9 August 1915. Immediately the 1/4th Welsh became embroiled in heavy fighting, against strongly defended Turkish trenches. Desperate fighting ensued over the coming weeks, which also saw terrible sickness raging through the men due to the amount of corpses littered over the battlefields. Thomas took ill on Gallipoli and was evacuated to a Hospital Ship moored offshore, but sadly he died on 18 September 1915 aged 25, and was buried at sea. Thomas is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli, Panel 140 to 144.

Owen Arthur Mitchell Magall, Private, 65327, Cheshire Regiment. Owen was born at Trincomalee, Ceylon on 2 August 1899, the Son of James and Sarah Magall. He lived at Pembroke Dock before the war, before enlisting into the Army Service Corps in 1913, at the age of 14. When Owen reached the age of 18, he was posted to the 11th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was in France attached to 75 Brigade, 25th Division. Owen joined the battalion at Ploegsteert on 3 April 1918, and was immediately thrown into terrible fighting, when the Germans launched their offensive on the Lys on 9 April. After a desperate spell of fighting, Owen was reported as missing in action. On 20 April 1918 the Red Cross reported him as being a Prisoner of War at Limburg Camp, in Germany. Owen died in Hospital in Worms on 5 November 1911. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Screen Wall at Worms (Hochheim Hill) Cemetery, Germany. His personal possessions and medals were sent to his sister, Miss Ethel Magall, who was a Nurse at the 2nd London General Hospital, Chelsea.

Frank Manning, Lance Corporal, 13118, Welsh Regiment. Frank was the Son of William John and Elizabeth Alice Manning, of 31, Church Street, Pembroke Dock. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division crossed to France between 11 and 21 July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos, where it took part in the opening attack of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. The following year the Division moved to the Somme, where it took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost. It then fought through the Somme Battles of Pozières and the Ancre in 1916. In 1917 the Division moved north to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and it was here that Frank was killed on 7 June 1917. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Voormezeele Enclosure No. 3, Belgium, in Grave Ref. XVI. K. 3.

Frederick Mason, Private, 27782, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Frederick was the Son of William and Sarah Mason, of 30, Mountain Row, Ferndale, Glamorgan, and the husband of Lilian Mason, of 48, Law Street, Pembroke Dock. He originally served with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, but transferred into the 11th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which was attached to 112 Brigade, 37th Division. Late in July 1915 the Division landed in France and saw its first action during the Attack on the Gommecourt Salient, during the first phase of the Battle of the Somme. It then fought at the Battle of the Ancre, and this is where Frederick was wounded. He died of his wounds at the Casualty Clearing Station at Contay on 21 November 1916, aged 22, and is buried at Contay British Cemetery, France, in Grave Ref. IV. E. 7.

William John McCarthy, Stoker 1st Class, 309224, Royal Navy. William was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. D. McCarthy, of 18, Charlton Place, Pembroke Dock, and served aboard HMS Goliath, a Canopus Class Battleship which had been placed in Reserve at Pembroke Dock in 1913. Goliath moved to the Mediterranean, where she supported the landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April 1915 onwards. It was while stationed off Gallipoli that she was torpedoed and sunk by the Turkish torpedo boat Muavenet on 13 May 1915, with the loss of 570 of her crew. William was among the dead. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, on Panel 6.

Thomas McCloghrie, Engine Room Artificer 5th Class, M/3263, Royal Navy. Thomas was the Son of George and Kate McCloghrie, of 4, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock. He served with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Conquest. Conquest was a C-class light cruiser, assigned to the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron, Harwich Force, guarding the eastern approaches to the English Channel. Thomas was one of eighteen men aboard a cutter from Conquest who died when she was caught in a freak snow squall in Harwich harbour, on 28 March 1916. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Walton-On-The-Naze (Or Walton-Le-Soken) (All Saints) Churchyard Extension, England.

Albert John Moffat, Gunner, 46311, Royal Garrison Artillery. Albert was the Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Moffatt, of 80, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. A native of London, he enlisted at Westminster into the army, and was posted to the 30th Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. Albert was wounded during fighting near Arras in the spring of 1918. He died of his wounds on 20 June 1918, aged 34, and is buried at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, France, in Grave Ref. IV. L. 35.

Arthur Benjamin Stephen Mules, Carpenter, 344463, Royal Navy. Arthur was born at Pembroke Dock on 17 January 1884, and served aboard the Canopus Class Battleship HMS Goliath, which had been placed in Reserve at Pembroke Dock in 1913. Goliath moved to the Mediterranean, where she supported the landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April 1915 onwards. It was while stationed off Gallipoli that she was torpedoed and sunk by the Turkish torpedo boat Muavenet on 13 May 1915, with the loss of 570 of her crew. Arthur was among the dead, and is commemorated on Panel 9 of the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

Ernest Norris, Lance Sergeant, 7182, Duke of Edinburgh's Wiltshire Regiment. Ernest was born at Mere, Wiltshire, but resided at Pembroke Dock at the outbreak of war. He served with the 6th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division crossed to France between 11 and 21 July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos, where it took part in the opening attack of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. The following year the Division moved to the Somme, where it took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost. It then fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. In 1917 the Division moved north to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood. Ernest was killed here on 20 September 1917, and is commemorated on Panels 119/120 of the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Ewart Walter Lewis Phelps, Fitter, Royal Navy. Ewart was the Son of George and Sarah Ann Phelps, of Pembroke Dock. He served as a Fitter at HM Dockyard Malta, and was killed aboard the Armed Boarding Steamer HMS Louvain, when she was sunk by the German submarine, UC-22 on 20 January 1918. Ewart was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon, on Panel 31.

John Patrick Joseph Phillips, Private, 6953, Royal Irish Regiment. John was the Son of Alfred Thomas and Esther Elizabeth Phillips, of 43, High Street, Pembroke Dock. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Army, and was posted to the 7th Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment, which was attached to 21 Brigade, 30th Division. The Division moved to France in November 1915, and had fought on the Somme in 1916, and at the Battle of Arras the following year, before moving to Ypres, and fought at the Battle of Pilckem. After seeing much heavy fighting throughout 1918, the 30th Division took part in the Advance in Flanders towards the end of the war, and it was here that John was killed on 2 September 1918. He was just 19 years old, and is buried at Dranoutre Military Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. III. A. 26.

William Arthur Picton, Sergeant, 200110, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Pembroke Dock, and served with the local Territorial Battalion, the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion were attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and 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 the Division was immediately thrown into action, 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. 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, and in early 1917 moved into Palestine, where they took part in the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917. William was killed that day. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Panels 30-32 of the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.

Bertram Theodore Pinnegar, Sergeant, 11001, Royal Engineers. Bertram was born at Warwick, but resided at Pembroke Dock prior to the war. He enlisted at Birmingham into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to their 7th Field Company, attached to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Division had fought at the Second Battle of Ypres from April to June 1915, and on the Somme the following year. After spending a winter on the Somme, they took part in the Arras Offensive, before being sent north again to Ypres, where they fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. During March 1918 they were stationed near St. Quentin, and were hit here by the German Spring Offensive, and took part in a gallant rearguard action during the Actions at the Somme Crossings, and then at the Battle of Rosieres. After suffering terrible casualties, the Division moved north to Flanders to rest and rebuild, but in April the Germans launched an attack in Flanders, around the Lys, and the Division took part in the Battle of Estaires, and the Battle of Hazebrouck. Following a most trying time on the Somme and Lys battlefields, the Division was withdrawn and sent to IX Corps, then on the Aisne, believed to be a much quieter area. This was unfortunately not the case, as the Division was hit hard by a surprise enemy attack, and fought at the Battle of the Aisne, 1918. Bertram was killed on the Aisne on 27 May 1918. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France.  

Harry Pugh, Private, 7698, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Harry was born at Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire. He was stationed at Pembroke Dock before the war with the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, and was the Husband of M. Pugh, of Cranfield House, Beverley Street, Port Talbot. Harry served with the 1/4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, which had been on Garrison duties at Singapore and Hong Kong for the first two years of the war. On 27 July 1917 the battalion landed at Le Havre, and joined 190 Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Division then moved to Ypres, and took part in the Battle of Passchendaele. On 4 February 1918 the 1/4th KSLI transferred to 56 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, and were caught up in the German Spring Offensive near St. Quentin, where they suffered terrible casualties during the Battle of Bapaume. They moved to Ypres, but were caught up in the German attack at Messines. Harry was wounded at Messines, and died at the Casualty Clearing Station at Haringhe on 18 April 1918. He was 42 years old, and is buried at Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. II. F. 24.

 

John Hubert Rogers, Shipwright 1st Class, 345535, Royal Navy. John was the Son of John Thomas and Amy Letitia Rogers, of 28, Church Street, Pembroke Dock, and the husband of Lillian May (who later remarried, becoming Flowers), Of 100, Jubilee Road, Southsea, Portsmouth. He served aboard HMS Invincible, a battlecruiser, which was attached to 3rd Battlecruiser Squadron, serving as Flagship. John was killed when Invincible was blown up by a salvo of shells from the SMS Derfflinger during the Battle of Jutland, on 31 May 1916. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, on Panel 20.

George James Rich Saunders, Captain, Leicestershire Regiment. George was the Son of Dr. Edward Argent Saunders and Louisa Gertrude Saunders, of 1, Apley Terrace, Pembroke Dock. He had originally been commissioned into the South Lancashire Regiment, but had then been promoted Captain, and posted to the 7th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, which formed part of 110 Brigade, 21st Division. The Division crossed to France between 2 and 13 September, 1915, and its first experience of battle was calamitous, being in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos, where it was sent into action on 26 September, and suffered over 3,800 casualties for very little gain. They moved to the Somme in 1916, and fought at the Battle of Albert, then at the Battle of Bazentin, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the Battle of Morval. George was killed at Morval on 26 September 1916, aged 20. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, on Pier and Face 7A and 7B.

Frederick John Scurlock, Gunner, 112487, Royal Field Artillery. Frederick was the Son of Mr. J. H. Scurlock and Mrs. K. E. Scurlock, of Pembroke Dock. He served with C Battery, 102nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to 23rd Division. Between 21 and 26 August, 1915 the Division landed in Boulogne and proceeded to the Western Front, initially concentrating near Tilques. They saw their first major action at the Battle of Albert, where they captured Contalmaison, and then fought at the Battle of Bazentin, the Battle of Pozieres, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy, where they captured Le Sars. In May 1917 they took part in the Battle of Messines, before moving further north to Ypres, and fighting at the Battle of the Menin Road, the Battle of Polygon Wood, the First Battle of Passchendaele and the Second Battle of Passchendaele. At the end of October 1917 the division moved by rail to Italy, concentrating between Mantua and Marcaria in November. On 4 December the Division took over a section of front line on the Montello, relieving the 70th Italian Division, and then fought at the Battle of Asiago and the Battle of Vittorio Veneto. Frederick was wounded here, and died of his wounds on 18 June 1918. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Dueville Communal Cemetery Extension, Italy, in Grave Ref. I. C. 1.

Albert Victor Searle, Shipwright 2nd Class, M/530, Royal Navy. Albert was the Son of Frederick William and Mary, Ann Searle, of 39, Lewis Street, Pembroke Dock, and served aboard HMS Queen Mary, a modern battlecruiser, attached to the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. During the Battle of Jutland, Queen Mary was inflicting heavy damage on two of the German battlecruisers, when she exploded after a shell hit her in the magazines. Albert was killed, along with most of Queen Mary's crew of over 1,200 men, when she exploded and sank on 31 May 1916. Albert was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, on Panel 20.

Edwin Skyrme, Shipwright, H.M. Dockyard, Portsmouth. Edwin was the Son of Peter and Frances Skyrme, of Pembroke Dock, and the husband of Alice Skyrme, of 28, Widley Road, Twyford Avenue, Portsmouth. He worked as a Shipwright at Portsmouth, but was working aboard the American cutter USS Tampa, when she was sunk by a torpedo from the German submarine UB-91 in the Bristol Channel on 26 September 1918. Edwin was 44 years old, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, on Panel 31.

Arthur Evan Rideout Thomas, Corporal, 372, Australian Imperial Force. Arthur was born at Narberth, the Son of Richard and Agnes Thomas, later of Newport House, South Cliff Gardens, Tenby. Prior to the war, he had served for three years with the Artists Rifles, and had then emigrated to Australia. Arthur enlisted on the 22nd February, 1915 at Liverpool, NSW into the 18th Battalion, Australian Infantry, which were part of the 5th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division. The Battalion left Australia in May, 1915 bound for Egypt, and after several months spent training there landed on ANZAC Cove, Gallipoli on the 22nd August, 1915 to reinforce the badly depleted First Division who had been there since landing on the 25th April. Just days later, the Battalion took part in the Battle for Hill 60, where Arthur was wounded. He sadly Died of Wounds on the 27th August, 1915 aged 26. He was buried at sea, and so is remembered on the Lone Pine Memorial.

 

Benjamin Stewart Buckingham Thomas, M.C., Lieutenant (Pilot), Royal Air Force. Benjamin was the Son of Benjamin and Jessie Thomas, of 71, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock. He had originally served in France with the 9th Welsh, gaining the award of the Military Cross for gallantry on the Somme, before volunteering to serve with the Royal Flying Corps, where he trained as a Pilot. Benjamin was then posted to Number 11 Squadron, which flew the Bristol F2b. Benjamin was killed when his F2b, Serial D7978, with Lieutenant C. E. Spinks as Observer, was shot down over the Somme on 4 October 1918. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Grevillers British Cemetery, France, in Grave Ref. XVI. E. 14.

Frederick James Thomas, Second Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Regiment. Frederick was the Son of Mrs. M. J. Thomas, of 24, Commercial Row, Pembroke Dock. He was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, and after training was posted to the 11th Battalion, which was in France attached to 69 Brigade, 23rd Division. Between 21 and 26 August, 1915 the Division landed in Boulogne and proceeded to the Western Front, initially concentrating near Tilques. They saw their first major action at the Battle of Albert, where they captured Contalmaison, and then fought at the Battle of Bazentin, the Battle of Pozieres, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy, where they captured Le Sars. In May, 1917 they took part in the Battle of Messines, before moving further north to Ypres, and fighting at the Battle of the Menin Road, the Battle of Polygon Wood, the First Battle of Passchendaele and the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Frederick was killed at Passchendaele on 21 September 1917. He was 22 years old, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium, on Panel 42.

Lewis James Thomas, Private, 94123, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Lewis was the Brother of Elizabeth Ann Thomas, of 30, Milton Terrace, Pembroke Dock. He served with the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had been in France since December 1915, and had fought at Mametz Wood in 1916 and at Passchendaele in 1917. In 1918 it was moved to the Somme, from where it took part in the great offensive, which started on 23 August 1918. Lewis was killed when the Division was taking part in the Battle of the Selle on 21 October 1918. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Highland Cemetery, Le Cateau, France.

 

Reginald George Thomas, Shipwright 1st Class, 344454, Royal Navy. Reginald was the Son of John Thomas, of Pembroke Dock, and the husband of Eva Thomas, of 158, Balmoral Road, Gillingham, Kent. He served aboard HMS Vanguard, which was a St. Vincent Class Battleship, which was attached to the First Battle Squadron, and took part in the Battle of Jutland. On 9 July 1917 Vanguard was at anchor at Scapa Flow, when a fire exploded part of the vast store of cordite aboard her, sinking the mighty ship in seconds, with the loss of all but two of her crew. Reginald was among the dead. He was 31 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 24 of the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

Frederick George Truscott, Private, 25713, Lancashire Fusiliers. Frederick was the Son of Horatio George and Anne Prosser Truscott, of 70, Gwyther Street, Pembroke Dock. Frederick enlisted at Pembroke into the Royal Field Artillery, and was given the service number 137692. He was later transferred, probably due to earlier wounding or sickness, to the 12th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, his number changing to 25713. The Battalion formed part of 65 Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, with all units being concentrated near Flesselles by 9 September. 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 13 December 1915. It remained in the theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the Retreat from Serbia during December, 1915. From 10-18 August 1916 the Division fought at the battle of Horseshoe Hill, then from 13-14 September 1916 at the battle of Machukovo. From 24-25 April and 8-9 May 1917 the Division fought at the battle of Doiran. Frederick was killed in action near Doiran on 22 April 1918. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Salonika.

Samuel George Turner, Bombardier, 31927, Royal Garrison Artillery. Samuel was born at Pembroke Dock, and enlisted there into the Royal Garrison Artillery. After training, he was posted to France with 242nd Siege Battery, RGA, and was killed at Ypres during the build up to the Battle of Passchendaele on 16 July 1917. Samuel was buried at Bus House Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. E. 3.

Joseph George Watson, Sergeant, 10073, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Joseph was born at Woolwich, and resided at Pembroke Dock before the war. He enlisted at Pembroke into the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which moved to France in October 1914 attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division. The Division moved to Ypres, where they became the first British Division to hold the city, fighting through the First Battle of Ypres. In March 1915, the Division fought at the Battle of Neuve Chappelle, then in May 1915 at the Battle of Aubers Ridge, and at Festubert, before taking part in the Battle of Loos in September. The Division remained in the Loos Sector over the winter of 1915/16, and it was there that Joseph was killed, on 11 November 1915. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Panel 50 of the Loos Memorial, France.

 

Albert Williams, Driver, 814, Royal Field Artillery. Albert was the Son of George Williams, of Albion Square, Pembroke Dock. He enlisted at Glasgow into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their Lowland Brigade. The Brigade moved to the Mediterranean, and landed on Gallipoli on 6 June 1915. Albert took ill while at Gallipoli, and was evacuated to Egypt for treatment, but died there on 13 October 1915. He was 19 years old, and is buried at Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, in Grave Ref. D. 48.

David Aubrey Williams, Second Lieutenant, South Wales Borderers. David was the Son of Mr. W. Williams, of 95, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock. He was commissioned from the Royal Engineers into the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, and landed in France on 5 January 1916. The 1st SWB was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division, and had been in France since the outbreak of war. In 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, where it took part in the Battle of Albert during the opening of the Somme Offensive. David was killed three weeks into the battle, on 25 July 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, on Pier and Face 4A.

Samuel Mervyn Williams, Second Lieutenant, Notts & Derby Sherwood Foresters. Samuel was the Son of the late Dr. R. H. Williams and of Mrs. H. W. Silcott (formerly Williams), of Penfro, St. Bride's Hill, Saundersfoot. Samuel was born in Pembroke Dock, and was educated at Llandovery, Plymouth and St. George's College, Kingsway. He passed into Sandhurst on 18 January, 1915 and was commissioned into the Sherwood Foresters on 15 August. Samuel was then posted to their 2nd Battalion, which was attached to 71 Brigade, 6th Division, arriving on the Western Front on 4 October 1916. The Battalion had been in France since landing at St. Nazaire on 11 September, 1914. They had rushed to reinforce the BEF on the Aisne, and had then been transferred to Hooge. In 1916 the Division moved south, to take part in the Somme Offensive, and fought at Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. Samuel had only gone into action for the first time on 13 October, but was killed in Action just three days later, on 16 October 1916 during the Battle of Le Transloy. He was aged just 19, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

Thomas Howard Williams, Private, 765298, London Regiment. Thomas was the Son of William and Marianne Williams, of 95, Laws Street, Pembroke Dock, and was the husband of Nancy Gibbs (formerly Williams), of Tanglewood, Lisvane, Cardiff. He had worked for 19 years in the service of the London and Provincial Bank, before enlisting at Cardiff into the 1/28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists Rifles). The battalion was an officer training battalion for most of the war, and on 28 June 1917 joined 190 Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The RND was at Arras by then, before moving to positions at Ypres, where they took part in the Battle of Passchendaele. Thomas was killed at Passchendaele on 30 October 1917, aged 34, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium, on Panel 153.

James Wood, Second Lieutenant, Wiltshire Regiment. James was the Husband of Mrs North (remarried), of 32, Highgrove Street, Reading. He was commissioned into the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. The battalion was attached to 7 Brigade, 3rd Division, and had been in France since August 1914, and had fought during the retreat from Mons to the Marne, and at First and Second Ypres. On 18 October 1915 it transferred with the Brigade to 25th Division, and saw further action during the German attack on Vimy Ridge in May 1916. They then moved to the Warloy area and attacked on 3 July near Thiepval. They fought throughout the Battle of the Somme, and then moved to Ploegsteert, where they held the line for the months leading up the Battle of Messines in June, 1917. After fighting at Messines, the Division moved north, and fought at Pilckem Ridge. James was killed at Langemarck on 5 August 1917. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Panel 53 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.