The Parish of Roch sits about 6 miles North-West of Haverfordwest, and centres around the site of an early Castle. Roch Castle was founded in the 1250's, although an earlier fortress may have existed here. It is supposed to have been built by Adam de Rupe, a member of a very influential family which had played an important role in the English settlement of Pembrokeshire. Roch Castle was built as one of the outer defences of Little England beyond Wales , as it is near the unmarked border which for centuries separated the English and Welsh areas of Pembrokeshire. The castle was greatly neglected after the Civil War, but in 1900 Viscount St. David began extensive restoration, and subsequent owners have continued this. It is therefore considerably altered, but the tower is unmistakable for miles around, and traces of the old earthwork bailey can be seen at the foot of the outcrop.

Two of the sons of the Viscount were killed during the Great War, and the details of these men, and the others of the locality, are remembered on the marble War Memorial which is fixed to the boundary wall outside the Castle. These men are remembered below. Many thanks to Jonny Woodhouse for supplying the photo of the War Memorial and Castle, and for the names from the Memorial.

Roch War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Frederick Charles Absalom, Private, 63107, Welsh Regiment. Frederick was the son of Elizabeth Absalom, Folkston Hills, Nolton Haven. His father had been presumed killed during the Boer War, but had possibly just never bothered to return home. Fred enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 3/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He served at Gallipoli from 8 October 1915, but on 22 November 1915 was admitted to hospital suffering from dysentery, and returned to England on 15 December 1915. After recovering, Fred embarked for Salonika on 5 February 1917, and joined the 11th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, and was wounded on 14 August 1917. After recovering, he rejoined his unit, but became ill with malaria, and on 29 March 1918 embarked via Taranto for England. On 8 August 1918, Fred was posted to France, first joining the 13th Welsh on 11 August. A week later he was posted to the 14th (Swansea City) Battalion, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had launched its assault across the River Ancre on 21 August 1918, capturing Thiepval Ridge and Pozieres within days. Fred would have joined up with his new unit around Longueval. The Division then drove towards the mighty Hindenburg Line, fighting at the Battle of Havrincourt, and the Battle of Epehy. A short rest period ensued, during which time the Canal du Nord was breached, so opening a passage through the Hindenburg Line. The Division then fought at the Battle of Beaurevoir, and moved up towards Cambrai, capturing Villers-Outreaux, before advancing to the Selle and onto the Sambre. Frederick was wounded during the Battle of the Selle, and died of his wounds on 20 October 1918. He is buried at St. Souplet British Cemetery, France. As far as is presently known, Frederick is not commemorated locally.

Walter Allen, Private, 2471, Welsh Guards. Walter was the Son of Thomas and Martha Allen, of The Folly, Roch, Pembrokeshire. Walter enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh Guards. Walter was posted their 1st Battalion, which was attached to the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. This Division has the distinction of being formed in France in August 1915, of the various Guards units that had been with other Divisions. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915, remaining in the area during the coming months, where they also fought in the subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. In July, 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs Village. Walter was killed in action at Morval on 25 September 1916. He was 20 years old. Walter has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.


 

 

George Winfred Bowen, Private, 201578, Welsh Regiment. George was known as Fred, and was the Nephew of Mary Summons, of 84, Portfield, Haverfordwest. He had been born at Lambston, and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 4th Welsh. He served with the 15th Battalion, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until 12 July to clear the wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge and at the Battle of Langemarck. Fred was wounded at Langemarck, and evacuated to a nearby Casualty Clearing Station, where he died of his wounds on 20 August 1917. He is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Thomas Davies, Private, 71974, Kings Liverpool Regiment. Thomas was the Son of David and Amy Davies, of Nolton, Pembrokeshire, and the husband of Hilda Twigg (formerly Davies), of 7, Union Street, Gelli, Ystrad, Glamorgan. Thomas enlisted at Cardiff into the Kings Liverpool Regiment, and was posted to their 16th Labour Company. The Company was sent to the Western Front. Thomas was then transferred to the 81st Company, Labour Corps, and his Regimental Number changed to 48129. He was working with the Company at Ypres when he was killed in action on 5 July 1917, during the build up to the Passchendaele Offensive. Thomas was 36 years old, and is buried at Lone Tree Cemetery, Belgium.

 

 

William Evans, Private, 54441, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of James and Catherine Evans, of Castle Farm, Roch, Pembrokeshire. William worked at home on his Fathers Farm before the war, and he enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh Regiment after war was declared. He was posted to the 14th (Swansea) Battalion, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took almost a week to clear the wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at the opening Battle of Third Ypres, at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and then at the Battle of Langemarck. William was killed in action just after the Battle of Langemarck, on 22 August 1917. He was just 22 years old. William has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. James and Catherine received a letter from William's Lieutenant, which read "Dear Mrs. Evans- I expect that you have already heard that your son was killed in action last week. He was hit by a shell and died instantaneously. You will be proud to know that he died doing his duty. He was one of my very best men, and a credit to his Company. His companions in his Platoon feel his loss in a way which can be second only to your own feelings. His companions write with me in expressing our deepest sympathy in your sad loss, - Yours Sincerely, E. H. Balsom." Sadly, Lieutenant Ernest Balsom himself was killed just a year later, during the Battle of Albert. He was 26 years old, and is buried at Morval British Cemetery on the Somme. Below are photos of Williams name on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

Thomas Raymond Howells, Rifleman, R/3235, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Thomas was the Son of M. and M. A. R. Howells, of Puncheston, Pembrokeshire. He lived at Haverfordwest prior to the war and enlisted at Bargoed into the army. Thomas was posted to the 11th Battalion, Kings Royal Rifle Corps, which was attached to 59 Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. On 26 July 1915 the Division completed concentration at Saint-Omer, and their 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, and took part in the advance to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917. Later that year they fought at Third Ypres, before moving south in November, to take part in the Battle of Cambrai. They remained in the area between Cambrai and St. Quentin over the winter of 1917/18 and were attacked there by the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918. They then fought in the retreat at the Somme Crossings and at Rosieres, before being withdrawn, and moved on 20 April 1918 to an area south west of Amiens. During the summer months it received many new drafts of men, and from October 1918 it took part in the general advance that resulted in victory. Thomas was taken ill during the advance, and died on 29 October 1918. He was 28 years old and is buried at St. Pol British Cemetery, St. Pol-Sur-Ternoise, France. As far as is presently known, Thomas does not look to be commemorated locally.

Ernest Johnson, Private, 16036, Gloucestershire Regiment. Ernest was born at Whitchurch, Pembrokeshire, and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. On 8 August 1915 the Battalion moved to France, where they became attached to 1 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division was a Regular Army Division that had been on the Western Front since the opening Battle of Mons. The 10th Gloucester's then joined them, and saw their first action during the Battle of Loos and the action at the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The Division was then moved south to the Somme in the summer of 1916, where they fought during the opening of the Somme Offensive at the Battle of Albert. They then saw action at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge, and the Battle of Pozieres Ridge. It was during the terrible fighting that raged around this time that Ernest was killed in action, on 18 August 1916. He is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France.

 

 

John Stuart Phelps, Rifleman, 34067, South Lancashire Regiment. John was the son of Moses and Frances Phelps, of New Cottage, Roch, Pembrokeshire. John enlisted into the 1/5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. The Battalion left England during February 1915, and landed at Havre. On 13 February 1915 they joined the 12th Brigade, 4th Division. John fought with the Division throughout the Second Battle of Ypres, and they remained in Flanders until 4 November 1915 when his Battalion was transferred to the 36th Division. The Division was new in France, and was deemed to be not up to Front Line duty at that time, and so on 6 January 1916 the Battalion moved to 166 Brigade, 55th Division. The complete Division was reformed in France between the 3rd and 27th January, 1916 in the Hallencourt area. It relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, in the area Wailly- Bretencourt by the 16th February. Trench warfare commenced, with many raids and minor operations. Relieved by the 11th (Northern) Division on 25 July, the 55th now moved south and took up a place in the front line opposite the village of Guillemont. Here they fought at the Battle of Guillemont and the Battle of Ginchy. There was a short period of rest at Ribemont from 12 to 17 September, and then the Division fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the Battle of Morval. Relieved by 41st Division on 28 September, the Division withdrew to the area of Buire and Ribemont, before relieving the 29th Division in the Ypres salient in October 1916. It was destined to remain in this area for almost a year, stationed near Railway Wood. John was killed in action here on 18 November 1916. He was 29 years old. John has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

 

 

The Honorable Colwyn Erasmus Arnold Philipps, Captain, Royal Horse Guards. Colwyn was born on 11 December 1888, the son of John Philipps, the Right Honorable the 1st Viscount St. David's, P.C. and his wife, Leonora Gerstenberg, of 3, Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, London. He was educated at Eton and Sandhurst. At the age of 20 he received a Commission into the Royal Horse Guards, then on 30 July 1909 had been promoted to full Lieutenant, and was Captain by the outbreak of war. The R.H.G. were attached to the 7th Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division on 1 September 1914 and landed at Zeebrugge at the beginning of October. They fought in the defence of Antwerp before being sent to Ypres, taking part in the First and Second Battles of Ypres. It was during Second Ypres, at the Battle of Frezenberg, that Colwyn was killed in Action on 13 May 1915, aged 26. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, on Panel 3. In a letter sent to his bereaved parents by a brother Officer, it was said "He fell in an attack on the German Trenches on Thursday, 13th. His end was worthy as his life, as he was the first man in the German trenches and killed five Germans before he was shot in the head at close quarters and instantly killed." His brother Roland also fell. During his short life, Colwyn had gained a strong reputation for his poetry, putting him on the list of the famed War Poets of the Great War. His poems were published after his death.

 

 

 

The Honorable Roland Erasmus Philipps, MC, Captain, Royal Fusiliers. Roland was born on 27 February 1890, the second son of John Philipps, the Right Honorable the 1st Viscount St. David's, P.C. and his wife, Leonora Gerstenberg, of 3, Richmond Terrace, Whitehall, London. He was educated at Winchester College and New College, Oxford. Roland was an important early member of the Boy Scouts. In July 1912 he was appointed Assistant District Commissioner for East London. In 1913 he was appointed Commissioner for North East London, and in November 1913 he was made responsible for all of East London. Roland was commissioned into the 9th Battalion Royal Fusiliers, part of 36 Brigade, 12th Division. The Division assembled at Shorncliffe during August 1914 and moved to France at the end of May 1915. Their baptism of fire was at Ploegsteert Wood on 23 June 1915, and later at the Battle of Loos. They held the line at Loos until June, and they were moved in readiness for the Somme Offensive. They relieved the decimated 8th Division at Ovillers-la-Boiselle on 1 July, and took two lines of German trenches, but then stuttered to a halt. On 7 July 1916 the Brigade attacked again, but were decimated by German shell-fire in Mash Valley, but still managed to capture their objective of Ovillers. Roland was killed in Action this day, aged 26. He is buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension, Grave H. 32. His brother Colwyn also fell.

 

 

 

Joseph James Prescott, Private, 37520, Kings Liverpool Regiment. Joseph was the Son of Joseph and Jane Prescott, of Southport, Cheshire. He was serving with the King's Liverpool as a Private, based in Pembrokeshire when he met and married Edith Mary Williams, of Simpson, Roch, Haverfordwest, in the summer of 1917. Joseph was then transferred to the 571st Agricultural Company, Labour Corps. He didn't serve overseas, but died on active service on 11 December 1918. Joseph was 21 years old, and is buried at Halsall (St. Cuthbert) Churchyard, England. Joseph is not commemorated on the Roch War Memorial.

Thomas John Rees, Private, 16035, Gloucestershire Regiment. Thomas was born at Roch, the son of John and Martha Rees, later of Bramble Hall, Sutton, Portfield Gate, Haverfordwest. Thomas enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 14th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. The Battalion was raised at Bristol by the Citizens' Recruiting Committee as a Bantam Battalion on 22 April 1915. In June 1915 it moved to Masham, Yorkshire in 105th Brigade, 35th Division. In August 1915 the Division moved to Salisbury Plain, and on 30 January 1916 landed at Le Havre. The Division moved to France in late January and early February 1916. It saw its first major action during the Battle of the Somme, at the Battle of Albert. By December 1916, the Divisional commander (Major-General Landon) reported that the Division was now suffering from low physical and morale standards. This was a result of replacing casualties not with fit 'bantams' but with undersized and weak men. Medical inspections were ordered, and 2,784 men rejected from the ranks of the Division. These men were largely posted to the Labour Corps. Their places were filled with men posted from disbanded yeomanry regiments; they had to be quickly trained in infantry methods and a Divisional depot was formed for the purpose. The Division then went back into the line, and followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917. Later in the year they moved north to Ypres, and fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. By spring of 1918 they were back on the Somme, and fought at the First Battle of Bapaume, during the German Offensive. Thomas was killed during this terrible period, on 3 April 1918. He was just 21 years old, and is buried at Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery, France.

 

 

 

 

Sidney James Reynish, Private, 33510, Devonshire Regiment. Sidney was the Son of James Reynish, of Roch, Pembrokeshire. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 10th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. The Battalion had formed at Exeter on 25 September 1914, and moved to Stockton Camp, Salisbury Plain in 79 Brigade, 26th Division. In November 1914 it moved to billets at Bath, and in April 1915 to Sutton Veny. On 23 September 1915 the Division landed at Boulogne, but their stay there was brief, and in November 1915 they were on the move again, to Salonika. On 26 December 1915 units began to move from Lembet to Happy Valley Camp, and all units were in place there by 8 February. The Division then took part in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill, between 10 to 18 August 1916, the Battle of Doiran between 24 April and 9 May 1917. Sidney was killed in action just before the Second Battle of Doiran, on 4 September 1916. He was 25 years old. Sidney has no known grave, and is remembered on the Doiran Memorial, Salonika. Not on Memorial.

World War Two, 1939-1945

John George John, Private, 3959232, the Welch Regiment. John was the Son of Henry and Mary John of Roch, Pembrokeshire. John served with the 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment, which was stationed at Mersa Matruh, Western Desert at the outbreak of war. The Battalion fought in the Western Desert campaign for its duration, and on 10 June, 1943 took place in the Landings on Sicily. They fought their way up through Italy, during a hard and stubborn campaign by the Germans, who had dug themselves into well defended positions such as Monte Cassino. By November, 1943 the Battalion was withdrawn to Egypt, and remained there until 12 July 1944 when they sailed from Alexandria for Taranto. Again, they were pitched head first into the terrible fighting, slowly pushing north, and on 25 April 1945 crossed the River Po. John was killed in action during this dogged campaign in Italy, on 20 June 1945. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Bari War Cemetery, Italy.

 

 

Roch Castle and War Memorial, Pembrokeshire