Solva is a small village, situated in a lovely position on the north of St. Bride’s Bay. The harbour provides a safe, sheltered haven for fishing and leisure vessels, although the fishing trade has now been replaced by the tourist industry. The War Memorial is situated on Solva Hill, overlooking the bay. The was memorial strangely holds no names, so the roll of honour on this page is made up of the men known to have been from the village, and I apologise for any omissions. Thanks to Silvia Birch for her postcard of the war memorial.

Solva War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

 

Thomas Allton,  Private, 9609, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was the Son of Henry Allton, of Llaingama, Solva, and enlisted at Nuneaton into the South Lancashire Regiment. He was then posted to the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was in France, attached to 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had been in France since December 1915, and had first taken the line near Fleurbaix. In June 1916 the Division marched to the Somme, where it too part in the capture of Mametz Wood in July 1916. After suffering heavy casualties, the Division was moved to Hebuterne, then to positions at the Canal Bank at Boesinghe, north of Ypres. Here the Division took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and after successfully completing their objectives, were moved to positions at Armentieres to rebuild. Thomas was killed here on 12 November 1917, aged 31. He is buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France, in Grave II. A. 5.

 

John Davies, Gunner, 47937, Royal Garrison Artillery. John was born at Solva, and enlisted at Pentre into the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was posted to their 234th Siege Battery, and moved to France in January 1917, taking up positions near Ypres. John was killed while his battery was taking part in the Battle of Passchendaele on 20 October 1917. He is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

 

 

William Davies, Private, 10505, Gloucestershire Regiment. William was born at Treorchy, the Son of Ann Davies. The family were originally from Solva, and moved back after William's birth, and resided at New Street, Solva. William enlisted into the Army at Pentre, and was posted to the 7th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment. The battalion formed at Bristol in August 1914, attached to 39 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. The Division sailed from Avonmouth on 19 June 1915 and landed on Gallipoli on the following month. William was involved in some fierce fighting during his short time at war, and was killed in action at Gallipoli on 8 August 1915. William was 20 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 101-104 of the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

William Davies, Private, 46421, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of Daniel and Dinah Davies, of Carnhedryn Isaf, Solva, and the husband of Annie Davies, of 40, Dew Street, Haverfordwest. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which moved to France in July 1915 as part of 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division fought during the opening attack of the Battle of Loos, and then moved to the Somme, where they took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost, and fought through the Somme Battles of Pozières and the Ancre in 1916. They then moved north to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and it was here that William was wounded. He was evacuated to the hospital at Bailleul for treatment, but sadly died there of his wounds on 8 June 1917. William was 36 years old, and is buried at Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

 

 

David Evans, Private, 27411, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of James and Martha Evans, of Pentop, Solva, and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh regiment. After training, he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which had been in France since 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, 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, then at Bazentin, and at Pozières, and it was during this action that David was killed on 24 August 1916. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France.

 

Thomas Evans, Private, 14089, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Son of James Evans, of Bank House, Solva, and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion formed part of 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, and moved to France in July 1915. The Division fought during the opening attack of the Battle of Loos, and it was during the opening assault on 25 September 1915 that Thomas was killed. He was 36 years old, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

 

Thomas Henry Evans, Private, 3638, Australian Infantry. Thomas was the son of Mrs. Margaret Emma Evans, of Llaningar Farm, Solva. He emigrated to Australia with his sister Dilys before the war, working there as a farmer at Melbourne. On 6 February 1917, Thomas enlisted at Adelaide into the 50th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. Thomas embarked at Melbourne on 3 October 1917, and arrived in England on 29 November, marching to camp at Codford St. Mary. On 17 January 1918 he arrived in France, and joined his battalion two days later in the field. The Battalion was on the Somme by April 1918, and was holding the line at Villers-Brettoneux on 27 April, against a strong German attack, when Thomas was hit by a German bullet in his thigh while attempting to rescue a wounded comrade who was entangled in barbed wire. The 50th Battalion alone lost 261 men in three days in the line. Thomas was evacuated to the 25th Field Ambulance, where he was treated before being sent, via the 55th and 5th Casualty Clearing Stations, to hospital at Etretat on 7 May 1918. He suffered for some weeks before succumbing to his wounds on 16 June 1918, aged 30. Thomas is buried at the beautiful Etretat Churchyard Extension, France, in Grave II. E. 5.

John Griffiths, Lance Corporal, 26088, Welsh Regiment. John was born at Solva, and enlisted at Bridgend into the Welsh regiment. After training, he was posted to the 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division moved to France between the 1st and 9th June, 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 their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division were one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. John was killed during this stage of the war, on 24 April 1917. He is buried at Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, France.

 

Levi Watkin Griffiths, Private, 53936, Welsh Regiment. Levi was the Son of Ebenezer and Catherine Sarah Griffiths, of Vaguer Walter, Solva, and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 10th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion trained at Rhyl, and became 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 14 July to totally clear the wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Levi was killed at Ypres on 10 December 1916. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery, Belgium. His brother William also fell.

 

William Lewis Griffiths, Private, 203023, Queens Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). William was the Son of Ebenezer and Sarah Griffiths, of Vaguer Walter, Solva, and had originally enlisted into the Monmouth Regiment, with the service number 4317. He later transferred into the 3/4th Battalion, Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), which landed in France on 1 June 1917, and was temporarily attached to both 9th (Scottish) Division and 34th Division. On 22 June 1917 the battalion transferred to 51 Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. The Division was then at Arras, and it was here that William was killed on 24 August 1917. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Sunken Road Cemetery, Fampoux, France. His brother Levi also fell. Many thanks to Robert Lindsay for the photograph.

John Elvet Harries, Second Lieutenant, South Wales Borderers. John was born at Solva on 1 July 1897, the Son of Mr. and Mrs. James Harries, of Lochwryler, Pen-y-cwm. He was educated at St. David's County School and at Cardiff, before he joined the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in 1915. John was gazetted Second Lieutenant in April 1916, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which had moved to France from Egypt, attached to 87 Brigade, 29th (Western) Division. John was wounded on the Somme in July 1916, and suffering from shellshock was hospitalised for a while. He rejoined the 2nd SWB at Arras in March 1917, and was killed in action there on 23 April 1917, aged just 19. John has no known grave, and is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial, France.

 

 

Alfred Holton, Private, 16658, South Lancashire Regiment. Alfred was the Son of Henry and Bridget Holton, of Llainganla, Solva, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment, with the service number 12838. He then transferred into the 6th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, which was attached to 38 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Towards the end of February 1915 the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, and on 7 June 1915 orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. On 13 June 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. At the beginning of July 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles and relieved the 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3 and 5 August, 1915, taking part in the Battle of Sari Bair. Alfred was killed ruing this time on 9 August 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

George Everard Hope, MC, Lieutenant-Colonel, Grenadier Guards. George was the Husband of Margaret Clarke (Formerly Cockton-Hope), of Llanunwad, Solva. He had been commissioned into the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, and had earned himself the Military Cross for his gallantry, before he was promoted to Temporary Lieutenant-Colonel, and given command of the 1/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 21 July 1917. The Battalion was attached to 126 Brigade, 42nd Division. The battalion was then positioned north of Ypres, and took part in the Battle of Passchendaele. George was killed here on 10 October 1917, aged 30, and is buried at Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery, Belgium.

 

 

Thomas Jenkins, Steward, Mercantile Marine. Thomas was the Son of James and Mary Jenkins, of Solva. He served in the Merchant Navy, aboard SS Forestmoor, a London registered vessel. Thomas died when Forestmoor was sunk by a German submarine on 6 October 1917. He was 53 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Henry Johns, DSC, Master, Mercantile Marine. Henry was the Son of Joseph and Rebecca Johns, of Solva, and the husband of Sarah Helen Johns. He was Master of SS Whitefield at the start of the war, but she was sunk by a German submarine on 1 September 1915. He then served aboard SS Tantallon, before becoming Master of SS Haslingden. Henry was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for War Services, London Gazette 16 November 1917. He drowned when SS Haslingden was sunk by a German submarine on 12 May 1918. Henry was 60 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

William Donal Morgan, Second Lieutenant, Royal Engineers. William was the only son of Captain P.W. Morgan and Mrs Olive Morgan of Bryn-Y-Mor, Solva. William was educated at Cheltenham College prior to the war, and qualified as a Civil Engineer. Upon the outbreak of war he was commissioned into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to the 95th Field Company, which was attached to the 7th Division in France. William was killed in action during the Battle of Loos on 12 October 1915. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Cambrin Churchyard Extension, France.

 

John Morris, Private, 33143, Welsh Regiment. John was the Son of Lewis and Elizabeth Morris, of Willow House, Solva, and he lived at Caerau, Glamorgan before the war. John enlisted at Bridgend into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was in India at the start of the war, before being recalled to Britain, where it joined 84 Brigade, 28th Division. The Division formed in England between December 1914 and January 1915 from regular units returning from India, Singapore and Egypt. During January 1915 it moved to France, landing at Le Havre and moved to the Western Front, where it saw its first major action during the Second Battle of Ypres. Following serious casualties at Ypres, a Composite Brigade was formed, composing of the 2nd Battalion, the Buffs, 2nd Battalion, the Cheshires, 1st Battalion, the Welsh, and 1st Battalion, the York and Lancaster. It was dissolved on 19 May 1915, and the formation assumed its normal configuration, taking part in the Battle of Loos. John was killed just before the Division left Loos for Marseilles, on 2 October 1915. He was 35 years old, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

 

Evan Nicholas, First Mate, Mercantile Marine. Evan was born at Mathry, the Son of Elizabeth and the late Evan Nicholas. He served in the Mercantile Marine, and lived with his wife Ruth Adelaide Nicholas (formerly Davies, nee Jenkins), of Kingheriot, Solva. Evan served as First Mate aboard the SS T. R. Thompson, a Sunderland registered steam ship. On 29 March 1918, she was on voyage from Algeria to Middlesbrough, with a cargo of iron ore, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-57. Three men were saved from her crew of 36, but Evan died in the sinking. He was 69 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Albert William Prance, Private, 54587, Welsh Regiment. Albert was the Son of Mrs. H. T. and the late Capt. Prance, of Penberry, Solva. He enlisted at Swansea into the Welsh Regiment, and after training was posted to France to join the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, known as the Carmarthen Pals. The 15th Welsh was part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and had been in France since December 1915, and had fought at Mametz Wood and Pilckem Ridge. Albert probably joined the battalion after it had moved to the Somme in April 1918, and was wounded during the 100 days offensive, after the 15th Welsh had forded the River Ancre on the night of 22 August, beginning a drive across the Somme Battlefields which was to ultimately win the war. Albert died of his wounds on 7 September 1918. He was 21 years old and is buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, France.

 

 

Rees Protheroe, Private, 29294, South Wales Borderers. Rees was born at Solva, and was the Husband of F. L. M. Protheroe, of 18, Cosmeston Street, Cathays, Cardiff. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Army, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which had begun the war in China, where they captured the German garrisoned town of Tientsin. The battalion was then recalled to Britain, where it joined 87 Brigade, 29th Division. The Division moved to Gallipoli via Egypt, landing on 25 April, 1915. They remained here until evacuation to Egypt on 11 January, 1916 and then moved to the Western Front on 15 March 1915. The Division took part in its first major action in France during the 1916 Somme Offensive, and fought at the Battles of Albert and Le Transloy, suffering heavy casualties. In the Spring of 1917 they fought at the Battle of the Scarpe, which was part of the Arras Offensive, and then moved further north to Ypres. Rees was killed at Ypres on 5 July 1917. He was 37 years old, and is buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium.

 

James Reynolds, Private, 28457, Welsh Regiment. James was the Son of William and Catherine Reynolds, of Wilcox Street, Solva, and he enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh Regiment. After training, James was posted to the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. This Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. Weeding out of very under-sized or unfit men delayed the training programme, and it was not until late spring 1916 that the Division was ready to proceed on active service. The Division moved to France between the 1st and 9th June, 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 their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division were one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. Later in the year they took part in the Battle of Cambrai, playing an important role in the attack on Bourlon Wood. James was killed at Bourlon Wood on 24 November 1917. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.

 

 

Henry Stephen Roach, Private, 28103, Welsh Regiment. Henry was the Son of David and Phoebe Jane Roach, of Brynteg, Solva, and had enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Welsh Regiment. After training, Henry was posted to the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. This Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. Weeding out of very under-sized or unfit men delayed the training programme, and it was not until late Spring 1916 that the Division was ready to proceed on active service. The Division moved to France between the 1st and 9th June, 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 their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division were one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. Later in the year they took part in the Battle of Cambrai, playing an important role in the attack on Bourlon Wood. They remained in the area over the coming months, but were caught here by the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918, and fought there at the Battle of St Quentin and retreating back westwards fought at the First Battle of Bapaume. Due to the terrible casualties suffered by the Division here they were sent north to Flanders to rest and rebuild, but in April the Germans launched an offensive in Flanders, and the 40th Division were caught up in the thick of it again, fighting at the Battle of Estaires, and it was here that Henry was killed on 13 April 1918. He was 20 years old, and is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

 

John Stephens, Gunner, W/2742, Royal Field Artillery. John was the Son of Mrs E. Stephens, of Llandruidion, Solva, and enlisted at Cardiff into the Royal Field Artillery. He was posted to the 'Z', 38th Trench Mortar Battery, which was attached to the 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division moved to France in December 1915, and took up positions near Fleurbaix. They remained in this sector over their first winter on the front, and it was here that John was killed on 16 May 1916. He is buried at Royal Irish Rifles Graveyard, Laventie, France.

 

 

World War Two, 1939-1945

Edward Vaughan Davies, CMG, DSO, OBE, Master, Merchant Navy. Edward was born at Solva in 1882, the Son Of Daniel And Dinah Davies. He was a Merchant Mariner prior to the war, and married Ruth Jenkins atCardiffin 1910. At the outbreak of WW1, Edward volunteered to serve with the Royal Naval Reserve, and during his time at war was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his gallant service. At some time prior to WW2, the family had moved to Wallasey, Cheshire, where Edward was Captain of the MV Apapa, which was based there, as part of the Elder Dempster Fleet. Apapa gained fame early in the war by helping to evacuate hundreds of Czechoslovak soldiers from France, which led to Edward being awarded the Czech Military Cross. Apapa was sunk by a German Kondor on 15 November 1940, 200 miles off Ireland, but Edward was luckily one of around 20 people who survived the sinking. He retired in 1950, becoming Senior Commander of the Elder Dempster Line, and died at his home in Wallasey, Cheshire, on 7 September 1945, aged 63. Edward is buried at Middle Mill Baptist Chapelyard, near Solva, along with his wife Ruth. Their son, Vaughan Davies, was killed earlier in the war.

Thomas Walter Davies, Stoker 1st Class, C/KX 80223, Royal Navy. Thomas was the Son of William Henry and Blodwen Davies, of Solva, and served in the Royal Navy aboard HM Submarine Tarpon. On 5 April 1940 HMS Tarpon left Portsmouth for Rosyth in company with HMS Severn, and the following day they were ordered to Norway. On 10 April Tarpon was signalled to take up a new position, but she had already been lost. According to German records, Tarpon attacked the Q-ship Schiff, but her torpedoes missed. Schiff then depth charged Tarpon and sank her with the loss of all hands. Thomas is officially listed as being killed on 22 April 1940. He is commemorated on Panel 38 of the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

Vaughan Ninian Startin Davies, DSC, Lieutenant,  Royal Naval Reserve.Vaughan was born at Solva in 1917, the Son of Edward Vaughan Davies and Ruth Davies. Prior to the war, he married Joan Frances Gwendoline MacIntosh, of Levens, Westmoreland, and the couple had two children. Vaughan followed in his fathers footsteps, and volunteered to serve with the Royal Navy from 1935 onwards. Vaughan served aboard HMS Rodney, HMS Cossack and HMS Aurora, until volunteering to become a pilot with the Royal Naval Air Service in October 1940. He trained at HMS Daedalus, the RN Air Station at Lee-on-Solent, prior to becoming a pilot with 815 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, which was based at HMS Grebe, at Dekheila, near Alexandria, Egypt.Vaughan was then posted to 828 Squadron FAA, On 24 January 1942, Vaughan was flying a Fairey Albacore of 828 Squadron, when it went missing off Benghazi, during a flight from Benghazi to Malta. No more is known of his fate. Vaughan was 24 when he went missing that day, and he is commemorated on the Lee-on-Solent Memorial, Hampshire, and also on his parents grave at Middle Mill, Solva. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his work in the Mediterranean, which he sadly didn't live to receive. The medal was presented to his wife and family at Buckingham Palace.

Thomas Morris, Quartermaster, Merchant Navy. Thomas was the Son of Ann Morris, of Solva, and served in the Merchant Navy aboard the SS City of Ripon, a Hull registered vessel. Thomas was killed when City of Ripon was attacked by a German U-Boat and sunk on 11 November 1942, He was 29 yeasrs old, and is commemorated on Panel 30 of the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Clifford Benjamin Reynolds, Able Seaman, D/SSX 20595, Royal Navy. Clifford was born on 15 May 1920 in Solva, the son of Dai Reynolds of Solva and Martha (Jenkins) later of Roch. He was 22 years old when he married Winnefreda in January 1941, and enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1937. After several postings, Clifford joined the crew of HMS Prince of Wales in January 1941. Prince of Wales was one of the Royal Navy's most modern battleships, and on 25 October 1941 left the Clyde with HMS Repulse, bound for Singapore via the Cape of Good Hope, arriving on 2 December. On 10 December 1941, Prince of Wales and Repulse were attacked by Japanese aircraft in the Pacific, and having no air cover of their own, were sunk. Clifford survived the loss of his ship, and along with other survivors was taken to Singapore and assigned to HMS Sultan Naval Base. However, the Japanese invaded Singapore, and the garrison surrendered on 15 February 1942. On 16 February 1942 Clifford was listed as missing presumed killed during the evacuation of Singapore. He was 21 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

 

Ieuan Gwyn Thomas, Signalman, 191151, Royal Corps of Signals. Ieuan was the Son of Mr. And Mrs. W. W. Thomas, and the Husband of V. M. Thomas, Of Solva. He had served during the war with the Royal Corps of Signals, and died after the cessation of hostilities on 9 December 1945. Ieuan was 30 years old, and is buried at Felinganol Baptist Chapelyard.

Raymond Frank Vidler, Flying Officer, 54005, Royal Air Force. Raymond was the Son of Frank and Emily Vidler, and the husband of Beryl Mary Alice Vidler (nee George), of Solva. He served with 502 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a Coastal Command Squadron, equipped with the Halifax by January 1943. At 16.28 hours on 26 December 1944, Raymond's Halifax, serial JP302, took off on an anti submarine flight. In the early hours of the night, she was reported as being attacked by four night fighters over the Skagerrak. No trace of the aeroplane and its crew of eight has ever been found. Raymond was 23 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 209 of the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.