The village of St. Dogmaels sits on the southern bank of the River Teifi, a mile South of Cardigan, on the Northern Border of Pembrokeshire. The village is famous for it's Medieval Abbey, and for it's Maritime heritage. The War Memorial for the men of the village who lost their lives during both World Wars takes the form of a wooden plaque, which is inside the Memorial Hall.

Thanks is due to Gil Jones of Aberystwyth for his  donation of the newspaper clippings used below.

St. Dogmaels Roll of Honour

 

The Great War, 1914-1918

David Craig, Leading Seaman, 161407, Royal Navy. David was born at Glasgow on 24 May 1875. He married prior to the war, and lived with his wife at the Watch House, near the Ferry Inn at St. Dogmaels. David was a long serving Royal Naval rating, and at the outbreak of the Great War was serving aboard the Pembroke Dock built Scout Cruiser, HMS Amphion. On the morning of 6 August 1914, Amphion was returning from a search of the English Channel, when she struck a mine which had been laid the previous day. Amphion's bridge and foredeck were destroyed in the blast, and the engines were shut off, leaving her to helplessly drift into more mines, which blew her up with the loss of 150 of her crew, including David Craig. He is commemorated alongside his shipmates on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

David Francis Davies, 200028, Company Quartermaster Sergeant, Welsh Regiment. David was born at St. Dogmaels, the son of John and Margaret Anne Davies, of James's Terrace, St. Dogmaels. He worked and lived in Haverfordwest just prior to the outbreak of war, and was part of the Territorial Army. When War was declared in August, 1914, the Territorial's were called up, and David joined up with his Battalion, the 4th Welsh, at Carmarthen, with the Battalion forming part of the South Wales Brigade. On 17 April 1915 the Battalion was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and in July that year sailed with the Division to Alexandria, en route to Gallipoli. On 9 August 1915 the Division landed on Gallipoli, where they stayed until the middle of December, when after suffering severe losses, they were withdrawn to Egypt. In Egypt the Division guarded the Suez Canal, but were soon to move towards Palestine, successfully pushing back the armies of the Turkish Empire, who had defeated them at Gallipoli. In spring 1917 the Division attacked Gaza, and it was on the opening day of the Battle of Gaza that David was killed in Action aged 25, on 26 March, 1917. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on Panel 30 of the Jerusalem Memorial. David is not listed on the War Memorial at St. Dogmaels.

Evan Owen Davies, 30370, Corporal, Machine Gun Corps. Evan was born in Eglwyswrw, and enlisted at St. Dogmaels into the Middlesex Regiment, with the Army Number 156. He transferred into the 46th Company of the Machine Gun Corps, which was created by Royal Warrant, on 14 October, 1915. Evan's Company, the 46th, was attached to the 15th (Scottish) Division from 11 February 1916 onwards. The Division fought in the latter stages of the Somme Battles of 1916, and were in the middle of the Battle of Le Transloy when Evan was killed in Action, on 13 October 1916. His body was lost on the Somme Battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

Herbert Thomas Davies, J/28606, Ordinary Seaman, Royal Navy. 'Tom' was born in Pembroke in 1897, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Davies, later of Glanteifon Cottage, St. Dogmaels. Herbert served aboard the mighty Battleship, HMS Queen Mary which was launched in 1912, joining the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron of the Grand Fleet. At the outbreak of the Great War, the Queen Mary was in the North Sea, and took part in the successful Battle of Heligoland Bight on 28 August 1914. During the first two months of 1915 the Queen Mary undertook a refit at Portsmouth, before again rejoining the Grand Fleet. During May, 1916 the Grand Fleet faced what was to become their sternest test of the war. Information had been received that the mighty German High Seas Fleet were assembling, and on 30 May the Grand Fleet put to sea. During the following afternoon of 31 May 1916, the great fleets sighted each other, and began what was to be the greatest Naval Battle in History, with the Queen Mary in the thick of the action. After exchanging heavy salvoes with their German opponents, the Queen Mary suffered direct hits from the Seydlitz and Derfflinger, and blew up with the loss of 1,266 crew. Herbert was one of these poor souls to lose his life in the tumultuous explosion caused by the direct hits, and so he is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial in Devon. He was just 18 years old. Tom is listed as Army on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

John Davies, 10936, Corporal, Worcestershire Regiment. John was born in St. Dogmaels, the son of William and Mary Davies. The family moved prior to the outbreak of War, to 26, Bank St., West Bromwich. John enlisted at Birmingham into the 14th Worcester's, which were formed at Worcester on 10 September, 1915. The Battalion remained in the U.K. until landing in France on 21 June 1916, where they joined the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. John, along with his new Division, saw their first action on the Somme, during the Battle of the Ancre. After wintering on the Somme, the Division moved north to the Arras sector, taking part in the Battle of Arleux, alongside the Canadian Corps who took Vimy Ridge. Later that year they moved further north, to the Ypres sector, where they took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele, before moving south, where they fought at the Battle of Welsh Ridge, which was a part of the larger Battle of Cambrai. After wintering in the Cambrai sector, the 63rd Division was to face a stern test. The German Commander, General Ludendorff had decided to make a last ditch attack against the British lines on the old Somme Battlefield. The aim was to attempt to win the war before the rapidly expanding American forces could be used against them. On 21 March 1918, after a very heavy spell of gunfire on the British lines of the Fifth Army, the Germans attacked between Arras and St. Quentin. By noon that day, the situation was critical for the British. Their advance defensive positions had been captured and over-run, and the Fifth Army was in disarray. The 63rd Division at the time were stationed around Havrincourt Wood, and were caught up in the intense shelling of the area, and were forced to retreat, moving back to Ytres by 25 March. John was killed in Action on 25 March 1918 during this ferocious opening to the German Spring Offensive. His body was lost in the resulting mayhem, and so he is remembered on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial. He was 35 years old. John is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

John Sidney Davies, 53333, Private, Royal Fusiliers. John was born in St. Dogmaels, but at the outbreak of war is recorded as living in London. He enlisted in London into the Royal Fusiliers, originally with the service number 656, which later changed to 53333 on his posting to their 9th Battalion. The 9th Royal Fusiliers had formed at Hounslow in August 1914, becoming attached to 36 Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. The Division moved to France at the end of May 1915, concentrating around St. Omer. The Division took over the Ploegsteert sector on 23 June 1915, holding a line running south from Ploegsteert Wood to East of Armentieres. They remained here until 25 September, when they were relieved by the 1st Canadian Division, and moved to the Loos sector, taking part in the Battle of Loos. After a miserable time at Loos, they were relieved on 15 November, moving to reserve near Lillers. Their next spell in the trenches was around Givenchy, before moving back to Loos, before marching south to the Somme sector. After the terrible opening to the Battle of the Somme on 1 July 1916, the 12th Division moved into the line at Ovillers to reinforce the decimated 8th Division. After suffering terrible casualties themselves, the Division were withdrawn, before being brought back into the line near Pozieres. They again fought at Le Transloy, before moving north to Arras in early 1917. The Battle of Arras opened on 9 April 1917, and the Division took the village of Roeux, before taking part in the Battle of Arleux on 3 May. John was killed in Action on 3 May 1917. His body was lost on the Battlefield around Roeux, and so he is remembered on Bay 3 of the Arras Memorial.

T. W. Davies, Mercantile Marine. This man cannot be identified.

Thomas Davies, 8839DA, Deck Hand, Royal Naval Reserve. Thomas was born in St. Dogmaels, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Evan Davies, of St. Dogmaels. On the outbreak of War, the men of the Royal Naval Reserve were recalled to serve on re-commissioned ships. Thomas was posted aboard the transport ship HMS Sarnia, which was sent to the Mediterranean in early 1915 to act as a troopship for the Gallipoli landings. Disaster struck on 28 October 1915 at Mudros, when Sarnia was leaving Cape Helles, after landing troops on Gallipoli, when she struck the transport ship Hythe, creating a large gash inside the tightly crowded ship, which sank with 155 men aboard. The Sarnia survived with just the one casualty. The Sarnia served in the Mediterranean for the remainder of the war, but disaster struck again on 12 September 1918 when she was sunk by a torpedo from a German U-Boat. Thomas was drowned with the sinking of the ship, aged 28, and is remembered on Panel 29 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Thomas George Davies, Second Mate, Mercantile Marine. Thomas was born in St. Dogmaels, the son of Thomas and Jane Davies (nee Jones), later of 9, Great Western Crescent, Llanelly. Thomas served as Second Mate aboard the SS Dowlais, a 3,000 tonne defensively armed ship, based from Cardiff. On 3 December 1917 the Dowlais was off Cap de Fer when she was torpedoed without warning by a German Submarine, and sank with the loss of all hands. Thomas is remembered alongside his crewmates on the Tower Hill Memorial in London.

Thomas Hector Davies, Third Engineer, Mercantile Marine. Thomas was the Son of Thomas Davies, of River View, St. Dogmaels. He served as Third Engineer aboard the SS Marmion; a West Hartlepool registered Merchant Vessel. Marmion was sailing from Annaba, bound for Marseilles, with a cargo of emery iron on 26 August 1917 when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U38. Thomas went down with the ship that day. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, England.

William Dunstone, Gunner, 44120, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was born in St. Dogmaels, and enlisted at Tonypandy into the Royal Garrison Artillery, being posted to their 18th Howitzer Battery. Not much is known of William's service in the Great War, but he Died of Sickness on 20 September 1918 and is buried at St. Dogmaels (Blaenwaun) Chapelyard.

J. Evans, Army. This man cannot be identified positively, although a John Evans, of Cwm, St. Dogmaels served as Private, Number 202916, with the 1st Welsh and survived the war.

Thomas Evans, Seaman, 3646A, Royal Naval Reserve. Thomas was the Husband of Elizabeth Evans, of 7, David Street, St. Dogmaels. He served in the Royal Naval Reserve aboard HMS Majestic, a pre-dreadnought battleship. Thomas was called up from the Reserve to join the crew of the Majestic when she was re-commissioned for war in August 1914. After serving on the Dover Patrol, escorting troopships to France, Majestic was sent to the Mediterranean in February 1915, where she formed part of the Naval Task Force which had been sent there to attempt to force a passage through the Dardanelles. The attempt failed, and on 25 April 1915 British, French and Anzac troops landed on Gallipoli to attempt to capture the forts guarding the straits. On 27 May 1915, while stationed off W Beach at Cape Helles, Majestic became the third battleship to be torpedoed off the Gallipoli peninsula in two weeks, when at around 0645 hours, Commander Otto Hersing of the German submarine U-21 fired a single torpedo through the defensive screen of destroyers and anti-torpedo nets, striking Majestic and causing a huge explosion. The ship began to list to port and in nine minutes capsized, killing 49 men. Thomas was one of the dead. He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, England.

 

Samuel John Green, Captain, Mercantile Marine. Samuel was the Son of Samuel and Jane Green, Billingham, Stockton-on-Tees, and the husband of Emma Green, of Norwood, St. Dogmael's. He served in the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Ashby. Samuel was 45 years old when he died after Ashby was wrecked near Ushant on 15 February 1916. His body was washed ashore in France, and buried at Lampaul Churchyard, Ile D'Ouessant, France. Samuel is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

 

John Griffiths, Private, 302302, Manchester Regiment. John was the Son of Jacob and Mary Griffiths, of Cwm, St. Dogmaels, and the husband of Margaret Ann Griffiths, of Fairfield, St. Dogmaels. He attested at Cardiff into the Army, and was posted to the 2/8th Battalion, Manchester Regiment, which formed part of 199 Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancs.) Division. The Division concentrated on the Western Front by 16 March 1917 and moved to the Flanders Coast. At the end of September 1917 it moved to Ypres, and took part in the Battle of Poelcappelle. John was killed in action here on 9 October 1917. He was 39 years old, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

 

William David Harper, Second Engineer, Mercantile Marine. William was born at St. Dogmaels, the son of William Henry and Jane Harper, and the husband of Mary Anna Harper (nee Harries), of 3, Grange Town, Cardigan. William served during the Great War aboard the London based SS Cayo Bonito, a defensively armed merchant ship. On 11 October 1917, whilst 4 miles ENE from Savona, she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by a German submarine. Six lives were lost, one of these being William David Harper. He is remembered alongside his shipmates on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. William is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

E. Isaac, Mercantile Marine. This man cannot be identified.

Arthur James, Private, 29195, South Wales Borderers. Arthur was born in St. Dogmaels, the son of Thomas and Hannah James. The family later moved to Welsh Hook, near Wolfscastle. Arthur enlisted at Carmarthen into the 6th S.W.B., part of 76 Brigade, 25th Division. In February, 1915 the Battalion became the Pioneer Battalion to the Division, where it remained until 2 July 1918 when it was transferred to the 30th Division. The Battalion saw prolonged action during the Battle of the Somme in 1916, before moving north, fighting at the Battle of Messines before being moved again, fighting at the Battle of Pilckem. After the Passchendaele Offensive had drawn to a close, the Battalion moved south to Achiet-Le-Grand, wintering in the Bullecourt area until February, 1918. They were caught here in the great German Offensive, withdrawing back along the old 1916 Somme Battlefield. At the end of March, 1918 they entrained to Caestre, in French Flanders, before moving to Ploegsteert. Here they were again caught in the German Offensive, and fought gallantry whilst withdrawing westwards under heavy attacks. In May the Battalion moved south with the 25th Division to the Aisne sector, facing the German attacks along the Chemin des Dames Ridge. Casualties in the Division were terrible, and so it was broken up to provide reinforcements for other Divisions, the 6th S.W.B. moving to the 30th Division. From this time on, the war had changed momentum, and the Allies had gained the upper hand. The 30th Division moved to Flanders, and began the final great push which ultimately ended the War. Sometime in the terrible battles of 1918, Arthur was taken Prisoner by the Germans. He died of sickness aged just 20, on 15 October 1918 and is buried in Berlin South-Western Cemetery. Arthur is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

Benjamin O. James, Private, 33260, Welsh Regiment. Benjamin was born in St. Dogmaels, sometime moving to Caerau, Glamorgan, and enlisted at Maesteg into the 14th (Swansea City) Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division moved to France during the end of 1915, wintering around Armentieres before moving south, where they took part in the Battle of Mametz Wood during July, 1916. They suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the front line for almost a year, before being used in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, where they regained some of the pride that the Division had unfairly lost at Mametz. The Division were in the Armentieres sector when the German Spring Offensive was launched in 1918, and it was here that Benjamin was killed in Action, during a German artillery bombardment on 2 April 1918. He is buried at Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres.

David Thomas Emyr James, Lieutenant, Mercantile Marine. David was born at St. Dogmaels, the son of Captain David and Annie James of St. Dogmaels, and the husband of Annie James, of 12, Earlsfield Road, Sefton Park, London. David served aboard the White Star Liner, RMS Laurentic, which was requisitioned at the outbreak of war by the Admiralty, and converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser. On 25 January 1917 the Laurentic was on a course to New York, carrying a cargo of 35 tonnes of Gold Bullion, when she struck a mine off Lough Swilly on the northern coast of County Donegal. She sank with the loss of 350 crew, among them was David James. He was 31 years old, and is remembered on Panel 23 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

George James, Private, 27891, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. George was born in 1899 at Salford, Manchester, the Son of George James, of Moylgrove, and Mary Ann James, of Bala, Merioneth. His father had worked on the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, before moving the family back to Pembrokeshire, where they took up residence at Union Terrace, St. Dogmaels. George enlisted at St. Dogmaels into the army, and was posted to the 4th Reserve Training Battalion, at Kinmel Park, before being posted to the 1/4th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry. The battalion had spent two years in Singapore and Hong Kong at the outbreak of war, before being recalled to France, where it joined 190 Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, and fought during the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917. After a winter in Flanders, the 1/4th KSLI moved to 56 Brigade, 19th Division. In 1918 they were caught up in the German Spring Offensive near St. Quentin, where they suffered terrible casualties, and fought at the Battle of Bapaume. They moved to Ypres, but were caught up in the German attack at Messines, and at Bailleul, and Kemmel. After suffering terribly again, they moved south to the quieter French sector to rebuild, but were caught up in the German offensive on the Aisne, and fought during the Battle of the Selle, where the KSLI earned themselves the award of the French Croix-de-Guerre for its part in the action of Bligny Hill, where the Germans were stopped. George was killed at Bligny on 7 June 1918, aged just 19. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France. Many thanks to Geoff James for helping to identify George.

Benjamin David Jenkins, MM, Private, 31227, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Benjamin was born at Boncath, and later moved with his Mother, Mrs. Sarah Jenkins, to Jones Terrace, Pilot Street, St. Dogmaels. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Army Medical Corps, with the service number 58253, but at sometime transferred into the 1st R.W.F., part of 22 Brigade, 7th Division. The Division fought in Belgium and France from the outbreak of war, after being hurriedly shipped back from Garrison duties around the Empire. They became the first British troops to be stationed at Ypres, fighting at First Ypres, before moving south, fighting at Neuve Chappelle, Aubers, Festubert, Givenchy and Loos, before moving to take part in the Battle of the Somme. The Division took part in one of the few successful attacks on the opening of the Battle on 1 July 1916, by taking the Village of Mametz, and fought on the Somme throughout the following months. It was whilst on the Somme, during the terrible winter holding the lines near the Ancre, when Benjamin was killed in Action, aged 24, on 27 February 1917. His body was lost in the muddy Ancre Valley, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing. Benjamin was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery whilst in France, the details of his award are not known, but it hadn't long been instituted, so it's presumed that it was for Bravery during the Battle of the Somme.

David Lawrence Jenkins, Seaman, 3312/C, Royal Naval Reserve. David was born in St. Dogmaels, the son of Evan and Elizabeth A. Jenkins, and the husband of Mrs. M. Evans Jenkins later of 99, Tanygroes Street, Port Talbot. David served aboard the Diadem Class Cruiser, HMS Europa. The Europa was stationed in the Mediterranean during 1915, being used as an escort for the many transport ships moving to and from Gallipoli, when David took ill. David Died of Sickness at Gibraltar on 21 November 1915 aged 28, and is buried at Gibraltar (North Front) Cemetery.

Peter John, Private, 49052, King's Liverpool Regiment. Peter was born at St. Dogmaels, the son of Mrs. Ann John, of Penrhiw, St. Dogmaels. He moved to Narberth prior to the outbreak of war, and enlisted at Preston into the Royal Field Artillery, with the service number 136559. Peter then transferred into the 17th Battalion (Liverpool Pals), Kings Liverpool Regiment, which formed part of 89 Brigade, 30th Division. The Battalion was the first 'Pals' Battalion to be formed, by Lord Derby, on 29 August 1914 at Prescot. They moved to France during November, 1915, and took part in the opening part of the Battle of the Somme, capturing Montauban. They stayed on the Somme for the duration of the battle, and followed up the retreating Germans during the early part of WW1, back toward the Hindenburg Line, before taking part in the opening of the Battle of Arras, fighting around the Scarpe. Peter was killed in Action during the Battle of the Scarpe on 28 April 1917. He was 24 years old, and is buried in a joint grave in Cherisy Road East Cemetery, Heninel.

David Clifford Jones, Private, M2/180904, Army Service Corps. David was born at St. Dogmaels, and was the son of David William and Elizabeth Jane Jones, later of 92, Neath Road, Swansea.  He served in Mesopotamia with the 902nd M.T. Company, Army Service Corps. Very little is known about David, but he died of sickness in Mesopotamia on 18 July 1918 aged just 20, and is buried at Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

John Evan Jones, Private, 8760, Welsh Regiment. John was born in Pwllheli, but resided in St. Dogmaels immediately prior to the War. He enlisted at Maesteg into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division. This was one of the first Divisions to land in France, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and taking part in the successful fighting retreat through the Marne and the Aisne. John was wounded at this early stage in the war, and brought back to the Base Hospital at Boulogne. Sadly he Died of Wounds, aged 28, on 6 November 1914 and is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery.

Thomas Biddyr Jones, Master, Mercantile Marine. Thomas was born at St. Dogmaels in 1871, and served in the Mercantile Marine. Thomas had an interesting career, he was Master of the Penzance when it was involved in a collision in 1894, which resulted in his Certificate being suspended for 18 months. He was then aboard another vessel which was wrecked, and another which was stranded on Goodwins. Another vessel was stranded in the Black Sea, after she struck a rock and foundered. The loss was judged as not caused by wrongful act or default of the Master but grave error of judgement was committed in not attempting to beach vessel. Thomas was then aboard the SS Geraldine, which foundered on 5 February 1916. Nothing more is known of him, except that he died on 12 December 1918. Thomas is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

John Ladd, Private, 203599, Yorkshire Regiment. John was born at St. Dogmaels, and prior to the War resided in Glamorgan. He enlisted at Pentre, Glamorgan, into the 2/4th Battalion, the Yorkshire Regiment, which had been formed on 4 September 1914 for Home Service. On 1 March 1916 they were attached to 189 Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, and were transferred on 9 November 1916 to 220 Brigade, 73rd Division. The Division remained on Home Service, and John Died of Sickness at home on 16 April 1917 without having seen active service. He is buried at Rhondda (Treorchy) Cemetery. John is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

John Emrys Ladd, Private, 235040, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born at Moylegrove, the son of Charles and Hannah Ladd, of Trefaes, Moylegrove. He was the husband of Martha Ladd, of Danybryn, St. Dogmaels, and the couple had three children. John enlisted at Brecon into the South Wales Borderers, with the service number 3847, but later transferred into the 10th R.W.F., part of 76 Brigade, 25th Division. On 15 October 1915 they transferred with the Brigade into the 3rd Division, seeing action at Hooge and Bellewaarde, before moving south to take part in the Battle of the Somme, in July 1916. The Division fought through the Battle of the Somme, and captured Longueval, before moving north to Arras, where they played a big part in the Battle of Arras, capturing Roeux. John was wounded after the Battles of Arras, and sadly Died of Wounds aged just 23, on 15 June 1917. He is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun.


David Lloyd, Sapper, 3082428, Canadian Engineers. David was born on 5 August 1883, the son of Evan and Elizabeth Lloyd, of The Orchard, St. Dogmaels. He had emigrated to America, living at 55, Whitney Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts, when he enlisted into the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Montreal on 4 March 1918. The Battalion were attached to the 3rd Canadian Division, and upon David's arrival in France in mid 1918, the Canadians were pushing the Germans back to the Hindenburg Line. David was attached to 'D' Company of 7th Battalion, and on 31 October 1918 they were hard at work widening roads leading to the front near Bruay, when a German shell landed among the working party. David was killed along with an Officer of his Battalion in the explosion. He was 34 years old, and is buried in Auberchicourt British Cemetery.

Francis John Lloyd, Gunner, 161161, Royal Garrison Artillery. Francis was born in St. Dogmaels, later marrying and moving his wife Annie Lloyd, to "Glyn View," Dinas Cross. Francis enlisted at Llanelli into the Royal Artillery, becoming a Gunner in the 76th Siege Battery, R.G.A. Not much is known of Francis' service, but he was wounded during the latter stages of the war. He Died of Wounds aged 24 on 20 September 1918, during the 100 days offensive, and is buried at the Sunken Road Cemetery, Boisleux-St-Marc. Francis is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

Thomas Llewellyn McFadden, Second Mate, Mercantile Marine. Thomas was born at Mostyn, North Wales, the son of James and Mary Ann McFadden. The family then moved to St. Dogmaels, where Thomas was raised, before moving again to 40, Sandfield Row, Burry Port, after the death of Thomas' father. Thomas served as Second Mate aboard the SS Framfield, a London registered Merchant Vessel. Little is known about the ship, except that it struck a German mine and sank on 24 October 1916. Thomas went down with the ship. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

John Morgan Morris, Private, 2193, Australian Imperial Force. John was the son of John and Ann Morris, of Forest House, St. Dogmaels. He had emigrated to Australia, and enlisted at Newcastle, N.S.W. on 9 May 1916 into the 36th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. John embarked at Sydney aboard the HMAT Anchises, and disembarked at Devonport on 11 October that year. On 11 November 1916 his papers show that he marched to join the 3rd Australian Division, proceeding to France on 22 November. John was wounded at Ypres on 11 July 1917, and was brought to the 10th Australian Field Ambulance, where he died of Wounds that same day. He was 45 years old, and is buried in Kandahar Farm Cemetery near Ypres. Many thanks to Andrew Holmes for the photograph.


Thomas Owen, Private, 201699, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in St. Dogmaels. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 4th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, which was a Territorial Battalion, forming part of the South Wales Brigade. On 17 April 1915 the Battalion was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and was sent to Gallipoli, arriving there on 9 August 1915. They gave a good account of themselves on Gallipoli, but when the blizzard of November 1915 hit the Peninsula, the Battalion suffered terrible casualties, necessitating their having to merge temporarily with the 1/5th Welsh, forming the 4/5th Composite Battalion. The Division were evacuated soon after, arriving in Egypt on 23 December that year. For the next eight months the Division guarded the Suez Canal, before moving to Palestine, fighting in the Sinai Desert, and taking part in the First Battle of Gaza in 1917. Thomas was killed in Action during the First Battle of Gaza, on 26 March 1917, and is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial.

David Christmas Phillips, Private, 36961, Gloucester Regiment. David was the son of David and Rachael Phillips, of Fron Moylegrove, St. Dogmaels. He enlisted at Cardigan, eventually joining the 10th Battalion of the Gloucester Regiment. On 8 August 1915 the Battalion landed in France as part of the 26th Division, and just nine days later moved into 1 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division fought at the Battle of Loos, before moving to the Somme, fighting in most of the battles which made up the Somme Offensive of 1916. In 1917 they moved to Flanders, and fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele, where David was unfortunately killed in Action, on 30 September 1917 aged only 20. He is buried in Buffs Road Cemetery, near Ypres. David is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

Thomas James Phillips, Engine Room Artificer, M/132, Royal Navy. Thomas was born at St. Dogmaels, the son of John and Margretta Phillips, later of 54, Court Road, Barry Dock, Glamorgan. He served aboard the Battle Cruiser HMS Invincible, who was attached to the 1st Battle Squadron of the Home Fleet. The Invincible saw action at the Battle of Heligoland Bight, and at the Battle of the Falkland Islands, before taking part in the famous Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916. She took a direct hit from a salvo from the SMS Lutzow, blowing up with the loss of over 1,000 of her crew, including 24 year old Thomas James Phillips. He is remembered alongside his crewmates on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Thomas is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

H. Pope, Mercantile Marine. This man cannot be identified.

George Gordon Rees, Private, 2720, Welsh Guards. George was born at Penrhyn Mawr, Pembrokeshire, to Thomas and Elizabeth Rees, later of Cippin, St. Dogmaels. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, part of 3 Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Welsh Guards had been formed by Royal Warrant on 26 February 1915, and on 18 August 1915 moved to France. They were blooded at the Battle of Loos, and then fought on the Somme, during the Battles of Flers and of Morval. They wintered on the Somme, and it was here that George took ill. He was transferred to the Base Hospital at Wimereux, where he died on 23 February 1917 aged 29. He is buried in Wimereux Communal Cemetery.

Benjamin Richards, Private, 128854, Machine Gun Corps. Benjamin was the son of Mrs. Patsy Richards, of Union Terrace, St. Dogmaels. He enlisted at Treorchy into the Monmouth Regiment, with the service number 47085. In early 1916, Battalion Machine Gunners were transferred into newly formed Machine Gun Companies, and Benjamin joined the 59th Battalion, M.G.C., joining the 20th (Light) Division on 3 March 1916. The Division fought at the Battle of Mount Sorrel during June, 1916 alongside the Canadians, then were moved south to the Somme, fighting at Delville Wood, Guillemont, Flers, Morval and Le Transloy. They moved north to Ypres, taking part in several stages of the Battle of Passchendaele, and also fought at the Battle of Cambrai, and the 1918 Battles of St. Quentin, the Somme Crossings and Rosieres. Benjamin was taken Prisoner by the Germans at some stage in 1918, and Died in captivity on 3 July 1918. He is buried in Niederzwehren Cemetery.

William Lloyd Richards, Pioneer, 195930, Royal Engineers. William was the son of the Rev. David and Evangeline Richard. He lived at St. Dogmaels, and enlisted in Cardigan into the Royal Engineers. William was posted to No. 3 Special Company, which was a Gas Company, the Chemical Warfare experts of the time. The Great War was the first in which chemical weapons were deployed. There was great moral shock and outrage at the first use of Chlorine, released by the Germans against defenceless French troops in the Ypres Salient. The Special Companies of the Royal Engineers were formed to develop the British response. By 1918, gas was used both offensively and defensively, delivered by a range of sophisticated techniques. William was wounded before the end of the War, and Died of Wounds at home on 6 October 1919 aged 22. He is buried at Glanrhyd Calvinistic Methodist Chapelyard.

William Baxter Roberts, Driver, 701699, Royal Field Artillery. William was the Husband of M. L. Roberts, of Green Meadow, St. Dogmaels. He enlisted at Cardigan into the Army, and was posted to the Royal Field Artillery, joining their B Battery, 330th Brigade. The Battery was attached to the 66th Division from March 1917 to March 1918, and fought through the Battle of Poelcappelle. William was killed in action here on 31 July 1917. He was 33 years old, and is buried at Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium. William is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial, but at nearby Cardigan.

Alfred William Thomas, Second Engineer, Mercantile Marine. Alfred was born at St. Davids, and was the Husband of Hetty Isabella Thomas, of 2, Lloyd's Terrace, St. Dogmaels. He had been secretary at St. Mary's Church, Cardigan prior to the war, and joined the Mercantile Marine as an Engineer, serving aboard the SS Memnon, a Liverpool registered ship. The Memnon was a 3,203grt British Merchant steamer. On 12 March 1917 when twenty miles South-West from Portland Bill in the English Channel she was torpedoed without warning and sunk by German submarine UC-66. Six lives were lost, Alfred being one of them, after he had just gone below to the engine room to carry out some work, just before the torpedo struck. He was 39 years old, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Alfred was awarded a medal for gallantry at sea, for saving the life of a fellow crewman who fell overboard in shark infested waters while at sea in 1912.

David John Thomas, Private, 561, Australian Infantry. David was born at St. Dogmaels, the Son of Lewis and Elizabeth Thomas, later of Brynteg, Henllan. He had emigrated to Australia prior to the war along with his brother James Louis Thomas, and after the declaration of war, both brothers enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. David attested at Perth into the 44th Battalion, AIF, and embarked at Fremantle on 6 June 1916 aboard the HMAT Suevic, bound for England. David was then posted to his Battalion in France on 16 March 1917, after spending two months in hospital in England. The Battalion spent most of May 1917 training near Armentieres, and at the end of the month moved to Ploegsteert, where they took up billets in the catacombs, providing working parties within the wood. David was killed during his first day at Ploegsteert on 1 June 1917. He was 34 years old, and is buried at Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium. His Brother, James Louis Thomas, died the previous year. David is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

David Rees Thomas, Captain, Mercantile Marine. The only information that can be traced about David is that he died on 3 December 1917 aged 40. He is also commemorated on the War Memorial at nearby Cardigan.

James Louis Thomas, Private, 2936, Australian Infantry. James was born at St. Dogmaels, the Son of Lewis and Elizabeth Thomas, later of Brynteg, Henllan. He had emigrated to Australia along with his brother David prior to the war, and enlisted there at Blackboy Hill into the Australian Imperial Force. James was posted to the 48th Battalion, AIF, which was in France attached to the 12th Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division. On 5 October 1915 James embarked at Fremantle aboard the HMAT Hororata, and arrived at Ismailia on 8 January 1916. On 9 June 1916 the 48th Battalion landed at Marseilles, and moved to Bailleul. The Division moved to the Somme at the end of July 1916, and took up positions in Sausage Valley, while the 2nd Australian Division was fighting at Pozieres, and got ready to move into the line to replace them. James was killed just days after, when his battalion moved through the battered ruins of Pozieres, to attack the German positions near the Windmill on 6 August 1916. He was 33 years old, and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneaux Memorial, France. His brother David was killed at Ypres the following year. James is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

Benjamin Williams, Private, 200492, Welsh Regiment. Benjamin was the son of Benjamin and Margaret Williams, of "Rose Lynn," St. Dogmaels. He enlisted at Cardigan into the 15th (Carmarthenshire) Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division arrived in France at the end of 1915, moving to positions around Armentieres, and saw their first major engagement during the Battle of Mametz Wood, where the terrible casualties incurred by the Division during the Successful capture of the wood saw them moved out of action for almost twelve months. They next saw action at Ypres, and it was here, during the Battle of Pilckem, that Benjamin was Killed in Action on 26 July 1917 aged just 20. He is buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery. His brother David (see next entry below) had been Killed in Mesopotamia just six months previously.

David Williams, Private, 17277, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was born and resided in St. Dogmaels. He enlisted at Aberdare, into the 8th Battalion, R.W.F., part of 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. The Division concentrated at Blackdown, Hampshire during February, 1915, where they received orders to embark for the Mediterranean. During July 1915 the Division landed on Cape Helles, taking part in the Battles of Sari Bair, Russell's Top, Hill 60, and operations at Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Helles between 8 and 9 January 1916, and by the end of January were positioned along the Suez Canal defences. During February, the Division moved to Mesopotamia, where they unsuccessfully attempted to relieve the besieged town of Kut. After the attempt failed, Kut fell to the Turks, and the Division then reorganised, taking part in the later, more successful Second Battle of Kut al Amara, or the Advance on Baghdad, where David was killed in Action on 25 January 1917. He is remembered on the Basra Memorial. His brother Benjamin (see entry above) was Killed in France just six months later.

Herbert Williams, Sergeant, 13570, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Herbert was born at St. Dogmaels, the son of Mrs. Emily Williams, later of 104, College Street, Ammanford. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 9th R.W.F., part of 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The units of the Division assembled around Bulford during September, 1914, and crossed to France throughout July 1915. They saw action at the Battle of Loos, then moved to the Somme, where they took part in one of the few successes of the opening few days of the Battle, capturing La Boisselle. Herbert was Killed in Action at La Boisselle, on 3 July 1916 aged 30. His body was lost on the battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Herbert is not commemorated on the St. Dogmaels War Memorial.

J. Williams, Mercantile Marine. This man cannot be identified positively, but a John Ernest Williams, of Green Meadow, St. Dogmaels, served as Second Officer aboard the SS Denby Grange, which was wrecked after a collision on 24 October 1918. She was on a voyage from Newport to Spezia, carrying a cargo of coal.