Templeton village lies just over a mile south of Narberth, and is a long, straggling village, thought to be named after the Knights Templar’s. The village is home to a disused Second World War airfield, which was a satellite base for RAF Haverfordwest (Please see the Pembrokeshire RAF Bases page for more details). The War Memorials to the men of the area who fell during both World Wars take the form of two separate tablets, mounted inside Molleston Baptist Chapel, the Great War Plaque containing also the names of 69 men who served and survived. Many thanks are due to the Templeton Historical Society for sending the photographs in via Les Nixon.

Templeton War Memorial

The Great War, 1914-1918

James Arthur, Private, 18428, Welsh Regiment. James was born at Martletwy in 1875, and married Eliza Jane Williams in 1901. The couple lived at Llangwm Ferry Cottages in Coedcanlas, where their daughter Sarah Jane was born. James enlisted at Pontycymmer at the outbreak of war into the 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion was raised from Rhondda men, and was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and landed in France in December 1915. The Welsh Division moved to the line at Fleurbaix in the coming days, where they were initiated into trench warfare, and remained here until moving south to the Somme valley in June 1916. The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July 1916, and the Welsh were given the task of clearing Mametz Wood, a strongly held, and easily defended German stronghold. An attack was made on 7 July, but was repulsed at heavy cost, and after some changes to the original plans, elements of 114 Brigade attacked the wood on 10 July. James was killed during this second attempt to capture the wood, on 10 July 1916. He was 40 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France, on pier and face 7A and 10A. Not on Memorial.

 

 

Mansel Bowen, Private, 307166, Lancashire Fusiliers. Mansel was the Son of Richard and Mary Bowen, of Big House, Cold Blow, Narberth, and he enlisted at Narberth into the 2/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, who were attached to the 197th Brigade, 66th Division. The Division landed at Le Havre on the 28th February, 1917 and moved to the Flanders Coast. At the end of September they moved south and fought at Third Ypres, during the Battle of Poelcappelle, where Mansel was Killed in Action on the 9th October, 1917 aged 37. His body was lost on the battlefields, and so he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

 

John James Brown, Private, 20552, Welsh Regiment. John was born at Minwere, and enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, the Carmarthen Pals. The Battalion formed at Rhyl at the end of 1914, and in the summer of 1915 moved to Morn Hill Camp, Winchester, as part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. In December 1915 the Division moved to France, taking up positions in the 'Nursery Sector' near Fleurbaix. In June 1916 the Division marched south to the Somme, where they went into action on 7 July 1916, in an attempt to capture Mametz Wood. The first attack was beaten off with heavy casualties to the Welsh, and on 10 July they renewed their assault. The 15th Welsh moved in to the wood on 11 July, and were caught in a maelstrom of machine gun and sniper fire. John was killed in the wood that day. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, pier and face 7A and 10A. Not on Memorial.

 

George Elwyn Davies, Private, 282284, Lancashire Fusiliers. George was the Son of William and Elizabeth Davies, of Brynmor, Templeton. He enlisted at Narberth into the 2/7th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, which formed part of 197 Brigade, 66th Division. The Battalion landed at Havre on 28 February 1917, and the Division moved North of Ypres by 26 June 1917, in preparation for an attack on the Flanders Coast. Due to the disastrous occurrences at Third Ypres, the operation was cancelled, and the Division moved to Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of Poelcapelle. George was wounded at Poelcapelle, and brought back to the Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings, where he sadly died of Wounds on 11 November 1917 aged just 22. He is buried there at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, in Grave Ref. XXII. HH. 19. The photo of George is courtesy of Narberth Museum.

 

 

 

John Davies, Private, 54297, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born at Templeton, and was called up for military service in 1916, joining a training battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was then posted to their 9th Battalion, which was in France attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division had been in France since July 1915, and had fought at the Battle of Loos and on the Somme before John joined their ranks. By the summer of 1917 it had moved to positions south of Ypres, at Messines, where it took part in the great Battle of Messines, which was launched by the blowing of 19 huge underground mines on 7 June 1917. John was killed that same day, during the initial advance. He is buried at Wytschaete Military Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. IV. C. 14.

Benjamin Albert Evans, Private, 307167, Lancashire Fusiliers. Benjamin was the Son of Price Evans, of 40, Mackworth Street, Bridgend, Glamorgan. He had served on the Western Front with the 2/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, which were attached to 197 Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancs) Division. At some time, Benjamin was wounded, and returned to Britain for treatment. He was then medically downgraded, and posted to the 533rd Agricultural Company, Labour Corps, with his service number changing to 67103. Benjamin died as a result of injuries from the war on 7 February 1919. He is buried at Molleston Baptist Chapelyard, Templeton. Photograph courtesy of Les Nixon.

 

Frank Jenkins, Private, 4/66821, South Wales Borderers. Frank was the Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jenkins, of Curley Wells, Martletwy. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Army, and was posted to the 52nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was a Home Service or training battalion, attached to the 67th Division. Frank became ill and died on 12 November 1918, just a day after the Armistice. He was 18 years old, and is buried at Martletwy (Horeb) Congregational Chapelyard. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph. Not on Memorial.

 

Benjamin Davies John, MID, Private, 2153, Australian Infantry. Benjamin had been born in Amroth in September 1888, and was the Son of Mrs. Caroline John, later of Martletwy House, Templeton. He had emigrated to Australia with his sister some years prior to the war where he worked as a Farm Hand. Benjamin had then served for four years with the 25th Australian Light Horse, before transferring to the 11th Battalion, Australian Infantry. The battalion formed part of 3 (Australian) Brigade, 1st Australian Division, and on 25 April 1915 had landed at Anzac Cove, Gallipoli, where it was to remain for the next seven months. Benjamin landed on Gallipoli as part of a batch of the 6th reinforcements to his battalion on 7 June 1915, and soon got noticed for his bravery, being recommended for the Distinguished Conduct Medal within weeks of landing, although this was later downgraded to a Mention in Despatches. Sadly though, Benjamin was killed during the initial phase of the famous Battle of Lone Pine, on 6 August 1915. He was 26 years old, and was buried by Padre T. G. Robinson in Shell Green Cemetery, Gallipoli, where he still lies today, in Grave Ref. II. I. 20. Two of his cousins were noted as also serving, Private A. John (who died), and Corporal J. John. Not on Memorial.

Ronald Hastings Lascelles, DSO, MID, Lieutenant-Colonel, Royal Horse Artillery. Ronald was the only son of A. H. Lascelles of Narberth and of Mrs. Lascelles of North Cheriton, Templeton. He had served in the South African War, and at the outbreak of WW1 was serving with the Royal Horse Artillery, which had the purpose of providing light artillery support for the Cavalry Divisions on the Western Front. Not much is known of Ronald's service, but he Died of Pneumonia on 16 February 1919 aged 38, and is buried at Charlton Cemetery, Greenwich, in Grave Ref. 1. C. N. 15. Not on Memorial.

William Thomas Herbert Lewis, Private, 48989, Royal Army Medical Corps. William was born at Narberth, and resided at Templeton prior to the outbreak of war. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Army, and was posted to the 13th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. The 13th F.A. was attached to the 5th Division, which had been in France since 15 August 1914, and had fought at the Battle of Mons, and during the retreat south, fighting at Le Cateau, then down to the Marne where the German attack was halted. They took part in the advance to the Aisne, before moving to Flanders, where they fought at the Battle of La Bassée, then at Messines in October, 1914. They fought here through First Ypres, and took part in the capture of Hill 60, and then fought at Second Ypres in April 1915. 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 fighting at High Wood, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. William was killed during the later stage of the Somme offensive, on 3 September 1916, and is buried at Hamel Military Cemetery, Beaumont Hamel, France, in Grave Ref. I. F. 29.

 

 

Owen James Morris, Private, 325683, Queen's Own Worcestershire Hussars (Worcester Yeomanry). Owen was the Son of Joseph and Ann Morris, of Mounton, Templeton. He lived at Birmingham prior to the outbreak of war, and enlisted there into the Worcester Yeomanry. The unit formed for war on 4 August 1914, as part of the 1st South Midland Mounted Brigade. On 11 April 1915 they sailed from Avonmouth, arriving at Alexandria on 22 April 1915, before moving to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. During November 1915 the 1/1st Worcester Yeomanry returned to Egypt, where the 2nd Mounted Division which it was attached to was broken up and the brigade became the 5th Mounted Brigade. In February 1917 the brigade moved to the Imperial Mounted Division, and took pat in the advance into Palestine. Owen became ill during the offensive, and died on 14 May 1917, aged 32. He is buried at Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Israel, in Grave Ref. C. 69.

Sidney Vaughan Thomas, Private, 48409, South Wales Borderers. Sidney was born at Ludchurch, the Son of Margaret Thomas, later of 5, Wells Road Terrace, Narberth. He enlisted at Swansea into the army, and was posted to the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who were Pioneers to the 25th Division.The Division had fought at the Battles of Arras, Messines and Passchendaele in 1917. November saw them move south again, where they took part in the Battle of Cambrai. They remained in the area over the final winter of the war, and were stationed near Gouzeaucourt when the German Spring Offensive hit the area on 21 March, 1918, at the Battle of St Quentin. Sidney was killed that first morning of the offensive. He was just 19 years old, and is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial, France.

 

Gwyn Williams, Private, 21110, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. Gwyn was born at Llanfihangel, and resided at Templeton before the outbreak of war. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Army, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Dublin Fusiliers, which was attached to 48 Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. During December, 1915 the Division moved to France and concentrated in the Bethune area. They saw their first major action during the Somme Offensive, at the Battle of Guillemont, and also fought at the Battle of Ginchy. By May, 1917 the Division had moved to positions south of Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of Messines, and then moved north, fighting at the Battle of Langemarck, before returning to Arras. Gwyn was killed in action at Arras on 7 October 1917. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France, on Bay 9.

 

World War Two, 1939-1945

William Alfred Cyril Davies, Pilot Officer (Air Gunner), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. David was the Son of David Howard Davies and Minnie Davies, Of Templeton, Narberth. He served with 630 Squadron, RAF, which was a heavy bomber squadron, equipped with the Avro Lancaster, based at East Kirkby, Lincolnshire. William was probably killed while his Lancaster was returning from a mission to bomb a synthetic oil plant in Germany on the night of 21/22 August 1944. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Templeton (St. John) Churchyard. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph.

 

Ernest Ivor Hughes, Serjeant, 915869, Royal Artillery. Ernest was the Son Of John And Sarah Rebecca Hughes, Of Narberth. He served with 102 (The Pembroke Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, which landed at Algiers in February 1943 as part of the 1st Army. After the fall of Tunis they converted to a medium artillery regiment and landed in Italy with the 8th Army, in December 1943. Ernest was killed soon after, on 22 January 1944. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Minturno War Cemetery, Italy, in Grave Ref. II, F, 13.

 

Desmond Charles James Calcutt John, Guardsman, 2735127, Welsh Guards. Desmond was the Son of Harry and Veneda Rachiel John, Of Tenby, and was a regular soldier, serving with the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards at the outbreak of war. The Welsh Guards moved to France as part of the BEF, and took up positions in the city of Arras on 17 May 1940. In May 1940, the Germans launched their Blitzkrieg into France, and Arras was bombed heavily on 19 May, with heavy fighting following. On 24 May the Welsh Guards were ordered to withdraw, and began a fighting retreat towards Dunkirk. Desmond was killed during a brief, but fierce, rearguard action at West Cappel on 29 May 1940. The German advance was delayed, but at a heavy cost to the Welsh Guards. Desmond was 20 years old, and is buried at West Cappel Churchyard, Belgium. He is also commemorated on the Tenby War Memorial.

 

Oliver Maurice Lewis, Serjeant, 3959510, Pioneer Corps. Oliver was the Son of John T. Lewis and Lilian Lewis, Of Templeton, Narberth, and served with the Pioneer Corps. Little else is known, but Oliver died on 5 January 1943, aged 29, and is buried at Templeton Congregational Chapel Cemetery. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph.

 

John E Mason. Cannot be positively identified, as there were six men of the same name who fell.

 

John Emmanuel McCarthy, Sergeant (Air Gunner), 1836186, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the Son of Patrick and Mary McCarthy, and the Husband of Gladys Elizabeth McCarthy, of Narberth. He served with 460 (Royal Australian Air Force) Squadron, RAF, which was a heavy bomber squadron, equipped with the Avro Lancaster, which flew from RAF Breighton. John served as Air Gunner on the crew of Flight Sergeant G. A. Grant, and on the night of 20 February 1944, the crew of eight flew as part of a massive raid on Stuttgart. On their return the following morning of 21 February 1944, the Lancaster crashed with the loss of all eight of her crew. John was 24 years old, and was brought home for burial at Templeton Congregational Chapel Cemetery. He had flown 15 combat missions by the time of his death. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph.

 

Thomas Melgwyn Neale, Fusilier, 4208890, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Thomas was the son Of Edwin And Mary Neale, of Redberth, Pembrokeshire, and the husband Of Annie Mary E. Neale, of Narberth. He served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, which was part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division that landed on Normandy at the end of June, 1944. Thomas was killed during the fighting in the Bocage on 17 July 1944. He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial, France, and also on the Carew War Memorial. Photograph courtesy of the Pembrokeshire ATC Cadets.

 

Richard Benjamin Thomas, Marine, PO/X 108788, Royal Marines. Richard served with the Royal Marines, and after the Normandy Landings of 6 June 1944, was serving with 27th Battalion, RM. The battalion took part in the drive through Holland in 1944, and then into Germany, where Richard was killed, just six days before the surrender of Germany, on 29 April 1945. He is buried at Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany, in Grave Ref. 7. G. 11.