Crymych War Memorial
The Great War, 1914-1918
A. Appleton. Cannot presently be identified.
John William Bellamy, Private, 116552, Machine Gun Corps. John was born in Lincolnshire, and resided at Boncath prior to the war. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the South Wales Borderers, with the Service Number 202014, but was later transferred into the 9th Company, Machine Gun Corps. The Company served with the 9th Brigade, 3rd Division. The Division had been in France since the outbreak of war, and by July, 1916 was on the Somme. Here they fought at the Battle of Albert, and at the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Longueval. They then took part in the Battle of Delville Wood, and the Battle of the Ancre, before settling into another bleak winter in France. In May, 1917 the Division were at Arras, and fought at the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe, and at the Battle of Arleux and the Third Battle of the Scarpe, where they captured Roeux. Again they moved, this time back to Ypres, where they fought in the Third Battle of Ypres, at the Battle of the Menin Road and the Battle of Polygon Wood. In November the Division moved south again, where they fought at the Battle of Cambrai, and they were in the area during March, 1918 when the German Spring Offensive swept through the British lines, at the Battle of St Quentin and the First Battle of Bapaume. They then fought at the First Battle of Arras, 1918 before being moved to Flanders to rebuild. However the Germans switched the focus of their offensive to Flanders and the Division were caught up in the worst of the fighting there, at the Battle of Estaires, and then at the Battle of Kemmel, which is where John was killed in action on the 25th April, 1918. John has no known grave, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Lawrence Robert Vaughan Colby, Major, Grenadier Guards. Lawrence was the Only Son of Mr John Vaughan Colby, of Ffynone, Pembrokeshire. Lawrence was a pre-war regular in the Army, and at the outbreak of war served as a Major with the 1st Battalion, Grenadier Guards, attached to the 20th Brigade, 7th Division. The Division was formed during September, 1914 and landed at Zeebrugge on the 6th October, 1914. The City was already falling however, and so the Division was moved to Ypres, where they became the first British Division to hold the city. They fought during the First Battle of Ypres, and helped stop the German advance through Belgium. Lawrence was sadly killed in action at Ypres on the 24th October, 1914. He was 34 years old, and has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Daniel Davies, Private, 204772, Kings Liverpool Regiment. Daniel was born at Llangolman, and resided at Cilgerran prior to the war. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Army and joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, with the Service Number 43014. Daniel then transferred into the 8th Battalion (Liverpool Irish), King’s Liverpool Regiment, which was attached to the 165th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) 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 the 25th 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 the 12th to the 17th September, and then the Division fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette and the Battle of Morval. Relieved by 41st Division on the 28th 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. At the end of July, 1917 the Division fought at the Battle of Pilckem, and this is where Daniel was killed on the 31st July, 1917. Daniel has no known grave, and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
David Evan Davies, Private, 56738, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Davies, of Tywyn, Bridell, Cardigan, and was the husband of E. Blodwen Davies, of Trebared Farm, Cardigan. He attended Rhoshill Council School prior to the war. David served with the 3/7th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was a Reserve Battalion. David then joined the 14th (Swansea) Battalion as reinforcement after the hammering they had suffered at Mametz Wood. The Battalion had moved to Ypres with the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, to rest and refit after their mauling in capturing Mametz Wood, and was positioned north of Ypres, along the Boesinghe section of the Canal. David was wounded here, and sadly died as a result on the 13th September, 1916. He was 28 years old and is buried at Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Evan Owen Davies, Corporal, 30370, Middlesex Regiment. 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 the 14th October, 1915. Evan’s Company, the 46th, were attached to the 15th (Scottish) Division from the 11th 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 the 13th October, 1916. His body was lost on the Somme Battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
John Davies, Private, 201439, Welsh Regiment. John was the Son of James Davies, of Frondeg, Glogue. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh regiment during August, 1914, and the Battalion later joined the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The 53rd Division moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July, 1915 arriving at Mudros by the 5th August, 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on the 9th August. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counter-attack during the Battle of Sari Bair, and then at the Attack on Scimitar Hill. The Division remained here throughout the coming months, and suffered severe losses in manpower strength during the great November 1915 blizzard on Gallipoli, when its total strength was reduced to less than that of a full-strength Brigade. On the 11th December, 1915 the Division was evacuated to Mudros, and by the 23rd December 1915 were moved to Egypt. They remained on the Suez Canal Defences for the next twelve months, and in early 1917 moved into Palestine, where they remained for the duration of the war, fighting at the Battles of Gaza, and successfully capturing Jerusalem. John was killed during the First Battle of Gaza, on the 26th March, 1917. He was just 21 years old. He has no known grave, and is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
John Morris Davies, Sapper, 452460, Royal Engineers. John was born at Cilgerran, and prior to the war lived at Monmouth. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to the Base Signal Depot. John served in East Africa with the East African Expeditionary Force, and he became ill there, and died on the 3rd January, 1918. John is buried at Dar Es Salaam War Cemetery, East Africa.
David Griffith Edwards, Lance Corporal, 39954, East Lancashire Regiment. David was born at Blaenffos, and enlisted at Cardigan into the Army Service Corps, with the Service Number T/4/145707. He later transferred into the 2/5th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, which was attached to the 126th Brigade, 42nd (East Lancs.) Division. On outbreak of war, the units of the Division were recalled from summer camp and billeted near to its headquarters. The men were invited to volunteer for Foreign Service in early August and the Division then moved to camps for training. The Division had sailed from Southampton in September, 1914 for Egypt, and fought a series of skirmishes against the Turks. On the 6th May, 1915 the Division landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they fought until evacuation in January, 1916. They then spent twelve months in Egypt again, and were moved to the Western Front in February, 1917, taking over the line near Epehy then Havrincourt. In September they moved north to Ypres, where they fought through Third Ypres, until moving to the Coast in September to refit. November, 1917 saw them moving to positions at Givenchy, where they remained until moving back south in early 1918. Here they faced the German Spring Offensive of the 21st March on the Somme, and fought in the Battle of Bapaume, and then at Arras. David was killed in action during the Battle of Bapaume on the 31st March, 1918. He has no known grave, and is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Vincent Edwards, Private, 202783, Welsh Regiment. Vincent was born at Llanglydwen, and resided at Boncath prior to the war. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division assembled around Bulford during September 1914. Divisional training was completed near Tidworth, from March 1915, and the Butterfly Division crossed to France between the 11th and the 21st July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos. 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 the 1st July, capturing the village at heavy cost, and fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. They then moved North to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcapelle and Passchendaele Village itself. They then spent the winter in positions south of Cambrai, which is where Vincent was sadly wounded. He died of his wounds on the 27th February, 1918 and is buried at Hermies Hill British Cemetery, France.
Arthur Owen Evans, Private, 6512, Australian Infantry. Arthur was born at Rhoshill, Pembrokeshire. He was the Son of John and Elizabeth Evans, and had attended Bridell Council School. Arthur had emigrated to Australia prior to the war, and he enlisted during July, 1916 at Victoria Barracks, New South Wales into the Australian Infantry. On the 7th October, 1916 Arthur embarked at Sydney aboard the S.S. Ceramic, bound for England, and he disembarked on the 21st November at Plymouth. After a period of training at Salisbury Plain, Arthur embarked at Folkestone on the 8th February, 1917, and on arrival in France joined the 13th Battalion, A.I.F., attached to the 4th Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division. The Division was still on the Somme, and followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line during March, 1917. On the 11th April, 1917 the Division fought here at the Battle of Bullecourt, before being moved north to positions south of Ypres. Here, they fought at the Battle of Messines. It was here that Arthur was killed on the 10th June, 1917. He was 27 years old, and has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Thomas Evans, Corporal, 432900, Canadian Infantry. Thomas was born on the 18th November, 1877 the Son of John and Mary Evans, of Tegryn. He had lived in London before the war, where he was a Policeman with the Metropolitan Police. Thomas emigrated to Canada prior to the war, and enlisted there at Edson on the 21st January, 1915 into the Canadian Infantry. Thomas sailed for England where he joined the 49th Battalion (Edmonton), which was attached to the 7th Canadian Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. The Division formed in France during December, 1915. They moved to positions south of Ypres, and fought there in June, 1916 at Mount Sorrel. They then moved south, taking up positions on the Somme during September, 1916 and they fought there at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, at Thiepval, Le Transloy and on the Ancre. In April the Division fought during the Arras Offensive, at the Battle of Vimy Ridge, then during the Third Battle of the Scarpe and the Battle of Hill 70 near Loos, before moving back to Ypres. They fought here during Third Ypres, at the Second Battle of Passchendaele, where they successfully managed to capture Passchendaele Village. Thomas was killed in action here on the 30th October, 1917 aged 40. He is buried at Passchendaele New British Cemetery, Belgium.
Emrys George, Greaser, 912812, Mercantile Marine Reserve. Emrys was the Son of Frank and Martha George, of Pantyderi Mill, Blaenffos. He served in the Mercantile Marine, aboard the H.M.S. 'Derwent'. HMS Derwent was a River class destroyer which served with the Royal Navy. She was built by Hawthorn Leslie and launched in 1904. She was 200 feet long and her Yarrow boilers produced 7,000 H.P. and a top speed of 26 knots. She was fitted with sponsons, rather than turbines, and was originally armed with one twelve pounder but was upgraded to four such guns, and two torpedo tubes. Derwent served in home waters during the Great War and was sunk by a mine of Le Havre on the 2nd May, 1917. Emrys was drowned with the sinking of the ship that day. He was just 18 years old, and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
William Evan George, Private, 200653, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of Evan Griffith and Margaret George, of Maencoch, Blaenffos. He enlisted at Cardigan into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which formed during August, 1914 at Carmarthen. The Battalion became attached to the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The 53rd Division moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July, 1915 arriving at Mudros by the 5th August, 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on the 9th August. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counter-attack during the Battle of Sari Bair, and then at the Attack on Scimitar Hill. The Division remained here throughout the coming months, and suffered severe losses in manpower strength during the great November 1915 blizzard on Gallipoli, when its total strength was reduced to less than that of a full-strength Brigade. On the 11th December, 1915 the Division was evacuated to Mudros, and by the 23rd December 1915 were moved to Egypt. They remained on the Suez Canal Defences for the next twelve months, and in early 1917 moved into Palestine, where they remained for the duration of the war, fighting at the Battles of Gaza, and successfully capturing Jerusalem. William was killed during the First Battle of Gaza, on the 26th March, 1917. He was just 21 years old, and is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Haydn Griffiths, Private, 9845, Royal Fusiliers. Haydn was born at Llanfyrnach, and enlisted at Merthyr into the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. The Battalion was attached to the 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. The Division landed at Boulogne on the 31st May 1915, and took over the line at Ploegsteert Wood. They then moved south and fought in the Battle of Loos, and the subsequent actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and remained there until March 1916. By June they were in position at the Somme, and attacked Ovillers on the 2nd July. They then fought at Pozieres, which is where Haydn was killed in action on the 3rd August, 1916. Haydn has no known grave, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
John Griffiths, Private, 302302, Manchester Regiment. John was born at Eglwyswrw, the son of Jacob & Mary Griffiths, latterly of Cwm, St. Dogmaels. He was the husband of Margaret Ann Griffiths, of Fairfield, St. Dogmaels. John enlisted at Cardiff into the 2/8th Battalion, the Manchester Regiment, part of the 199th Brigade, 66th Division. The Division concentrated on the Western Front by 16th March, 1917, moving to the Ypres sector. It was the opening day of the Battle of Poelcapelle, where John was killed in Action, aged 39. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial. (On Memorial as C. Griffiths).
John Sidney James Havard, Private, 202031, South Lancashire Regiment. John was the Son of David and Phoebe Havard, of College Green, Crymych. He enlisted at Crymych into the 2/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, which was attached to the 172nd Brigade, 57th (2nd West Lancs.) Division. The Division moved to France between 7th and 22nd February 1917, and moved to positions near Ypres, where they took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they took part in the 1918 Battle of the Scarpe, and at the Battle of Drocourt-Queant. John was wounded around this time, and evacuated, via the network of Casualty Clearing Stations, and via the Hospitals in France back to England for treatment. Sadly John died at home of his wounds on the 28th October, 1918. He was 25 years old and is buried at Bwlchygroes Calvinistic Methodist Chapelyard.
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, R.M.S. Laurentic, which was requisitioned at the outbreak of war by the Admiralty, and converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser. On the 25th 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.
David James, M.M., Lance Corporal, 613, Welsh Guards. David was the Son of David and Ann James, of 6, Glogue Terrace, Glogue. He enlisted at Pentre into the Welsh Guards, and joined the 1st Battalion, attached to the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. This Division has the distinction of being formed in France in August 1915. The various Guards units that had been with other Divisions were withdrawn to be brought together to create this fine formation. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on the 25th 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. David won his Military Medal for Bravery in the Field during the action at the Somme, but was sadly killed in action there on the 16th September, 1916. David was 23 years old, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Joshua Clement James, Private, 202507, Welsh Regiment. Joshua was born at Eglwyswrw, the son of S. D. & R. W. James, of Frochest Farm, enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was a Territorial Battalion, thus showing that Joshua was probably a pre-war Territorial. The Battalion formed part of the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and they were shipped to Alexandria in July 1915, then onto Gallipoli, where they landed on the 9th August. They suffered heavy casualties at Gallipoli, necessitating the Battalion to merge with the 1/5th Welsh to form the 4/5th Composite Battalion. After the evacuation of Gallipoli, the Division moved to Palestine, and sometime around the end of 1915/ beginning of 1916, Joshua was sent home via Hospital Ship, seriously ill. He Died on the 23rd February, 1917, aged 29, and was buried in Eglwyswrw (St. Cristiolus) Churchyard.
Peter William James, Driver, 42313, Royal Field Artillery. Peter was the Son of William and Phoebe James, of Llanllyn, Hebron, and enlisted at Tonypandy into the 147th Brigade Ammunition Column, part of the 29th Division. The Division initially sailed for Gallipoli, landing on the 25th April, 1915 with the first wave. They remained on the peninsula until evacuating on the 2nd January, 1916, but in the meantime, Peter was wounded, and shipped to the Military Hospital at Port Said. Peter Died of Wounds on the 2nd July, 1915 aged 28, and is buried at Port Said War Memorial Cemetery.
Benjamin David Jenkins, M.M., Private, 31227, 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Benjamin was born at Boncath, and later moved with his Mother, Mrs. Sarah Jenkins, to Jones Terrace, Pilot St., 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 the 22nd Brigade, 7th Division. The 7th 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 the 1st July, 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 the 27th 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, but the details of his award are not known.
William Jenkins, Pioneer, 226584, Royal Engineers. William was born at Crymych, and prior to the war lived in the Rhondda Valley. He returned back to West Wales to enlist at Carmarthen, where he joined the 333rd Company, R.T.D., Royal Engineers. William probably served at Home, as this is where he died of sickness on the 23rd July, 1917. He is buried at Crymych (Antioch) Congregational Chapelyard.
John Alfred Johnson, Private, 41567, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. John was the Son of John and Ruth N. Johnson, of Tynewydd, Star, Llanfyrnach. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 1/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, which was attached to the 170th Brigade, 57th (2nd West Lancs.) Division. The Division moved to France between 7th and 22nd February 1917, and moved to positions near Ypres, where they took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 they took part in the 1918 Battle of the Scarpe, and at the Battle of Drocourt-Queant. They fought on the Hindenburg Line during the Battle of the Canal du Nord, and it was during the advance to the Hindenburg Line and the Canal Du Nord that John was killed, on the 30th August, 1918. He was only 20 years old. John has no known grave, and is remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France.
David Thomas Jones, Private, 1111, East Surrey Regiment. David was the Son of John Jones, of Hendy Farm, Blaenffos. He had married prior to the war, and was the Husband of Ann George (Formerly Jones), of Church Cottage, Tonmawr, Pontrhydyfen, Glamorgan. David enlisted at Neath into the Army and was posted to the 7th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, which was attached to the 37th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. The Division landed at Boulogne on the 31st May 1915, and took over the line at Ploegsteert Wood. They then moved south and fought in the Battle of Loos, and the subsequent actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and remained there until March 1916. David was wounded whilst in the line north of Loos, and was evacuated to the Military Hospital at Bethune for treatment. Sadly he died of his wounds here on the 22nd February, 1916. David was 37 years old, and is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, France.
William Mathias Jones, Gunner, 118779, Royal Field Artillery. William was the Son of Levi Thomas Jones and Anne Jones, of Nantgwyn, Blaenffos. He enlisted in the Village into the Army, and joined the Royal Field Artillery. William was posted to 'C' Battery, 108th Brigade, which served on the Western Front. The Brigade was at Ypres during 1917, taking part in the Battle of Third Ypres, when William was killed in action on the 1st August, 1917. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery, Belgium.
Thomas Richard Lewis, Private, 37060, East Yorkshire Regiment. Thomas was the Son of Jonathan and Martha Lewis, of Winilan, Boncath. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Pembroke Yeomanry, with the Service Number 5189. The Pembroke Yeomanry formed at Tenby during August, 1914 as part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade, 1st Mounted Division. In 1916 they were sent to Egypt and guarded the Suez Canal Defences, but early in 1917 were disbanded, with the Battalion merging with the Glamorgan Yeomanry to form the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Surplus men were posted to other Battalions, and so Thomas joined the 1st Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, attached to the 64th Brigade, 21st Division. In 1917 the Division was moved to Ypres, and took part in the Battle of Polygon Wood, the Battle of Broodseinde and the Second Battle of Passchendaele, before moving again, and taking part in the Battle of Cambrai. In 1918 the Division was still in the St. Quentin area when the German Offensive hit, and they took part in the Battle of St Quentin, before retreating back, and fighting at the First Battle of Bapaume. After suffering heavy casualties the Division was moved to Flanders to rest, but in April, 1918 the Germans launched an offensive on the Lys. The Division was hit here, and fought at the Battle of Messines, 1918, and then the Second Battle of Kemmel. The Division was one of several that by now had become seriously weakened, and it was moved to a quiet French Sector near Soissons to rest. However, the Germans launched an offensive here, and the Division saw action again, during the Battle of the Aisne. In August, 1918 the British launched a series of offensives on the Somme, which were to ultimately lead to victory. The Division moved north, and took part in the Battle of Albert on the 21st August, 1918, which marked the start of the advance to victory. They then pushed east, and saw action at the Battle of Bapaume, the Battle of Epehy, and the Battle of the St Quentin Canal, which saw the mighty Hindenburg Line broken. Thomas was killed in action here on the 27th September, 1918. He was 27 years old, and is buried at Glageon Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Walter Charles Little, Private, 320352, Welsh Regiment. Walter was the Son of Mrs. M. A. Hume, of 3, Badeley Square, New Street, Chelmsford. He lived in West Wales prior to the war, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry, with the Service Number 4688. The Pembroke Yeomanry formed at Tenby during August, 1914 as part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade, 1st Mounted Division. In 1916 they were sent to Egypt and guarded the Suez Canal Defences, but early in 1917 were disbanded, with the Battalion merging with the Glamorgan Yeomanry to form the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, attached to the 231st Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division had formed in Egypt in January, 1917 and had fought through the Palestinian Campaign, at the Battles of Gaza and the Battle and capture of Jerusalem. Due to the terrible casualties suffered by the British on the Western Front in March and April, 1918 the Division was recalled to the Western Front, and arrived at Marseilles during May, 1918. They then fought at the Second Battle of Bapaume during the great offensive, and fought in Flanders before returning to the Somme and fighting at the Battle of Epehy, as part of the offensive towards the Hindenburg Line. Walter was wounded here, and evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station at Doingt, where he sadly died of his wounds on the 21st September, 1918. He is buried at Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
John Herbert Lloyd, Private, 38519, Gloucestershire Regiment. John was born at Eglwyswrw, the son of David & Elizabeth Lloyd, of Rofftcharles. He enlisted at Carmarthen, originally serving with the South Wales Borderers, but was transferred to the 8th Battalion, the Gloucestershire Regiment, which formed part of the 57th Brigade of the 19th (Western) Division. The 19th Division fought at Loos and the Somme, and then moved to Flanders, where they fought in the Battle of Passchendaele. It was on the opening day of the Battle of the Menin Road that John was Killed in Action, aged just 19. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
G. MacElroy. Cannot presently be identified, but there is a P. Macelroy on the War Memorial at Marros, near Pendine, who also cannot be identified. He could be the same man.
Idris Mathias, Rifleman, R/37992, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. Idris was born at Eglwyswrw, and enlisted at Cardiff into the 13th Battalion, King’s Royal Rifle Corps. The Battalion formed part of the 111th Brigade, 37th Division. The Division concentrated in France between July and August 1915, and fought throughout the Battles of the Somme and the Battle of Arras, before moving to Flanders to take part in the Passchendaele Offensive. During the Battle of Polygon Wood, Idris was Killed in Action, on the 29th September, 1917. He is another whose body was lost, and so is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres.
James Mathias, Sapper, 151206, Royal Engineers. James was born in Eglwyswrw and enlisted at Ammanford into the Welsh Regiment. He must have been a miner at Ammanford, as he was transferred into the 255th Tunnelling Company, Royal Engineers. The war on the Western Front had bogged down by November 1914, and both sides faced the need to break through the enemy's defensive trenches. It was not long before an ancient art was remembered and used most effectively: mining under the enemy lines, placing explosives and blowing them up. This was the role of the various Tunnelling Companies, and it is at Ypres where James put his experience to good use. The 255th Company were used at Vimy, to dig the Grange Subway, and constructing underground water reservoirs near Souchez. They were moved to Givenchy in late 1917, and then in April 1918 were in Flanders when the great German Offensive began in March, 1918. They were urgently sent to help consolidate Front Line trenches to try and stem the German advances, and it was during this maelstrom that James was mortally wounded. He died in the Hospital at Lijssenthoek, West of Ypres, on the 31st May, 1918 and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, in Grave XXVIII. F. 4A. Not on Memorial.
Thomas Morgan, Lance Corporal, 8933, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in Egremont, the Son of David and Charlotte Morgan, later of Crick, Rugby. He enlisted at Llandeilo into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, which was one of the first British Divisions in France, fighting at the opening Battle of Mons, and retreating south to the Marne, where they held the German Advance, and caused them many casualties. The Germans withdrew northwards across the Aisne to regroup, and the Allies cautiously followed, taking part in the Battle of the Aisne. Thomas was Killed in Action on the Aisne on the 14th September, 1914 aged 26, and is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Joarre Memorial.
Haydn Gwion Morris, Sapper, 155380, Royal Engineers. Haydn was born at Llanglydwen, the Son of William and Sarah Morris, of Bridge Hill, Hebron. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to their ‘P’ Special Company, a Chemical Warfare Company. The Germans had introduced the use of chemical warfare at Ypres, attacking French Colonial positions near Langemarck on the 22nd April, 1915. Outraged, and after several more similar attacks, the British formed their own Gas Companies, and developed gases and the means of delivering them. The Special Companies were developed to handle and fire the 4 inch Stokes Mortar Gas Shells, which were normally used prior to an infantry attack. Haydn was Killed in Action during the Third Battle of the Scarpe, on the 6th May, 1917 aged 23, and is buried at Beaulencourt British Cemetery, Ligny-Thilloy.
Reginald T. Morshead, Driver, 4165, Royal Field Artillery. Reginald was born at Devonport, and was the Husband of Charlotte Morshead, of Star Cottage, Llanfyrnach. He enlisted at Pentre into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to the Western Front with "A" Battery, 52nd Brigade, attached to the 9th (Scottish) Division. During the summer of 1915 the Division moved to France, and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos. They then took part in the Battle of the Somme, fighting at the opening Battle of Albert, and then at the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Longueval. They then fought at the Battle of Delville Wood, and the Battle of Le Transloy, and in April, 1917 were at Arras, where they fought at the First Battle of the Scarpe and the Third Battle of the Scarpe. Reginald was killed at Arras on the 12th April, 1917. He was 35 years old, and is buried at St. Nicholas British Cemetery, France.
David Morris Owen, Private, 202676, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Clydey, Llanfyrnach and enlisted at Llanelli into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion was attached to the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division assembled around Bulford during September 1914. Divisional training was completed near Tidworth, from March 1915, and the Butterfly Division crossed to France between the 11th and the 21st July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos. 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 the 1st July, capturing the village at heavy cost, and fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. They then moved North to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcapelle and Passchendaele Village itself. The Division was moved south to the Arras area over the winter of 1917/1918. David took ill here and sadly died on the 4th March, 1918. He is buried at Rocquigny-Equancourt Road British Cemetery, Manancourt, France.
Griffith Phillips, Private, 56891, Welsh Regiment. Griffith was born in Eglwyswrw, the son of Mrs. Ellen Phillips, of Pantycelyn. He enlisted at Neath into the Pembroke Yeomanry, but was later transferred into the 13th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of the 114th Brigade of the 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division landed in France in December, 1915, and were blooded at the Battle of Mametz, where they suffered so badly that they were not used again for a year. They then took part in the Passchendaele Offensives, at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and at Langemarck. They were in the French Flanders sector at the end of 1917, and it was during a tour in the front line near Fleurbaix that Griffith was Killed in Action, on the 1st January, 1918. He is buried in Rue-Petillon Military Cemetery, in Grave I. P. 82. He was aged 37.
Haydn Phillips, Private, 29933, South Wales Borderers. Haydn was born in Eglwyswrw, and enlisted at Porth, into the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who formed part of the 87th Brigade of the 29th Division. The Battalion fought at Tsingtao, China, before being brought back to Gallipoli, landing at Cape Helles on the 25th April, 1915. They made a name for themselves at Gallipoli, before being brought back to France, landing at Marseilles on the 29th March, 1916. They fought on the Somme, Passchendaele and Cambrai, but at some time during the fighting in France, Haydn took ill, and was shipped back to Hospital in the UK. He died of sickness on the 18th March, 1918, and is buried in Pontyglazier (Bethabara) Baptist Chapelyard.
Evan Rees, Private, 73644, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Evan was the Son of David and Sarah Rees, of Giblin Cenarth, Ponteuney, Newcastle Emlyn. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division crossed to France between the 11th and the 21st July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos. 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 the 1st July, capturing the village at heavy cost, and fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. They then moved North to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcapelle and Passchendaele Village itself, before moving to the Somme area to rest and rebuild. Evan was killed in action on the Somme on the 4th January, 1918, aged 23. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.
Oliver Rees, Private, 32954, Welsh Regiment. Oliver was born in Eglwyswrw, and enlisted at Bridgend into the 9th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, part of the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division landed in France throughout July, 1915, where it remained throughout the War. It was during the Divisions first major engagement, at the Battle of Loos, that Oliver was Killed in Action on the 25th September, 1915. He is remembered on the Loos Memorial, on Panel 78.
Benjamin Samson, Lance Corporal, 4118, Australian Imperial Force. Benjamin was born at Henllan Amgoed, the Son of David Samson, of Trefedw, Hebron. Benjamin and his brother David (See below) emigrated to Australia, where they found work as miners at Collie. Ben attested on the 11th May, 1916 into the Australian Imperial Force at Belmont, Western Australia. On the 5th September, 1916 Ben was assigned to the 10th Reinforcements to the 32nd Battalion, and embarked at Fremantle aboard H.M.A.T. Port Melbourne, bound for the U.K. on the 28th October that year. On the 1st March, 1917 Ben arrived at Etaples from England, and joined his Battalion on the 6th March. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 9th April, and the Battalion, as part of the 8th Brigade, 2nd Australian Division, moved to Flanders, where they fought at the Battles of Third Ypres. It was during the Battle of Polygon Wood that Ben was Killed in Action on the 30th September, 1917 aged 32. A German aeroplane had come down near the Australian lines, and German Artillery was trying to break it up with shellfire, when a shell landed in a dugout occupied by Ben. He was buried at the spot by some of his ‘mates’, and his body was later reinterred at Tyne Cot Military Cemetery.
David Samson, Private, 3548, Australian Imperial Force. David was the brother of Benjamin (see above), and enlisted at Blackboy, Western Australia, into the Australian Imperial Force on the 23rd July, 1915. David embarked as part of the 11th Reinforcements of the 16th Battalion at Adelaide on the 27th October, 1915 aboard H.M.A.T. Benalla, and arrived in Egypt by February, 1916. He had several spells of sickness in Egypt, requiring Hospital treatment, but was fit enough by June 1916 to embark aboard the H.S. Arngow and travel to England. He embarked to France in September 1916 after a spell at Larkhill Camp, and joined the 16th Battalion in the field on the 1st October, 1916, missing the fighting at Pozieres, and spent the winter of 1916/1917 entrenched near Flers on the Somme. David was Killed in Action near Flers on the 11th April, 1917 aged 24. His body was lost on the battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Villers Brettoneux Memorial.
Benjamin Taylor, Sapper, 107552, Royal Engineers. Benjamin was born at Manorbier, and resided at Boncath prior to the war. He enlisted at Fishguard into the Royal Engineers, and served on the Western Front with the 7th Field Company, attached to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. The Division moved to France 16th April 1915, and served with distinction on the Western Front throughout the war. The Division moved to Ypres, where they took part in the Second Battle of Ypres from April to June, 1915. During the summer of 1916 the Division were on the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy. After spending a winter on the Somme, they moved north to Arras, where they took part in the Arras Offensive of April, 1917, and fought at the First Battle of the Scarpe, capturing the Wancourt Ridge. They then fought at the Second Battle of the Scarpe, before being sent north again to Ypres. Here they fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele, and remained here for the winter. During March, 1918 they were stationed near St. Quentin, and were hit here by the German Spring Offensive of the 21st March, 1918 during the Battle of St Quentin. They took part in a gallant rearguard action during the Actions at the Somme Crossings, and then at the Battle of Rosieres. After suffering terrible casualties, the Division moved north to Flanders to rest and rebuild, but in April the Germans launched an attack in Flanders, around the Lys, and the Division took part in the Battle of Estaires, and the Battle of Hazebrouck. Following a most trying time on the Somme and Lys battlefields, the Division was withdrawn and sent to IX Corps, then on the Aisne, believed to be a much quieter area. This was unfortunately not the case, as the Division was hit hard by a surprise enemy attack, and fought at the Battle of the Aisne, 1918. Benjamin was taken Prisoner by the Germans at some stage early in 1918, and he died as a Prisoner of War on the 9th October, 1918. He is buried at Niederzwehren Cemetery, Germany.
David Thomas, Private, 5166, Lancashire Fusiliers. David was the Son of Enoch and Rachel Thomas, of Castell Clydey, Llanfyrnach. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Army, and was posted to the 2/8th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, attached to the 197th Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancs.) Division. This 2nd-Line Territorial Division was formed in war time, following the authorisation of the raising of 2nd-Line units on 31st August 1914. Men were enlisted for the reserve units of the 1st-Line (East Lancashire Division, eventually redesignated the 42nd) from September 1914 onwards. Men of the 1st-Line who did not undertake the imperial service obligation were transferred to these reserves. The reserve units were formed up into a 2nd-Line Division, initially called the 2nd East Lancashire, from early 1915. Early clothing and equipment for these units was haphazard; many had to train in civilian clothes, and it was only from very late 1915 that proper equipment was received. In particular, training of this Division was slowed by a continual drain of men for drafts to replace casualties incurred by the 1st-Line Division on Gallipoli. David sadly died of malaria on the 3rd September, 1916. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Bwlchygroes Calvinistic Methodist Chapelyard.
D. Thomas. Cannot presently be identified.
Simon Thomas, Sapper, 82332, Royal Engineers. Simon was born at Meline, Eglwyswrw, and enlisted at Neath into the Royal Engineers. He was posted to the 124th Field Company, attached to the 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. This was a known as the ‘Nursery Sector’, which was a quieter sector of the Western Front, used for blooding new troops into trench warfare. Although quieter, it was far from safe, and Simon was killed in action here on the 3rd April, 1916. He has no known grave, and is remembered on the Loos Memorial, France.
Thomas Walter Thomas, Lance Corporal, 28552, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Thomas was the Son of T. and Hannah Thomas, of Pencnwcmawr, Eglwyswrw. He enlisted at Leamington into the Welsh Regiment, with the Regimental Number 39547. Thomas later transferred into the 7th Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, attached to the 49th Brigade, 16th (Irish) Division. During December, 1915 the Division moved to France and concentrated in the Bethune area. They were still in the area when Thomas was killed on the 27th April, 1916. He was 23 years old, and has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Loos Memorial, France.
William Thomas, Private, 48948, Royal Army Medical Corps. William was the Son of David and Margaret Thomas of Cilgerran, and the Husband of Daisy Victoria Thomas, of Narberth. He worked as a Schoolmaster at Llanddewi prior to the war, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Army Medical Corps. William was attached to 'F' Company, which was based at Redan Hill, Aldershot during the beginning of the war. It is not known if William saw service in France, but he died of sickness at home on the 22nd March, 1916 aged 27, and is buried at Narberth Cemetery.
Richard Gomer Tudor, Sergeant, 18258, South Wales Borderers. Richard was the Son of Martha and the late Samuel Tudor, of Hebron, and he enlisted at Newport into the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The Battalion was formed at Brecon in September, 1914 and attached to the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division assembled around Bulford during September 1914. Divisional training was completed near Tidworth, from March 1915, and the Butterfly Division crossed to France between the 11th and the 21st July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos. 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 the 1st July, capturing the village at heavy cost, and fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. Richard was wounded on the Ancre, and died as a result on the 18th November, 1916. He was 23 years old. His grave was lost during further fighting in the area, and so Richard is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Sidney David Watkins, Private, 74251, Kings Liverpool Regiment. Sidney was the Son of David and Jane Watkins, of Penraltyfelyn, Cilgerran. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Army, and was posted to the 19th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment, which formed at Liverpool in August, 1914. On the 30th April, 1915 the Battalion was attached to 89th Brigade, 30th Division. The Division moved to France in November 1915, and took part in its first major action during the Somme Offensive, at the Battle of Albert, where they captured Montauban. They then fought during the latter stages of the offensive, during the Battle of Le Transloy, before wintering on the Somme. In March, 1917 the Division followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and in April took part in the First Battle of the Scarpe, and then at the later Second Battle of the Scarpe. Later that year they were moved north to Ypres, and fought at the Battle of Pilckem. Sidney must have been wounded in France, and was medically downgraded and attached to the 84th Company, Labour Corps, with his Service Number changing to 50245. Sidney was wounded whilst at Cambrai during early January, 1918 and was evacuated to a Hospital near Boulogne where he died of wounds on the 18th January, 1918. Sidney was just 19 years old, and is buried at Wimereux Communal Cemetery, France.
Bryn Gwynne Williams, Private, 67515, Cheshire Regiment. Bryn was the Son of John and Mary Williams, of Eglwyswrw. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Army and joined the 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was attached to the 56th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division assembled around Bulford during September 1914. Divisional training was completed near Tidworth, from March 1915, and the Butterfly Division crossed to France between the 11th and the 21st July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos. 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 the 1st July, capturing the village at heavy cost, and fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. They then moved North to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcapelle and Passchendaele Village itself. 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. Bryn by now had become dangerously ill, and had been evacuated to the Base Hospital at Etaples for treatment. He sadly died there on the 23rd April, 1918 aged only 18, and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France.
David Thomas Wooldridge, Guardsman, 24726, Grenadier Guards. David was born at Manordery, Pembrokeshire, and he enlisted at Cardigan into the Grenadier Guards. David was posted to the 3rd Battalion, which was attached to the 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. This Division has the distinction of being formed in France in August 1915. The various Guards units that had been with other Divisions were withdrawn to be brought together to create this fine formation. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on the 25th 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. They remained here for the winter, and in March, 1917 took part in the advance caused by the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Later that year they moved north to Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of the Pilckem Ridge. David was killed in action here on the 31st July, 1917. He has no known grave, and is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
