Carmarthen (St. Peters Church) War Memorial
Thomas Bona, Private, 38147, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in Carmarthen, and enlisted in the town into the Welsh Regiment, joining the 9th Battalion, 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 on the 25th September, 1915 and it was on this first charge that Thomas was killed. His body was never identified after the battle, and so Thomas is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.
George Harold Chadwick, Private, 38660, Royal West Kent Regiment. George was the son of Thomas James and Hannah Chadwick of Manchester. He had moved to Carmarthen prior to the war, and had married Mary Elizabeth Jones, of 24, Woods Row, setting up home at 6, Parade Road, Carmarthen, where the Mary gave birth to the couple’s two children. George found work as a chauffeur with Mr. Bradbury Jones of the West Wales Garage, and worked in that capacity for three years before joining the Army Service Corps in 1917, serving as a Driver. In March 1918 the Germans launched a massive offensive on the Somme, and George was transferred to the infantry, who had suffered terrible losses in the opening weeks of the German attack. George joined the 8th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, attached to the 72nd Brigade, 24th Division. The Division was north of St. Quentin over the winter of 1917/18, and were here when the Germans launched their Offensive on the 21st March, 1918, fighting a famous defence of the village of Le Verguier. They then fought a brave rearguard action at the Somme Crossings, and then at the Battle of Rosieres and the Battle of the Avre, before being moved to Flanders. Here the Division saw heavy fighting at the First Battle of Kemmel, before moving south again, where they fought at the Battle of Cambrai, part of the Battle of the Hindenburg Line. After the German defences had been breached, the Division pushed on, taking part in the Pursuit to the Selle, which is where George was killed. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Aix-Noulette Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Thomas George Daniel, Leading Seaman, R/3441, Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Thomas was born on the 17th November, 1889, the son of Mrs. Sarah Daniel, of "Gwynondale," Barn Road, Carmarthen. He originally enlisted into the Pembroke Yeomanry, but subsequently transferred into the Hawke Battalion of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Division had fought at Antwerp and Gallipoli, and moved to France between the 12th and 23rd May, 1916 taking up positions on the Somme. They played a major role in the Battle and the resulting Operations of the Ancre. In April, 1917 the Division were at Arras, and fought at the Second Battle of the Scarpe, where they captured Gavrelle. They then fought at the Battle of Arleux, before moving north to Ypres, where they took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Their next major action was at Cambrai, during the Action of Welch Ridge, and they were still in the area when the Germans launched their Spring Offensive, and fought at the Battle of St Quentin, and then the First Battle of Bapaume. In August, the Division took part in the Battle of Albert, which marked the beginning of the great offensive which was to end the war. They then fought at the Battle of Drocourt-Queant, the Battle of the Canal du Nord and the Battle of Cambrai, which is where Thomas was killed on the 8th October, 1918. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Anneux British Cemetery, France.
David Davies, Private, 22652, Wiltshire Regiment. David was the son of Ann Davies, of 40, Francis Terrace, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Swindon into the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment, which was attached to the 7th Brigade, 25th Division. The Division landed in France on the 26th September, 1915, and were posted to the Vimy area, where they defended Vimy Ridge against a German attack in May 1916. They then moved to the Warloy area and attacked on the 3rd July near Thiepval. They remained in the line over the coming days, and David was wounded there, being evacuated to the Base Hospital at Boulogne, where he died of his wounds on the 11th July, 1916, aged just 20. David is buried there, at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.
J. G. Davies, Corporal 1/4th Welsh. At present this man cannot be identified positively, as no Corporal of that name died with the 4th Welsh.
John Henry Davies, Acting Corporal, 16493, Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. John was the son of John and Ann Davies, of Quay Street, Carmarthen. He must have been working in Yorkshire prior to the war, as he enlisted at Doncaster into the 9th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, which formed part of the 64th Brigade, 21st Division. The Division crossed to France between the 2nd and 13th September, 1915, and its first experience of battle was truly appalling. Having been in France for only a few days, lengthy forced marches brought it into the reserve for the British assault at Loos. GHQ planning left it too far behind to be a useful reinforcement on the first day, but it was sent into action on 26th September, whereupon it suffered over 3,800 casualties for very little gain. They remained in the Loos sector over the coming winter, and were still there in the spring of 1916 when John was wounded. He died as a result of his wounds on the 30th April, 1916 and is buried at Bois Guillaume Communal Cemetery, France. John was 32 years old.
Thomas Evan Davies, Private, 200636, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Husband of Margaret Davies of 98, Lammas Street, Carmarthen. He had originally served with the 4th Welsh in Gallipoli and during their campaign in Palestine in 1917/1918 when they fought successfully as part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division, and at the end of the war he remained in the Middle East, transferring to the 802nd Area Employment Company, Labour Corps. From there, Thomas attended the Navy and Army Canteen Board, which was the entertainment branch of the army, and died in Egypt of sickness on the 11th August, 1919. Thomas was 39 years old, and is buried at Haifa War Cemetery, Egypt.
Thomas Ernald Davies, Corporal, 203565, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born at Carmarthen, and resided at Penygroes prior to the war, returning to Carmarthen to join the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion formed part of the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, and had 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, Poelcappelle 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. 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, where Thomas was killed on the 2nd June, 1918. He has no known grave, and so is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, France.
William Howard Davies, Private, 116422, Machine Gun Corps. William was born in Llanelli, and resided in Carmarthen prior to the war. He originally served with the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, but transferred into the Machine Gun Corps, serving with their 21st Company, attached to the 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. At the beginning of 1918 the Division were stationed near St. Quentin, and when the Germans launched their Offensive here on the 21st March, the Division took part in the Battle of St Quentin, but were pushed back, fighting at the Actions at the Somme Crossings, and the Battle of Rosieres. They were then pulled from the line to rest and rebuild, and moved to Flanders, but were caught up in the action again here when the Germans launched a fresh offensive along the Lys, fighting at the First and Second Battles of Kemmel. William must have been taken prisoner by the Germans during this time, and he died as a Prisoner of War in Germany on the 15th October, 1918. He is buried at Cologne Southern Cemetery.
William Joseph Davies, Gunner, 150471, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was born in Carmarthen, and enlisted there into the 294th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. The Battery was in positions at Ypres during the Battle of Passchendaele in 1917 when William was killed by German counter battery shellfire on the 7th October, 1917. He is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Ernest Malcolm Duckfield, Company Quarter Master Sergeant, 21, Royal Engineers. Ernest was born in Carmarthen, the son of Alfred and Martha Duckfield, of 31, Spilman Street, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen with his brother William into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers, attached to the 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. Ernest was killed during the chaotic fighting that reigned during those terrible days, on the 20th August, 1915. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Hill 10 Cemetery, Gallipoli.
David Elias, Private, 54127, Welsh Regiment. David was the son of John and Sarah Elias, of 1, Towy Side, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment, and was posted to their 18th Battalion (2nd Glamorgan), attached to the 119th Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. This Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. Weeding out of very under-sized or unfit men delayed the training programme, and it was not until late spring 1916 that the Division was ready to proceed on active service. The Division moved to France between the 1st and 9th June, and moved to the front near Loos. Late in 1916 they moved south to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of the Ancre, and remained in the area over the winter. In March, 1917 the Germans withdrew to their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division were one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. David was killed in action during the German retreat on the 21st April, 1917. He was 20 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial as his grave could not be located after the war.
Frederick Elias, Lance Corporal, 201346, Welsh Regiment. Frederick was born in Carmarthen, and he enlisted there into the Welsh Regiment, joining the 1/4th Battalion, which was 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. Frederick was fatally wounded during the Divisions move into Palestine, and died on the 9th March, 1916. He is now buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.
William James Cadwallader Evans, M.I.D., Sergeant, 448309, Royal Engineers. William was the Son of Thomas and Mary Jane Evans, of 18, Mansel Street, Carmarthen. He served with the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, and had been Mentioned in Despatches during the war. William died in Egypt on the 15th November, 1918 aged 31, and is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in Grave Ref. E. 180. William is also remembered on the Christ Church, Carmarthen Memorial.
Thomas W. Foxwell, Trooper, 2238, Pembroke Yeomanry. Thomas was the son of Mrs. Emily Foxwell, of 7, Tanerdy, Carmarthen. He had enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/1st Battalion, Pembroke Yeomanry, which was attached to the 1st Mounted Division, Western Frontier Force. The Force had originally moved to the Mediterranean to join the Gallipoli force, but the evacuation of Gallipoli had been decided by the time they arrived, and so they remained in Egypt over the coming months. Thomas died of sickness in Cairo on the 26th December, 1916 aged 27, and is buried there, at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
Gilbert James St. Clair Harries, Second Lieutenant, Durham Light Infantry. Gilbert was the son of Albert Harries of Carmarthen, and gained a commission into the Durham Light Infantry. He was posted to the 10th Battalion, attached to the 43rd Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. The Division was to see its first action during the Action of Hooge, where the Division were the first to be attacked by the German use of flamethrowers. They then fought at the Second attack on Bellewaarde. In July, 1916 they moved to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of Delville Wood, and then the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and in March, 1917 followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. May saw them at Arras, where they took part in the First Battle of the Scarpe, and later at the Third Battle of the Scarpe, and then they were sent to Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of Langemarck, successfully capturing the village before handing it on to the 38th Division. They then took part in the Second Attack on Bellewaarde, which is where Gilbert was killed in action on the 24th August, 1917. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He was 24 years old.
Robert Hugh Harris, Second Lieutenant, West Riding Regiment. Robert was the son of Edward Charles & Emily Charlotte Harris, of Bryn Towy. He was commissioned into the West Riding Regiment, and was posted to their 8th Battalion, attached to the 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. On the 1st July, 1915 the Division sailed from Liverpool, landing at Alexandria, before moving on to Mudros, completing concentration by the 28th July, 1915. They landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli on the 7th August, 1915 and remained there until the evacuation on the 21st December, 1915, when they moved to Egypt. During July 1916 the Division landed at Marseilles, and then spent remainder of the war on the Western Front, fighting at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette during the Somme Offensive, and it was around this time that Robert was killed, on the 28th September, 1916. He was 39 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, as his grave could not be identified after the war.
Thomas W. Hinton, Sapper, 448314, Royal Engineers. Thomas was the Son of Tom and Harriet Mary Hinton, of Ewelme, Oxon, and the Husband of Mary Elizabeth Hinton, of 34, St. David's Street, Carmarthen. He had enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Field Company, and had served with them at Gallipoli before transferring into the 46th H.A.G. Brigade, Signal Sub-Section of the Royal Engineers, and moved to the Western Front. Thomas was wounded during the Kaiserschlacht; The Battle of Hazebrouck on the 16th April, 1918 aged 28, and is buried at Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, France.
Lewis Hughes, Private, 808644, Canadian Infantry. Lewis was born on the 29th October, 1890 at Carmarthen, the son of William Lewis Hughes and Clementine Letitia Hughes, later of Enmore, Cirencester, Gloucester. Lewis had emigrated to Canada to work as a farmer, but felt the draw to enlist in the army too strong, so on the 18th February, 1916 he joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force at Calgary. Lewis was posted to the 31st Battalion (Alberta) upon his arrival in France, which was part of the 6th Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. Lewis would have fought at the famous Battle of Vimy Ridge in April, 1917 and moved north with the Division to Ypres, where they took part in the Second Battle of Passchendaele, successfully capturing the village. He was killed at Passchendaele on the 6th November, 1917 aged 34, and is buried at Passchendaele New British Cemetery, Belgium.
David George Jones, Private, 970, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of George and Sophia Jones, of 4, Shaws Lane, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion moved to France at the outbreak of war, attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, and had fought at the Battle of Mons, and took part in the retreat to the Marne, where the Germans were stopped. They then fought at the Aisne, and at Chivy. David was killed in action at Chivy, during the same action that saw William Fuller of the 2nd Welsh win the first Welsh V.C. of the war, on the 26th September, 1914. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. His brother John Daniel Jones also fell. David is also commemorated on the Christ Church War Memorial at Carmarthen.
Edward Owen Jones, Lance Corporal, 2471, Royal Gloucester Hussars. Edward was the son of Mr. R.O. Jones, of Oak House, Carmarthen. He had studied at Carmarthen Grammar School and at the School of Art, gaining a post later as Art Master at Sir Thomas Richards School in Gloucester. In September, 1914 Edward volunteered into the Royal Gloucester Hussars, which moved to Gallipoli in mid July, 1915 attached to the Imperial Mounted Division. After two months at Suvla, they were evacuated to Egypt, and took part in operations against the Sultan of Darfur, which saw Edward being killed during a battle against Turkish troops on the 23rd April, 1916. Edward was 29 years old, and like so many men who died during the fighting in the Middle East during the Great War, his grave could not be located, and so he is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Frederick Walwyn Jones, Gunner, 696305, Royal Field Artillery. Frederick was born in Carmarthen, and enlisted at Finchley in Middlesex into the Royal Field Artillery. He was posted to ‘A’ Battery, 298th Brigade, who were attached to the 58th (2/1st London) Division. The Division moved to France between 20th January and 8th February 1917, and followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March. They then took part in the Flanking Operations Round Bullecourt. Later that year they moved north to Ypres, and took part in the Battle of the Menin Road, the Battle of Polygon Wood and the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Frederick was killed in action at this time, on the 29th November, 1917. He is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.
John Daniel Jones, Private, 1210, Welsh Regiment. John was the Son of George and Sophia Jones, of 4, Shaws Lane, Carmarthen, and the brother of David (above). He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who were stationed in India at the outbreak of war. They were rushed back to the UK, where they joined the 84th Brigade, 28th Division and landed at Havre on the 18th January, 1915. They moved into positions near Ypres, where they took part in the Second Battle of Ypres, and remained here during the following months, defending the Salient against further German attacks. John was killed in action at Ypres on the 5th September, 1915. He was only 18 years old, and is buried at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. John is also commemorated on the Christ Church Memorial at Carmarthen. His brother David George Jones also fell.
John Ernest Jones, Lance Corporal, 39780, Welsh Regiment. John was born in Carmarthen and enlisted there into the Welsh Regiment, being posted to their 8th Battalion (Pioneers), attached to the 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. On the 7th June, 1915 orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. On the 13th June, 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By the 4th July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between the 6th and 16th July, 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles and relieved the 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th August, 1915, taking part in the Battles of Sari Bair, Russell's Top, and Hill 60, ANZAC. Soon afterwards the Division was transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay, and it was evacuated from Suvla on the 19th December 1915, whereupon the infantry moved after a weeks rest to the Helles bridgehead, where they faced the last Turkish attacks at Helles. On the 8th January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Helles, and by the 31st January was concentrated at Port Said, where they held forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th February, 1916 the Division began to move to Mesopotamia, to strengthen the force being assembled for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. By the 27th March, the Division had assembled near Sheikh Saad and came under orders of the Tigris Corps, and then took part in the attempts to relieve Kut. However, after these efforts failed and Kut fell, the British force in the theatre was built up and reorganised. The Division then fought at the Battle of Kut al Amara, then at the capture of the Hai Salient and the capture of Dahra Bend. They took part in the passage of the Diyala; in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad, and part of the Division were the first British troops to enter Baghdad. During the rest of March and April 1917, operations were undertaken to consolidate the position won at Baghdad, by pushing north across Iraq, and the Division fought at Delli Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossed the Adhaim, and fought at Shatt al Adhaim. John was one of the many men of the Division who fell ill during the epic advance through the desert, and he died as a result on the 3rd July, 1916. He is buried at Amara War Cemetery, Egypt.
Brighty T Lewis, Private, 201128, Welsh Regiment. Brighty was the Son of David Lewis, of Carmarthen, and the Husband of Florence Lewis, of 47, Mill Street, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment, and joined the local 1/4th Battalion, 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. Brighty served throughout the war, and returned home safely, but like many other men of the Division was sadly to suffer from illness as a result of his time abroad, and he died in Carmarthen on the 22nd February, 1919. Brighty is buried at Carmarthen (St. David) Churchyard. He was 28 years old.
William John Lewis, Private, 200629, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of James and Jennet Lewis, of 78, Priory Street, Carmarthen. He had enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, attached to the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. William survived the Divisions terrible ordeal in Gallipoli, and the following evacuation and fighting in Egypt, but was wounded and died as a result during the First Battle of Gaza, on the 29th March, 1917. He was 30 years old, and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Ralph Maynard, Private, 202630, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Ralph was born in Carmarthen, and had enlisted there into the 1/4th Welsh. He later transferred into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was posted to their 2nd Battalion who had been in France since the outbreak of war. In the last few months of the war, the Battalion became attached to the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and took part in the 100 day offensive, which was launched from the Welshmen’s positions near Martinsart on the Somme on the 22nd August, 1918. Ralph was killed in the fighting which followed the Divisions move back across the old Somme battlefield, on the 25th August, 1918. He is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France.
Joseph Morris, Sergeant, 9132, South Wales Borderers. Joseph was the son of John and Charlotte Ann Morris, of Corner House, Little Water Street, Carmarthen. He was a pre-war regular soldier, who had enlisted at London into the South Wales Borderers, joining the 1st Battalion, attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had been one of the first to arrive in France, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and taking part in the retreat to the Marne, where the Germans were stopped. They then fought at the Aisne, and at Chivy, before being moved North to Ypres. Here they fought at the First Battle of Ypres, where they again stopped the German Offensive, before taking part in the Battle of Nonne Boschen, where Joseph was wounded. He died of his wounds at the Hospital at Boulogne on the 18th November, 1914, and is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Joseph was 32 years old.
Edgar George Rees, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Very little is presently known of Edgar, but he was born in Carmarthen around 1891, and was commissioned into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1916, being posted to the 19th Battalion, attached to the 119th Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. This Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. Weeding out of very under-sized or unfit men delayed the training programme, and it was not until late Spring 1916 that the Division was ready to proceed on active service. The Division moved to France between the 1st and 9th June, and moved to the front near Loos. Late in 1916 they moved south to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of the Ancre, and remained in the area over the winter. In March, 1917 the Germans withdrew to their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division were one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. Later in the year they took part in the Battle of Cambrai, playing an important role in the attack on Bourlon Wood. Edgar was killed in action at Cambrai on the 23rd November, 1917, aged 26. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.
Harry Charles Reeves, Second Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Harry was born in Carmarthen on the 1st August, 1894, the Son of Harry and Edith Anne Mary Reeves, of 54a King Street, Carmarthen. The family later moved to 100, Plasturton Avenue, Cardiff. Harry originally enlisted into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, serving as Z/1700 Ordinary Seaman RNVR, but was commissioned into the newly formed 15th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment- the Carmarthenshire Battalion. The Battalion was part of the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and moved to the Western Front in December, 1915, taking up the line near Fleurbaix in Northern France. Some time after this Harry was transferred into the 2nd Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division. He was with the Division by the time of the Battle of the Somme, and was killed in action with them during the Battle of Guillemont, on the 24th August, 1916. He was just 22 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France as his grave could not be identified after the war.
Thomas Humphrey Rogers, Private, 43205, Leicestershire Regiment. Thomas was the son of Herbert and Margaret Anne Rogers, of 2, Reservoir Road, Tanerdy, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Mountain Ash into the Welsh Regiment, but was posted to the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, attached to the 71st Brigade, 6th Division. On the 10th September, 1914 the Division landed at St Nazaire and proceeded to the Western Front, and arrived in time to reinforce the hard-pressed BEF on the Aisne, before the whole army was moved north into Flanders. Here they took part in the Action of Hooge during June, 1915, and in 1916 moved to the Somme, where the Division fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy. The following year saw them at Arras, where they fought at the Battle of Hill 70, and then during the Battle of Cambrai later in the year. In the spring of 1918 the Division was one of those hit by the German Offensive on the Somme, which had been launched on the 21st March, and the Division took part in the Battle of St Quentin. They were moved from the line, and went to Flanders to rest, but the following month the Germans launched another offensive on the Lys, and the Division fought during the Battle of Bailleul, the First Battle of Kemmel, and the Second Battle of Kemmel. During August, 1918 the Allies had recovered sufficiently to be able to launch their own attacks on the Germans, and after a brilliant victory at Villers Brettoneux on the 8th August, attacks were launched at Albert. The 6th Division took part in the Advance in Flanders, before moving south, where they took part in the advance on the Hindenburg Line, during the Battle of Epehy, and then at the Battle of the St Quentin Canal. Thomas was killed in action at Epehy on the 19th September, 1918. He was just 20 years old, and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France.
William Arthur Singer, Lance Corporal, 11123, Royal Fusiliers. William was born at Holloway in London, and must have worked in Carmarthen prior to the war. He returned to London to enlist at Woolwich into the Royal Garrison Artillery, but later transferred into the 32nd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who were attached to the 124th Brigade, 41st Division. This Division was formed in September 1915, and moved to France by 6th May 1916, concentrating near Steenwerck, where they began familiarisation with trench warfare in the areas of Ploegsteert and the Douve valley, south of Ypres. They remained here until August 1916, when they moved to the Somme, and took part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. William was killed during the following Battle of Le Transloy on the 15th September, 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
William James Tansill, Sapper, 448488, Royal Engineers. William was the Son of George and Catherine Tansill, of Towy Villa, Old Station Road, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Engineers, and served with the 437th Field Company. William died of dysentery on the 29th July, 1917 aged just 22, and is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, in Grave Ref. D. 163. William is also remembered on the G.W.R. Memorial, Carmarthen.
Hugh Spencer Thomas, Second Lieutenant, Royal Air Force. Hugh was the Son of Mr. J. H. Thomas, of 7, Spilman Road, Carmarthen, and he gained a commission into the Royal Air Force, where he trained as a pilot. After his training, Hugh was posted to 27 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was based in France flying the DH4. Hugh was killed in action when he was engaged in Aerial Combat with a German fighter on the 29th September, 1918 and is buried at Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France. He was just 19 years old.
Henry Thompson White, Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Very little is known of Henry, but he was commissioned into the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He was then posted to the 1st Welsh afterwards, and he was killed in action in Egypt on the 8th September, 1916, probably during the campaign against the Sultan of Darfur. Henry is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. The Memorial lists him as 2nd Welsh, but they never fought in the Middle East in the Great War.
William James Minister Williams, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was the son of William James Williams and Gertrude Elizabeth Williams, of Cambray House, Carmarthen. In 1915 both William and his elder brother Harold were commissioned into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and William joined the 2nd Battalion, which had been in France since the outbreak of war. Over the winter of 1915/1916 the Battalion was attached to the 19th Brigade, 33rd Division, and had taken part in the Battle of Loos, being based just north of the City, near Cambrin. William was killed in action during a routine spell in the trenches here on the 7th February, 1916. He was just 21 years old, and is buried at Cambrin Churchyard Extension, France.
William Wilson, Private, 45603, South Wales Borderers. William was born in the Parish of St. Peters, Carmarthen, and served with the 12th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The Battalion formed part of the 119th Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division, and moved to France between the 1st and 9th June, taking up the line near Loos. Late in 1916 they moved south to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of the Ancre, and remained in the area over the winter. In March, 1917 the Germans withdrew to their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division were one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. Later in the year they took part in the Battle of Cambrai, playing an important role in the attack on Bourlon Wood. William was killed in action here on the 25th November, 1917. His body was never found, and so he is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.
