Welsh Field Company Royal Engineers Memorial
Guildhall, Carmarthen
Robert Vivian Bennett, Sapper, 986, Royal Engineers. Robert was resident in Gorseinon prior to the war, and enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers. Robert died of sickness during the Operations against the Sultan of Darfur on the 26th November, 1916 and is buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in Grave Ref. F.165.
James Ernest Britton, Corporal, 448286, Royal Engineers. James was the Son of the late Henry and Elizabeth Britton, of St. George, Bristol. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Engineers, and ended up serving with the 437th Field Company. James died of sickness during the time of the Final Offensive Beyond the Jordan on the 13th October, 1918. James is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in Grave Ref. F.223, and was 42 years old.
Alfred William Bush, Driver, 219742, Royal Engineers. Alfred was born in Islington, and enlisted at Highbury into the Royal Engineers. Alfred ended up serving with the 437th Field Company, and died of sickness on the 18th August, 1918. He is buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel in Grave Ref. W. 71.
Alan Cuthbert Calvert, Sapper, 586, Royal Engineers. Alan was the Son of Charles James and Elizabeth Calvert, of 1, Belgrave Villas, Bath. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to the 1/1st Welsh Field Company. Alan was killed in action at Gallipoli, during the Defence of Helles, on the 8th September, 1915 aged 25, and is buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli in Grave Ref. II.A.3.
George Davies, Sapper, 448501, Royal Engineers. George was born in Llannon, and resided at Cross Hands prior to the war. He enlisted at Ammanford into the Royal Engineers, and was given the service number T/922, which shows that he was a Territorial. George later served with the 90th Field Company, which was attached to the 9th (Scottish) Division, and he was wounded during the Advance in Flanders. He was brought to the Army Hospital at St. Omer, where he died of wounds on the 1st August, 1918. George is buried there at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France in Grave Ref. V. D. 24.
Thomas John Davies, Sapper, 448405, Royal Engineers. Thomas was born in Llanelli, and enlisted there into the Royal Engineers. He ended up serving with the 437th Field Company, and died of sickness during the Final Offensive Beyond the Jordan on the 23rd October, 1918. Thomas is buried at Gaza War Cemetery, in Grave Ref. XXVII. E. 5.
Ernest Malcolm Duckfield, Company Quarter Master Sergeant, 21, Royal Engineers. Ernest was born in Carmarthen, and enlisted there into the Royal Engineers, serving with the 1/1st Welsh Field Company. Ernest was wounded during the Defence of Helles, at Gallipoli, and died of wounds on the 20th August, 1915. He is buried at Hill 10 Cemetery, Gallipoli in Grave Ref. II. B. 2.
Frank Edmunds, Sapper, 448148, Royal Engineers. Frank was born in Merthyr, and enlisted at Llanelli into the Royal Engineers. He ended up serving with the 455th Field Company, and was wounded during Operations in Palestine. He died of wounds on the 12th August, 1917 and is buried at Deir El Belah War Cemetery, in Grave Ref. D. 42.
Lewis George Evans, Driver, 448237, Royal Engineers. Lewis was the Son of David and Annie Evans, of 91, Llewellyn Street, Llanelli, and enlisted there into the Royal Engineers. Lewis ended up serving with the 436th Field Company, and died of sickness during the Final Offensive Beyond the Jordan, on the 17th October, 1918 aged 26. Lewis is buried at Gaza War Cemetery, in Grave Ref. XXVII. C. 12.
Sidney Picton Evans, Lance Corporal, 488, Royal Engineers. Sidney was born in Llanelli, the son of David and Amelia Evans of Glanmor Road, and enlisted at Neyland into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company. He landed in Gallipoli on the 2nd August, 1915 and was sadly killed in action soon after, on the 21st August, during the Defence of Helles. Sidney is buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli in Grave Ref. II. B. 6. His brothers George and Harry also served with the Welsh Field Company, but survived the war.
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.
Garfield I. Griffiths, Sapper, 448351, Royal Engineers. Garfield was from Llanybydder, and served with the 437th Field Company. Garfield died in Palestine aged 31, on the 16th November, 1918 and is buried at Gaza War Cemetery, Grave Ref. XIX. F. 8.
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, in Joint Grave Ref. I. C. 2.
Henry George Howell, Sapper, 448445, Royal Engineers. Henry was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Howell, of Llanelli. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Royal Engineers, and served with the 437th Field Company. Henry died of sickness during the Final Offensive Beyond the Jordan on the 19th October, 1918 aged 29, and is buried at Gaza War Cemetery, Grave Ref. XXVII. D. 8.
David James, Sergeant, 448350, Royal Engineers. David was Born on the 19th October, 1884. He moved to the Smithy, Llanddowror in 1908, and joined the 2/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers on the 14th of November 1914. David was promoted Farrier Sergeant on September 27th 1915. He was sent to the Dardanelles in October 1915 and from there was transferred to Egypt in December that year. He marched with the Forces from Egypt to Palestine and was present at the Battle of Gaza. David then served with the 437th Field Company. He returned to England on leave in November 1917, and was returning to Palestine on the Aragon when the ship was torpedoed by a submarine on December 30th 1917 and he was drowned. David was 33 years old, and is remembered on the Alexandria Chatby Memorial, Egypt. He is also remembered on War Memorials at Llanstephan, Llanddowror and Whitland.
William James, Sapper, 763, Royal Engineers. William was born at St. Clears, the Son of Evan and Phoebe James, of "The Three Bells". William enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers, which formed part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division moved to Gallipoli, landing at Suvla Bay on the 9th August, 1915. They were at Cape Helles during September when William was killed in action aged 35, on the 5th September, 1915. He is buried at Green Hill Cemetery. William is commemorated on the St. Clears War memorial.
Thomas Jones, Sapper, 448578, Royal Engineers. Thomas was the Son of Margaret Jones, of 9, Parcmaen Street, Carmarthen. He enlisted there into the Royal Engineers, and served with the 437th Field Company. Thomas died of Malaria on the 17th October, 1918 aged 34, and is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in Grave Ref. E. 8.
Richard Aaron Lewis, Bugler, 292, Royal Engineers. Richard was the Son of John and Mary Maria Lewis, of "Brynhir," 97, Sandy Road, Llanelli. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, and was wounded during the Defence of Helles, at Gallipoli. Richard died of wounds on the 30th August, 1915 aged 23, and is buried at Hill 10 Cemetery, Gallipoli in Grave Ref. II.D.5.
Edwin Phillips, Lance Corporal, 691, Royal Engineers. Edwin was the Son of David and Rachel Phillips, of Glannant House, Oxford Street, Pontycymmer, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2/1st Welsh Field Company. Edwin was killed in action during the Defence of Helles, Gallipoli on the 4th December, 1915 aged 30, and is buried at Lala Baba War Cemetery, in Grave Ref. III.B.2.
John Rattenbury, Corporal, 129, Royal Engineers. John was born in Llanelli, and enlisted there into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company. John was wounded at Helles, and was evacuated to a Hospital Ship moored offshore, where he sadly died of wounds and was buried at sea on the 29th August, 1915. John is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli on Panel 23.
William John Richards, Sapper, 492, Royal Engineers. William was the Son of Mrs. M. Richards, of Brynmefus, Talog Road, Trevaughan, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, and was wounded at Gallipoli. William was evacuated by Hospital Ship to Lemnos Island, where he died of wounds on the 14th October, 1915 aged 31. William is buried at Portianos Military Cemetery, Lemnos in Grave Ref. V. B. 112.
Hubert G. Ridge, Sapper, 915, Royal Engineers. The 1922 published Carmarthen County Roll of Honour lists this man as being from Llanybydder, and as A.G. Ridge. No record can presently be found of him except for his Medal Index Card, which only shows his name and regimental number, and he isn’t recorded on Llanybydder War Memorial. Both SDGW and the CWGC have nor record of him.
Samuel Smithies, Sapper, 446653, Royal Engineers. Samuel was the Son of Richard and Sarah Ann Smithies, of 2, Whitford Road, Tranmere, Birkenhead. He served with the 436th Field Company, and died in Palestine on the 3rd November, 1918 aged 24. Samuel is buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Grave Ref. EE.28.
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.
David Thomas, Sapper, 66100, Royal Engineers. David was the Son of Ebenezer and Hannah Thomas, of 77, Dillwyn Street, Llanelli. David was serving with ‘L’ Signal Battalion, Royal Engineers at the time of his death on the 13th September, 1919. He was 32 years old, and is buried at Llanelli (Box) Cemetery, in the Old portion, Grave 126. 18.
David Thomas, Sapper, 448274, Royal Engineers. David was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Thomas, of 102, Sandy Road, Llanelli, and the Husband of Agnes Thomas, of 9, Marine Street, Llanelli. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Royal Engineers, and served with the 436th Field Company. David was killed in action during the Battle of Nabi Samweil on the 26th November, 1917 aged 30, and is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial, Panel 9.
David Rees Thomas, Acting Company Quarter Master Sergeant, 45, Royal Engineers. David was the Son of Mr. D. Thomas, of 93, Station Rd., Llanelli. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, and was killed in action at Helles, Gallipoli on the 23rd October, 1915. David is buried at Lala Baba Cemetery, Gallipoli in Grave Ref. II. F. 4.
F. G. Wade, Driver, Royal Engineers. No records can presently be found of this man.
Reginald Linzey White, Sapper, 448341, Royal Engineers. Reginald was born in Llanelli, and enlisted there into the Royal Engineers. He served with the 437th Field Company, and was wounded in Palestine in August, 1917. Reginald died of wounds on the 10th August, 1917 and is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Grave Ref. XXXI. D. 13.
Thomas John Williams, Sapper, 448495, Royal Engineers. Thomas was born in Llanelli, and enlisted there into the 437th Field Company. Thomas died of sickness during the Final Offensive Beyond the Jordan, on the 15th October, 1918 and is buried at Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, in Grave Ref. F.44.
Willie Wilson, Lance Corporal, 448021, Royal Engineers. Willie was the Son of William and Alice Wilson, of Llanelli and the Husband of Bessie Wilson, of 47, Rodney St., Swansea. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 436th Field Company, and died of sickness aged 26 during the Operations in the Jordan Valley on the 17th April, 1918. Willie is buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel in Grave Ref. W. 96.
William Henry York, Sapper, 448556, Royal Engineers. William was born in Llanelli. He originally served with the Welsh Field Company, with the service number T/980, but transferred later and served with the 13th Pontoon Park, Royal Engineers. William died of sickness in Egypt on the 13th October, 1918, and is buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in Grave Ref. O.291.
Below is a group photo of No. 1 Section, 1/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers. On the extreme right hand side of the photo, second man back, is Lance Corporal Sidney Picton Evans of Llanelli.
Below is 143187, Sapper Benjamin John of Ferryside. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Levi John, and served during the war with the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, and survived.
