Welsh Field Company Royal Engineers Memorial, Guildhall, Carmarthen
Robert Vivian Bennett, Sapper, 986, Royal Engineers. Robert was the son of Richard Francis Bennett and Mary Alice Bennett (nee Benson), of High Street, Gorseinon. He enlisted at Llanelli on 29 October 1915 into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers. Robert died of tuberculosis in Egypt on 26 November 1916, aged 21, 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 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 13 October 1918, aged 42. James is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in Grave Ref. F.223.
Alfred William Bush, Driver, 219742, Royal Engineers. Alfred the son of Alfred and Louisa Bush, of Islington. He married Annie Smart in 1901, and the couple resided at 30, Dennis, St, Islington, London. He enlisted at Highbury into the Royal Engineers. Alfred ended up serving with the 437th Field Company, and died of sickness on 18 August 1918, aged 38. 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 8 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 the son of Thomas and Ann Davies, of Brynman, Gorslas. 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 1 August 1918, aged 21. 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 Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers. He ended up serving with the 437th Field Company, and died of sickness during the Final Offensive Beyond the Jordan on the 23 October 1918. Thomas is buried at Gaza War Cemetery, in Grave Ref. XXVII. E. 5. Photo courtesy of Mark Collins/ Llanelly Guardian.
Ernest Malcolm Duckfield, Company Quarter Master Sergeant, 21, Royal Engineers. Ernest was the son of Alfred and Martha Duckfield, of 31, Spilman Street, Carmarthen. He 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 20 August 1915, aged 30. 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, the son of John and Ellen Edmunds. By 1911 the family had moved to 125, Old Castle Road, Llanelly. Frank enlisted at Llanelli into the Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers. He ended up serving with the 455th Field Company, and was wounded during Operations in Palestine. Frank died of wounds on 12 August 1917, aged 19. He 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 17 October 1918, aged 26. Lewis is buried at Gaza War Cemetery, in Grave Ref. XXVII. C. 12.
Sydney Picton Evans, Lance Corporal, 488, Royal Engineers. Sydney was the son of David and Amelia Evans of Glanmor Road, Llanelli. He enlisted at Neyland into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company. He landed in Gallipoli on 2 August 1915 and was sadly killed in action soon after, on 21 August 1915, 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 15 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 Ivor Griffiths, Sapper, 448351, Royal Engineers. Garfield was born at Skewen in 1887. By 1891 he had been fostered by James Jones, of Waun, Llanybydder. Garfield trained as a cabinet maker, and at the outbreak of war enlisted into the Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers. Garfield had served with the 437th Field Company, Royal Engineers in the Palestinian campaign throughout 1917, attached to the 53rd Welsh Division. Garfield survived the war, but took ill, and died on 16 November 1918, aged 31. He is buried at Gaza War Cemetery, Israel.
Thomas W. Hinton, Sapper, 448314, Royal Engineers. Tom was the son of Tom and Harriet Mary Hinton, of Ewelme, Oxon. He married Mary Elizabeth Morgan, a teacher, from 34, St. David's Street, Carmarthen in 1916. Tom 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. Tom was wounded during the Battle of Hazebrouck and died on 16 April 1918, aged 28. He is buried at Ebblinghem Military Cemetery, France, in 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 19 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 19 October 1884, the son of Thomas and Hannah James, of Old Chapel House, Llanybri. He moved to the Smithy, Llanddowror in 1908, and married Martha Thomas in 1910. David joined the 2/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers on 14 November 1914. David was promoted Farrier Sergeant, and was sent to the Dardanelles in October 1915. He then transferred to the 437th Field Company. David 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 30 December 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 and Llanddowror.
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 on 5 September 1915, aged 35. 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 17 October 1918, aged 34, and is buried in Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt in Grave Ref. E. 8. Photo from Carmarthen Journal.
Richard Aaron Lewis, Bugler, 292, Royal Engineers. Richard was the Son of John and Mary Maria Lewis, of "Brynhir," 97, Sandy Road, Llanelli. He worked at Llanelly Steel Works prior to the war, and enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, serving as a Bugler. Richard was wounded during the Defence of Helles, at Gallipoli, and died of wounds on 30 August 1915, aged 23. He is buried at Hill 10 Cemetery, Gallipoli in Grave Ref. II.D.5. Photo courtesy of Mark Collins/ Llanelly Guardian.
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 4 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 the son of William and Susannah Rattenbury, and the husband of Frances Ann Rattenbury, of 4, Mariners Court, Llanelli. He was employed at Llanelli Steel Works prior to enlisting 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 29 August 1915, aged 39. John is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli on Panel 23.
William John Richards, Sapper, 492, Royal Engineers. William was the son of William and Margaret Anne Richards, of Bryn Mefus, 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 14 October 1915, aged 31. William is buried at Portianos Military Cemetery, Lemnos in Grave Ref. V. B. 112.
Herbert Gladstone Ridge, Sapper, 915, Royal Engineers. Herbert was born at Manchester in 1886, the son of Alfred Ridge. By 1901 the family was living at Taunton. By 1911, Herbert was lodging at 1, Alma Road Avenue, Kingston, Bristol, working as a Piano Tuner. Prior to the outbreak of war, Herbert was living at 36, Gilbert Road, Llanelli, and was working for the Great Western Railway, based at Llanybydder. He enlisted at Llanelli on 24 July 1915 into the Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers, and was posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, which was in Egypt. After a year on active service in Egypt, Herbert became ill, and returned home on 2 October 1916. He died at Taunton on 18 March 1918, aged 31, and was buried at Taunton (St. Mary's) Cemetery. Herbert has only recently been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC, and his name will be added to the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance, at the CWGC HQ at Maidenhead, until the location of his grave can be verified.
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 3 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 29 July 1917, aged 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. He worked there as a Sorting Clerk and Telegraphist. David had served in the Middle East with the Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers, and remained in the Royal Engineers for several months after the armistice, being was posted to ‘L’ Signal Battalion, Royal Engineers. He was demobilised in the summer of 1919, and was on holiday in Pembrokeshire when he was killed in a cycling accident at Letterston on 13 September 1919. David was 32 years old, and is buried at Llanelli (Box) Cemetery, in the old section.
David Thomas, Sapper, 448274, Royal Engineers. David was born at Eglwyswrw in 1887, the son of Thomas and Ellen Thomas. The family moved to 102, Sandy Road, Llanelli prior to 1911. David married Agnes Thomas in 1908, and the couple resided at 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 26 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 lived at the Melbourne Inn, Llanelli, and was the son of David and Mary Jane Thomas, of 93, Station Road, Llanelli. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, and was killed in action at Helles, Gallipoli on 23 October 1915, aged 31. David is buried at Lala Baba Cemetery, Gallipoli in Grave Ref. II. F. 4. Photo courtesy of Mark Collins/ Llanelly Guardian.
Francis G. Wade, Driver, 285803, Royal Engineers. No records can presently be found of this man, apart from his medal card, which shows previous service with the East Yorkshire Regiment.
Reginald Lindsay White, Sapper, 448341, Royal Engineers. Reginald was the son of Thomas and Annie Myra White, of 11, Stepney Place, Llanelli. He 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 10 August 1917, aged 20, 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 1st/1st Welsh Field Company. He then joined 437th Field Company after the evacuation from Gallipoli. Thomas died of sickness during the Final Offensive Beyond the Jordan, on 15 October 1918 and is buried at Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, in Grave Ref. F.44. Photograph courtesy of Mark Collins/ Llanelly Guardian.
William Morris (Willie) Wilson, Lance Corporal, 448021, Royal Engineers. Willie was the son of William and Alice Wilson, of 30, Water Street, 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 during the Operations in the Jordan Valley on 17 April 1918, aged 26. Willie is buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel in Grave Ref. W. 96.
William Henry York, Sapper, 448556, Royal Engineers. William enlisted at Llanelli into 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 13 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 Sydney Picton Evans of Llanelli.
Below is 143187, Sapper Benjamin John of Ferryside. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Levi John, and served during the war with the 1/1st Welsh Field Company, and survived.
Copyright © Steven John 2013
