The main Post Office building in Carmarthen is in King Street. Several Postmen from the Town lost their lives during both World Wars, and are commemorated on a Memorial within the building, which is made of oak, with two brass plaques mounted, which contain the names of the fallen. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph of the Memorial. 

Carmarthen Post Office War Memorial

The Great War, 1914-1918

 

Thomas Davies, Sapper, 194689, Royal Engineers. Thomas was born in Pentrecourt, and was the Husband of Beatrice Alice Davies, of 9, Glannant Road, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen on 30 November 1915 into the Royal Engineers, and originally served with the Postal Section, before being posted to the 35th Airline Section. The Section worked with a Tunnelling Company, and was stationed at Arras, during the Third Battle of the Scarpe, during July 1917. At roll call on the morning of 15 July 1917, Thomas was found to be missing. He was found hanging in his billets by some friends, a subsequent Court of Enquiry finding that he committed suicide, although no reason could be found. He was 38 years old, and is buried at Ecoivres Military Cemetery, Mont-St-Eloi, France, in Grave Ref. VI. K. 9. Thomas is also commemorated on the Newcastle Emlyn War Memorial.

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 5 August 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on 9 August. Here the Division was flung into a suicidal attack on strongly defended Turkish positions, 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 20 August 1915. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Hill 10 Cemetery, Gallipoli.

George Meyrick, Private, 282101, Lancashire Fusiliers. George was born at Swansea. He was working as a Postman at Talog prior to the outbreak of war, and lived with his wife Mrs. Meyrick, at 22, Parcell Terrace, Priory Street, Carmarthen. George enlisted at Carmarthen into the Army, and was posted to France after training, where he joined the 2/7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, which formed part of 197 Brigade, 66th (2nd East Lancs) Division. The Division concentrated on the Western Front by 16 March 1917 and moved to the Flanders Coast. At the end of September 1917 they moved to Ypres, and took part in the Battle of Poelcapelle. They then moved south to the Somme, and on 21 March 1918 were hit by the German Spring Offensive at the Battle of St Quentin. George was killed during the terrible fighting that followed, on 22 March 1918. He is buried at Templeux-Le-Guerard British Cemetery, France, in Grave Ref. I.D.26.

Daniel Arthur Peters, Company Sergeant Major, 200681, Welsh Regiment. Daniel was the Son of William and Jane Peter, of 88, Priory Street, Carmarthen. Daniel had fought throughout the Gallipoli and Palestinian campaigns with the 4th Welsh, attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. After the cessation of hostilities, the 4th and 5th Welsh were merged to form the 4/5th Battalion, and remained on Garrison duties in the Middle East. Daniel sadly became ill and died in Hospital in Egypt on 25 April 1919, aged 34. He is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt, in Grave Ref. C. 224. He is commemorated on the headstone of his sister Emily, who died on 8 November 1918, at Abergwili Churchyard. Many thanks to Bev Lewis for the photograph.

David John Richards, Private, 39507, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was the Son of David Richards, of 31, Priory Street, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Army, and was posted to the 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, however its stay there was to be short-lived. On 27 October 1915 the Division, having been moved by train to Marseilles, began to embark for Salonika, and completed concentration there in November. It remained in the theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the Retreat from Serbia during December, 1915. During August 1916 the Division fought at the battle of Horseshoe Hill, and in September 1916 at the battle of Machukovo. Between April and May 1917 the Division fought at the battle of Doiran, and then on 18 September 1918 at the Second Battle of Doiran. David was one of many casualties suffered by the Division at Doiran, being killed in action on 18 September 1918. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece, in Grave Ref. B. 315.

World War Two, 1939-1945

Gilbert Humphreys Rogers, Sergeant, 1382746, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Gilbert was the Son of Herbert and Margaret Rogers, and served with 75 (Royal New Zealand Air Force) Squadron, Royal Air Force. The Squadron was a Heavy Bomber unit, based at RAF Newmarket from November 1942, equipped with the Short Stirling. Gilbert was posted as missing in action when his Stirling was shot down on 5 May 1943. He was 27 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 163 of the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.