Felinfoel War Memorial
The Anglo Boer War, 1899-1902
Joseph Davies, Corporal, 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment.
Richard Howell, Corporal, Diamond Field Horse. Fell at Carter’s Ridge, Kimberley on the 28th November, 1899. Aged 24. Not on Memorial.
The Great War, 1914-1918
John Arthur Dade, Private, 15459, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was the Son of Samuel and Annie Dade, of Bank Cottage, Felinfoel. He had been born in Nottingham, and resided at Llandeilo prior to enlisting into the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to the 76th Brigade, 3rd Division. One of the first Divisions to move to France, the 3rd Division remained on the Western Front throughout the war, and fought during the opening Battle of Mons, and in the epic retreat, from the Rearguard Action of Solesmes, through the Battle of Le Cateau, and down to the Marne, where the German Offensive was stopped. They followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line, where they met them in battle, and stopped the advance on Paris. The Division then moved north to Flanders, and took part in the Battle of La Bassée, and at the Battle of Messines, which were a prelude to the First Battle of Ypres. They took part in the famous Christmas Truce on the 25th December, 1914 and remained at Ypres throughout the winter. In 1915 the Division saw action at Bellewaarde and Hooge, and took part in the Second attack on Bellewaarde, and in 1916 fought at the Actions of the Bluff, and at the St Eloi Craters. They were then moved south to the Somme, where they were to take part in the great Battle of the Somme, and fought there at the Battle of Albert, and at the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Longueval. John was wounded on the Somme, and brought back to the Casualty ClearinG Station at Corbie, where he died of his wounds on the 21st August, 1916. He was 23 years old, and is buried at La Neuville British Cemetery, Corbie. Not on Memorial.
Trevor Daniel, Private, 202975, Welsh Regiment. Trevor was the Son of Griffith and Mary Ann Daniel, of Felinfoel, and he enlisted at Llanelli into the 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on the 7th July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until the 14th July to clear the wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at Pilckem and Langemarck, then moved to Armentieres, where they remained from September 1917 until March, 1918 when the German Spring Offensive was launched. The British had been over-run on the Somme, and so in April the Division was moved South, taking up positions North of Albert, from where they weathered the storm of the coming months, until the war turned during the Battle of Amiens, on the 8th August, 1918. The Germans had now lost the upper hand, and the British regained the lost ground on the Somme after an attack which began on the 21st August, with the 38th Welsh in the midst of the attack during the Battle of Albert, and then moving east, where they fought at the Battle of Bapaume. Trevor was killed in action here on the 3rd September, 1918. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-Le-Grand.
Henry Davies, Private, 13151, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Henry was the Son of William and Mary Davies, and enlisted at Llanelli into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division crossed to France during July, 1915, and moved to positions north of Loos, where they took part in the opening assault of the Battle of Loos on the 25th September, 1915. Henry was killed in action here that day. He was 37 years old, and is remembered on the Loos Memorial.
James Davies, M.M., Lance Corporal, Deal/3477/S, Royal Marines. James was the Husband of Elizabeth Davies, of Glyncelyn, Felinfoel. He served with the Royal Marines, attached to the RM Medical Unit, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Naval Brigades were originally sent to Antwerp and Dunkirk in September and October, 1914 to guard against invasion by the Germans. However Antwerp fell to the Germans soon after, and so many of the RND units were withdrawn to England. After a lengthy period of refit and training the Division moved to Egypt preparatory to the Gallipoli campaign. Landing on the 25th April, 1915 the Division was soon transferred from the authority of the Admiralty to the War Office on 29th April 1916, and was redesignated the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the 19th July, 1916. The Division moved to France, arriving at Marseilles between the 12th and 23rd May, 1916 and moved to positions on the Somme, where it took part in the Battle of the Ancre, and the resulting Operations on 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, before forcing the Passage of the Grand Honelle. James sadly died of the influenza epidemic that swept through Europe at the end of the war, on the 20th November, 1918. He was 32 years old, and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France. He had been awarded the Military Medal at some time during the war, for Bravery on the Field. Not on Memorial.
Daniel Morgan Evans, Private, 14878, South Wales Borderers. Daniel was the Son of William and Elizabeth Evans, of 2, Salem Road, Felinfoel, and the Husband of Catherine Siddell (formerly Evans), of 33, Greengate Street, Carnarvon. He enlisted at Aberystwyth into the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was 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 wintering in Flanders. Daniel was killed in action here, during the Defence of Givenchy, on the 21st December, 1914. He was 31 years old, and is remembered on the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg L'Avoue. Not on Memorial.
Hubert Ronald Evans, Acting Sergeant, C/1238, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Hubert was the Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Evans, of Llanelli, and enlisted at Llanelli into the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Hubert was later transferred into the Kings African Rifles, and died of sickness in East Africa on the 24th April, 1918. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Pemba Cemetery, East Africa.
Joseph Evans, Private, L/15904, Middlesex Regiment. Joseph was born in Llanelli, and enlisted there into the Royal Hussars. He later transferred into the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, which had landed at Havre as L. Of C. Troops on the 11th August, 1914. On the 22nd August, 1914 they were attached to 19th Brigade, forming at Valenciennes, and on the 12th October moved with 19th Brigade, to the 6th Division. On the 31st May, 1915 they again moved, to the 27th Division, and by the 19th August were with the 2nd Division at Loos. Here they took part in the opening assault near Cambrin on the 25th September, 1915. Joseph was killed in action this day, and is buried at Cambrin Churchyard Extension, France.
Henry Gaunt, Private, CMT/377, Royal Army Service Corps. Henry was born at Llanelli, and enlisted at Felinfach into the Royal Army Service Corps, serving with the Base M.T. Depot. Henry was killed in action during the Battle of The Aisne, on the 24th August, 1914, and is remembered on the La Ferte-Sous-Joarre Memorial, France.
Edgar Griffiths, Private, Cannot presently be identified.
Ivor Samuel Griffiths, Private, 20499, Welsh Regiment. Ivor was the Son of William Griffiths, of 10, Glanyrafon Row, Felinfoel, and had enlisted at Llanelli into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on the 7th July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until the 14th July to clear the wood. Ivor was killed in action during the Battalions second attack on the Wood, on the 11th July, 1916. He was just 19 years old, and is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz.
Robert Griffiths, Private, 73685, Welsh Regiment. Robert was the Son of Mr. J. Griffiths, of 17, Long Road, Felinfoel, and had enlisted into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to the 114th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on the 7th July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until the 14th July to clear the wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at Pilckem and Langemarck, then moved to Armentieres, where they remained from September 1917 until March, 1918 when the German Spring Offensive was launched. The British had been over-run on the Somme, and so in April the Division was moved South, taking up positions North of Albert, from where they weathered the storm of the coming months, until the war turned during the Battle of Amiens, on the 8th August, 1918. The Germans had now lost the upper hand, and the British regained the lost ground on the Somme after an attack which began on the 21st August, with the 38th Welsh in the midst of the attack during the Battle of Albert, and then moving east, where they fought at the Battle of Bapaume. Then the move began towards the mighty Hindenburg Line, and the Division carried on with their march east, fighting at the Battle of Havrincourt, and the Battle of Epehy. A short rest period ensued, during which time the Canal du Nord was breached, so opening a passage through the Hindenburg Line. The Division then fought at the Battle of Beaurevoir, and moved up towards Cambrai, capturing Villers-Outreaux, before advancing to the Selle. Robert was killed here on the 20th October, 1918, and is buried at Montay-Neuvilly Road Cemetery, France.
John Edwin Howell, Second Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. John was the Son of John and Anne Howell, of Pantymeillion Farm, Llanelly, and had originally served with the Pembroke Yeomanry since enlisting in 1909. At the outbreak of war he had been commissioned into the Welsh Regiment. He was posted to the 16th Battalion, which was attached to the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on the 7th July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until the 14th July to clear the wood. John was killed in action during the initial assault on the wood, on the 7th July, 1916. He was 23 years old, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
John Hughes, Captain. This is possibly Lieutenant David John Hughes, Welsh Regiment. David had served with the 3rd Welsh, and died aged 28 on the 8th March, 1921. He is buried at Llanelli (Box) Cemetery. Very little else is known about him.
Frederick George Jayne, Sergeant, 4438, Welsh Regiment. Frederick was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Jayne, of Coleshill Terrace, Llanelly, and the Husband of Sarah Jayne, of 7, Birdin Terrace, Felinfoel. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which had formed locally during August, 1914 and were then attached to the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The 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. Frederick was wounded here during the Battle of Sari Bair, and died of wounds aboard a Hospital Ship on the 11th August, 1915. He was 33 years old, and would have been buried at sea, and so he is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Cledwyn Lloyd Jones, Second Lieutenant, Notts & Derby (Sherwood Foresters). Cledwyn was the Son of Richard and Annie Jones, of "Hilltop" Tyrfran, Llanelly, and was commissioned into the Sherwood Foresters, being posted to the 2/7th Battalion, which was attached to the 178th Brigade, 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. In April 1916 the Division moved to Ireland, and was the first TF Division to serve there; involved in actions against the Republican Uprising of Easter 1916. During January 1917 they returned to England, and the following month landed in France. They followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and then moved north, taking part in the Battle of the Menin Road (part of the Third Battle of Ypres), and the Battle of Polygon Wood. Later that year they moved south, and took part in the Battle of Cambrai. They remained in this sector over the final winter of the war, and on the 21st March, 1918 were one of the Divisions hit here by the German Spring Offensive, at the Battle of St Quentin. Cledwyn was killed in action here on the 21st March, 1918 aged just 21. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.
Gwilym Cyrus Jones, Private, 316107, Cheshire Regiment. Gwilym was the Son of Mr. William Isaac and Mrs. Muriel Jones, of 19, James Street, Llanelli. He enlisted there into the 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was attached to the 56th 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, 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. Gwilym was killed in action here on the 27th March, 1918 aged only 19. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.
William J. Morgans, 2nd Officer. Cannot presently be identified.
Hubert T Morris, Able Seaman, Wales Z/185, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Hubert served with the Drake Battalion, Royal Naval Division, which was attached to the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Naval Brigades were originally sent to Antwerp and Dunkirk in September and October, 1914 to guard against invasion by the Germans. However Antwerp fell to the Germans soon after, and so many of the RND units were withdrawn to England. After a lengthy period of refit and training the Division moved to Egypt preparatory to the Gallipoli campaign. Landing on the 25th April, 1915 the Division was soon transferred from the authority of the Admiralty to the War Office on 29th April 1916, and was redesignated the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on the 19th July, 1916. The Division moved to France, arriving at Marseilles between the 12th and 23rd May, 1916 and moved to positions on the Somme, where it took part in the Battle of the Ancre, and the resulting Operations on the Ancre. In April, 1917 the Division were at Arras, and fought at the Second Battle of the Scarpe, where they captured Gavrelle. Hubert was killed in action at Arras on the 23rd April, 1917, and is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.
Cyrus Price, Private, 31167, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Cyrus was born at Felinfoel, and enlisted at Swansea into the Royal Garrison Artillery. He later transferred into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who by this time were on the Somme, attached to the 19th Brigade, 33rd Division. Cyrus was killed in action during the Battle of the Somme, during the Attacks on High Wood, on the 20th July, 1916. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Not on Memorial.
Thomas Rees, Private, 200691, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Son of John and Hannah Rees, of Llanelli, and the Husband of Margaret Mitten (formerly Rees), of 4, Ynys-Y-Clyn, Felinfoel. Thomas enlisted at Llanelli into the 4th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which formed at Carmarthen during August, 1914, as part of South Wales Brigade, Army Troops. In November 1914 they moved to Tunbridge Wells, and in February 1915 to Scotland on Forth and Tay Defences. On the 17th April, 1915 they were attached to the 159th Brigade, 53rd Division at Bedford. On the 19th July they sailed from Devonport for Mudros, and arrived 5th August. On the 9th August they landed at Suvla Bay. After heavy casualties they were forced to amalgamate with the 1/5th Battalion to form 4th Welsh Composite Battalion. On the 11th December they left Gallipoli for Egypt. Here they resumed identity, and fought throughout the remainder of the war fought throughout the Palestinian Campaign. On the 30th July, 1918 the 1/4th and 1/5th Battalions formed 4/5th Battalion. Thomas was with the 4/5th Battalion when he was taken ill. He died of disease on the 21st November, 1918 aged 32, and is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
William Henry Rees, Private, 48712, Northumberland Fusiliers. William was born at Llwynhendy, and enlisted at Swansea into the South Wales Borderers. He later transferred into the 2nd Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, which was attached to the 84th Brigade, 28th Division. The Division formed in England between December 1914 and January 1915 from regular units returning from India, Singapore and Egypt. During January 1915 it moved to France, landing at Le Havre and moved to the Western Front, where it saw its first major action during the Second Battle of Ypres. Following serious casualties at Ypres, a Composite Brigade was formed, composing of the 2nd Battalion, the Buffs, 2nd Battalion, the Cheshires, 1st Battalion, the Welsh, and 1st Battalion, the York and Lancaster. It was dissolved on the 19th May 1915, and the formation assumed its normal configuration, taking part in the Battle of Loos. During October 1915, the Division embarked at Marseilles, and proceeded to Egypt, and in November moved on to Salonika where the Division then remained. William was taken ill in the Middle East, and was taken to Hospital in Basra, where he sadly died on the 11th July, 1917. He is buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq.
Daniel John Reynolds, Private, 260488, Gloucestershire Regiment. Daniel was the Brother of Mrs. Mary H. Edwards, of 67, Marble Hall Road, Llanelli. He enlisted at Newport into the Monmouth Regiment, and later transferred into the 12th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment. They formed part of the 95th Brigade, 5th Division, which had landed at Havre on the 15th August, 1914, and fought at the Battle of Mons, during the retreat south, fighting at Le Cateau, and down to the Marne where the German attack was halted. They took part in the advance to the Aisne, before moving to Flanders, where they fought at the Battle of La Bassée, then at Messines in October, 1914. They fought here through First Ypres, and took part in the capture of Hill 60, and then fought at Second Ypres in April 1915. March 1916 saw the Division moving to positions between St. Laurent-Blangy and Vimy, near Arras, and the Division saw plenty of action during it’s spell here. On the 1st July, 1916 the Battle of the Somme opened, and the Division moved south fighting at High Wood, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. On the 5th October, after suffering heavy casualties, the Division moved to Festubert, where they remained until March, 1917. They next saw action at the Battle of Arras, fighting at the Battle of Vimy in April 1917, and the attack on La Coulette. On the 3rd May they fought in the Third Battle of the Scarpe, and captured Oppy Wood. On the 7th September, they were pulled out of the line again, and moved north to join the great offensive in Flanders- Third Ypres, or Passchendaele as it is better known. On the 26th September they fought at the Battle of Polygon Wood, then at Broodseinde, which is where Daniel was killed in action on the 4th October, 1917. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
John Henry Richards, Private, 11833, Welsh Regiment. John was born at Felinfoel, and enlisted at Tumble into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was part of the 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. 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 Battle of Sari Bair, which is where John was killed in action on the 8th August, 1915. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Iorwerth Cynon Roberts, Second Lieutenant, Machine Gun Corps. Iorwerth had been commissioned into the Machine Gun Corps, and was posted to their 25th Battalion, attached to the 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, then moved to the Warloy area and attacked on the 3rd July near Thiepval. They fought throughout the Battle of the Somme, then moved to Plougsteert, where they held the line, until taking part in the Battle of Messines in June, 1917. They fought at Pilckem, before moving south again, taking up positions around Bullecourt in reserve, and were used to reinforce the badly depleted British units that were hit in the area by the German Spring Offensive. They moved north to Flanders to rest, but they were again hit by a renewed German Offensive, and fought at the Battle of Estaires, where Iorwerth was killed in action on the 10th April, 1918. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.
Walter Slipp, Private, 206247, Worcestershire Regiment. Walter was the Son of Henry Joseph Slip, of 61, Lampard's Buildings, Bath. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Cheshire Regiment, but later transferred into the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, which was attached to the 24th Brigade, 8th Division. The 8th Division was formed during October 1914, by the bringing together of regular army units from various points around the British Empire. The Division moved to the Western Front in November 1914, a badly-needed reinforcement to the BEF which had been all but wiped out at Ypres. They saw their first major action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, and then at the Battle of Aubers. They then saw further fighting at the Action of Bois Grenier, before moving to the Somme in 1916, where they fought at the Battle of Albert. In March, 1917 they followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and later that year moved to Ypres, fighting at the Battle of Pilckem, and the Battle of Langemarck. In March, 1918 the Division were on the southern end of the Somme, and here met the German Offensive head on, at the Battle of St Quentin. Walter was killed in action here on the 24th August, 1918 aged just 21. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Thomas Granville Stephens, Private, 4271, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Son of John and Elizabeth Anne Stephens, of Brymnor, Llwynhendy, Llanelli, and he enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion formed there during August, 1914, and became attached to the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The 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. Thomas was killed in action here during the Battle of Sari Bair, on the 11th August, 1915. He was just 21 years old, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
Arthur James Stratton, Private, 25707, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Arthur was the Son of John and Rosina Stratton, of I, Park View, Felinfoel, and enlisted at Llanelli into the 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion was attached to the 115th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, which had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on the 7th July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until the 14th July to clear the wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at Pilckem and Langemarck, then moved to Armentieres, where they remained from September 1917 until March, 1918 when the German Spring Offensive was launched. The British had been over-run on the Somme, and so in April the Division was moved South, taking up positions North of Albert, from where they weathered the storm of the coming months. Arthur was killed in action here on the 9th May, 1918. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Henry Taplin, Private, 10504, East Yorkshire Regiment. Henry was originally from Bethnel Green, but resided at Llanelli prior to the war, enlisting there into the 2nd Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment, which was part of the 83rd Brigade, 28th Division. The Division formed in England between December 1914 and January 1915 from regular units returning from India, Singapore and Egypt. During January 1915 it moved to France, landing at Le Havre and moved to the Western Front, taking up positions near Ypres. Henry was killed in action here on the 27th February, 1915. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Walter Thomas, Lieutenant, Cannot presently be identified.
Walter Ellis Thomas, Private, 40358, Cheshire Regiment. Walter was the Son of Henry and Sarah Thomas, of "Alma", Felinfoel, and had enlisted at Swansea into the Welsh Regiment. He later transferred into the 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was part of the 105th Brigade, 35th Division. The Division moved to France in late January and early February 1916. It saw it’s first major action during the Battle of the Somme, at the Battle of Albert. By December 1916, the Divisional commander (Major-General Landon) reported that the Division was now suffering from low physical and morale standards. This was a result of replacing casualties not with fit 'bantams' but with undersized and weak men. Medical inspections were ordered, and 2784 men rejected from the ranks of the Division. These men were largely posted to the Labour Corps. Their places were filled with men posted from disbanded yeomanry regiments; they had to be quickly trained in infantry methods and a Divisional depot was formed for the purpose. The Division then went back into the line, and followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917. Later in the year they moved north to Ypres, and fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. By Spring of 1918 they were back on the Somme, and fought at the First Battle of Bapaume, during the German Offensive. Walter was killed in action here on the 28th March, 1918. He was 24 years old, and has no known grave, and so he is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, France. Not on Memorial.
William Llewellyn Thomas, Private, 34133, South Lancashire Regiment. William was the Son of William Llewellyn Thomas and Martha Thomas, of "Wenvoe House," Pentrepoeth, Llanelly. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but later transferred into the 1/5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, which was part of the 166th Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The Division was reformed in the Hallencourt area between the 3rd and 27th January, 1916. 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 Pilkem, and after suffering terrible casualties, was withdrawn to Recques for re-fit and training, before moving back into the line on the 15th September, and fighting at the Battle of the Menin Road. The Division moved out of the line from 22nd/23rd September and moved to positions near Honnecourt wood and Lempire-Ronssoy, and fought at the Battle of Cambrai. The Division faced the enemy counter attack on 30th November 1917, and were decimated, with the 1/5th Battalion, the South Lancashires being totally annihilated. The Division's reputation fell sharply in the eyes of the higher command, and it was withdrawn from the area and sent to Bomy, near Fruges for intensive training. The Division relieved 42nd (East Lancashire) Division in the front line at Givenchy and Festubert on the 15th February, and faced numerous strong enemy raids in March. April was at first much quieter, but it was a lull before the storm, as the Germans launched another offensive here, with the Division taking part in the Battle of Estaires. William was wounded here, and sadly died of wounds on the 23rd April, 1918 aged 41. He is buried at Pernes British Cemetery, France. There is an enscription to his memory on his parents grave at Felinfoel Churchyard.
Sydney Williams, Corporal, 13163, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Sydney was the Son of David and Jane Williams, of 5, Park View Terrace, Llanelli. He enlisted there into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was part of 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, form where they fought during the opening attack of the Battle of Loos, on the 25th September. Sydney was wounded at Loos, and brought back to the UK for treatment, but sadly died of wounds on the 20th October, 1915. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Felinfoel (Adulam) Baptist Burial Ground. Many thanks to Sarah Bassett for the photo of his grave. Not on Memorial.
William D. Williams, Corporal. Cannot presently be identified.