The old mining communities of Cwmamman, Garnant and Glanamman sit in the Amman Valley, on the Eastern edge of Carmarthenshire. These, and the immediate surrounding villages contributed many men to the war effort, and also lost many of these men. They are remembered on this page. As there are no names on the War Memorial at Garnant, the rolls of names are taken from the 1922 Carmarthen County War Memorial pamphlet, which means that the men of World War Two are not listed at the moment. Thanks to Dave Michael for the photograph of the war memorial, and the extra information on the Thomas brothers and David Griffiths.

Cwmamman, Garnant and Glanamman War Memorials

The Great War, 1914-1918

 

Tom Bassett, Private, 12389, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Tom was the Son of William and Ann Bassett, of Brynamlwg, Garnant. He enlisted at Ammanford into the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. The Division left for Alexandria in June, 1915, and then landed at Cape Helles in July. They fought throughout the remainder of the Gallipoli debacle, before being evacuated to Egypt in January, 1916, and in February moved into Mesopotamia to attempt the relief of the Siege of Kut. The Division fought throughout the entire campaign in Mesopotamia, which is where Tom sadly died of sickness on 22 June 1918. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq.

Zachariah Beech, Private, 57957, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Zacharia resided in Garnant prior to the Great War, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment. He later transferred to the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which were attached to 113 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 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until 11 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 8 August, 1918. The Germans had now lost the upper hand, and the British regained the lost ground on the Somme. The 38th Welsh formed part of the British force that launched an attack from west of Albert on 21 August and this is where Zachariah was killed in action, on 28 August 1918 during the Battle of Albert. He is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval.

George Cook, Private, 18320, Worcestershire Regiment. George was the Son of John and Sarah Cook, of Greenfield Cottage, Garnant, and he enlisted at Pontardawe into the 11th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, which was attached to 78 Brigade, 26th Division. The Division landed at Boulogne on 23 September 1915 but were soon moved again, arriving in Salonika during November that year. Here they fought in the Salonika Campaign against the combined Bulgarian and Turkish forces. George was killed in action in Salonika, during the Battle of Doiran on 25 April, 1917. He was 23 years old and is remembered on the Doiran Memorial.

John William Crump, MM, Sergeant, 12094, Worcestershire Regiment. John was the Son of John and Ada Crump, of Woodland Villa, Twyn, Garnant. He enlisted at Worcester into the 4th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, which was attached to 88 Brigade, 29th Division. The Division moved to Gallipoli via Egypt, landing on 25 April 1915. They remained here until evacuation to Egypt on 11 January, 1916 and then moved to the Western Front on 15 March 1916. The Division took part in its first major action in France during the 1916 Somme Offensive, and fought at the Battles of Albert and Le Transloy, suffering heavy casualties. John was awarded the Military Medal for Bravery on the Field during the Battle of the Somme, and the award was listed in the London Gazette of 5 January 1917. In the spring of 1917 the 29th Division fought at the Battle of the Scarpe, which was part of the Arras Offensive, and then moved further north to Ypres. Here they fought at the Battle of Langemarck, where John was killed in action, aged 23, on 16 August 1917. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Aaron Davies, Private, 20812, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Aaron was born in Glanamman, Son of the late Morgan Davies, of Gellygron, Pontardawe, and the Husband of Harriet Davies, of 18, Tan-y-Fron, Garden Suburb, Barry, Glamorgan. He enlisted at Swansea into the Welsh Regiment, and later transferred into the 1/5th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, who were attached to 143 Brigade, 48th (South Midland) Division. The Division was a formation created by the establishment of the Territorial Force in 1908. It moved to France between 22 March and 1 April 1915, and saw its first major engagement at the opening of the Battle of the Somme. The Division held the line between the 56th (London) and the 31st Divisions, both of which were heavily engaged at Gommecourt and Serre respectively. Two of the battalions of the Division attacked on 1 July 1916, and suffered heavy casualties. They then went into action at the Battle of Bazentin, during the second phase of the Battle of the Somme, and captured Ovillers. Aaron was killed in action at Bazentin Ridge on 18 July 1916 aged 27. He has no known grave and so is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

David Oscar Tyrell Davies, Sapper, 192048, Royal Engineers. David was the Son of Ben and Nella Davies of Garnant. He had served during the Great War with the Royal Engineers Signal Service, A.E. Cable Company. Nothing is known of David's service, but he died at home of sickness on 24 November 1918 aged just 21, and is buried at Garnant (Christ Church) Churchyard.

Thomas Davies, Gunner, W/3379, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was the Son of David R. Davies, of 6, Evans Terrace, Glanamman. He enlisted at Swansea into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their 'B' Battery, 307th Brigade, which was attached to the 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. The Division entrained for the Western Front on 21 May 1916, moving to positions at Fromelles. The first major action in which the Division was engaged turned out to be a disaster. An attack was made on the 19th July 1916 at Fromelles, a subsidiary action to the much larger battle taking place further south on the Somme. The Division suffered very heavy casualties for no significant gain and no enemy reserves were diverted from the Somme. Such was the damage to the Division and its reputation that it was not used again other than for holding trench lines until 1917. In March the 61st were one of the Divisions employed in the cautious pursuit of the enemy, when the Germans carried out a deep withdrawal from the area of the Somme to the formidable prepared positions that the British called the Hindenburg Line, in March 1917. On 17 March, it captured Chaulnes and Bapaume. Later that year it fought at Battle of Langemarck, between 16 and 18 August 1917, as part of the Third Battle of Ypres, and in late August and early September it was involved in the efforts to push the line forward at positions around Schuler Farm and Aisne Farm near Kerselaar. The Division then moved south, where it was to take part in the Battle of Cambrai, between 20 November and 7 December 1917. In late November 1917, the British Third Army made a highly successful attack, using massed tanks for the first time, near Cambrai. 61st Division was initially held in reserve and was still in the area when the enemy made a determined counterattack on 30 November. The Division was ordered up to reinforce the units under attack in the area of La Vacquerie and for some days was involved in a hard fight to stem the enemy attack. During March, 1918 the Division faced the might of German Spring Offensive, at the Battle of St Quentin, which is where Thomas was killed in action, on 21 March 1918 aged 33. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial, France.

Thomas Davies, Private, 88592, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was born in Cwmllynfell, the Adopted Son of Joseph Jones, of Maesyderi, Glanamman. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to 113 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 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until 11 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 8 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 21 August 1918, with the 38th Division in the midst of the assault over the old Somme battlefield. 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 and onto the Sambre. Thomas was killed in action during the Battle of the Sambre, on 4 November 1918. He is buried at Englefontaine British Cemetery, France.

Evan James Evans, Private, 6360, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Evan was the Son of David Evans, of Bristol House, Cymmer, Port Talbot, and the Husband of Louisa Evans, of 3, Greenfield Rd., Twyn, Garnant. He enlisted at Neath into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which had originally landed at Rouen on 11 August 1914 attached to 19 Brigade. The Brigade had fought at the Battle of Mons, and during the epic retreat through Solesmes, Le Cateau to the Marne, where the BEF stopped the German attack in its tracks. They then took part in the advance to the Aisne, before transferring to the 6th Division and moving to positions east of Ypres. On 31 May 1915 the Brigade moved to the 27th Division, and fought at Second Ypres, and then transferred to the 2nd Division for a short period, fighting with them at the Battle of Loos. On 25 November 1915 the Brigade transferred again, to the 33rd Division in the Loos area, where Evan was killed in action on 22 June 1916. He was 28 years old, and has no known grave, and so Evan is remembered on the Loos Memorial.

Evan William Evans, Gunner, 3010, Royal Field Artillery. Evan was the Son of John and Elizabeth Evans, of Garnant Terrace, Garnant. He enlisted at Cwmamman into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their 'X', 42nd Trench Mortar Battery, which was attached to the 42nd (East Lancashire) Division. The Division had sailed from Southampton in September, 1914 for Egypt, and fought a series of skirmishes against the Turks. On 6 May 1915 the Division landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, where they fought until evacuation in January 1916. They then spent twelve months in Egypt again, and were moved to the Western Front in February 1917, taking over the line near Epehy then Havrincourt. In September they moved north to Ypres, where they fought through Third Ypres, until moving to the Coast in September to refit. November 1917 saw them moving to positions at Givenchy, where they remained until moving back south in early 1918. Here they faced the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918 on the Somme, and fought in the Battle of Bapaume, and then at Arras. The offensive stalled for several months, and the Division remained on the Somme, where Evan was killed in action on 30 June 1918 aged 23. He is buried at Bertrancourt Military Cemetery.

Samuel Fish, Private, 27849, Welsh Regiment. Samuel was residing in Glanamman prior to the war, and enlisted at Ammanford into the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who were attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division moved to France in June, 1916 and took over positions in the line near Loos, where they remained until moving to the Somme later that year, where they fought at the Battle of the Ancre. They spent their first winter in the trenches of 1916/17 on the Somme, which is where Samuel was killed in action on 30 December 1916. He was buried at Priez Farm, which was destroyed by gunfire later in the war, and so he is remembered by a Special Memorial at Guards Cemetery, Combles.

David Griffiths, Corporal, 26029, Northumberland Fusiliers. David was the Son of William and Catherine Griffiths, of Varteg House, Garnant. He had been born at Pontypridd, but the family had moved to Garnant at some time, probably to find work in the coal mines. David had enlisted at Ammanford into the Army, and was posted to the 10th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, which landed in France in August 1915 as part of 68 Brigade, 23rd Division. They saw their first major action at the Battle of Albert in July of the following year, where they captured Contalmaison, and then fought at the Battle of Bazentin, the Battle of Pozieres, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy, where they captured Le Sars. David was killed here on 4 October 1916. He was 28 years old and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. There is another memorial to his memory on the base of his younger elder brother Gwilym's headstone at Hen Bethel Chapel, Glanamman.

David Griffiths, Lance Corporal, 13977, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was the Son of William and Mary Ann Griffiths, of 2, High St., Glanamman. He enlisted at Ammanford into the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to 76 Brigade, 25th Division and landed in France on 27 September 1915. In October the Brigade transferred to the 3rd Division. They were stationed at Ypres at the time, and in 1916 fought there 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. They then took part in the Battle of Delville Wood, and the Battle of the Ancre, before settling into another bleak winter in France. In May 1917 the Division were at Arras, and fought at the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe, and at the Battle of Arleux and the Third Battle of the Scarpe, where they captured Roeux. Again they moved, this time back to Ypres, where they fought in the Third Battle of Ypres, at the Battle of the Menin Road and the Battle of Polygon Wood. In November the Division moved south again, where they fought at the Battle of Cambrai, and they were in the area during March 1918 when the German Spring Offensive swept through the British lines, at the Battle of St Quentin and the First Battle of Bapaume. They then fought at the First Battle of Arras, before being moved to Flanders to rebuild. However the Germans switched the focus of their offensive to Flanders, and the Division were caught up in the worst of the fighting there, at the Battle of Estaires, and then at the Battles of Hazebrouck and Bethune. By now the German offensive had stalled, and the Division were moved south to take part in the great British offensive, and on 21 August 1918 fought at the Battle of Albert, where David was killed in action on 24 August 1918. He was 24 years old and is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval.

Lewis Holt, Private, 17809, Welsh Regiment. Lewis was born in Garnant, the Son of Mrs. M. J. Holt, later of Oakfield, Lower Cwmtwrch, Swansea. He enlisted at Ystalyfera into the 14th Battalion, Welsh regiment, attached to 114 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 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until 11 July to clear the wood. Lewis was wounded during one of the attacks, and was brought to the Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly for treatment. He died of wounds there on 24 July 1916 aged 22, and is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe.

Arthur Hopkins, Corporal, 12146, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Arthur was born in Neath, and resided in Glanamman prior to the war, being the Husband of Elizabeth Mary Hopkins, of Amman Cottage, Glanamman. He enlisted at Ammanford into the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. On 13 June 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between 6 and 16 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 3 and 5 August 1915, taking part in the Battle of Sari Bair, Russell's Top, and Hill 60, ANZAC, between 27 and 28 August. Soon afterwards the Division was transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. It was evacuated from Suvla on 19 December 1915, whereupon the infantry moved after a weeks rest to the Helles bridgehead, where they faced the last Turkish attacks at Helles, on 7 January 1916. On 8 January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Helles, and by 31 January was concentrated at Port Said, where they held forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On 12 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 27 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, from December 1916 to February 1917, which is where Arthur was killed in action on 25 January 1917 aged 27. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

William Henry Hurley, Gunner, 463, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was born at Tenby, the Son of Mr. T.J. Hurley and Mrs. M. A. Hurley, of 1, Arcade Terrace, Garnant, Carmarthenshire. He enlisted at Swansea into the Royal Garrison Artillery, but sadly died at home of sickness on 27 May 1915 aged 23. He is buried at Pembroke Dock Military Cemetery.

Stanley Garfield Jenkins, Private, 31143, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Stanley was the Son of Evan and Esther Jenkins, of Broadawel, Twyn, Garnant. He enlisted at Maesteg into the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had moved to France during December, 1915 and took up positions near Armentieres, to be initiated into trench warfare in a 'quiet' sector of the line. Stanley was killed in action here on 19 February, 1916 aged 22, and is buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy.

Evan John Jones, Private, 27180, South Wales Borderers. Evan was born in Llandeilo, the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Jones, later of Prospect Place, Garnant. He enlisted at Neath into the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which were part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division moved to France on 13 August 1914 and moved to positions around Mons, where they fought in the Battle of Mons, and in the epic retreat from Mons to the Marne, where the German Offensive was stopped. The BEF then followed up the German withdrawal to the Aisne, and met them in battle again, before moving to Ypres, where they again stemmed the German attack there. After a hard first winter on the Western Front, the Division fought at the Battle of Aubers in May 1915, and then at the Battle of Loos in September. They remained in positions around Loos until late June, 1916 when they were moved to the Somme, but Evan was Killed in Action before the move, on 9 June 1916 aged 26. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

William Enson Jones, Lance Corporal, 20108, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Llandyfriog, and was the Husband of Hannah Jones, of "Tyddewi," Garnant Rd., Garnant. He enlisted at Ammanford into the 16th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who were attached to 115 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 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until 11 July to clear the wood. William had been wounded at some time, and returned home for treatment, but sadly died of wounds on 21 July 1916. He was 29 years old, and is buried at Garnant (Old Bethel) Welsh Congregational Chapelyard.

William Henry Jones, Lance Corporal, 13195, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. David John Jones, of 11, Tircoed Rd., Glanamman. He enlisted at Ammanford into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to 58 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 11 and 21 July 1915. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war. The Division fought at 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 1 July 1916, 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, where William was wounded. He died of wounds on 7 April 1917 aged 22, and is buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Orlando Leonard, Driver, W/5031, Royal Field Artillery. Orlando was the Son of John R. and Lizzie Leonard, of Penrheol, Garnant. He enlisted at Cross Keys into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their 1st Brigade Ammunition Column, which was attached to the 27th Division. The 27th Division was formed in England in October-November 1914, from regular units returning from India, Hong Kong and Canada. On 21 December 1914 it landed in France and proceeded to the Western Front, where it fought at the Action of St Eloi, and at The Second Battle of Ypres. In November 1915 the Division moved to Salonika, which is where Orlando was to die of pneumonia on 5 November, 1918. He was just 22 years old, and is buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria.

Benjamin Lewis, Lance Corporal, 13685, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Benjamin was the Son of Joseph and Margaret Lewis, of 4, Oak Cottages, Glynmoch, Ammanford. He resided in Garnant prior to the war, and enlisted at Ammanford into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who were attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division assembled around Bulford during September 1914. Divisional training was completed near Tidworth, from March 1915, and the Butterfly crossed to France 11-21 July 1915. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war. The Division fought at 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 1 July 1916, capturing the village at heavy cost. Benjamin was killed in action here on 3 July 1916 aged just 22, and is buried at Ovillers Military Cemetery.

David Lewis, Gunner, W/45, Royal Field Artillery. David was the Husband of Sarah Lewis, of Talafon, Station Square, Pwllheli. They had resided at Glanamman prior to the war, and David had enlisted at Ammanford into the Royal Field Artillery, being posted to the 119th Brigade Ammunition Column, who was attached to the 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 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until 11 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. David must have been sent home suffering from an illness, as he is recorded as having died at home of sickness on 13 September 1917. He is buried at Denio (St. Beuno) Churchyard.

Jacob Dilwyn Llewelyn, Private, 125837, Machine Gun Corps. Jacob was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. William Llewelyn, of Rhianfa, Garnant. Jacob had qualified with a B.A., 1st class honours in French before enlisting at Neath into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He subsequently transferred to the 19th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, who were attached to the 19th (Western) Division, which had crossed to France 11-21 July 1915. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war. The Division fought at 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 1 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, Poelcapelle 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, and fought during the Battle of the Selle, where Jacob was killed in action on 21 October 1918. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension.

 

William Henry Lyne, Private, 2439, Monmouthshire Regiment. William worked at the Raven Tinplate Works at Glanamman prior to the war. He enlisted before the war at Abergavenny into the 3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment, which was a Territorial Battalion. The Battalion was mobilised for war on 4 August 1914 and moved to Pembroke Dock, then to Oswestry, where the men volunteered for overseas service. On 14 February 1915 the Battalion landed in France, where it joined 83 Brigade, 28th Division, moving to Flanders. In September the Battalion was posted as the Pioneer Battalion to the 49th Division, and moved to the Canal Bank at Ypres. It was here, on 29 December 1915, that William was mortally wounded, when the Germans shelled their positions, wounding over 60 men. William died of his wounds that day, and is buried at Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Belgium, in Plot 2, Row E, Grave 2 (in a shared grave). Many thanks to Dave Michal for sending me a newspaper clipping which told of William's death.

 

Walter Frank Mason, Private, 31512, Welsh Regiment. Walter was born at Herne Hill, Surrey. Prior to the war he resided at Garnant, and enlisted at Ammanford into the 19th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who were attached to the 38th (Welsh) Division as Pioneers. 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 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until 11 July to clear the wood. Walter was wounded during the assault and brought back to the Casualty Clearing Station at Heilly, where he died of wounds on 12 July 1916. He is buried there at Heilly Station Cemetery, Mericourt-L'Abbe.

William Idris Morgan, Private, B/20341, Royal Fusiliers. William was the Son of David and Rachel Morgan, of Hwyn Neuadd, Twyn, Garnant. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 26th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, who were attached to 124 Brigade, 41st Division. This Division was formed in September 1915, and moved to France by 6 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. The Division remained in the line, pushing on to Courcelette over the next few days before coming out for a rest and re-fit. They then fought at the Battle of Le Transloy, where William was killed in action on 4 October 1916 aged just 21. He is buried at A.I.F. Burial Ground, Flers.

William John Richards, Company Sergeant Major, 62735, Royal Engineers. William was born at Llandeilo, and resided in Glanamman prior to the war. He enlisted at Ammanford into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to their 245th Army Troops Company, who was the Guernsey Company. William was wounded during the Battle of Amiens, and died of wounds on 17 August, 1918. He is buried at Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France.

 

Elias Smith, Private, 12223, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Elias was the Son of Ellada Smith, of 5, Brynrhos, Glanamman, and enlisted at Ammanford into the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The Battalion were attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division, and on the 13th June 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between 6 and 16 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 3 and 5 August 1915, taking part in the Battle of Sari Bair, where Elias was killed in action on 11 August 1915 aged 21. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

David Thomas, Private, 129351, Canadian Infantry. David was the Son of David and Elizabeth Thomas, of "Areulfa," Garnant. He had studied for his B.A. at Cardiff University, before emigrating to Canada, where he took up a post as Teacher at Lord Nelson's School, Vancouver. David enlisted at Vancouver on 14 September 1915, and was posted to the 16th Battalion (Manitoba), Canadian Infantry, which were attached to 3 (Canadian) Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. The Division had been in France since February 1915 and had seen action at Ypres, at the Battles of Gravenstafel, and at St. Julien, where they plugged the gap left in the line left by the French Colonial Division who had been subjected to the first Gas Attack of the war. They then saw action at the Battle of Festubert, and at Givenchy before moving back to Ypres, where they captured Mount Sorrel in June 1916. The Division then moved south to the Somme, and fought at the Battles of Flers-Courcelette, Thiepval and the Battle of Le Transloy, where David was killed in action on 9 October 1916 aged 26. His body was lost on the battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Vimy Memorial. His brother Michael was also killed, while serving with the Royal West Surrey Regiment.

William Thomas, Private, 1369, Australian Infantry. William was the Son of David Thomas, of Maesygwrnen, Glanamman. He trained as an engineer prior to the war, and had also emigrated to Australia. He enlisted at Sydney, NSW on the 15th December, 1914, into the 13th Battalion, Australian Infantry, who were attached to 4 Brigade, ANZAC Division. The Division moved to Egypt in late 1914, and trained there in preparation for a move to the Western Front. However, the plan was changed and the Australians, as part of the ANZAC Corps, landed as part of the initial assault on the Gallipoli Peninsula on 25 April 1915. William was wounded on 30 August, suffering a gunshot wound to his back, and was evacuated to Hospital in Alexandria. On 13 November he rejoined his Battalion on Gallipoli, and on 3 January 1916 the Battalion were evacuated to Mudros, and then on to Egypt. In Egypt the AIF was doubled, and the Battalions reorganised, seeing the 13th Battalion join the 4th Australian Division. On 1 June 1916 William's Battalion marched to the harbour in Alexandria, where they embarked on a transport ship for Marseilles, and upon their arrival in France were posted to positions around Fleurbaix. In July the 4th Australian Division moved south to the Somme, to take part in the great offensive there, and on 20 July moved into position at Pozieres. They attacked Pozieres on 23 July, and after a bloody battle, captured the ridge which had held the British 34th Division off previously. The Division were moved from the line to rest at Warloy Baillon, but were moved back into positions north of Pozieres on 14 August, preparatory to an attack on the German strongpoint of Mouquet Farm. William was killed in action here on 14 August 1916. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 1, France.

William Albert Thomas, Private, 33674, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of William Jones, of The Globe Inn, Garnant and the Husband of Annie Thomas, of Collier's Row, Garnant. He enlisted at Brynamman into the 9th Battalion, Welsh regiment, who were attached to 58 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 11-21 July 1915. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war. The Division fought at 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 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost. William was killed in action here, during the Battle of Albert, on 7 July 1916. He was 35 years old, and is buried at Serre Road Cemetery No. 1.

William Michael Thomas, Private, G/23007, Royal West Surrey Regiment. William was the Son of David and Elizabeth Thomas, of "Areulfa," Garnant, and enlisted on the 1st September into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps. He later transferred into the 10th Battalion, Royal West Surrey regiment, who were attached to 124 Brigade, 41st Division. The Division was formed in September 1915, and moved to France by 6 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. The Division remained in the line, pushing on to Courcelette over the next few days before coming out for a rest and re-fit. They then fought at the Battle of Le Transloy, before moving to positions south of Ypres in 1917. Here they took part in the Battle of Messines, before moving further north, where they fought at the Battle of Pilckem, and the Battle of the Menin Road where William was killed in action on 20 September 1917 aged 23. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. His brother David was also killed, while serving with the Canadian Infantry.