Dafen is a Village to the East of the larger Town of Llanelli. The War Memorials for Dafen are located either side of the Lytch Gate of St Michael And All Angels Church, Bryngwyn Road, Dafen. This page serves to remember the men who gave their lives during both World Wars.

Dafen War Memorial

The Great War, 1914-1918

D Davies Cannot presently be identified.

Joseph Evans, Private, L/15904, Middlesex Regiment. Joseph resided at Penygaer, Dafen, 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 11 August, 1914. On 22 August, 1914 they were attached to 19th Brigade, forming at Valenciennes, and on 12 October moved with 19th Brigade, to the 6th Division. On 31 May, 1915 they again moved, to the 27th Division, and by 19 August were with the 2nd Division at Loos. Here they took part in the opening assault near Cambrin on 25 September, 1915. Joseph was killed in action this day, and is buried at Cambrin Churchyard Extension, France. Photo courtesy of Mark Collins/ Llanelly Mercury.

 

 

Joseph Harries, Private, 33742, Welsh Regiment. Joseph was the brother of Josiah below, and the Son of Josiah and Mary Harries, of St. David's Cottages, Incline, Dafen, Llanelli. He enlisted there into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 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. 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, where Joseph was wounded. He died of wounds on the 8th June, 1917 aged just 20, and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Josiah Harries, Private, 5728, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Josiah was the brother of Joseph above, and the Son of Mr. J. Harries, of St. Davids Cottages, Dafen, Llanelli. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Welsh Regiment, but later transferred into the 2/7th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which was part of the 182nd Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. This Second Line Territorial Division was formed in January 1915, composed of the Home Service units of the associated First Line 48th (South Midland) Division. Men of the First Line who did not undertake the Imperial Service Obligation were transferred to these units. Early clothing and equipment for these men was haphazard to say the least. Many had to train in civilian clothes and it was only between November 1915 and March 1916 that proper equipment was received. The battalion moved to and trained in the Chelmsford area from April 1915, moving on to Salisbury Plain in January 1916. The introduction of the Military Service Act 1916 cleared the way for the Second Line units to be sent overseas, and the Division entrained for the Western Front on the 21st 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. Josiah was killed in action here on the 17th July, 1916, and is buried at Laventie Military Cemetery, La Gorgue, France.

William Harries, Private, 21539, South Wales Borderers. William was born in Llanelli, and resided at Dafen when he enlisted into the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, 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. William was killed during the first attack on the wood, on the 7th July, 1916. He is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz.

M. Hughes. Cannot presently be identified.

Frank Jenkins, M.M., Lance Sergeant, 12903, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Frank was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jenkins, of 4, Nevill's Terrace, Dafen, and he enlisted at Llanelli into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which were 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. 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. They moved to Ypres, but were caught up in the German attack at Messines, and at Bailleul, and Kemmel. Frank was wounded in Flanders, and died on the 8th May, 1918. He was 27 years old, and is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium. Not on Memorial.

Miles Richard Jenkins, Private, 94253, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Miles was born at Llannon, and resided at Pontyberem prior to the war. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Army, and joined the Monmouth Regiment, with the Regimental Number 60737. Miles later transferred into the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 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. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and the Battle of Langemarck. They 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 and onto the Sambre. Miles was killed in action at the Battle of the Sambre on the 4th November, 1918. He is buried at Englefontaine British Cemetery, France.

Frederick John, Private, 43608, Welsh Regiment. Frederick was born in Llanelli, the Son of William and Adalide John, later of "Sarnau," 3, Whitley Rd., Loughor. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 16th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, 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. 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, which is where Frederick was killed on the 27th August, 1917. He was 24 years old, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. He is also remembered on the headstone of his parents grave at Box Cemetery, Llanelli.

David John Morgan, Gunner, 2187, Royal Field Artillery. David was the Son of Thomas and Hannah Morgan, of "Gwynfryn," Dafen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their D Battery, 119th Brigade, which was attached to the 24th Division. They moved to France during August, 1915 and marched to positions near Loos, where they took up reserve positions for the main Battle of Loos. The Division were sent into battle on the 26th September, 1915 at Loos and suffered terrible casualties due to not being properly trained for battle, and were pulled from the line until the following year. In 1916 they took part in the Battle of the Somme, and fought at Delville Wood and Guillemont, before moving north of Arras in early 1917. In April and May, 1917 they fought at the Battle of Vimy, alongside the Canadian Corps, and in June they moved to positions south of Ypres, where they fought during the Battle of Messines. After the successful capture of Messines Ridge, the Division moved further north, and fought at the Battles of Pilckem and Langemarck during Third Ypres. The Division then moved to positions north of St. Quentin over the winter of 1917/18, and were here when the German Spring Offensive was launched on the 21st March, 1918, defending the Village of Le Verguier, before retreating back, fighting at the Somme Crossings, the Battle of Rosieres and the Battle of the Avre. They were moved north to Flanders to rest, but were here when the Germans launched a fresh Offensive on the Lys, taking part in the Battle of Kemmel. The Division rested for s period after this, and took part in the final offensives of the war, at the Battle of Cambrai, and the Pursuit to the Selle. David was wounded here, and died soon after on the 12th September, 1918. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Arneke British Cemetery, France.

Albert Edward Morris, Sergeant, 11661, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Albert was the Son of William E. Morris and Honora Morris, of I, North Terrace, Dafen. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attached to 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 Battles of Sari Bair, Russell's Top, and Hill 60, ANZAC. Soon afterwards the Division was transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay, and it was evacuated from Suvla on the 19th December 1915, whereupon the infantry moved after a weeks rest to the Helles bridgehead, where they faced the last Turkish attacks at Helles. On the 8th January 1916, the Division was evacuated from Helles, and by the 31st January was concentrated at Port Said, where they held forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th 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 the 27th 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. Albert was killed in action here on the 5/4/1916 aged 28, and is remembered on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

William Nunian, Private, 535001, London Regiment. William was the Son of John and Margaret Nunian, of 31, Swansea Road, Llanelly, and enlisted at Hamstead into the 15th Battalion (Civil Service Rifles), London Regiment. He was later posted to the 1st/12th Battalion, London Regiment (The Rangers), attached to the 168th Brigade, 56th Division. The Division fought at the diversionary attack on Gommecourt then at Ginchy, Flers and Morval, where they captured Combles. They wintered on the Somme, and followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917 before fighting in the Battle of Arras. They then moved to Ypres, where they fought at Langemarck. In October they moved south, and fought at the Battle of Cambrai, which is where William was killed on the 27th November, 1917. He was 19 years old, and is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval. He is also remembered on his parents grave at Box Cemetery, Llanelli.

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.

Lewis Watkins, Private, 3237, Welsh Guards. Lewis was the Son of William and Emma Watkins, of 67, Trosnant, Pontypool, Monmouth. He must have resided at Dafen prior to the war, and he enlisted at Llanelli into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, attached to the 3rd Brigade, Guards Division. This Division has the distinction of being formed in France in August 1915. The various Guards units that had been with other Divisions were withdrawn to be brought together to create this fine formation. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on the 25th September, 1915, remaining in the area during the coming months, where they also fought in the subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. In July, 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs Village. They remained here for the winter, and in March, 1917 took part in the advance caused by the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Later that year they moved north to Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of the Pilkem, and then at the Battle of the Menin Road, Battle of Poelcapelle and the First Battle of Passchendaele. November saw them move south again, where they took part in the Battle of Cambrai. Lewis was killed in action here on the 1st December, 1917 aged 34. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval.

William Whitehouse, Private, 15735, Worcestershire Regiment. William was born at West Bromwich, the Son of William and Sarah Ann Whitehouse. The family later moved to Havard Road, Llanelli, and he enlisted there into the 10th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, which was attached to the 57th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division crossed to France between the 11th and the 21st July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos. William sadly died here soon after, on the 6th August, 1915. He was just 19 years old, and is buried at Merville Communal Cemetery, France.

Daniel George Williams, Private, 12525, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Daniel was the Son of John and Margaretta Williams of Incline Row, Dafen, and the Husband of the late Jane Williams of 2 Charles Street, Trealaw. He enlisted at Tonypandy into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 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 Daniel was killed on the 11th August, 1915 aged 29. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Not on Memorial.

John Williams, Private, 38530, South Wales Borderers. John was born at Burry Port, and resided at Dafen prior to the war. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 12th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, who were attached to the 119th Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. This Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. Weeding out of very under-sized or unfit men delayed the training programme, and it was not until late Spring 1916 that the Division was ready to proceed on active service. The Division moved to France between the 1st and 9th June, and moved to the front near Loos. Late in 1916 they moved south to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of the Ancre, and remained in the area over the winter. In March, 1917 the Germans withdrew to their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division were one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. Later in the year they took part in the Battle of Cambrai, playing an important role in the attack on Bourlon Wood. John was killed in action here on the 25th November, 1917. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval.