Others From the Laugharne Area Who Served in WW1 & WW2
Above is a newspaper clipping showing the four sons of Willie John, of South Hills, Laugharne, who all served in WW2. All survived the War, and descendants live in Laugharne still today.
This photo postcard shows three soldiers, and is dated August 25th 1911. I saw this for sale on ebay, and bought it, as it is addressed to a Mrs. Jones, C/O Mr. Lewis, Hugdon, Laugharne. After looking at the uniforms and badges, and comparing with the list of Laugharne soldiers who fought in WW1 (which is below), I am 99% sure that the three men are Lance Corporal J. Jones, Royal Engineers, of Broadway, Sapper William Henry Jones, Royal Engineers, also of Broadway, and the man in the middle is Alfred Lewis, Royal Marine Light Infantry, of Hugdon. There is a note on the back of the postcard also which says 'Remember to be at Llanstephan tomorrow-tell David John'.
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A photograph of Private John Thomas, of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. I discovered by chance a poem written by his brother, Private Jack Thomas, also of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He sent it home to his parents, Mr and Mrs R. Thomas of Castell Toch, a year after his brother John had his leg amputated following serious wounds suffered at the front. Their nephew James Phillips of Llanstephan, was lost at Langemarck.
A Laugharne Hero
Don’t take him, Sir, take me instead,
He’s far more useful to my Dad than me!
And in the Great War’s records none are found
More worthy of a noble name than he.
Four sons there were, of worthy, Welsh farm home,
And one they wanted for the Army’s ranks;
Thus spake the hero and the other’s place
He freely took, and asked no other thanks.
Two years and more he spent in France’s Hell,
And fought with single power the deadly foe
Till wounded in each limb he fell in strife,
And back to Blighty came with strength but low.
An amputated leg, a fractured arm,
And scarce his medals are. And for reward
A conscience clear, which bids him rise and take
The gratitude of brother, King and God.
Jack Thomas, August 1918.
Above is a clipping showing the two Rowlands brothers, Verdun and Bernard. They both served in No. 1 Commando, after having volunteered from the 4th Welsh, and saw active service in North Africa and Italy with the Commandos. Four men from Laugharne volunteered to serve in the Commandos in WW2, and were accepted after having passed their rigourous training course at Achnacarry, Scotland. They were my Uncle, Glynford Brown (below), Maurice Brace, and Verdun and Bernard Rowlands. Glynford was wounded on a Commando raid, either Dieppe or St. Nazaire, and returned to the 4th Welsh. He landed with the 4th Welsh as part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division as part of the second wave of troops into Normandy, and was wounded again in France. They were tough men even into their old age!
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Name
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Rank
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Regiment/Ship/Squadron
|
Notes
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Adams, Arthur
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Sergeant
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D' Coy-2nd Welsh
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|
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Adams, Thomas (Dcm)
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Corporal
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Royal Welsh Fusiliers
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Son Of Mr J Adams, Dolphin, Laugharne Dcm 1917
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Adams, William
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Driver
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Royal Field Artillery
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Brixtarw Farm-Leave-July 1916
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Allen, Arthur Laugharne
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Private
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15th Welsh
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Died-23rd March 1918
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Allen, Cyril Laugharne (Mm)
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Acting Corporal
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Lancs Hussars/Kings Liverpool Regt
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Mm November 1917
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Andrews, Geoffrey Fleetwood
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2nd Lieutenant
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Royal Garrison Artillery
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Nephew Of Mrs Robert Bowen, Duncan Street-Killed 16th Sept 1918
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Bailiss, W.T.
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Private
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Leave-August 1916
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Beaumont, T.
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|
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Llanmiloe
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Bevan, Archie
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Private
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19th Welsh/Cheshire Regiment
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Island House
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Bevan, David
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Private
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19th Welsh
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4th May 1916
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Bevan, William
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Private
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9th Welsh
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16th April 1918
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Beynon, John
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Private
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4th Welsh
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Gosport
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Beynon, Kensey
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Driver
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ASC
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Son Of Walter Beynon, Broadway
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Beynon, Tom
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Private
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Piy-Welsh
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Broadway
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Bolton, ?
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Colonel
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113th Infantry-Indian Army
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Leave-August 1916
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Bolton, John Ritso Nelson
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Lieutenant
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104th Battery Rfa
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25th Sept 1915
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Bolton, Stuart Bladen Nelson
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Midshipman
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HMS Indefatigable
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31st May 1916
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Bowen, W E
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Private
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Kings Liverpool Regiment
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|
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Brace, Isaac James
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Private
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1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers
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9th July 1916
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Brayshay, Thomas F.
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Commander
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|
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Brewer, ?
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Sergeant
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New Zealand Contingent
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Grandson Of Reverend T Jones, GG Of Howell Rogers, Maltster
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Brigstocke, Thomas
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1st Class Petty Officer
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HMS Goliath
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13th May 1915
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Brown, Miss Moddey
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WAAC
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|
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Brown, George W.
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Sergeant
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Royal Field Artillery-Previous Rn
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Grist-Son Of Harry Brown-Wounded-20/11/1914
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Brown, Jack
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Grist-Son Of Harry Brown
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Brown, John
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Private
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RND
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Frog St-Son Of Henry Brown
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Brown, Miss Jane
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Private
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WAAC
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Brown, Thomas
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Private
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4th Welsh
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Son Of G. Brown-Grist
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Childs, Alfred John
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Private
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Army Service Corps
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Wogan Street-Married Act 1916
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Cole, Thomas George
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Private
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11th Cheshire Regt
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5th December 1918
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Congreve, Claude Vivian
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Major
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Derby Yeomanry
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Island House
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Constable, E
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Lance Corporal
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South Wales Borderers
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Horsepool
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Constable, Jack
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Private
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Dorsetshire Regiment
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Horsepool
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Constable, William
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Private
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19th Welsh
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28th Jan 1917
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Cook, Richard
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Private
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Surrey/MGC
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3rd July 1916
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Cook, Richard
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Private
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East Surrey-MGC
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Cousin Gm Wilkins-Newsagent
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Cooper, Arthur William
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Signaller
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6th KSLI
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3rd October 1918
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David, Robert Craig
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Private
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49th Bttn AIF
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5th Feb 1917
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David, Thomas Jackson
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Private
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15th Bttn AIF
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11th April 1917
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David, Cornelius Mortimer
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Guardsman
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Welsh Guards
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Wounded 1917-Born Pentrehowell, Llanddowror On The 19/3 1895
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David, Evan G.
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Australian Imperial Force
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Emigrated To Australia
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David, Evan G.
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Sergeant
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Royal Field Artillery
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Llwyngog's son'-wounded Aug 1916
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David, Harold L.
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2nd Lieutenant
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Officer Training Corps
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Son Of Late Mr S. David, Gaisford House
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David, Hugh J
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Commander
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HMS Tentonic?
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David, J.M.
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Private
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Welsh Regt
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David, Llewellyn
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Australian Imperial Force
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Emigrated To Australia
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David, T.
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Gunner
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Royal Garrison Artillery
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Grandson Of Late Mr J. David
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David, Thomas Morgan
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Engineering Lieut. Commander
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HMS Hawke
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15th Oct 1914
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David, William
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Private
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208th Bttn CEF
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Browns Hotel
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David, W.T., Bsc Or Ba
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Lieutenant/Major
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Army Ordnance Corps
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Minerva House-Leave Dec 1914
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Davies, Arthur Percy
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Able Seaman
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HMS Impregnable/Ganges/King George V
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Born 20th February 1899-Farm Labourer.
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Davies, Daniel
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Lance Corporal
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Royal Welsh Fusiliers
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Davies, Daniel
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Private
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8th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
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Grist-Leave Feb 1915-Died 10th May 1916
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Davies, David
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Yeomanry
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Grist
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Davies, David D.
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Private
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East Lancashire Regiment/Fusiliers
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Frog Street
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Davies, Evan
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Sapper
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Royal Engineers
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Church Street
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Davies, Harry
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Driver
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Royal Field Artillery
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Son Of J. Davies, Broadway
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Davies, J.
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Gunner
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Royal Field Artillery
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Son Of Mr & Mrs T. Davies, Clifton Street
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Davies, Jack
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Private
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9th Welsh
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Clifton Street-Wounded At Loos-Wounded In Both Legs End 1918
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Davies, John M.
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Welsh Regt
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Clifton Street
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Davies, John Wilkin
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Private
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Welsh Regt
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Hospital Aberdare Oct 1915-Son Of Morgan Davies, Clifton Street
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Davies, Levi Rees (Mm)
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Engineering Lieut. Commander
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Rogers Well. Son Of Rev Lewis Davies Minister Of Bwlchnewydd And Plachet
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Davies, William
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Sapper
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Royal Engineers
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Church Street
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De Burgh, H. Graham
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Lieutenant/Captain
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Royal Field Artillery/Royal Artillery
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Elder Son Of Major H. De Burgh-Island House-Wounded May 1915
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Dearing, William
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Private/Corporal
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Welsh Horse/Labour Corps
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|
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Dempster, W.H.
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Lieutenant-Captain By 1916
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Royal Defence Corps
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Lived At Cliff House-J.P.-C.C.
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Derry, (Dcm)
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Corporal
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|
|
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Dodd, John Henry
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Private
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68th Labour Corps
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1st July 1919
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Ebsworth, Harold Victor
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Lieutenant
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9th Welsh
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Beach Hotel-Wounded August 1916
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Ebsworth, Tarold
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Lieutenant
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12th Welsh
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|
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Ebsworth, Thomas Lewis
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Sergeant/2nd Lieutenant
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A Company-6th Welsh
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Llanmiloe
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Edmunds, David
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Private
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1st Monmouthshire Regt
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Victoria Street
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Edmunds, James
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Poss Lance Corporal
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1st Life Guards Or Hussars
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Feb 1915 To France
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Edmunds, Jim
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Driver
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Royal Garrison Artillery
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Wounded 1918. Married Mrs E. Edmunds, Victoria Street
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Edwards, David James
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Gunner
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A Bty 296th Brigade Royal Field Artillery
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29th September 1917
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Edwards, Aubrey
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Able Seaman
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Minesweepers
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Made A Burgess-Victoria Street
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Edwards, C.
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Seaman
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Blandford
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Edwards, D.
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Private
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Arrive France August 1916
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Edwards, James
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Gunner
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Royal Garrison Artillery
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Victoria Street
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Edwards, Richard
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Private
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13th Welsh
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Morfa Bach-France Aug 1914-Died 24th April 1918
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Edwards, Thomas
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Sailmaker
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HMS Vivid I
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Born 30 March, 1865-Llanddowror
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Evans, A
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Private
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Lincolnshire Regiment
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Reigate House
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Evans, Arthur James
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Seaman
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HMS Marlborough
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Halfpenny Furze
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Evans, Ben
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Private
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Welsh Regiment
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Lasfach Farm
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Evans, John
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Royal Army Medical Corps
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Colston
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Evans, Llewellyn
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Royal Field Artillery
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Craeslands Farm
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Evans, Llewellyn Humphreys
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Private
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15th Lancs.Fusiliers
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26th Nov 1916
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Evans, Miss Cornelia
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WAAC
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King Street
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Evans, R. H.
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Private
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Cresswell Farm
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Evans, T.
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Kitcheners Army-ASC
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Evans, Thomas
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Welsh Regt
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King Street
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Evans, Thomas William Arnold
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Private
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14th Welsh
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17th Sept 1916
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Evans, William
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Private
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Army Service Corps
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Born Middle Newton
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Francis, David
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Seaman
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Leave-Aug-1916
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Francis, H.
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Seaman
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Horsepool
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Gilford, Thomas Or Alan
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Sapper Or Corporal
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Royal Engineers
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|
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Glossop, William
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Major
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10th East Yorkshire Regt
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|
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Gould, Leonard
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Private-1 Of 2
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Royal Welsh Fusiliers
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Llanmiloe
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Griffith, Hector Ralph Hamilton
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Seaman
|
HMS Vivid Ii
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Born 1st November 1900, Farm Labourer
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Griffith, John Llewellyn
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Private
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4th Glos.Regt.
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29th Feb 1920
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Griffiths, Ralph
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Seaman
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Abercorran House
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Griffiths, T.
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Private
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Welsh
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Butchers Arms
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Griffiths, Edgar
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Private
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Royal Field Artillery
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Grandson Of Mrs Griffiths, Underwood Cottage
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Griffiths, Edgar
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Private
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Royal Field Artillery
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Underwood Cottage
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Griffiths, Hubert
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Private
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KlA?
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Abercorran-Mia Jan 1918
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Griffiths, Thomas
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Sapper
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Royal Engineers
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Halfpenny Furze
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Griffiths, Thomas Valentine Jones
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Naval Reservist
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Various
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Born 14 February, 1863. Water Street
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Griffith, Tudor
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HMS Mantna
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Browns Hotel
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Harry, Percival G.
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Driver
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Royal Field Artillery
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Leave-August 1916-Holloway
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Harry, T.J.
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Gunner
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Rfa
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Clifton Street-Wounded 1918
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Harry, Thomas
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Private
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Welsh Regt
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Married To Mrs Harry, Clifton St-Wounded October 1917.
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Harry, W.
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Private
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MGC
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Holloway
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Hitchings, Thomas
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Seaman
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SS Tempus
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Tempus' sunk by enemy submarine on 19 April 1917.
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Hoare, Fred
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Royal Engineers
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Hoare, Gordon
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Private/Sergeant
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Welsh Horse/Rwf
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Howell, George
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Corporal
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Royal Field Artillery
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Marros-Brother Of Pte W Howell Swb
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Howell, John Furlong
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Corporal/Lieutenant
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HAC/ASC
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Broadway Farm
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Howell, Samuel
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Lance Corporal/Corporal
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Royal Army Medical Corps
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Causeway
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Howells, Frank
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Private
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Welsh Regiment
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Pow 1918
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Howells, Theophilus
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Private
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ASC
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The Butts
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Howells, William John
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Captain
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8th Welsh
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Brook-Leave-June 1915
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Howells, William John
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Captain
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8th Welsh
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10th Aug 1915
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Howell, Tudor Francis
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Private
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4/6th Welsh-MGC
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Causeway-Leave-Aug 1916
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Howell, William
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South Wales Borderers
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Woodriffe (Marros) 1 Of 4 Brothers-Leave Sept 1916
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Howell, William
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Terriers
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Gosport
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Hunt, Albert
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Private/Corporal
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South Wales Borderers
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Llandawke-Leave Dec 1914
|
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Isaac, William
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Private
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2nd Bttn, East Yorkshire Regiment
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Pow 1918
|
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Jackson, Thomas James
|
Private
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2nd South Wales Borderers
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10th June 1916
|
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James, George
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Royal Marines
|
|
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James, Benjamin John
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Private
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4th Welsh
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Little Mountain
|
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James, D.
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Private
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Welsh
|
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James, F.
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South Wales Borderers
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Cabin
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James, T.
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Private
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Welsh Regiment
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Frog Street
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James, W.
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South Wales Borderers
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Cabin
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