Golden Grove War Memorial

The Great War, 1914-1918

Evan Evans, Lance Corporal, 25833, Lancashire Fusiliers. Evan was the elder Son of David and Harriet Evans, of Caefadog, Llanarthney, Carmarthen. He originally enlisted at Llanelli into the Royal Field Artillery, but was later transferred to the 11th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, part of 74 Brigade, 25th Division. The Division landed in France on 26 September, 1915, and were posted to the Vimy area, where they defended Vimy Ridge against a German attack in May 1916. They then moved to the Warloy area and attacked on 3 July near Thiepval. They fought throughout the Battle of the Somme, and then moved to Ploegsteert, where they held the line for the months leading up the Battle of Messines in June, 1917. Evan was killed just before the division moved to Ypres from Messines, on 10 August 1917. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. Evan's death was a tremendous blow to his family, as his brother Alewyn had died just three months previously.

Ronald Grove Jones, Private, 8524, Leicestershire Regiment. Ronald was born at Golden Grove, and resided in London prior to the outbreak of war. He enlisted there into the Army, and joined the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. The battalion was in India at the outbreak of war, as part of the Garwhal Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division, and the division was recalled to France to reinforce the stretched BEF. The division took up positions in Northern France, where they saw heavy action the following year, during the Battle of Festubert. Ronald was killed here on 15 May 1915. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg L'Avoue, France. Ronald is not commemorated on the Golden Grove War Memorial.

Thomas Rees, Private, 44253, South Wales Borderers. Thomas was born at Golden Grove. He enlisted at Chatham into the Army, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was in China at the outbreak of war, and took part fighting there against the German Garrison at Tientsin. It was then recalled to Britain, where it joined 87 Brigade, 29th Division, and took part in the Gallipoli Landings, gaining a reputation for its fighting ability. The Division moved to france during May 1915 and took part in its first major action in France during the 1916 Somme Offensive. It then fought at the Battles of Albert and Le Transloy, suffering heavy casualties. In the Spring of 1917 they 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, and this is where Thomas was killed on 16 August 1917. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Thomas is not commemorated on the Golden Grove War Memorial.

John Ronald Campbell, Major, 33632, Coldstream Guards. John was the Son of Brigadier General John Vaughan Campbell, VC, CMG, DSO, and of Dorothy Campbell, of the Cawdor Family. He was the husband of Ethel Mildred Campbell, of Hadnall, Shropshire. John served as a regular Officer with the Coldstream Guards, following the family tradition, as it was the Regiment that his father won the Victoria Cross with during the Great War. (See Carmarthenshire Heroes page). After the German invasion of Poland, the British Government sent an expeditionary force to France, and with it was the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards. John was a Major with the battalion, In May 1940 the Germans invaded France and Belgium, and within days John was dead. He had been killed in action on 30 May 1940 during some hard fighting, and is buried at Veurne Communal Cemetery Extension, Belgium. John was 35 years old.

Bertie Lewis, Private, 10699128, Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Bertie was the Son of John Thomas Lewis and Jemima Lewis, of Golden Grove, Carmarthenshire. He had become an accountant before joining the Royal Army Ordnance Corps at the outbreak of war, and was posted to North Africa. Bertie sadly died in Algeria while on active service, the official cause of death was sleeping sickness. Bertie was 37 years old, and was buried at El Alia Cemetery, Algeria. Photos courtesy of Bev Lewis.

Ivor Thomas Charles, Private, 39247, South Wales Borderers. Ivor was born at Llanarthney, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Monmouthshire Regiment. Some time later he was transferred into the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, Pioneers to the 25th Division. The Division moved to France in September 1915 and moved to the Vimy sector. They fought in every major battle thereafter and took part in some of the terrible fighting during the German Spring offensive of 1918 before being moved to the Soissons Sector. On 27 May 1918 a German attack hit them again, and during the coming days the Division was virtually annihilated. By 9 June, a decision had been taken to break up what was left of the Division to reinforce other formations. The core of the Division returned to England to rebuild, and returned to the front in September 1918, moving at first to St Riquier near Abbeville. Late in the month, it entrained for Fourth Army, coming under XIII Corps which was by now engaged in the more or less continuous and eventually victorious advance across Picardy, fighting at the Battle of Beaurevoir. They then fought during the remainder of the great offensive, at the Battle of Cambrai, the Pursuit to the Selle, the Battle of the Selle, and the Battle of the Sambre. Ivor was taken ill and died during the final offensive, and he died on 29 October 1918. He is buried at Pont-De-Nieppe Communal Cemetery, France. Ivor is not commemorated on the Llanarthney War Memorial.

George Davies, Sapper, 448501, Royal Engineers. George was born at Llannon, and resided at Llanarthney prior to the outbreak of war. He enlisted at Ammanford into the Royal Engineers, and after training was posted to 90th Field Company, attached to 9th (Scottish) Division. During the summer of 1915 the Division moved to France, and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos. They then took part in the Battle of the Somme, fighting at the opening Battle of Albert, and then at the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Longueval. They then fought at the Battle of Delville Wood, and the Battle of Le Transloy, and in April, 1917 were at Arras, where they fought at the First Battle of the Scarpe and the Third Battle of the Scarpe. The Division moved north to Ypres, and fought at the Battle of the Menin Road, and at the First Battle of Passchendaele, before being moved to Cambrai, and fighting at the Action of Welsh Ridge. In March, 1918 they were still in the Cambrai area, and were one of the Divisions hit there by the German Spring Offensive, fighting at the Battle of St Quentin, and the First Battle of Bapaume. After suffering terrible casualties the Division were moved to Flanders to rebuild, but the Germans launched another offensive there during April, 1918, and the Division then took part in the Battles of the Lys, at the Battle of Messines, the Battle of Bailleul, the First Battle of Kemmel, the Second Battle of Kemmel and then during the Advance in Flanders, where they took part in the Action of Outtersteene Ridge. George was wounded during the fighting around Outtersteene, and evacuated to the hospital at St. Omer, where he died of his wounds on 1 August 1918. He is buried at Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery, France.

Thomas Davies, Lance Corporal, 68852, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was the Son of Mr and Mrs Davies, of Caerllwyn, Foelgastell. He was employed at New Cross Hands Collieries prior to the war, and enlisted into the Pembroke Yeomanry. After training, Thomas was posted first to the Welsh Regiment, and then to the Royal Irish Rifles. At some time he was then re-posted to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and joined their 11th Battalion, which was part of 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, with all units being concentrated near Flesselles by the 9th of the month. However it's stay in France was to be very short, as on 27 October 1915 the Division, having been moved by train to Marseilles, began to embark for Salonika. It completed concentration there in November, although the final artillery units were still coming in as late as 13 December 1915. It remained in the theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the Retreat from Serbia during December, 1915. Between 10 to 18 August 1916 they fought at the battle of Horseshoe Hill, then between 13 to 14 September 1916 at the battle of Machukovo. Between 24-25 April and 8-9 May 1917 the Division fought at the battle of Doiran. Thomas was killed some weeks later, on 31 July 1918. He is buried at Doiran Military Cemetery, Greece.

William John Hughes, Private, 26467, Welsh Regiment. William was born in Llanarthney, the Son of John Hughes, later of Gorsfach, Gorslas. William resided at Llandebie prior to the war, and enlisted at Porth into the 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division, which 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 1 and 9 June 1916, 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. William was killed in action during this period, on 24 April, 1917. He is buried at Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich.

David Robert James, Private, 1490, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Voel Castell, and was a regular soldier, having originally enlisted at Llanelli into the Welsh Regiment. At the outbreak of war David was either still serving, or was recalled to duty with the 2nd Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, which moved to France in August 1914 as part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had been one of the first to arrive in France, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and taking part in the retreat to the Marne, where the Germans were stopped. They then fought at the Aisne, and at Chivy, before being moved north to Ypres. Here they fought at the First Battle of Ypres, where they again stopped the German Offensive, before wintering in Flanders. The following year saw them in action again at the Battle of Aubers, before moving South to Loos, where they fought during the Battle of Loos, and the action at the Hohenzollern redoubt. David was killed during the second day of the Battle of Loos, on 26 September 1915. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

David Jones, Lance Corporal, 8436, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Llanarthney, and had enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment prior to the outbreak of war. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had been one of the first to arrive in France, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and taking part in the retreat to the Marne, where the Germans were stopped. They then fought at the Aisne, and at Chivy, before being moved North to Ypres. Here they fought at the First Battle of Ypres, where they again stopped the German Offensive, before wintering in Flanders. The following year saw them in action again at the Battle of Aubers. David was killed a month before the Battle, on 20 April 1915. He is buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy.

Arthur Edward Jones, Private, 10921, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Arthur was born at Llanarthney, the Son of George and Jane Jones, later of Newbridge on Wye and then of 27, Heol Curdy, Sarn, Aberkenfig, Bridgend. He had enlisted at Hereford into the King's Shropshire Light Infantry, and was posted to their 5th Battalion, attached to 42 Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. The Division was to see its first action during the Action of Hooge, where the Division were the first to be attacked by the German use of flamethrowers. They then fought at the Second attack on Bellewaarde. In July, 1916 they moved to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of Delville Wood, and then the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and in March, 1917 followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. May saw them at Arras, where they took part in the First Battle of the Scarpe, which is where Arthur was killed on 3 May 1917. He was 27 years old and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Arthur is not commemorated on the Llanarthney War Memorial.

Herbert Jones, Sapper, 96505, 171st Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers. Herbert was the Son of John T. Jones, of Llanarthney, Carmarthen, and the Husband of Edith F. Jones, of 4, Maryland Rd., Wood Green, London. Prior to the war, he resided at Camden Town, London, enlisting there into the 171st Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers. Upon arriving in France, the Company were sent to the Hill 70 and the Bluff area near Ypres, where they began one of the most terrifying campaigns of the Great War, the war underground. The tunnelers dug a network of dugouts, subways and mines around the Ypres Salient, and the men manning the trenches above grew to fear the sound of digging beneath their feet, after the explosion of several mines in the sector. Herbert was Killed in Action at Ypres, aged 31, on 2 June, 1915, quite possible underground whilst working on a mine. He is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres. Herbert is not commemorated on the Llanarthney War Memorial.

Idris Tudor Rees, Private, 75290, Welsh Regiment. Idris was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. D. G. Rees, of Min-yr-Afon, Cross Hands. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was 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 14 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, 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. Idris was wounded during this great advance, and died of wounds on 9 October, 1918. He was just 19 years old, and is buried at Beaulencourt British Cemetery, Ligny-Thilloy, France.

Stanley Thomas William Saunders, Private, 34121, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Stanley was the Son of Thomas Saunders of Ipswich. At some time previous to the war he had made his way to West Wales, where he lived with his wife Miriam Saunders, at Tanylan, Maesybont, Gorslas. Stanley enlisted at the outbreak of war, joining the Welsh Regiment at Tumble, and moved to Rhyl. He then transferred at Rhyl into the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 76 Brigade. By the time of the Battle of the Somme, 76 Brigade was attached to 3rd Division, and it was on the Somme, during the Battle of Delville Wood, that Stanley was killed on 20 July 1916. He was 29 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing.

Joseph Henry Webster, Private, 27548, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Joseph was the Son of Joseph Henry Webster, of Liverpool. He had moved to West Wales prior to the war, and lived with his wife Rachel Webster, at Curn Dancerrig, Bronwydd Arms. Joseph had originally joined the Welsh Regiment, probably the 24th Battalion, but was transferred to the 6th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry. The battalion had been in France since July 1915, attached to 60 Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. Joseph probably joined them in 1918, when they were reinforced after suffering heavily after the German Spring Offensive of March and April. The battalion rebuilt over the coming summer of 1918, and in October took part in the great offensive that would ultimately win the war. Joseph was badly wounded during the ensuing advance on the Hindenburg Line, and evacuated to the Base Hospital at Wimille, where he died of his wounds on 10 September 1918. He was 27 years old, and is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille.

Howell Morgan Williams, Second Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Howel was the Son of John and Catherine Williams, of "Gwynondale," Llanarthney, and was commissioned into the Welsh Regiment, serving with the 19th Battalion, which was the Pioneer Battalion 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 14 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. Howell was killed in action during the build up to the Third Battle of Ypres, on 24 June, 1916. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium. He is also commemorated on the Llanegwad Memorial.

Leslie Charles Fortey, Sapper, 2004187, Royal Engineers. Very little is known of Leslie, except that he was the Son of Thomas and Emma Fortey, of Tumble. He died on 16 December 1945 aged 28, and is buried at Llanarthney (St. David) Churchyard. Photo courtesy of Bev Lewis.