Carmarthen County War Memorial - Drefach and Llanybydder

Drefach War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Charles Edward Cheverton, Guardsman, 2034, Welsh Guards. Charles was the son of Mr. Cheverton. The family moved to Lax Lodge, Llanwenog, and Charles' father worked as Chauffeur to Colonel H. Davies-Evans, of Highmead, Llanybydder. Charles was educated at Llanwenog School, and enlisted at Lampeter into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards. The Welsh Guards had been raised by Royal Warrant on 26 February 1915, and moved to France on 18 August 1915 to join the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. Charles possibly joined the battalion after it suffered heavy casualties during the Battle of Loos, arriving as a reinforcement in time to take part in the Battle of the Somme, which was launched on 1 July 1916. In late 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. Charles was killed when his battalion were being relieved from the line at Combles on 24 September 1916. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Dan Henry Davies, Private, 5985, King's Liverpool Regiment. Dan was the son of Jonathon and Mary Davies, of Gwynfryn, Llanwenog, Llanybydder, and had been born around 1893. He was educated at Lampeter College, and took up a post as Teacher at the Kirkham Grammar School, Lancashire, before enlisting at Blackpool into the 5th Battalion Kings Liverpool Regiment. The Battalion landed at Le Havre on 22 February 1915, joining 6 Brigade, 2nd Division, and in December 15 transferred to 99 Brigade, 2nd Division, before re-transferring into 165 Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. In July the Division moved into positions facing the German front line at Guillemont, on the Somme. Dan was killed by a German shell on the Somme on 5 July 1916, aged just 23. He is buried in Peronne Road Cemetery, Maricourt, France.

David Morris Davies, Private, 52954, Cheshire Regiment. David was born at Drefach, the Son of William Evan Davies and Mary Ellen Davies, later of 192, High Road, Ilford, Essex. He enlisted at Holborn, London in February 1916 into the 18th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and landed in France in July 1916. In September 1916 David was transferred into the 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was attached to 74 Brigade, 25th Division. 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. After fighting at Messines, the Division moved north, and fought at Pilckem Ridge. David was posted as Missing in Action at Ypres on 10 August 1917, and he was presumed dead. He was 22 years old, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. As far as is known, David is not commemorated on any local Memorial.

John Clarke Davies, Private, 3346, Welsh Guards. John was born at Drefach, and resided at Beilibedw, Drefach. He enlisted at Caerphilly into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, who had been in France since July 1915 attached to the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. John probably got posted to the front after the Somme battles of 1916, joining the Battalion at Ypres, where they took part in the opening assault of Third Ypres, the Battle of Pilckem Ridge. After helping to secure Pilckem, the Guards had a brief rest, before moving back into the line, and taking part in the Battle of the Menin Road, the Battle of Poelcapelle and the First Battle of Passchendaele. It was during the latter battle that John was killed, on 12 October 1917. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

William Davies, MM, Private, 5540, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was the Son of Thomas and Hannah Davies, of Penybont Cottage, Llanwenog. He enlisted at Tonypandy into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and landed in France on 27 December 1914 to join the battalion, which was by then attached to 19 Brigade, 33rd Division, after having fought independently during the first weeks of the war. The Division saw its first major action during the Battles of the Somme, from July 1916 onwards. It then moved north, and fought at the Battles of the Scarpe. William was killed near the Hindenburg Line, during the Third Battle of the Scarpe, on 21 May 1917. He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. William was the holder of the Military Medal, which he had been awarded for Bravery in the Field, probably during the Somme offensive.

David Lewis Evans, Private, 203572, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. David was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Elizabeth Evans, of North House, Llanybyther. He had resided at Rhydiau, Drefach prior to the war, and enlisted at Llanybydder into the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars. David then transferred into the 6th Battalion, Ox and Bucks Light Infantry, which was attached to 60 Brigade, 20th (Light) Division, which had been in France since July 1915. David would have joined the battalion after the Somme Battles of 1916, when it took part in the advance to the Hindenburg Line before moving to Ypres. David was killed at The Battle of the Menin Road on 20 September 1917. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Evan William Evans, Sergeant, 290604, Royal Garrison Artillery. Evan was the Husband of Charlotte Evans (nee Inman), of Cledlyn Villa, Drefach, Llanybyther. He had been born at Hull, and enlisted there into the Royal Garrison Artillery. Evan was posted to France to the 124th Heavy Battery, RGA, which was attached to 42nd Brigade, RGA, 5th Army. He became ill during the Battle of Passchendaele, and was hospitalised at Hull, where he died on 15 January 1918. Evan was 33 years old, and is buried at Hull Western Cemetery, Yorkshire. Evan doesn't seem to be commemorated locally.

Llewellyn Evans, Lance Corporal, 136, Welsh Horse. Llewellyn resided with his wife at 8, Railway Terrace, Henllan prior to the war. He enlisted locally into the 1/1st Battalion, Welsh Horse Yeomanry, which was originally raised as a Welsh Cavalry unit. Around February 1915 the Welsh Horse joined the 1/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade, 1st Mounted Division in Woodbridge area, but in September 1915 dismounted and sailed from Liverpool in the SS Olympic on 25 September, landed at Anzac, where it became attached to the 54th (East Anglia) Division. The Welsh Horse were used as tunnellers on Gallipoli, and it was while working on a tunnel that Llewellyn was killed, when the Turks blew a mine on 20 November 1915. Llewellyn was buried at 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery, Gallipoli, alongside two of his comrades who died alongside him. Llewellyn is not commemorated at Derfach, but is named on the nearby Aberbanc War Memorial, Cardiganshire. Many thanks to Huw Davies for the photograph of Llewellyn.

Thomas Davies Evans, Driver, 730701, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was the Son of Thomas and Sarah Evans, of Green Meadow, Llanybyther. He had married prior to the war, and lived with his wife, Gwen Evans, at Glynteg, 33, Foreland Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff. Thomas enlisted at Cardiff into the 2nd Welsh Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division landed at Gallipoli in August 1915, and suffered terrible casualties over the coming months, before being evacuated to Egypt in January 1916. It then took part in several skirmished in Egypt, before becoming part of the drive into Palestine in March 1917. Thomas became ill during the latter stages of the campaign, and died at Cairo on 6 November 1918. He was 32 years old, and is buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

David Hughes, Private, 19019, South Wales Borderers. David was the Husband of Dinah Hughes, of Tenby Cottage, Llanybyther. He enlisted at Ystradgynlais into the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which moved to France in July 1915 attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. The Division moved to the Somme Sector in 1916, where they took part in the gallant capture of Ovillers-La Boiselle on 3 July 1916. David must have been wounded on the Somme, and was evacuated back via the network of Casualty Clearing Stations and Hospitals in France, before being sent to Bowood Hospital. He died there of his wounds on 16 September 1916, aged 37, and is buried at Aberduar Welsh Baptist Chapelyard, Wales. Many thanks to Bev Lewis, of Swansea for the photograph.

Evan Tom Jones, Private, 43634, Worcestershire Regiment. Evan was the Son of David and Mary Jones, of Llettyrwenol, Cwrtnewydd, Llanybyther. He enlisted at Narberth into the Cheshire Regiment, before being posted to join the 2/8th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment. The battalion had been in France since May 1916, attached to 183 Brigade, 61st (2nd South Midland) Division. The Division saw its first major action at Fromelles, which turned out to be a disaster, costing thousands of needless casualties. The Division didn't see further action until the Third Battle of Ypres late in 1917, and the Battle of Cambrai later that year. The Division again suffered heavy casualties during the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918, fighting a gallant rearguard action near St. Quentin, before being moved to Flanders, where it again saw heavy fighting. The Division then took part in the Advance in Flanders from August 1918 onwards, and it was during this advance that Evan was killed on 5 October 1918. He was just 18 years old, and is buried at Leuze Communal Cemetery, France. There is a Memorial to Evan at Capel y Bryn, Cwrtnewydd.

John Jones, Private, 2380109, Canadian Infantry. John was born at Drefach on 9 May 1889, and had resided at Pantyronen, Drefach prior to the war. He had emigrated to Canada prior to the war, where he lived with his Uncle, Tom Davies, at Durban, Manitoba, Canada, working as a Carpenter. He enlisted at Manitoba in November 1917, and was posted to France to join the 33rd Battalion (Manitoba), which was a Feeder Battalion to other Canadian units. John was killed in France on 2 October 1918. He was 29 years old, and is buried at Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.

James Thomas, Sergeant, 15052, Grenadier Guards. James was the Son of Evan and Hannah Thomas, of Pandy, Rhuddlan, Llanybyther. He enlisted at London into the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. At the outbreak of war, the 2nd Battalion was in Barracks at Chelsea, and on 15 August landed in France attached to 4th (Guards) Brigade, 2nd Division, taking part in the retreat from Mons to the Marne. The Division then saw heavy fighting at Ypres, and the Battle of Festubert the following year. In August 1915 a Guards Division was created, and the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards joined 1st Guards Brigade, Guards Division, taking part in the Battle of Loos the following month. In the summer of 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, and it was there, during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, that James was wounded. He died on 16 September 1916, aged 26, and is buried at St. Pierre Cemetery, Amiens, France.

William Alfred Thomas, Rifleman, 471312, London Regiment. William was the Son of Mr and Mrs Thomas, of Bodafon, Drefach. He enlisted at London into the 12th Battalion (The Rangers), London Regiment, attached to the 1st London Division. In December 1914 the Rangers left 1st London Division and landed at Havre 25 December, moving to Lines of Communication. In February 1915 they joined 84 Brigade, 28th Division, and in May moved to G.H.Q. Troops and formed a composite Battalion with 1/5th and 1/13th Battalions until August 1915. In February 1916 the Rangers joined 168 Brigade, 56th (London) Division, which was forming in the Hallencourt area. The Division took part in a disastrous diversionary attack on Gommecourt on 1 July 1916, to draw German attention away from the main attacks a little south, on the Somme. William was posted as missing in action that day, and it took months for official notification of his death to reach his parents at Drefach. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. As far as is known, William is not commemorated locally.

Llanybydder War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Isaac Davies, Private, 33756, Welsh Regiment. Isaac was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Davies, of Blaenina, Llanybydder. He was the Husband of Sarah Davies, of Trehyfryd House, Llandilo Road, Brynamman. Isaac enlisted at Brynamman into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. The Division fought at Gallipoli, before moving to Mesopotamia, where Isaac took ill. He died in India of Sickness, aged 35, on 22 August 1916, and is commemorated on the Kirkee Memorial, India.

Thomas Davies, Private, 34490, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in 1897, the son of Evan and Jane Davies, of Frondeg, Llanwnen, Llanybydder. He enlisted at Aberystwyth into the army, and was posted to the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division moved to France during 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 was 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. It was here that Thomas was killed in action, aged just 20, on 23 November 1917. His body was lost in the ongoing fighting for the area, and so he is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France. Thomas is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

Thomas Davies, Private, G/40115, Middlesex Regiment. Thomas was the son of Charles and Mary Davies, of Penbryn Farm, Cribyn, Llanybydder. He originally enlisted into the Royal Fusiliers at Builth Wells, but later transferred to the 12th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who were attached to 54 Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. On 25 May 1915 the Division landed in Boulogne, and didn't see its first major action until July, 1916 when it took part in the Battle of Albert. They then fought at the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Trones Wood, and moved on to the Battle of Delville Wood. In October they took part in the Battle of the Ancre Heights, capturing Schwaben Redoubt, and helped capture Regina Trench. Thomas was wounded around this time, and died on 27 October 1916, aged 27. He is buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, France. Thomas is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

William Davies, Gunner, 161316, Royal Garrison Artillery. William was in 1888 at Ystrad, Rhondda, Glamorgan. He lived with his wife Hannah Davies, at Llanvaughan Cottage, Llanybydder prior to the war. William enlisted at Mountain Ash into the Royal Garrison Artillery, and was posted to the 26th Heavy Battery, which formed part of 77 Brigade, Royal Garrison Artillery. The battery had taken part in the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. It saw considerable action throughout 1918. William was taken prisoner by the Germans at some time during 1918, and died on 30 September 1918. He is buried in Glageon Communal Cemetery Extension, France. William is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

William John Davies, Flight Sergeant, Royal Air Force. William was the son of David and Mary Davies of Llanybydder. He had married prior to the war, and lived with his wife, Margaret Hamilton Davies, at 26, Station Road, Ystrad Mynach. William served with the Royal Air Force, at the E.P.D. Branch at Chingford. He died at home on 22 October 1920, aged 33, probably of illness or injury related to his war service, and is buried in Ystrad Mynach Churchyard. William is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

William Thomas Davies, Private, 57772, Welsh Regiment. William was the son of David and Martha Davies of Llygadenwyn, Llanybydder. He originally enlisted into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but was later posted to the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion had formed in Egypt attached to 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division, and had fought in Palestine before moving to the Western Front in May 1918. The division first moved to Northern France, but were then transferred to the Somme, where they took part in the push towards the Hindenburg Line. William was killed in action, aged just 18, on 7 September 1918. He is buried in Vadencourt British Cemetery, Maissemy, France.

Alfred Evans, Private, 2754, Welsh Guards. Alfred was born at Llanycrwys on 14 June 1894, the son of Jenkin and Rachel Evans. The family later resided at 14, Rock Terrace, Aberaeron. He was educated at Lampeter, and later worked as an Agricultural Labourer, before enlisting in the Welsh Guards on 18 May 1916. Alfred missed the Somme Battles of 1916, as he didn't arrive in France until December 1916, but he arrived on the Western Front in time to join the 1st Battalion at St. Quentin. He was wounded just three months after arriving at the front, on 12 March 1917. He returned to action, and fought at the Battle of Cambrai later that year, but was evacuated home to the General Hospital at Denmark Hill, London after being gassed at Cambrai in December 1917. Alfred sadly died of the effects of gas poisoning on 20 April 1918, and is buried at Rhydybont Congregational Chapelyard, Llanybydder. He is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

Evan Evans, Driver, T4/185456, Army Service Corps. Evan was the son of Henry and Mary Evans, of Pontfanog, Cribyn, Llanybydder, and enlisted at Llanarth into the Army Service Corps. Evan was posted to the 10th Reserve Park, ASC, and was on the Somme during the summer of 1916. He was wounded around the time of the Battle of the Ancre, and died, aged 31, on 30 November 1916. He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Evan is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

Thomas Davies Evans, Driver, 730701, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was the son of Thomas and Sarah Evans, of Green Meadow, Llanybydder. He married prior to the war, and lived with his wife, Gwen Evans, at Glynteg, Whitchurch, Cardiff. Thomas enlisted into the 2nd Welsh Field Battery, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division fought at Gallipoli in 1915, then spent a year in Egypt, before taking part in the offensive into Palestine from March 1917 onwards. Thomas died of illness in Egypt, on 6 November 1918, aged 32, and is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

Garfield Ivor Griffiths, Sapper, 448351, Royal Engineers. Garfield was born at Neath in 1887. He was living at Waun, Llanybydder prior to 1911, and at the outbreak of war enlisted into the Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers. Garfield had served with the 437th Field Company, Royal Engineers in the Palestinian campaign throughout 1917, attached to the 53rd Welsh Division. Garfield survived the war, but took ill, and died, aged 31, on 16 November 1918. He is buried at Gaza War Cemetery, Israel.

James Price Herbert, Lance Corporal, 40970, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. James was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Herbert, of Tangaer, Cribyn, Llanybydder. He enlisted at Aberystwyth into the army, and was posted to the 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which became the Pioneer Battalion to the 47th Division from September 1915. The Division fought at the Battle of Loos in September 1915. They were north of Arras when the Germans attacked Vimy Ridge, and then moved south to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Le Transloy, where the Division captured Eaucourt l'Abbe, and took part in Attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. Early in 1917 the Division moved north to Belgium, and took part in the Battle of Messines, and then in November 1917 fought at the Battle of Cambrai. In March 1918 the Division were situated near St. Quentin, and faced the German Spring Offensive here on 21 March, fighting at the Battle of St Quentin, and then in the rearguard action at the First Battle of Bapaume. In August 1918 the British attacked on the Somme, and the Division took part in the great offensive from 8 August 1918 onwards. James was killed on the Somme on 16 August 1918, aged just 19. He is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, France. James is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

David Hughes, Private, 19019, South Wales Borderers. David was born at Llanfihangel, and was the husband of Dinah Hughes, of Tenby Cottage, Llanybydder. He enlisted at Ystradgynlais into the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division crossed to France during July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos, where it took part in the opening attack of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. The following year the Division moved to the Somme, where it took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost. David was seriously wounded during the Battle, and was progressively worked home, through the various Casualty Clearing Stations and Base Hospitals in France. He died of his wounds at home, on 16 September 1916, aged 37, and is buried in Aberduar Welsh Baptist Chapelyard.

David Aaron Jones, Private, 320357, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Llanybydder, and joined the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry at Carmarthen. The Pembroke Yeomanry moved to Egypt in March 1916, and the following year merged with the Glamorgan Yeomanry to form the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, attached to 231 Brigade, 74th Yeomanry Division. The Division took part in the advance into Palestine from March 1917. They were in the midst of the Third Battle of Gaza, when David was killed in action, on 31 October 1917. He is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. David is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

John Jones, Private, 27774, South Wales Borderers. John was born in Llanybydder, and enlisted at Seven Sisters, into the Devonshire Regiment. He was transferred to the 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 40 Brigade, 13th Division. The Division fought at Gallipoli from August 1915 onwards, and upon being withdrawn to Egypt, moved to Mesopotamia. They were taking part in the Battle of the Hai Salient, when John was killed in action, on 15 February 1917. He is remembered on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.

John Rees Jones, Private, 203373, Welsh Regiment. Rees was the son of Rees and Elizabeth Jones (nee Evans), of Llanybydder. He resided at Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen prior to the war, and enlisted there into the army, and was posted to the 11th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was known as the Cardiff Pals battalion, and was in Salonika attached to 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. Here he was transferred into the 67th Battalion Machine Gun Corps, which was attached to the 22nd Division, and it was with these that Rees died, on 6 October 1918, aged 35. He is buried in Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria.

Llewellyn Jones, Private, 39592, South Wales Borderers. Llewellyn was the son of David and Catherine Jones, of Henfaes, Llanybydder. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which had recently moved to France, attached to 87 Brigade, 29th Division. The Division were in positions at Beaumont Hamel, on the Somme in 1916, and the 2nd SWB took part in the opening assault of 1 July 1916 here, suffering heavy casualties. The Division rebuilt strength, and took part in the Battle of Le Transloy. Llewellyn was killed in action here, aged 22, on 21 October 1916. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

William Jones, Sapper, 113893, Royal Engineers. William was born at Dderwengam, Llanybydder. He lived with his wife, Gwladys Jones, at Tugela House, Elliott's Town, New Tredegar, Mon. The name of the house suggests that William was a Boer War Veteran. At the outbreak of the Great War, William enlisted into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to Newark. He became ill, and died in hospital at Manchester on 9 September 1917. William was 43 years old, and is buried at Manchester Southern Cemetery. William is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

Morris James Marsden, Second Lieutenant, Machine Gun Corps. Morris was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John Marsden, of Maes-y-Clere, Cribyn, Llanybydder. He was commissioned into the 214th Company, Machine Gun Corps on 26 January 1917, which was attached to the 58th (London) Division, and joined the Division at Ypres. Morris was killed in action during the Battle of the Menin Road, on 20 September 1917. He was 22 years old, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Morris is not commemorated locally, but is named on the War Memorial at Cowbridge.

Rhys Rees, Gunner, 61241, Royal Garrison Artillery. Rhys was the son of Mary Jenkins, of Emlyn House, Cribyn, Llanybydder. He enlisted at Lampeter into the Royal Artillery, and was posted to France with the 130th Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. The Battery was attached to the Fourth Army, and was caught up in German Spring offensive in 1918. The Fourth Army suffered terribly in this onslaught, and Rhys was one of those who died of wounds received in this terrible part of the war, aged 33, on 13 April 1918. He is buried in Namps-Au-Val British Cemetery, France. Rhys is not commemorated at Llanybydder.

Herbert Gladstone Ridge, Sapper, 915, Royal Engineers. Herbert was born at Manchester in 1886, the son of Alfred Ridge. By 1901 the family was living at Taunton, and it was probably there that Herbert joined the Great Western Railway. By 1911, Herbert was lodging at 1, Alma Road Avenue, Kingston, Bristol, working as a Piano Tuner. Prior to the outbreak of war, Herbert was living at 36, Gilbert Road, Llanelli, and was working for the Great Western Railway, based at Llanybydder. He enlisted at Llanelli on 24 July 1915 into the Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers, and was posted to the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, which was in Egypt. After a year on active service in Egypt, Herbert became ill, and returned home on 2 October 1916. He died at Taunton on 18 March 1918, aged 31, and was buried at Taunton (St. Mary's) Cemetery. Herbert has only recently been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC, and his name will be added to the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance, at the CWGC HQ at Maidenhead, until the location of his grave can be verified. Herbert is not commemroated at Llanybydder.

Benjamin James Rodney, Gunner, 30002, Royal Field Artillery. Benjamin was born at Prendergast, Haverfordwest. He worked in the Great Western Railway Station at Llanybydder, and enlisted at Preston into the Royal Artillery. He was posted to A Battery, 77th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 16th (Irish) Division, and moved to France during December 1915. They saw their first major action during the Somme Offensive, at the Battle of Guillemont, and also fought at the Battle of Ginchy. By May 1917 the Division had moved to positions south of Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of Messines. Benjamin was wounded in July 1917, and was taken to a Casualty Clearing Station at Proven, where he died of his wounds, aged 23, on 29 July 1917. He is buried in Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Thomas Arthur Thomas, Private, 30557, Lancashire Fusiliers. There is a T.A. Thomas commemorated on the memorial, who I cannot positively identify, but this may be the correct man. Thomas was the son of Thomas Thomas, of Y Fro, Llanybydder. The family later resided at 23, Bradewell Street, Kirkdale, Liverpool. Thomas enlisted at Liverpool into the Liverpool Regiment, and was later transferred into the 2/5th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, which was attached to 164 Brigade, 55th Division, and moved to France during January 1916. The Division fought on the Somme, then moved to Ypres, stationed near Railway Wood. Thomas was wounded at Railway Wood, and died of wounds on 8 July 1917, aged 19. He is buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

John T. Walters, Private, 30568, South Wales Borderers. Thomas was born at Llanfihangel, the son of William and Anne Walters, and was the husband of Margaretta Walters, of Prospect House, Llanybydder. He enlisted locally into the army, and was posted to the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which had been in France since December 1915, attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division fought at Mametz Wood in July 1916, and at Pilckem Ridge, at Ypres. After wintering around Armentieres, the Division moved to the Somme in April 1918. By now the 11th SWB had been disbanded, and formed into an entrenching battalion. They were still stationed near Armentieres when the Germans launched their assault on the Lys on 9 April 1918, and just two days later, John was killed in action, on 11 April 1918, during heavy fighting around Merville. John was 40 years old, and is buried at Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Daniel Thomas Williams, Gunner, 281268, Royal Garrison Artillery. Daniel cannot positively be identified, but is almost certainly this man. Daniel was born in Llangyfelach, and lived with his wife Annie, at Neaudd Cottage, Llanybydder. He enlisted at Mountain Ash into the Royal Artillery, and was posted to the 26th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. The Battery was at Ypres in the summer of 1917, where they provided artillery fire for the Third Battle of Ypres. Daniel was killed in action on 4 October 1917, aged 44. He is buried at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium.

Llanybydder War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945

Ann Joan Davies, Aircraftwoman 1st Class, 2076919, Women's Auxiliary Air Force. Ann was the Daughter of Henry and Rosie Mary Davies, of Blaenpant, Llanllwni. Ann served as an Aircraftswoman with the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, and died on active service at Bristol on 15 August 1942, aged just 19. Ann is buried at Rhydybont Congregational Chapelyard.

Idris Davies, Private, 5387186, South Staffordshire Regiment. Idris was the Son of the Revd. David Stephen Davies, and of Emily Davies, of Streatham Hill, London. He served with the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. The battalion was based in Palestine at the outbreak of war, fought in the North African campaign in 1941. Idris was wounded in the desert, and died of his wounds in hospital on 13 January 1942. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

David Ronald Llewellyn Jones, Driver, T/198182, Royal Army Service Corps. David was the Son of Llewelyn and Mary Hannah Jones, and the husband of Rachel Anne Jones of Llanybyther. He served with the Royal Army Service Corps. David died during the final stages of the war in Europe on 4 April 1945. He was 33 years old, and is buried at Lille Southern Cemetery, France.

Trevor Isaac Jones, M.M., Lance Sergeant, 3970378, Welch Regiment. Trevor was the Son of Llewelyn and Mary Hannah Jones, and the husband of Edith Jones, of Nebo. He served with the 1/5th Battalion, Welch Regiment, which was attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division was a Territorial unit, and served in Northern Ireland early in the war, before returning to England to train for the Normandy invasion. The Division landed at Normandy at the end of June 1944, and took part in the breakout from Normandy, and the resulting drive through France and Belgium into Holland. Trevor was awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the Normandy fighting, but was killed in Holland on 22 September 1944. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Valkenswaard War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Rifleman William Lloyd Rees, 6916543, 7th Battalion, Rifle Brigade. William was the son of David and Mary Rees of Myrddin House, Llanybydder. The Battalion formed part of the 61st Infantry Brigade, 6th Armoured Division, 8th Army, and fought at the Liri Valley, Arezzo, advance to Florence, on the Gothic Line and the Argenta Gap.William was taking part in the fighting on the Italian Front when he was Killed in Action, aged 27 Years old, on 10 June 1944. William is buried at Rome War Cemetery, Italy.