The Parish of St. Ishmaels, located on the Towy Estuary, includes the Villages of Ferryside and Llansaint, the Hamlets of Broadlay and Broadway and the surrounding farms. The area has a long history, being on the Pilgrims Way across South Wales to St. David's Cathedral, and is straddled by Isambard Kingdom Brunel's Railway Line, which stretches across South Wales. The War Memorial for Ferryside takes the form of a Celtic Cross, carved in Granite, and the men commemorated by it are remembered below.

Ferryside War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Thomas Lewis Bennett, Sapper, 175528, Royal Engineers. Thomas was the Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Bennett of Red Lion Hotel, Drefach Henllan. He was a native of Kidderminster but the family had moved to the School House, Ferryside prior to the outbreak of war, where Thomas was a Policeman. Thomas enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry in December 1914. Thomas transferred into the Royal Engineers, where he served as a Sapper in 174 Tunnelling Company from 8 July 1916. This Tunnelling Company served on the Western Front throughout the war, and Thomas joined them on the Somme. By October 1916,174 Tunneling Company had moved north of the Ancre, facing Beaumont-Hamel, before following the German withdrawal in 1917 towards the Cambrai area. Thomas was Killed in Action here on 20 November 1917, during the Battle of Cambrai. He was 23 years old and was buried in Croisilles Railway Cemetery, France. His grave was lost during the battle but as he was definitely known to have been buried in the cemetery, Thomas is now remembered by a Special Memorial.

 

 

 
Alexander Davidson, Second Engineer, Mercantile Marine. Alexander was born at Milford Haven, the Son of the late Alexander and Elizabeth Davidson, and the Husband of Mary Davidson (nee Thomas), of 23, Brigstocke Terrace, Ferryside. He served in the Mercantile Marine aboard the S.S. Boltonhall, which was a 3,535 ton defensively armoured steamship owned by the West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company. On 20 August 1918, the ship was 34 miles off Bardsey Island when she was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine. Five crewmembers died including the 57 year old Alexander Davidson. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his fellow crewmen.

Benjamin Daniel Davies, Lance Corporal, 13114, Welsh Regiment. Benjamin was the Son of Mr. John Davies, The Stores, Ferryside, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The 2nd Welsh were part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division and had landed in France as one of the first units of the B.E.F. in August 1914. They fought at the Battle of Mons and took part in the fighting retreat to the Aisne, where the German Offensive was stopped. The Western Front formed partly as a result of this success, and the Division moved North to Ypres, where they again held the German attack there during the Battle of First Ypres. They remained in Flanders during the first winter, and fought at Aubers, before moving South to Loos, where they took part in the Battle of Loos. After suffering heavy casualties during the battle the Division were brought out of the line to rebuild and rest, and moved further South in 1916 to the Somme area, where they took part in the opening Battle of Albert during the Somme Offensive, where Benjamin was wounded. He was brought back to the Casualty Clearing Station at Albert, where he sadly Died of Wounds on 12 July 1916. He is buried in Albert Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

 

David John Davies, Private, 3091, Welsh Guards. David was born in Llansaint the Son of John and Margaret Davies, St. Ishmael, Ferryside. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Guards, which were formed by the Royal Warrant of 26 February 1915. The 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards moved to France, landing at Havre on 18 August 1915, where they were attached to 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The first action seen by the Welsh Guards was at the Battle of Loos, where they entered the Battle on 26 September 1915, and remained there for a month before being withdrawn. They over-wintered on the Ypres Salient, and remained there until 27 July 1916 when they moved South to the Somme, where the raging Battle had severely weakened the attacking British Divisions. The Welsh Guards fought at Ginchy and Flers-Courcelette, and at Morval before spending the Winter of 1916/17 in the Somme trenches before moving out of the line at the end of March 1917 to rest and refit. The next major action for the Guards Division was at Passchendaele, and it was during the Battle of Pilckem, on 31 July 1917, that David was Killed in Action. He was only 22 years old and because his body was lost on the battlefields, he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium. David is not commemorated on the Ferryside Memorial.

 

David Tom Davies, Private, 531587, Labour Corps. David was born at Ferryside, and enlisted at Llanelli into the King's Liverpool Regiment. He was probably wounded at some time, which caused him to transfer into the Labour Corps, who he served with when he Died on 9 November 1918. David is buried at Ferryside (Salem) Baptist Burial Ground. David is not commemorated on the Ferryside Memorial.

James Davies, Lance Corporal, 13092, Welsh Regiment. James was the Son of Mr. David Davies, Carlton House, Ferryside, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The 2nd Welsh moved to France at the outbreak of war, attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division, and fought at the retreat from Mons to the Marne. They then fought at the Battle of the Aisne, where the German Offensive was stopped. The Western Front formed partly as a result of this success, and the Division moved North to Ypres, where they again held the German attack there during the Battle of First Ypres. They remained in Flanders during the first winter, and fought at Aubers, before moving South to Loos, where they took part in the Battle of Loos. After suffering heavy casualties during the battle the Division were brought out of the line to rebuild and rest, and moved further South in 1916 to the Somme area, where they took part in the opening Battle of Albert during the Somme Offensive, and it was at a later stage, during the Battle of Pozieres, that James was Killed in Action, on 26 July 1916, aged just 21. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

Alfred George Dyke, Private, 31641, King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Alfred was born at St. Ishmaels, and had enlisted at Llanelli into the Territorial Army. When war broke out, the Territorials were called up, and Alfred joined the 1/4th Battalion King's Shropshire Light Infantry. The battalion formed in August 1914 at Shrewsbury as part of the Welsh Division, but on 29 October 1914 sailed to India, landing at Bombay on 1 December1914, from where they split up, with two Companies moving to Hong Kong and two to Singapore, with a detachment in the Andaman Isles. On 13 April 1917 the Battalion concentrated in Singapore, and embarked for France via Colombo, Cape Town and England, landing at Le Havre on 27 July 1917. On 18 August 1917 they became part of 190 Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. They were immediately thrown headfirst into battle at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. The Division suffered a large amount of casualties here, but the attack was something of a success, and the Village was captured. After a brief rest period, the Division were sent to the Somme, and from there to Marcoing. The Battle of Cambrai was in full swing, and the Division moved into support, just in time to meet the German counter-attack head on 30 December at Welsh Ridge. The attack was held, and the winter of 1917/18 was spent in the wet trenches in the Cambrai area. On 4 February 1918 the Battalion transferred to 56 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, and on 15 February the Division moved to Haplincourt to rest. The German Spring Offensive was launched on 21 March 1918, with this period for the 19th Division being called the Battle of St. Quentin, and at the time the Shropshires were at Beaulancourt, having been made ready for the attack. They were hit by German gas shells, which peppered the area on the eastern edge of the old Somme battlefields, and the Shropshires moved into position near Bertincourt to meet the attack. The village of Doignies had fallen, so the Shropshires moved to attempt to retake it, and so began a period of terrible slaughter for the Division, which led to Alfred being Killed in Action just days later, on 26 March 1918. His body was lost in the further fighting in the area, and so he is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.

 

David Griffiths, Private, 54198, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of John and Mary Griffiths, of Cwmffynonau, Kidwelly. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to France, where he joined the 16th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who had been in France since December 1915 attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. David probably joined the battalion after it had fought at Mametz Wood. They were withdrawn to Hebuterne, and then moved to Ypres in August 1916. David was in the line with his battalion at Ypres, when he was wounded. He was taken to the Casualty Clearing Station at Proven where he died of wounds on 9 February 1917, aged 20, and is buried there, at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. David is listed as a Ferryside man on the County War Memorial roll, but is not on the memorial.

 

David A. Griffiths, Ordinary Seaman, Z/5091, Royal Navy. David was the Son of David and Ellen Griffiths, of 2, Annesley Street, Llanelly. He was a Boy Writer at Pembroke Dockyard, prior to serving as Ordinary Seaman in the Royal Navy, at HMS Victory VI. The base was a training base for recruits, based at Crystal Palace. David took ill while training here, and died of pneumonia on 14 October 1918. He was only 18 years old. His remains were brought home for burial at Llanelli (Box) Cemetery. David is listed as a Ferryside man on the County War Memorial roll, but is not on the memorial.

Thomas Hanson, Private, 26198, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in Chelsea, but prior to the outbreak of war lived at Ferryside. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was part of 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division had moved to France during June 1916 and served near Loos until October that year. They moved to the Somme, where they took part in the final Battle there that year, at the Ancre, and then wintered o the Somme, before following the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line. It was during this period on the Somme that Thomas Died, on 6 February 1917. He is buried at Bray Military Cemetery, France. Thomas is not named on the Ferryside Memorial.

 

Albert House, Private, 17938, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry. Albert was born in Thatcham, and moved to Ferryside prior to the outbreak of war, being the Husband of Martha Ann House, of Railway Terrace, Ferryside. He enlisted at Swansea into the army, and was posted to the 7th Battalion, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, who were attached to 78 Brigade, 26th Division. The Division moved to France in September 1915 and assembled around Amiens, but were sent to Salonika in November that year, and were all in place there by February 1916. The Division fought in the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in August 1916, and in April and May 1917 fought in the Battle of Doiran, where Albert was Killed in Action on 26 April 1917. He is buried at Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kriston. Albert is not named on the Ferryside Memorial.

 

William Howells, Gunner, 122051, Royal Artillery. William was the Son of Lewis and Mary Howells, of Neptune Villa, Ferryside, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Royal Artillery, where he was to serve in their 'X', 32nd Trench Mortar Battery. This Battery was attached to the 32nd Division, which had moved to France in 1915. They fought throughout most of the Somme Offensive in 1916, and followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in 1917 before taking part in the Battle of Arras, when the German Spring Offensive was launched against the City in March, 1918. They remained on the Somme, fighting during the retreat towards Albert, then in the advance past Bapaume and on through the mighty Hindenburg Line, which they pushed through on towards the Sambre, where William was Killed in Action on 4 November 1918. He was 23 years old, and is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France. WIlliam is not named on the Ferryside Memorial. 

Thomas James Humphries, Private, 60429, Cheshire Regiment. Thomas was the Son of Mr James Humphreys, Wellfield Terrace, Ferryside. He enlisted at Llanelli into the South Wales Borderers, but at some time transferred into the 1/4th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had moved to Gallipoli by 9 August 1915 and fought there through the terrible winter that year, suffering many casualties, before it was evacuated to Egypt in December. Here it moved to the Palestinian front, and pushed the Turks North through the Sinai, towards Gaza. It was during the Third Battle of Gaza that Thomas was wounded. He was evacuated to Beersheba, but Died of Wounds there on 13 November 1917, and was buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. Many thanks to Avril Marks for the photograph.

 

 

 

Evelyn Llewellyn Hustler Jones, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Evelyn was the Son of the late Rev. Owen Jones and the late Mrs. Owen Jones, of St. Ishmael's Vicarage, Ferryside. He was a Barrister at Law prior to the war, and was educated at Newton Abbot College, and Trinity College, Oxford. Evelyn was commissioned in May 1915 into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was posted to Egypt, where he joined the 1/5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. In March 1916 the Division crossed into Palestine, with the aim of freeing the country from Ottoman rule. Evelyn was killed in action during the First battle of Gaza, on 26 March 1917. He was 43 years old, and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. Evelyn is not commemorated on the Ferryside Memorial.

Richard John Thomas, Private, 41200, South Wales Borderers. Richard was the Son of John  and Caroline Thomas, of 1, Pale House, Ferryside, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment. He subsequently transferred into the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The 2nd SWB had fought in China at the outbreak of war, and had then fought at Gallipoli with 87 Brigade, 29th Division. Richard probably joined them in France. The Division played a large part in the Battles of the Somme, fighting from the start on 1 July 1916 until the Battle was called off in December, and they then moved to Arras, fighting at the Battle of the Scarpe. They then fought through the battles of Third Ypres, before moving to the Cambrai area, where they took part in the Battle of Cambrai. It was during this battle that Richard was sadly Killed in Action, on 21 November 1917. He is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.

 

 

John Williams, Private, 43216, Leicestershire Regiment. John was the Son of Mr. J. Williams, of Glantaff, Ferryside, and enlisted into the Welsh Regiment. He subsequently transferred into the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. The Battalion had been in France since September 1914 as part of 16 Brigade, 6th Division, and had fought at the Aisne and Hooge, before transferring to 71 Brigade, in the same 6th Division. The battalion then fought at the Somme in 1916, then at Hill 70 and the Battle of Cambrai in 1917. The 6th Division was caught in the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918, and moved to Flanders. After a very tense few months for the Allies, the tide finally turned on 8 August 1918 after a spectacular Australian Victory at Villers-Brettoneux. The Allies were on the offensive from then on, and the 6th Division pushed on through Flanders, recapturing the lost ground of the previous months. They then moved south again where they fought at the Battle of Epehy, which was the jumping off point for the assault on the Hindenburg Line, and were in that vicinity, fighting in the 1918 Battle of Cambrai when John was Killed in Action on 18 September 1918. He is buried in Chapelle British Cemetery, Holnon, France.

 

 

World War Two, 1939-1945

Robert Bennet Player Brigstocke, Robert was born on 20 May 1912, the Son of George Robert (Lord of the Manor of Ryde) and Anna Cecilia Brigstocke of Roberts Rest, Carmarthen, and the brother of William (below). I cannot find more information at present, but he is buried in the family grave at Ryde, and an enscription on the grave states that he died on 31 December 1943. I would like to thanks the Ryde Family History Society for the grave photo.

 

 

 

William George Player Brigstocke, Lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. William was born on 14 June 1910, the Son of George Robert (Lord of the Manor of Ryde) and Anna Cecilia Brigstocke of Roberts Rest, Carmarthen. In 1938 he became the husband of Gladys Veronica Wigram, of Weybridge, Surrey. William was educated at Sherborne, and at Manchester University, where he studied as an Electrical Engineer, and joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve around 1930, ending up serving aboard H.M.S. Foylebank. The Foylebank was a converted 5,500 ton merchant ship of the Bank Line, and had been launched in 1930. She was requisitioned in September 1939, shortly after war broke out, and converted into an anti-aircraft ship. She arrived in Portland on 9 June 1940 for work-up followed by anti-aircraft duties. On 4 July 1940, whilst the bulk of her crew were at breakfast, unidentified aircraft were reported to the south. Theyw ere mistakenly identified as friendlies returning to base, but turned out to be 26 of the German's most feared aircraft, the JU87 Stuka dive bomber, heading towards the Foylebank. The ship fought back, shooting down three Stukas, but 22 bombs found their mark and her guns were put out of action. Fires raged, electricity failed and the stricken ship listed to port, shrouded in smoke. She finally sank on 5 July 1940. William was wounded in the attack, and Died of Wounds that day, on 4 July 1940. He was 30 years old and is buried at Ryde Borough Cemetery, in the family grave pictured above. During the gallant defence of the ship Leading seaman Jack Mantle, one of the Ack-Ack gunners, received the Victoria Cross for gallantry, for staying at his post, even after suffering terrible injuries. Below is a photograph showing the sinking of the Foylebank.

 

 

William Richard Hopkins, Sergeant (Flight Engineer), 610971 Royal Air Force. William served as a Flight Engineer with 15 Squadron Royal Air Force. During 1938, the Squadron was one of the first to receive Fairey Battles, and it was with these that 15 Squadron flew to France in September 1939. In early 1940, the Squadron returned to the UK and re-equipped with Blenheims flown in the ground attack role. By the turn of the year, these had been traded in for Wellingtons, and shortly after that 15 Squadron became one of the first Short Stirling heavy-bomber units, and were based at Bourn, Cambridgeshire as part of 3 Group. On the night of 27/28 August 1942 a large Bomber force took off on course for Kassel in Germany, and it seems likely that William's Stirling was shot down on the outward journey over occupied Holland. He was Killed on the  night of 27 August 1942, and is buried in Amersfoort (Oud Leusen) General Cemetery, Netherlands.

 

 

Edward Morland Lewis, Captain, 171535 General List. Edward was born in Carmarthen in 1903, the eighth Son of Benjamin Archibald and Mary Lewis, who had retired to Ferryside, and the husband of Kathleen Margaret Faussett-Osbourne, of Kensington, London. Edward was a renowned artist, who had studied at the Royal Academy, where he became a favoured student of Sickert, and painted many local scenes, especially of Ferryside. Prior to the war, he was on the teaching staff at Chelsea Polytechnic. He Died of Malaria whilst serving as a Camouflage Officer in North Africa on 4 August 1943, aged 40, and is buried in the Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia.

Edwin Denzil Horace Morgan, Aircraftman 2nd Class, 1123734, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Edwin was the Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Maud Morgan, of Ferryside. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Nothing is known of his war service at the moment but he died at home on 12 March 1941, aged 34 and is buried at Ferryside (Salem) Baptist Burial Ground.

 

Hugh Martin Stephens, MC, Captain, 123552, Royal Tank Regiment. Hugh was the Son of Hugh Owen Taylor Green Stephens and Ragnhild Margarete Stephens, of Bedford. He served as a Captin in the 1st Royal Tank Regiment, attached to the Royal Armoured Corps. On 8 March 1940 Hugh was gazetted from Sandhurst to be 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Tank Regiment, and was promoted to full Lieutenant on 2 September 1941. The 1st RTR was attached to the 7th Armoured Division, the famous 'Desert Rats', and Hugh fought with them in North Africa, during the Battle of El Alamein where they were equipped with Stuart and Grant Tanks. In September 1943 the Desert Rats landed in Italy at Salerno, and fought there until returning to England in early 1944. On 25 April 1944 Hugh was approved by the King to be Mentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service in the field in the London Gazette, for which he presumably was awarded his Military Cross. As Montgomery's old command, he wanted them to be with him during the invasion of Europe, and so on D-Day, 6 June 1944 the 1st RTR landed at Arromanches, and they fought on through the drive into Germany, through Normandy and North through Belgium and Holland. Hugh must have been wounded at some time, and sadly died at home on 21 December 1945, aged just 25. He is buried at St. Ishmael (St. Ishmael) Churchyard.