There are many War Memorials around the country which record details of men and women who are not commemorated by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. For example, Memorials throughout the County of Carmarthenshire commemorate almost 2,000 men and women of the County who fell during the Great War alone, and presently I have failed to identify 178 of these, many of whom are un-commemorated, while the County of Pembrokeshire commemorate 1,354 men and women who fell during the Great War, 88 of whom are either not commemorated by the CWGC, or who I have not been able to positively identify. Following extensive research into some of these people, I have managed to get eight of these men included onto the CWGC database, and am working on 22 others at the moment. Several are not eligible for commemoration due to the CWGC and MOD rules, regarding date of death. There is much work yet to be done to try and identify, and if possible enable commemoration of, these men, so I am looking for any information on these men below, which will help to try to compile enough evidence to send to the CWGC, via the In From The Cold project, for commemoration. Any useful information includes military service papers, death certificates, photos or transcriptions of headstones, old newspaper articles etc. Also if anyone knows the location of the graves of these men, this can be passed onto the CWGC, via the IFCP, to include in their database.

The Great War, 1914-1918. Recently Commemorated Locals.

 

Harold Berkeley Beynon, Private, 33181, Hampshire Regiment. Harold was the Son of Thomas and Laura Annie Beynon, of Holloway, Penally. He later resided at St. Johns Hill, Tenby. Harold enlisted into the Pembroke Yeomanry on 1 April 1914, then served with the 3rd Welsh, before being posted to the 10th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment. The Battalion became attached to 29 Brigade, 10th Division, and on 7 July 1915 sailed from Liverpool, arriving at Mudros 26 July 1915. The Battalion landed on Gallipoli on 6 August 1915, and fought there for a month before being sent to Salonika, where it joined 82 Brigade, 27th Division. Harold became ill with malaria while in Salonika and returned home for treatment. His service papers show that he was discharged in 1919 due to malaria. Sadly Harold died of meningitis and encephalitis soon after, on 16 May 1919. He was 21 years old. His place of burial has not yet been identified. Harold has just been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC (Friday 13 January 2012), and will be commemorated on the Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial.

Charles Gordon Bowen, Private, 200080, Welsh Regiment. Charles was born at Pembroke in 1896. He married Matilda J. Williams at Pembroke in 1916, and the couple had a daughter, Edith Mary. They set up home at 2, Clifton Villa, Clynderwen. Charles enlisted into the 4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, on 5 May 1913, and on the outbreak of war was called up to the colours. He fought at Gallipoli with the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On 18 September he was admitted to the 1/1st Welsh Field Ambulance, suffering from pain. He was evacuated to England aboard H.S. Northland a week later, and was hospitalised at Pembroke Dock Military Hospital. Charles was then discharged, and was posted to Scoveston Camp, but took ill, and was diagnosed with tuberculosis, which led to him being discharged from the army on 5 November 1917. He died at Clynderwen on 10 March 1919, aged 22, and was buried at Pembroke (St. Michael) Cemetery on 15 March 1919. Charles has just been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC (Friday 13 January 2012), and will be commemorated on the Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial.

Parcell Rees Bowen, MC, DFC and Bar, Captain, Welsh Regiment. Parcell was the fourth son of Mr. and Mrs. Josiah Bowen, of Pantyglien, Abergwili. He was a student at St. David's College, Lampeter when he enlisted at the outbreak of War, becoming a Private in the Army Service Corps. He spent the Winter of 1914/15 in France, but in February 1915 was sent home with badly frostbitten feet. In July that year, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the 5th Welsh, and he embarked with the Battalion for Gallipoli, where the Battalion formed part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division fought at Gallipoli until the evacuation in December, suffering badly from casualties, forcing the 5th Welsh to merge with the 4th Welsh for a short period. After the evacuation, Parcell fought in the Palestinian Campaign, where he then transferred into the Machine Gun Corps, and it was with them that he was awarded his first decoration, the Military Cross. Parcell then transferred into the Royal Air Force on 10 January 1918, becoming an Observer. He gained his second decoration during the air war in Egypt, the Distinguished Service Order. After the Armistice on 11 November 1918, Parcell served in Salonika and Mesopotamia, before being placed on the unemployed list. Again though, Parcell wanted more adventure, and so he volunteered for further service with the R.A.F. in their private war in North Russia, fighting for the White Russians. On 17 July 1919 Parcell arrived at Archangel, where he met his old compatriot from Carmarthen, Ira 'Taffy' Jones. Ira wrote glowing reports of Parcell, being glad to see another Welsh Warrior in his Squadron. A long passage from 'An Airfighters Scrapbook' tells of an incident that earned Parcell a Bar to his Distinguished Flying Cross. In short, Parcell and his Pilot were carrying out a bombing mission when they came across a superior force of Russian Aeroplanes. Being the men they were, they agreed to attack the Russians, who dispersed in chaos when these two madmen plunged into their midst. The Russians took flight, but one fired a burst of rounds at the British pair, and Parcell and his Pilot were hit. The Pilot fainted at the controls of the aeroplane, and Parcell only had one good arm, but he leaned over his colleague and piloted the aeroplane back nearly 100 miles to base. Parcell was sent home wounded, and again placed on the Unemployed List, so volunteered for a Commission into the Lithuanian Army, with whom he served until July 1920 when he accepted a Government Post. This post was Top Secret, and involved him going undercover in Dublin, at the time when the troubles were at a peak. Due to the secrecy of the work being carried out in Ireland, nothing much is known about the operations Parcell was engaged in. What is known is that Parcell had been lodging with a fellow Officer at 28, Upper Fitzwilliam Street, Dublin, and the two had spent the afternoon of 27 October 1920 watching a football match at Donnybrook. After the match, Parcell could not be found, until his lifeless body was discovered, lying face down, at Merrion Street. He had been shot in the back by an IRA assassin, the bullet hitting his spine. Parcell's body was brought back to Carmarthen, where he was buried with full military honours in Abergwili Churchyard. There is a theory that Parcell was murdered by MI5, as the Irish never owned up to his killing. Parcell has recently been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC (Tuesday 10 January 2012), and is commemorated temporarily in the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance, which is held at the CWGC HQ at Maidenhead, until the location of his grave has been verified by them.

 

James Lloyd Davies, Gunner, 371137, Royal Garrison Artillery. James was born at Goodwick in 1896, and resided at 3, Cross Street, Dyffryn, Goodwick. He enlisted into the Pembroke Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on 29 May 1913, and went to France with the battery on 14 June 1916. He was wounded within a month of being in France, and returned home for treatment, before heading back to France on 1 April 1918. James was wounded again on 24 September 1918, and again returned home for treatment. He survived the war, but died of Pthisis brought on by his war service, on 7 February 1920. The location of James' grave has not yet been identified. James has just been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC (Friday 13 January 2012), and will be commemorated on the Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial.

Ben John Jones, Private, 69527, Royal Army Medical Corps. Ben was born at St. Ishmaels in 1885. He resided at Als Park, Pontyberem, and was a Medical Student prior to enlisting into the Royal Army Medical Corps. Ben served in Italy, before becoming ill with tuberculosis, and was admitted to Bermondsey Military Hospital on 5 September 1918. He was then transferred to Hospital at Cardiff, but returned home, where he died of Tuberculosis on 10 March 1920, aged 25. The location of Ben's grave has not yet been identified. Ben has just been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC (Saturday 14 January 2012), and will be commemorated on the Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial.

Edward Jones, Sergeant, 200808, Welsh Regiment. Edward resided at Dryslwyn Station, Llangathen, the son of Mr. D. Jones. He enlisted on 15 October 1912 into the 4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the local Territorial unit. He didn't serve overseas, as he was deemed to be unfit, and was discharged on 23 October 1917 as being no longer physically fit for war service. Edward died of Tuberculosis at Station House, Dryslwyn on 14 January 1918, aged 28. The location of Edward's grave has not yet been identified. Edward has just been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC (Saturday 14 January 2012), and will be commemorated on the Brookwood (United Kingdom 1914-1918) Memorial.

Wymond Howard Lloyd, Second Lieutenant, Herefordshire Regiment. Wymond was born on 20 March 1883, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs H. Meuric Lloyd of Delfryn, Carmarthenshire. Wymond was educated at Malvern and New College, Oxford, where he had completed two years' residence, and was half way through his degree and studying for the Civil Service. He rowed for his college in the second eight, and was a member of the O.U.O.T.C., and so was commissioned into the Herefordshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant in September 1914. Wymond embarked with his regiment to Gallipoli in August, 1915, and was five weeks at Suvla before contracting enteric fever and dysentery, which required his return home after many weeks in hospital. Upon his return, he was posted to Park Hall Camp, Oswestry, engaged on light duty and hoped to pass for active service at a medical board on 23 March, but on 18 March he was struck by a train while walking near the camp, and brought to Oswestry Cottage Hospital, where he died the following day, on 19 March 1916. He was 23 years of age, and was brought home to be buried with military honours in Llangadock Cemetery, on 23 March 1916. The Colonel commanding the Welsh Division Grouped Depots, T.F., wrote:- "Your son was a very fine young officer, and had gained the love and respect of all who came into contact with him, both in Gallipoli and here. I regret his loss personally, for I know what good work he was doing here in the training of the men." Wymond was accepted for commemoration by the CWGC on 27 July 2007 after research by dave Hanson.

 

Ivor William Richards, Gunner, 200018, Royal Garrison Artillery. Ivor was the Husband of Mary Richards (nee Davies), of 13, Ralph Street, Llanelli. He enlisted at Carmarthen on 13 March 1917, and served at home with the 1st Reserve Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. Ivor was discharged on 13 August 1918 as medically unfit, due to suffering from tuberculosis. He died soon after, at 13, Ralph Street, on 11 October 1918, aged 19. Ivor is buried at Box Cemetery, Llanelli. Ivor has just been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC (Saturday 14 January 2012), and will be commemorated in the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance, until the location of his grave can be verified by the CWGC.

Herbert Gladstone Ridge, Sapper, 915, Royal Engineers. Herbert was born in 1886 in Chorlton, and was the son of Albert Ridge, who later resided at 5, Viney Street, Taunton, Somerset. The 1922 published Carmarthen County Roll of Honour lists Herbert as being from Llanybydder, but the 1911 Census shows him as residing at 36, Gilbert Road, Llanelli. He enlisted at Llanelli on 24 July 1915 into the Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers, and on 8 October 1915 joined his unit at Gallipoli. Herbert served at Gallipoli with his unit until it was evacuated in December 1915, then saw service in Egypt, before becoming ill, and returning to Britain on 2 October 1916. Herbert was discharged from the army on 20 December 1916 as a result of tuberculosis, and died at his sisters home at 5, Viney Street, Taunton on 18 March 1918, aged 31. Herbert is buried at St. Mary's Cemetery, Taunton. Herbert has just been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC (Tuesday 17 January 2012), and will be commemorated in the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance until the location of his grave can be verified by the CWGC.

Edward Rockingham, Private, 320155, 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Edward was born at Norwood, Surrey. He became orphaned at an early age, and came to Abergwili, where he worked for Mrs. Rees, Penybont. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry, Army Number 2237. The Pembroke Yeomanry moved to Egypt in 1916, where it merged with the Glamorgan Yeomanry to become the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 231 Brigade, 74th Yeomanry Division, and fought in Palestine as a dismounted infantry unit. Early in 1918 when the tide of war was turning in favour of the Germans, with big breakthroughs on the Somme and in Flanders, the 74th Division was sent back to France, landing during May, 1918. They were rushed to Flanders, where they helped stem the German advance, before moving south, pushing against the Hindenburg Line around the Epehy area. Edward was killed during heavy fighting at Gillemont Farm on 21 September 1918, during the Battle of Epehy. Edward has only recently been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC on 20 July 2009, after evidence of his omission was presented to them by myself. He will be commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France, after 91 years of being forgotten.

 

Joshua Williams, Private, 633812, London Regiment. Joshua was born in November 1886, and worked as a Draper, residing at Ty Coch, White Square, Taliaris, Llandilo. Joshua enlisted on 18 November 1915 into the 15th Battalion, London Regiment, and on 5 July 1916, he embarked with the Battalion for France, where he transferred to the 20th Battalion, London Regiment, attached to 141 Brigade, 47th (London) Division. The Division fought on the Somme that year, through the Battles of Flers-Courcelette and Le Transloy, where they captured Eaucourt L'Abbe, and attacked the Butte de Warlencourt. Joshua took ill after these actions, and was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Boulogne with influenza. On 2 November 1916 he returned to England, and spent the next few months at the 2nd General Eastern Hospital, Brighton. Joshua was discharged from the army on 26 June 1917, owing to ill health, and was transferred to Beechwood House Hospital, Newport, where he sadly died on 17 September 1917, suffering from Cardiac Failure. He is buried at Taliaris (Holy Trinity) Churchyard. Joshua was accepted for commemoration by the CWGC on 27 May 2011 after research by Dave Hanson.

The Great War, 1914-1918. Recently Submitted to the CWGC.

Daniel Evans, Daniel, Private, 11668, Welsh Regiment. Daniel was the Husband of Margaret Evans, of Tanygraig Cottage, Pontyberem, Carmarthen. He enlisted at Carmarthen on 18 August 1914 into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, and saw action in Gallipoli, before being wounded on 8 August 1915, when he ws shot in the foot, and returned to Britain. Daniel was at Kinmel Park until 10 August 1916, when he was posted to the 2nd Welsh in France. He was transferred to the 9th Welsh until 19 December 1916, when he became attached to the Base Depot at Etaples. Daniel was posted to the 14th Welsh on 8 August 1918, which was preparing for its assault across the River Ancre on 21 August. Daniel was wounded again on 7 September 1918, within weeks of the offensive starting, and was discharged from the army as unfit on 29 January 1919. He suffered badly from his wounds after the war, and died as a result on 13 April 1919, aged 32. The location of Daniel's grave has not yet been identified.

Bertie Jenkins, M22936, Royal Navy, HMS Ampritrite. Bertie was born on 15 August 1895, the son of William and Anne Jenkins, of Guildford, Burton. Bertie and his father worked at Pembroke Dockyard prior to the war, and on 19 September 1916, Bertie enlisted into the Royal Navy. After training at HMS Victory, in Portsmouth, Bertie was posted to HMS Amphitrite. HMS Amphitrite was a Diadem-class Cruisers, which had been built at Vickers Limited, Barrow in Furness and launched on 5 January 1898. At the outbreak of was she was part of the Ninth Cruiser Squadron, serving in the Atlantic. In June 1915 she was placed in reserve, but reactivated as a minelayer in 1917, which is when Bertie joined her crew. Bertie took ill with chronic bronchitis while serving aboard Amphritrite, and was hospitalised at Portsmouth. He was discharged on 14 February 1918, but died at 24, Prospect Place, Pembroke Dock of Bronchitis on 8 May 1918, aged 21. The location of Bertie's grave has not yet been identified. 

Dan Thomas, Private, 203471, Welsh Regiment. Dan was born at Eglwysfair-Y-Churig. He is listed on SDGW as having enlisted at Llanelli, and being killed in action in Salonika on18 September 1918, aged 35. The medal cards at the National Archives confirm these details, but there is no mention of him with the CWGC, as another man, Private David Thomas, 203441, Welsh Regiment, was killed in action at Salonika on the same day as Dan. He also enlisted at Llanelli, and is remembered on the Doiran Memorial,Greece. For this simple reason of confusion, Dan has never been recognised by the CWGC, nor put forward for commemoration, but this week (25 January 2012), Dan’s case has been submitted, along with evidence of his death.

The Great War, 1914-1918. Unidentified.

Francis George Banwell. Francis was born in 1895, and lived at 15 High Street, Pontarddulais. He was a labourer in the tinworks prior to the war. His branch of service has not yet been traced, but Francis died in 1919, aged 24.

S. Bennett, Rifleman, King's Royal Rifle Corps. This man cannot be identified, as three men matching these details fell during the Great War. He is named as a Llanelli man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial Roll.

C. A. Bowen, Private, Royal Air Force. This man cannot be identified. He is named as a Llanelli man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial Roll.

Eliezor Bishop Bowen, Private, 201423, Welsh Regiment. Eliezor was born in 1885, the son of David and Mary Bowen, of 5, Club House, Felinfoel. He served with the 4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. Eliezor survived the war, but died at Llanelli in 1920, aged 35.

G. Bowen, Private, South Wales Borderers. This man cannot be identified. He is named as a Llanelli man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial Roll.

William George Bowen, Sapper, 908, Royal Engineers. William was residing at 34, Penygroes Street, Llanelli when he enlisted in April 1915 into the 3rd/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers. He was discharged from the army on 4 June 1915 as being deemed unlikely to become an efficient soldier.

W. Parry Brown (Bowen?), Private, Welsh Regiment. This man cannot be identified. He is named as a Llandeilo man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial Roll.

Albert Victor Carman, Able Seaman, Bristol Z/468, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Albert was born on 31 December 1896, the son of William Carman, of 36, Ty-ny-bone Road, Pontardulais. He worked as a Tinworker prior to the war, and enlisted on 29 December 1914 into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. He was posted to Drake Battalion, joining them at Gallipoli on 17 July 1915. Albert was invalided to Britain suffering from conjunctivitis in October 1915, and was hospitalised at the Royal Naval Hospital Haslar, suffering with Hypermetropic Astigmatism. It is not known if Albert went on to serve in France, but he died on 1 June 1920 as a result of his war service.

Frederick Collins. Frederick is commemorated on the Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen War Memorial.

William Daniels, Private, Welsh Horse. William is mentioned in an article in the Llanelly Mercury, as residing at 9, Box Terrace, Llanelli, and serving with the 4th Battalion, Welsh Horse, when he was killed at Gallipoli. There was no such unit at Gallipoli, only the 1/1st Welsh Horse, or the 4th Welsh, so William cannot presently be identified.

Thomas H Davey, Private, 12270, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was the Son of Sarah Rees, of Whitstable Inn, Llanelli. He served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, landing in the Balkans on 9 July 1915.

O. G. David, Private, Welsh Regiment. This man cannot presently be identified. He is named as a Llanelli man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial roll.

A. J. Davies, Corporal, Welsh Regiment. This man lived at Glyn, Hafodyrynys, Carmarthen. An obituary was published in the Welshman Newspaper of 26 July 1918, stating that he had been killed, and was 25 years old, however, he cannot be identified.

B. Davies, Private, Welsh Regiment. This man cannot presently be identified. He is named as a Tumble man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial roll.

C. Davies, Sapper, Royal Engineers. This man cannot presently be identified. He is named as a Llanelli man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial roll.

D. Davies. This man cannot presently be identified. He is named on the Dafen War Memorial.

D. J. Davies, Private, South Wales Borderers. This man cannot presently be identified. He is named as a Llanelli man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial roll.              

David Rees Davies, Private, 3rd Chemical Warfare Section, U.S. Army. David was born at Newcastle Emlyn on 24 December 1891. David emigrated to America at some time, where he joined the 3rd Battalion, Chemical Warfare Service, American Expeditionary Force. He died in the USA, aged 25, on 11 October 1918, and is buried at Jerusalem Cemetery, Wales, Waukesha, Wisconsin. The Memorial at Newcastle Emlyn states that David served with the 164th Depot Battalion, Royal Garrison Artillery, but his headstone states 3rd Battalion, Chemical Warfare Service. The latter is the most likely, as a member of the RGA would not have been serving in the USA, unless David was discharged from the army before emigrating.

D. T. Davies, Private, Machine Gun Corps. This man cannot presently be identified, but is commemorated on the Ammanford War Memorial.

David Davies, Sapper, 790, Royal Engineers. David was the husband of Gwen Davies, of 7, Water Street, Llanelli. He was 28 years old when he enlisted into the 3/1st Welsh Field Company, Royal Engineers at Llanelli in May 1915. Due to the number of men of this name who died after the war, his death cannot be positively identified.

E. H. Davies, Sergeant, South Wales Borderers. This man cannot presently be identified. He is named as a Llanelli man on the Carmarthen County War Memorial roll.

J. G. Davies, Corporal, Welsh Regiment. This man is recorded on the War Memorial at St. Peters Church, at Carmarthen as having served with the 4th Welsh. He has not yet been identified.

WORK IN PROGRESS