On this page we remember the men of the villages of Llanddarog and Llangendeirne who lost their lives during both World Wars. I have no photographs or transcriptions of the War Memorials at either village, so the names have been taken from the 1922 published Carmarthen County War Memorial Roll, with other men from the area added as their details have been discovered.

Llanddarog War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Sidney Elliot, Private, 203561, Welsh Regiment. Sidney was born at Llanddarog. He resided at Leicester prior to the war, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry. Sidney was posted to France, probably during 1917, where he joined the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. In 1917 the Division moved to Ypres from the Somme, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcappelle and Passchendaele Village itself. Sidney was wounded early in 1918, and died of his wounds at Rouen on 19 January 1918. He is buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. Sidney is not commemorated on the County War Memorial roll.

 

Hugh Bagnall Gething, Second Lieutenant, Royal Gloucestershire Hussars. Hugh was born at Lether Lllestry, Llanddarog on 7 October 1883, the Son of James Edward Gething of Siddington Hall, Cirencester, and of Maria Llewellyn, daughter of James Bagnall of Castle Hill House, Carmarthen. Hugh was educated at Harrow and Cambridge, and joined the Royal Gloucester Hussars on 25 March 1911. He volunteered for overseas service at the outbreak of the Great War, and on 15 April 1915 the Hussars sailed to Egypt on board the SS Minneapolis. On 11 August, the Hussars received orders to embark for Gallipoli, and landed at Suvla Bay in August attached to 1st South Midland Brigade, 2nd Mounted Division. The Hussars moved to positions near Chocolate Hill. On 21 August 1915, the Hussars were advancing across open ground, when they came under Turkish artillery fire, and Hugh was killed by shrapnel. He was 31 years old, and was buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli. His elder brother James had been killed during the Boer War. Hugh is not commemorated on the County War Memorial Roll.

 

 

William James, DCM, MM, Corporal, 1728, East Surrey Regiment. William was the Son of James and Ann James, of Bryncrwn, Mynyddcerrig, Pontyberem. He enlisted at Shoreham into the army, and was posted to France to join the 8th Battalion, East Surrey regiment, which was attached to 55 Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. The Division moved to France in May 1915, and saw its first major action in the Battle of Albert in July 1916. The Division fought throughout the Somme offensive, and in March 1917 followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. In 1917 the Division took part in the Third Battle of the Scarpe, which was part of the Arras Offensive, then moved to Ypres, where it took part in the Battles of Pilckem, Langemarck, and at the First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. In 1918 the Division were stationed south of the Somme, and were one of the Divisions hit there by the German Spring Offensive, which was launched on 21 March 1918, and fought a heroic rearguard action towards Villers-Brettoneux. William was killed on the Somme on 4 April 1918. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France. William was a brave man- he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal and the Military Medal during his time at war.

 

 

Thomas James Lewis, Private, 509, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Son of Joseph and Ann Lewis, of Brynhawddgar, Mynyddcerrig, Pontyberem. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was formed during August, 1914 in Carmarthen. The Battalion were then attached to the 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and in July, 1915 sailed from Devonport for Egypt. On the 9th August, 1915 the Division had moved from Egypt, and landed on Gallipoli. The next few days were chaotic, with small scale battles raging around the Peninsula, and Thomas was killed in action on the 12th August, 1915. He was 23 years old, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

John Morgan, Private, 48946, Welsh Regiment. John was the Son of Thomas and Hannah Morgan, of Tabor Villa, Cross Hands. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 10th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, who were 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, where John was killed in action on 19 August 1917, aged 26. He has no known grave, and so is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

 

 

Thomas Morgan, Private, 260301, Border Regiment. Thomas was the Son of David and Ann Morgan, of Penybont, Cwmisfael, Llanddarog. He enlisted in London into the Westmoreland and Cumerland Yeomanry, but was later transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Border Regiment, which was inFrance attached to 20 Brigade, 7th Division. The Division had been in France since the outbreak of war, and had seen much fighting at Ypres, Loos and the Somme. In March, 1917 they followed up the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and took part in the taking of Bullecourt. Later in the year the Division moved to Ypres, and fought at the Battle of the Polygon Wood. They then took part in the Battle of Broodseinde, the Battle of Poelcapelle and the Second Battle of Passchendaele, but the 7th suffered significant losses during Third Ypres, especially in the fighting for Polygon Wood, the successful advance on 4 October east of the wood, and in the unsuccessful assault south of the Menin Road on 26 October 1917, which is where Thomas was killed that day. He was 26 years old, and is buried at Hooge Crater Cemetery, Belgium.

 

William John Stephens, Private, 13032, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was born at Wern Farm. He enlisted at Tumble into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which moved to France in July 1915 attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division moved to positions on the northern end of the Loos Sector, and on the opening of the Battle of Loos, made a brave but disastrous attack on the German lines, incurring heavy casualties. William was one of many men of the 19th Division killed on the opening day of the battle, 25 September 1915. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

 

John William Stephenson, Private, 3532, Royal Army Medical Corps. John was born at Barrow, and was the husband of Mrs. Stephenson, of Tyrgate, Porthyrhyd. He enlisted at York at the outbreak of war into the Royal Army Medical Corps, and was posted to France, where he became attached to the 56th Howitzer Battery, Royal Field Artillery. The Battery was attached to the 2nd Division, which had been in France since the outbreak of war, taking part in the retreat from Mons. John would have seen action at Ypres and at Loos, and was awarded the French Legion of Honour for the Somme in 1916. He was mortally wounded around the time of the Third Battle of Ypres, and died of his wounds on 10 August 1917. John is buried at La Gorgue Communal Cemetery, France.

 

David Thomas, Private, 32295, East Lancashire Regiment. David was born in Llandeilo, the Son of John and Mary Thomas, later of Garn Ffrwd, Mynydd Cerrig, Pontyberem. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 2/1st Monmouthshire Regiment, which were attached to 205 Brigade, 68th Division. The Division remained in the UK on Home Service for the duration of war, but David transferred to the 1st Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, which had been in France since 22 August 1914 attached to 11 Brigade, 4th Division. They had fought at Le Cateau, the Marne and the Aisne, and also at Messines in 1914 where they took part in the famous Christmas Truce. In 1915 they fought at Second Ypres, and in 1916 at Albert and Le Transloy during the Somme Offensive. Spring 1917 saw them at Arras, where they fought at the Battles of the Scarpe, and they then moved to Ypres, where they fought in the Battle of Polygon Wood, and at Broodseinde, where David was killed in Action on 4 October 1917 aged 30. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial.

 

Llanddarog War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945

Idris Davies, Corporal, 3976296, Welch Regiment. Idris was the Son of David Beynon Davies and Jane Davies of Llanwrcwrt, Pontyberem, and the husband of Rachel Sarah Davies, of Cotton End, Bedfordshire. Idris served in the 4th Battalion, Welch Regiment, the local Territorial Battalion, which was attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division landed at Arromanches at the end of June 1944 and fought through the Battle of Normandy, up through northern France into Belgium, and through Holland in 1944. Idris was killed in action during the Battle of s'Hertegonbosch on 24 October, 1944. He was 32 years old, and was buried the following day at Uden War Cemetery.

 

David Lewin Evans, Third Officer, Merchant Navy. David was the Son of Llewellyn and Mary Evans, of Llanddarog. He served with the Merchant Navy, aboard the S.S. Westbury, a London registered cargo steamer. On the morning of 12 February 1941, SS Westbury was part of the unescorted convoy SLS.64 when she was attacked by shellfire from the German heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper, about 300 miles S.E. of the Azores. David, the Master, and three other crew members lost their lives during the attack, and are commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. David was 34 years old.

William Daniel Griffiths, Guardsman, 2734326, Welsh Guards. William was the Son of Isaac and Elizabeth Griffiths, of Llanddarog. He was a pre-war regular in the army, serving with the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards at the outbreak of war, and was stationed at Gibraltar. The battalion sailed for France on 7 November 1939, and entrained for Arras, being given the task of guarding the city which had seen so much fighting in the previous war. William was killed in France on 15 December 1939, before the main German attacks on Arras. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery, France.

 

William Benjamin James King, Leading Stoker, D/KX 90551, Royal Navy. William was the Son of David King, and of Rachel Ann King, of Drefach. He was a regular in the Royal Navy, and served aboard H.M.S. Repulse, a Renown Class Battlecruiser. She had seen action during the Great War, and took part in the Norwegian campaign during the early part of the Second War. From October 1941, Repulse was attached to East Indies Command, and formed part of Force Z, alongside H.M.S. Prince of Wales, which was meant to deter Japanese aggression in the Far East. Sadly the Royal Navy under-estimated the power of air attack, and on 10 December 1941, both Repulse and Prince of Wales were sunk by Japanese bombers off Malaya, with huge loss in life. William was one of 508 men lost aboard Repulse that day. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

Llangendeirne War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Thomas Hughes Beynon, Private, 32748, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Thomas was born at Llangendeirne, the Son of David and Ellen Beynon, of Mansant Farm, Ponthenry. He had served in the Royal Dragoons, but transferred into the 15th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, part of 13 Brigade, 5th Division. The Division had landed at Havre on 15 August 1914, and fought at the Battle of Mons, and during the retreat south, fighting at Le Cateau, then down to the Marne where the German attack was halted. They took part in the advance to the Aisne, before moving to Flanders, where they fought at the Battle of La Bassée, then at Messines in October 1914. They fought here through First Ypres, and took part in the capture of Hill 60, and then fought at Second Ypres in April 1915. March 1916 saw the Division moving to positions between St. Laurent-Blangy and Vimy, near Arras, and the Division saw plenty of action during its spell here. On 1 July 1916 the Battle of the Somme opened, and the Division moved south fighting at High Wood, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. On 5 October, after suffering heavy casualties, the Division moved to Festubert, where they remained until March 1917. They next saw action at the Battle of Arras, fighting at the Battle of Vimy in April 1917, and the attack on La Coulette. On 3 May they fought in the Third Battle of the Scarpe, and captured Oppy Wood. On 7 September, they were pulled out of the line again, and moved north to join the great offensive in Flanders- Third Ypres, or Passchendaele as it is better known. On 26 September they fought at the Battle of Polygon Wood, then at Broodseinde and Poelcappelle in September. Thomas was killed around Poelcappelle on 4 October 1917. He was 25 years old and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. Thomas is shown as a Minke man on the County War Memorial roll.

Roger Bowen, Private, 31823, Welsh Regiment. Roger was born at Llangendeirne, and enlisted at Llanelli into the 19th Battalion (Glamorgan Pioneers), Welsh Regiment, the Pioneers to the 38th (Welsh) Division. The division moved to the La Bassee area where they trained in trench warfare, and in June 1916 marched south to the Somme area, where it was tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The first attack went in on 7 July 1916 but was repulsed with heavy losses, and it was three days later that the attack was renewed, with the 15th Welsh acting as reserve troops on the first day. On the morning of 11 July the fighting in the wood had become severe, and the 15th Welsh were sent into the wood to aid the situation. Many of its men lost their lives during the remainder of the day, one of whom was Roger. His grave was lost and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Roger is not named on the County War Memorial roll.

David Davies, Private, 12577, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of Mrs. Margaretta Davies, of Peny Bank, Cowlyn, Kidwelly. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. On 7 June 1915 orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. On 13 June 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between 6 and 16 July 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles and relieved the 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3 and 5 August 1915, taking part in the Battles of Sari Bair, Russell's Top, and Hill 60, ANZAC. David was killed at Sari Bair on 8 August, 1915. He was 21 years old and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Photograph courtesy of Mark Collins/ Llanelly Mercury.

 

John Jones, Private, 260106, Cheshire Regiment. John was the son of Mr and Mrs D. Jones, Tyrsteps, Crwbin, Llangendeirne. He was a Carpenter at Pontyates prior to the war. John enlisted at Carmarthen into the Monmouth Regiment. He later transferred into the 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, attached to 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 the 3rd 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. After fighting at Messines, the Division moved north, and fought at Pilckem, which is where John was killed on 5 August, 1917.  He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

 

Henry Lewis, Private, 12578, Welsh Regiment. Henry was the Son of Richard and Margaret Lewis, of Tanybont, Crwbyn, Kidwelly. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. On 7 June 1915 orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. On 13 June 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between 6 and 16 July 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles and relieved the 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3 and 5 August 1915, taking part in the Battle of Sari Bair, which is where Henry was killed on 8 August 1915. He was 29 years old and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

John Lewis, Stoker 2nd Class, K/50891, Royal Navy. John was the Son of Thomas and Martha Lewis, of Tynewydd, Llangendeirne, Kidwelly, and served in the Royal Navy at their Shore Establishment in Plymouth, H.M.S. Vivid. John sadly died of meningitis in Plymouth on 21 May 1915, aged just 21, and is buried at Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth. Many thanks to the Cemetery Authorities for supplying the photograph below. John is not commemorated on the County War Memorial roll.

Charles Bernard Morland, Lieutenant-Colonel, Welsh Regiment. Charles was the husband of Elms Alice Maud Abadam, a descendant of the Duke of Burgundy, and lived near Llangendeirne. He was a long serving soldier, and had originally been commissioned into the Welsh Regiment in 1887. He had served with them throughout the Boer War, and at the outbreak of the Great War was given command of the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had fought at Mons, and in the retreat to the Marne, before pushing back the Germans to the Aisne, where they were stopped. It then moved north, taking up positions east of Ypres, on the Menin Road. The Germans had began to push towards the Channel Coast, to force France to capitulate, but between them and their goals lay the ancient City of Ypres, thinly held by the British Expeditionary Force. The gateway to Ypres was via the Menin Road, held by the 2nd Welsh, and a few other battalions. On 31 October, 1914, after bloody fighting, the First Battle of Ypres was won here by the British, saving France and Belgium from disaster. Charles Morland was killed that day when the battalion was fighting a desperate action at Gheluveldt. Earlier that day a shell had crashed into Hooge Chateau, where the Staff of the 1st and 2nd Divisions were stationed, killing the two Generals in Command, and Charles had been intended to be promoted to cover their losses. Charles' body was taken for burial in Ypres, where he rests today in Ypres Town Cemetery. He was 47 years old.

David John Pugh, Private, 11805, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Bolton, but resided at Llangendeirne prior to the war. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. On 7 June 1915 orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. On 13 June 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between 6 and 16 July 1915 the Divisional infantry landed on Cape Helles and relieved the 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between 3 and 5 August 1915, taking part in the Battle of Sari Bair, which is where David was killed on 8 August 1915. He is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

William Rees, Private, 12076, Gloucestershire Regiment. William was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Rees, of Ystrad Fawr, Llandefeilog. He enlisted at Pentre into the 7th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, which was part of 39 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. William fought on Gallipoli with the Division, but was one of many men evacuated from the Peninsula suffering from dysentery. He was brought by Hospital Ship to the Hospital at Malta, where he died on 23 November 1915. William was just 19 years old and is buried at Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta.

 

John Skelton, Private, 11471, Welsh Regiment. John was born at St. Jude's, Bristol, the son of Emily Skelton. He worked as a Farm Hand at Llangendeirne prior to the war, and enlisted into the 4th Welsh at Carmarthen on 10 August 1914, aged 18. John was posted to France on 1 June 1915, to join the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 84 Brigade, 28th Division, and in November 1915 the Division moved to Salonika. John became ill with enteric fever in Salonika, and was shipped to Hospital in Egypt. He was discharged from the army as medically unfit on 15 August 1916. John went back to Bristol to live, and resided at 25, Little James Street. He must have died after discharge [or may even have not died, and been incorrectly listed on the memorial]. He is not commemorated on either the Commonwealth War Graves Register or on Soldiers Died in the Great War, and so further research is on-going.

Walter Rowland Thomas, Private, 320820, Welsh Regiment. Walter was born at Llangendeirne, and enlisted at Bridgend into the Glamorgan Yeomanry. The Yeomanry were originally utilised for Home Service, but in 1916 the various Yeomanry units were sent to Egypt. Early in 1917 the Glamorgan and Pembroke Yeomanry's became merged to form the 24th Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, which was part of 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division had formed in Egypt in January, 1917 and had fought through the Palestinian Campaign, at the Battles of Gaza and the Battle and capture of Jerusalem. Walter was killed after the liberation of Jerusalem from the Turks on 1 December 1917. He is buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Egypt.

 

John Walters, Private, 201326, Welsh Regiment. John was the Son of Mrs. Margaret Walters, of Lan Farm, Llangendeirne, and he enlisted at Carmarthen into the local Territorial Battalion, the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The Battalion was part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July 1915 arriving at Mudros by 5 August, 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on the 9 August. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counter-attack during the Battle of Sari Bair, and then at the Attack on Scimitar Hill. The Division remained here throughout the coming months, and suffered severe losses in manpower strength during the great November 1915 blizzard on Gallipoli, when its total strength was reduced to less than that of a full-strength Brigade. On 11 December 1915 the Division was evacuated to Mudros, and by 23 December 1915 were moved to Egypt. They remained on the Suez Canal Defences for the next twelve months, and in early 1917 moved into Palestine, where they remained for the duration of the war, fighting at the First Battle of Gaza, which is when John was killed, on 26 March, 1917. He was 22 years old and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.