The peaceful Village of Llangadog is situated in the Towy Valley, south of Llandovery. IThere seems to be no single main War Memorial at Llangadog, but there is a WW2 plaque inside the church, and a WW1 plaque at Gosen Chapel. Many thanks to Mike Berrell for the photograph of the Chapel Memorial.

Llangadog War Memorial

 

The Great War, 1914-1918

Gwilym Mansel Pritchard Davies, Rifleman, A/204035, London Regiment. Gwilym was the only Son of Thomas Rhys Davies and Mag Hopkins Davies, of The Tonn, Llanon, Cardiganshire, and the family later moved to Bryn Derwen, Llangadock. Gwilym was educated at Bristol and Aberystwyth Universities, and served for a time as a Certificated Teacher. He enlisted at Neath into the 12th Battalion (The Rangers), the London Regiment, which moved to France in December, 1914. On 8 February 1915 they joined 84 Brigade, 28th Division, and fought at Second Ypres. On 12 February 1916 they moved to become part of 168 Brigade, 56th Division, and fought at Gommecourt, and the Somme Battles of 1916. The Division followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917 before fighting at the Scarpe during the Arras Offensive. They then fought at Third Ypres and Cambrai, and on 31 January 1918 transferred to 175 Brigade, 58th Division and met the German Spring Offensive in the St. Quentin sector. The Division remained in the area, fighting during the Battles of Villers-Brettoneux and Amiens, when the German offensive was halted. Gwilym was wounded around this period, and Died of Wounds on 24 August 1918 aged 29. He is remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, as his grave was lost in the continuing fighting over the area.

Thomas Davies, Private, 242011, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born at Llangadog, the Foster Son of Mrs. Mary Evans, of "Cwoncaemawr", Cwmgam Rd., Brynamman. He enlisted at Brynamman into the 18th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which were attached to 119 Brigade, 40th Division. They moved to France during June, 1916, serving near Loos until October, when it moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Ancre. They then followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917. Their next major action was during the Battle of Cambrai in November and December, 1917, and they were still in the area when the German Spring Offensive hit on 21 March 1918. They moved north to Flanders, and were hit again by the German attack on Estaires, and Thomas was Killed in Action during the chaotic days that followed, on 10 April 1918. He was 29 years old, and his body was lost in the continued fighting over the coming battles, and so he is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.

 

Gwynne Rees Edmunds, Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Gwynne was commissioned into the 18th Battalion, RWF, but was later attached to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which had been in France since September, 1914 as part of 19 Brigade, and had fought at Mons, Le Cateau and the retreat to the Marne and the Battle of the Aisne. On 12 October the Brigade transferred to the 6th Division and fought at Hooge, east of Ypres, where they transferred to the 27th Division on 31 May 1915. Here they fought at Second Ypres, and then transferred again, to the 2nd Division on 19 August 1915, and fought with them at Loos, and then on 25 November transferred yet again, to the 33rd Division. The 2nd RWF fought at the Battle of Albert, the opening battle of the Somme Offensive, in July, 1916, and this is where Gwynne was Killed in Action on 20 July 1917. He is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial.

 

David Isaac Griffiths, Corporal, 46134, Machine Gun Corps. David was the Son of David Griffiths, of Golengoed, Llangadock. He enlisted at Aberdare into the Oxfordshire & Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, where he became a Battalion Machine Gunner. On 2 September 1915, a proposal was made to the War Office for the formation of a single Machine-gun Company per Brigade, by withdrawing the guns from the Battalions. They would be replaced at Battalion level by Lewis guns. The Machine Gun Corps was created by Royal Warrant on 14 October 1915, followed by an Army Order on 22 October, and the MGC would consist of infantry machine-gun Companies, cavalry machine-gun Squadrons, and Motor Machine Gun Batteries. The pace of reorganisation depended on the rate of supply of Lewis guns, but it was completed before the Battle of the Somme. David by then had transferred into the 8th Company, Machine Gun Corps, which was attached to the 3rd Division; in time to take part in the opening battle of the Somme Offensive the Battle of Albert. They then fought at the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Longueval, and advanced on to Delville Wood. In November the Division fought at the Battle of the Ancre, and saw the Somme Offensive out to a close. In the following year, the Battle of Arras was launched, and the 3rd Division fought at the Battle of the Scarpe. This is where David was Killed in Action, aged 25, on 10 April 1917. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

 

Rees Harries, Private, 84818 Machine Gun Corps. Rees was the Son of Rees and Anne Harries, of Currey Cottage, Llangadock. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Welsh Regiment, where he became a Battalion Machine Gunner. On 2 September 1915, a proposal was made to the War Office for the formation of a single Machine-gun Company per Brigade, by withdrawing the guns from the Battalions. They would be replaced at Battalion level by Lewis guns. The Machine Gun Corps was created by Royal Warrant on 14 October 1915, followed by an Army Order on 22nd October, and the MGC would consist of infantry machine-gun Companies, cavalry machine-gun Squadrons, and Motor Machine Gun Batteries. The pace of reorganisation depended on the rate of supply of Lewis guns, but it was completed before the Battle of the Somme, which is when Rees transferred into the 9th Company, Machine Gun Corps, attached to the 3rd Division, in time to take part in the opening battle of the Somme Offensive the Battle of Albert. They then fought at the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Longueval, and advanced on to Delville Wood. In November the Division fought at the Battle of the Ancre, and saw the Somme Offensive out to a close. In the following year, the Battle of Arras was launched, and the 3rd Division fought at the Battle of the Scarpe. Rees would have served with David (above), who was Killed here, but Rees survived the Scarpe and the Battles of Arras in 1917, and took part in the Battles of Third Ypres. After the fighting in Ypres was closed down, the Division moved to take part in the Battle of Cambrai, which is where Rees was wounded. He Died of Wounds on 26 November 1917 aged 28, and is buried at Favreuil British Cemetery.

 

David Rees Jones, Private, 202925, South Lancashire Regiment. David was the Son of Joshua and Martha Jones, of Ysguborwern, Gwynfe, Llangadock. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 2/4th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, which was part of 172 Brigade 57th Division. The Division moved to France in February, 1917, and saw their first major action at the Second Battle of Passchendaele where David was wounded. He Died of Wounds on 11 September 1917 aged only 19, and is buried at Estaires Communal Cemetery Extension.

 

Henry Jones, Private, 474271, Canadian Infantry. Henry was born on 21 July 1884 in Llangadock, the Son of William and Gwenllian Jones, later of Bank-y-Gwin, Llandeilo, and had emigrated to Canada prior to the outbreak of war. He enlisted at Saskatoon on 3 April 1916 into the 72nd Battalion (British Columbia), Canadian Infantry, which was part of 12 Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. Henry would have arrived in France in time to take part in the Divisions first battle at Le Transloy, on the Somme, in October 1916. They then fought at the Battle of the Ancre Heights, where the Canadians captured Regina Trench, before taking part in the Battle of the Ancre. Henry was wounded in action at the Battle of the Ancre, and Died of Wounds on 16 November 1916, aged 32. He is buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension.

 

James Thomas King, Private, 59879 Machine Gun Corps. James was born at Lambeth, but enlisted at Llangadog into the Welsh Regiment. After the formation of the Machine Gun Corps, James transferred into the 15th Battalion, which was attached to the 15th (Scottish) Division, which had fought in France since July, 1915. James fought with the Division at the Battles of Pozieres and Le Transloy during the Somme Offensive and also during the Battle of Arras in 1917. They fought later in the year at Third Ypres, and were rushed to the Somme during the March, 1918 German Offensive. It was during that awful period on the Somme that James was Killed in Action, on 23 July 1918. He is buried at Buzancy Military Cemetery.

 

Rees Levi, Lance Corporal, 28323, Royal Scots. Rees was born in Llangadock the Son of John and Annie Levi, of Ratcliffe House Farm, Ratcliffe Culey, Atherstone, Warwickshire. He enlisted at Leicester into the Leicestershire Regiment, but later transferred into the 9th Battalion, Royal Scots, which were attached to 46 Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. The Division had fought in France since July 1915, and saw their first action at the Battle of Loos. Rees then fought with the Division at the Battles of Pozieres and Le Transloy during the Somme Offensive and also during the Battle of Arras in 1917. They fought later in the year at Third Ypres, and were rushed to the Somme during the March 1918 German Offensive. After the tide of war had turned, after 8 August 1918 victory by the Australian Corps at Villers-Brettoneux, the Allies went on the offensive, and swiftly moved towards, and took, the mighty Hindenburg Line. Rees was killed after this, during the Final Advance in Artois, on 19 October 1918 aged 27 and is buried at Cambrin Military Cemetery.

 

Benjamin Thomas Lewis, Private, 56784, Welsh Regiment. Benjamin was the Son of Elias and Bridget Lewis, of Glandyrfal, Llangadock, and enlisted at Llandovery into the 14th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had been in France since landing during December, 1915, and had fought in Flanders, on the Somme at Mametz Wood, and then at Third Ypres, and in 1918 were rushed from their winter post of Armentieres to aid with the desperate defence of the Somme area, based around Albert. Benjamin was Killed in Action near Albert, during the attacks on Longueval on 27 August 1918 and is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval. He was 22 years old.

 

Wymond Howard Lloyd, Second Lieutenant, Herefordshire Regiment. Wymond was the eldest son of Mr and Mrs H. Meuric Lloyd of Delfryn, Carmarthenshire. He was educated at Malvern and New College, Oxford, where he had completed two years' residence. He rowed for his college in the second eight, and was a member of the O.U.O.T.C. He joined the Herefordshire Regiment as a second lieutenant in September 1914, before proceeding to his degree and studying for the Civil Service. He went with his regiment to Gallipoli in August 1915, and was five weeks at Suvla before contracting enteric and dysentery, from which he was recently convalescent after many weeks in hospital. He was engaged on light duty and hoped to pass for active service at a forthcoming medical board on, but died on 19 March 1916 at the Cottage Hospital, Oswestry, having been accidentally injured the previous afternoon. He was 23 years of age. The colonel commanding a Welsh division grouped depots, T.F., writes:- "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 is not commemorated at Llangadog, but at Talley, even though he was buried at Llangadog Churchyard on 23 March 1916.

 

Daniel Thomas, Private, S/3227, Rifle Brigade. Daniel was born at Gwynfe, the Son of Isaac and Margaret Thomas, later of Pleasant Hill Capel Hendre, Pantyffynon, and the Husband of Margaret Anne Thomas, of Spen Cottage, Penygroes, Llanelli. He enlisted at Abertridwr into the 13th Battalion, Rifle Brigade, part of 111 Brigade, 37th Division. On 30 July 1915 they landed at Boulogne, and they saw their first significant action during the diversionary attack at Gommecourt but due to heavy losses suffered by the 34th Division on the Somme, 111 and 112 Brigades were temporarily attached to them from 6 July until 22 August, 1916. Upon their return to the Division, they fought on the Ancre, and were at Arras in March, 1917, where they fought at the Scarpe, capturing Monchy-le-Preux. Daniel was Killed in Action during the Battle of the Scarpe, on 11 April 1917 aged 27. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

 

David Thomas, Stoker 2nd Class, K/51445, Royal Navy. David was the Son of Mrs. Dinah Thomas, of 23, Villiers Rd., Ammanford. He was born in Llangadock, and served in the Royal Navy, at their shore base at Chatham- HMS Pembroke. David died at home on 20 May 1918 aged 24, and is buried at Llangadock Church Cemetery.

 

David Edward Thomas, Corporal, 56905, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of Edward and Sarah Thomas, of Ivy Cottage, Llangadock, and enlisted into the Pembroke Yeomanry. He later transferred into the 13th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had been in France since landing during December, 1915, and had fought in Flanders, on the Somme at Mametz Wood, and then at Third Ypres, and in 1918 were rushed from their winter post of Armentieres to aid with the desperate defence of the Somme area, based around Albert. After the tide of war had turned, after 8 August 1918 victory by the Australian Corps at Villers-Brettoneux, the Allies went on the offensive, and swiftly moved towards, and took, the mighty Hindenburg Line, and it was during the Battle of Epehy, which was to provide the launching pad for the assault on the Line that David was Killed in Action, aged 26, on 19 September 1918. David is buried at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery.

 

John Thomas, Private, 202821, Welsh Regiment. John was born at Llangadock. He resided in Cwmllynfell prior to the war, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had fought through a hard campaign in Gallipoli from August, 1915 until they were evacuated, and then fought in the Palestinian theatre, where they helped in the capture of Jerusalem. John had taken ill sometime during the campaign, and had arrived back in England for treatment, but sadly Died at home on 28 December 1917. He is buried in Cwmllynfell Welsh Congregational Chapelyard.

Llangadog War Memorial

World War Two, 1939-1945

David John Wood, Stoker 1st Class, D/KX 137365, Royal Navy. David was the Son of William and E. E. Wood, of Llangadock, and served in the Royal Navy aboard H.M. Submarine P. 64 'Vandal'. Vandal was had joined the Third Submarine Flotilla in Holy Loch, Scotland, when she left her anchorage on 24 February, 1943 to undergo a three-day trial. Vandal mysteriously dissapearde on the first day of her trials, and was not seen again until being discovered in 1994 off the coast of Arran. David died in the sinking of the Vandal on 24 February 1943 and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. He was just twenty years old.

 

Ifor Pershing Davies, Fireman & Trimmer, Merchant Navy. Ifor was the Son of Henry and Annie Davies, of Llangadock, and served in the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Ruperra (Cardiff). The ship was sailing as part of Convoy HX-79, when she was sunk by the German Submarine U-46 on 19 October 1940. Ifor was killed in the sinking aged just 21, and is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial.

David Alvin Lloyd Edwards, Navigator II, 1656102, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. David was the Son of David Thomas Edwards and Margaret Ann Edwards, of Llangadock. He served as a Navigator with 115 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a heavy bomber unit, based at RAF Stradishall, and equipped with the Avro Lancaster III. David survived the war, but died aged 23 on 11 November 1947. He is buried at Llangadock Church Cemetery. Many thanks to Bev Lewis for the photograph.

 

Norman Jackson, Royal Air Force. Cannot presently be identified.

William Ronald Perkins, Sapper, 14374282, Royal Engineers. William was the Son of John Alister and Sarah Perkins, and the husband of Hannah Mary Perkins, of Llangadock. He served in the Royal Engineers, in the 703rd Artisan Works Company. The Company was formed from men with experience of road building, and were used for the building of airfields and roads for the British Forces. William died whilst serving, on 8 November 1945 aged 36, and is buried at Llangadog Church Cemetery.

Gwyn Hughes, Trooper, 19066756, Royal Armoured Corps. Gwyn was the Son of Albert Frederick and Elsie Clara Jackson, of Llangadock. He served with the 4th/7th Royal Dragoon Guards, which was an armoured reconnaissance unit. The 4th/7th Dragoons had served at Dunkirk in 1940, then in North Africa and Italy. It was then brought back to Britain, and took part in the Normandy Landings in June 1944. The regiment ended the war in Bremerhaven, and a year later was deployed to Palestine for a tour of duty lasting from 1946-1948. Gwyn served in Palestine, but somehow died in India on 18 September 1947. He is buried at Ramleh War Cemetery, India.

Morgan Gwyn Hughes, Private, 13072700, Pioneer Corps. Morgan was the Son of Joseph and Mary Hughes, of Llanddeusant. He served with the Pioneer Corps. Little is known of Morgan's service, but he died on 19 January 1941, aged 29, and is buried at Twynllanan Methodist Chapelyard. Many thanks to Bev Lewis for the photograph.

 

Frederick Iryl Price, Private 14215427, South Staffordshire Regiment. Frederick was the Son of John and Catherine Ann Price, of Llangadock, and served in the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. The Battalion had been selected to join the second Chindit operation which took place between March and July 1944. This involved six groups of brigade equivalence, in effect, a division's worth of troops. 1st South Staffords operated under Brigadier Calvert in 77 Brigade, landing at Broadway, establishing the famous block at White City and supporting 111 Brigade in another block at Blackpool. These codewords were for features or areas which once captured and held, prevented the movement of Japanese troops and supplies to oppose the main Allied advance through Burma. Finally, combined with Chinese troops, they captured Mogaung, one of the two Allied objectives laid down at the Quebec Conference and materially assisted in the capture of the other (Myitkyina). These victories were gained at terrible cost. 1st South Staffords had air-landed in WACO gliders with roughly 830 men and were reinforced during the campaign (March to August 1944) with about eighty more men. They lost 150 killed and more than 250 wounded, disease led to a further 180 men being evacuated. Frederick was killed during the campaign in Burma on 12 June 1944 and is remembered on the Rangoon Memorial. He was just 20 years old. Not on Memorial.