Llangennech is a village on the outskirts of Llanelli, on the western margin of the River Loughor, and was once an important area for coal mining. The village is home to a large Royal Naval Base, but this has sadly been mothballed. The Village Church is dedicated to St. Gwynnog, and contains the Village War Memorial, as well as a separate plaque in memory of Harding Thomas Bevan. I do not hold photographs of these memorials, so have taken the names from the 1922 published Carmarthen County War Memorial Roll. I would be very grateful for any photographs if anyone can get them.

  Llangennech War Memorial

The Great War, 1914-1918

Harding Thomas Bevan, Private, 4616, Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry). Harding was the Son of Daniel and Margaret Bevan, of Talywern, Llangennech. He enlisted at Armoury House, London on 27 October 1915 into the Honourable Artillery Company, which was attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division. He embarked for France on 29 June 1916, and joined the battalion on the Somme on 7 July 1916, less than a week into the Battle of the Somme. Harding was killed later in the battle, during the Battle of the Ancre, on 15 November 1916. He was 32 years old. He probably had a grave at some time, as his personal effects were returned to his parents, but like so many other men who died on the Somme, his grave was lost, and Harding is commemorated on Pier and Face 8A of the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Ernest Frederick Bush, Sergeant, 19993, Welsh Regiment. Ernest was born at Windsor, the Son of George and Margaret Bush, of 59, Victor Road, Windsor. He worked for the Traffic Department of the Great Western Railways at Llangennech, and at the outbreak of war was one of the original enlistees into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, known as the Carmarthen Pals. The battalion formed at Rhyl over the winter of 1914/15, before moving to Morn Hill Camp, Winchester in the summer of 1915, where it became attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. In December the division moved to France, taking up the lines at Fleurbaix, where the men were to be initiated into trench warfare. On 25 January 1916 the 15th Welsh were in the lines at Croix Barbee when Ernest was killed by a sniper. He was 23 years old, and is buried at St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L'Avoue, France.

Evan James Close, Private, 201168, Welsh Regiment. Evan was the Son of John and Gwen Close, of Bridge Street, Llangennech. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the local territorial unit, attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division embarked from Devonport for the Mediterranean in July 1915, arriving at Mudros by 5 August 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on 9 August. Here the Division was immediately thrown into action, 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 Battles of Gaza, and successfully capturing Jerusalem. Evan was killed during ensuing operations in the Jordan Valley on 9 March 1918. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel. His brother William had been killed just eight months previously.

William John Close, Private, 20500, Welsh Regiment. William was the eldest Son of John and Gwen Close, of Bridge Street, Llangennech. He was one of the early enlistees into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was known as the Carmarthen Pals. The battalion formed at Rhyl over the winter of 1914, and in the summer of 1915 moved to Morn Hill Camp, Winchester, where it became 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 totally 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 the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and it was during this opening battle that William was wounded. He died of his wounds the following day, on 1 August 1917, aged 26, and is buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium. His younger brother Evan was killed in Palestine eight months later. Many thanks to David Taylor for the photograph of his Grandfather, William.

 

Iestyn Samuel Davies, Private, 137593, Royal Army Medical Corps. Iestyn was the Son of Mrs. S.A. Davies, of Llwyn Celyn, Maes Street, Llangennech. Very little is known of his service, but he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the war. Iestyn survived the war only to die, possibly of influenza, on 27 January 1919. He is buried at Llangennech (Bethesda) Welsh Congregational Chapelyard.

Llewellyn Benjamin Elsmere, Private, 30455, Kings Own Royal Lancaster Regiment. Llewellyn was the Son of Benjamin J. and Anne Elsmere, of Hill Park, Hendry Road, Llangennech, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the army. He was posted to the 1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, which was attached to 12 Brigade, 4th Division. The Division had been in France since the Battle of Le Cateau in August 1914, and had fought at every major battle thereafter. In the summer of 1917 the Division was at Ypres, where it took part in the Passchendaele Offensive. Llewellyn was killed in action during the Second Battle of Passchendaele on 3 November 1917. He was 31 years old, and is buried at Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, in Grave V. C. 58.

Sydney Morleigh Evans, Private, 21553, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Sydney was born at Llangennech, the Son of William Evans, later of Pontardulais. He was the husband of Kate Davies (formerly Evans), of Bristol House, Builth Wells, Brecknockshire. Sydney had enlisted at London into the army, joining the 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Early in September 1915 the battalion moved to France, where it was part of 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. On 30 October 1915 the Division sailed from Marseilles to Salonika, where it remained for the duration of the war. Sydney was killed in action there during the Battle of Doiran, on 18 September 1918. He was 36 years old, and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece. Sydney is not listed amongst the Llangennech men on the Carmarthenshire Roll of Honour.

Brinley Jenkins, Private, 69634, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Brinley was born at Llangennech, the Son of Philip and Margaret Ann Jenkins, later of The Bungalow, Graigfawr, Pontarddulais. He enlisted at Swansea into the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. During July 1915 the entire Division landed on Gallipoli, and took part in several bloody battles there. During January 1916 the men were evacuated to Egypt, and from there marched into Mesopotamia. It remained here for the remainder of the war, helping to free this ancient country from centuries of Turkish rule. Brinley was one of many men to become ill in this inhospitable country, and died on 15 October 1918 aged 21. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Face 4 of the Kirkee 1914-1918 Memorial, India. He is not listed amongst the Llangennech men on the Carmarthenshire Roll of Honour.

Owen Jenkins, Lance Corporal, 35538, Machine Gun Corps. Owen was born at Llangennech, the Son of John and Mary Jenkins, later of Cwyn-yr-Awel, Gowerton, Swansea. He had gained his B.A., and was a Master at Abertillery prior to the war. Owen had enlisted at Abertillery into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but was later transferred into the 15th Company, Machine Gun Corps, which was attached to the 5th Division. The Division was on the Somme in the summer of 1916, and it was here, during the Battle of Guillemont, that Owen was killed on 5 September 1916. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval, France, in Grave XXIV. K. 2. Owen is not listed amongst the Llangennech men on the Carmarthenshire Roll of Honour.

Griffith Brynarfryn John, Corporal, 106504, Royal Engineers. Griffith was the third son of Mr and Mrs John John, of Glanllwchwr House, Llangennech. He gained his BSc at London, before becoming a teacher at Colne Secondary School, before joining the staff at Slough Secondary School in 1912, where he was Science Master. At the outbreak of war, Griffith joined a Special Gas Company of the Royal Engineers, and landed in France on 17 August 1915. Sometime afterwards, he was wounded, and invalided from the army, returning to Britain, where he took up a post as a chemist in a munitions works. It was here that Griffith died, while attempting to save the lives of four women workers, when an explosion occurred in the Works sometime in September 1916. Nothing else is yet known of him.

Hugh Graham John, Second Lieutenant, Northumberland Fusiliers. Hugh was the Son of Dr. Hugh John and Margaret John, of Bronygarth, Llangennech. Hugh had originally gained a commission into the Northampton Regiment, before being posted to the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers, which were attached to 9 Brigade, 3rd Division. The Division had been on the Western Front since August 1914, and had fought in the retreat from Mons. The Division was then moved north to Flanders, and took part in the Battle of Messines, where Units of 4th Division took part in the famous Christmas Truce while they were still in this area, in trenches near Ploegsteert Wood. In June 1915 the Division took part in the First Attack on Bellawaarde, and it was here on 16 June 1915 that Hugh was killed, while attacking near Railway Wood. Hugh was just 19 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 36 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. The Photograph of him below is taken from the Llanelly Guardian, and is courtesy of Mark Collins.

William Morris Jones, Private, 5562, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones, of Bridge Street, Llangennech, and served with the 1/4th Battalion (Carmarthen), Welsh Regiment. The Battalion formed at the outbreak of war, and became attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, landing at Gallipoli in August 1915. Here, the fresh troops were thrown into a series of suicidal assaults over the coming days, against strongly defended Turkish positions. William was killed here during the attack on Scimitar Hill on 10 August 1915. He was just 17 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 140-144 of the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

Hugh Cecil Lewis, Private, 63175, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Hugh was the Son of Mr and Mrs John Lewis, of Brynshaffre Villa, Llangennech, Llanelli. Hugh was educated at Llandovery between 1909 and 1912 and on leaving School Hugh worked for his father and his uncle in the family timber Business, Lewis Bros., Llangennech. Hugh enlisted at Cardiff into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to the 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, and at the beginning of 1917, Hugh joined his Battalion, and was sent to train at Affringues in August 1917. The Division was set to take part in the Battle of Passchendaele, and in September 1917, his Battalion took part in the Battle of Menin Road, warding off a German counter-attack despite heavy shelling near Hessian Wood. Sadly Hugh was wounded in the head, and was brought to a French Military Hospital, where he died of wounds on the 8th October, 1917. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, in Grave I.D.48.

William John Lewis, Acting Corporal, 10479, Welsh Regiment. William was from Cwmmingbwch Fach, Llangennech. He had enlisted at Llanelli into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was in India at the outbreak of war. The battalion was recalled to Britain, where it joined 84 Brigade, 28th Division, and moved to France in January 1915, where it moved into the line near Ypres. William was killed at Ypres whilst rescuing his Company Officer, who had been wounded while retreating from a German assault on 27 March 1915. He is buried at Dranouter Churchyard, Belgium, in Grave II.B.19. The photograph of William is taken from the Llanelly Mercury, courtesy of Mark Collins.

Bertie Moore, Private, 19769, York & Lancaster Regiment. Bertie was born at Llangennech, and had enlisted at Doncaster into the Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was then posted to the 10th Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment, which was attached to 63 Brigade, 37th Division. Late in July, 1915 the Division landed in France and concentrated near St Omer. They then moved south, where they took part in the Attack on the Gommecourt Salient, during the first phase of the Battle of the Somme. Bertie was one of many casualties suffered by the Division here. He was evacuated back to Britain for treatment, but sadly died of his wounds on 25 August 1916. He is buried at Llangennech (St. Cennych) Churchyard.

William Morris, Corporal, 20749, Welsh Regiment. William was born at Rhosamman, and lived at Llangennech prior to the war. He enlisted at Ammanford into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was known as the Carmarthen Pals. The Battalion trained at Rhyl before moving to Winchester in the summer of 1915, where it became part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and landed in France on 2 December 1915. The battalion took the line near Fleurbaix, where it was initiated into trench warfare, before moving to the Somme in June 1916. Between 7 to 11 July 1916 the 38th Division assaulted the formidable Mametz Wood, capturing it at heavy cost. The division was then moved to Hebuterne for a month, before heading to positions north of Ypres, on the Canal Bank at Boesinghe. William was wounded here at the end of February 1917. He was brought to the Casualty Clearing Station at Mendingham where he died of his wounds on 27 February 1917. He is buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave II. B. 5.

Thomas Rafferty, Private, 57759, Cheshire Regiment. Thomas was born at Cilgerran, and prior to the war lived at Llangennech. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Army and was posted to the Liverpool Regiment. Thomas was possibly not physically up to service in the front, and so he was posted to the 20th Battalion, Labour Corps, which formed part of the 60th Labour Company in France. Thomas took ill during the winter of 1916/1917 and was sent to the Base Hospital at Rouen for treatment, but he sadly died there on 26 January 1917. He is buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, alongside 8,345 other soldiers who died there. Thomas is not listed among the Llangennech men on the Carmarthenshire Roll of Honour.

David John Richards, Private, 15067, Monmouthshire Regiment. David was born at Llangennech, and enlisted at Newport into the South Wales Borderers. He was later transferred into the 2nd Battalion, Monmouth Regiment, which had been in France since November 1914. In May 1916 the battalion became Pioneers to the 29th Division, and moved to the Somme, where it fought at the Battles of Albert and Le Transloy, suffering heavy casualties. They remained there over the winter, and it was on the Somme on 28 January 1917 that David was killed. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Pier and Face 4A of the Thiepval Memorial, France. David is not listed amongst the Llangennech men on the Carmarthenshire Roll of Honour.

Lewis John Thomas, Private, 57964, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Lewis was born at Llangennech, and had enlisted at Llanelli into the Welsh Regiment. He was later posted to the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was in France attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division had fought at the Battle of Loos in 1915, and on the Somme in 1916. In 1917 they fought at Messines and Passchendaele, before being moved to the Somme, taking the line near St. Quentin. The division was hit here by the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918, and suffered terrible casualties while trying to stem the German advance. It was then sent to Flanders to rebuild, but was hit again by a fresh German Offensive on the Lys. Lewis was wounded here, and died of his wounds at a casualty clearing station on 1 May 1918. He is buried at Esquelbecq Military Cemetery, France, in grave II. A. 16. Photograph courtesy of Bob Pike.