Capel Iwan War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945

Gwilym Rees Jones, Gunner, 1817827, Royal Artillery. Gwilym was the Son of Rachel Jones, of Capel Evan, Carmarthenshire. He served with 80 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery during the war. The Regiment was attached to V Corps of the First Army, and fought in the North African campaign. The campaign in North Africa had swung in the favour of the Allies by the end of 1942, after the successful landings, code-named Operation Torch. Gwilym was killed during one of the quieter periods of the war, on 7 January 1943. He was 37 years old, and is commemorated on the Medjez-El-Bab Memorial, Tunisia.

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Cenarth War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Gwynedd Edward Evans, Rifleman, 5143, South African Infantry. Gwynedd was born at Cenarth, the Son of the Rev. E G. and Elizabeth Mary Evans, later of Wakkerstroom, Transvaal. Gwynedd enlisted there into the 2nd Mounted Rifles, part of the SA Union Defence Force. Gwynedd took ill, and died on active service on 5 October 1915. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Swakopmund Municipal Cemetery, South Africa. Many thanks to the South African War Graves Project for the photograph.

 

David James, Private, Welsh Regiment. Cannot presently be identified.

James Jones, Lance Corporal, 41412, Royal Engineers. James was the Son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Jones, of Gellidywyll, Cenarth. He served with the 350th E and M Company, Royal Engineers, which was attached to the First Army. James was wounded during the lull leading up to the German Spring Offensive, probably during an artillery bombardment. He died of his wounds aged 40, on 20 March 1918, and is buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery, France.

 

Lemuel Thomas Rees, Private, 29573, South Wales Borderers. Lemuel was the Son of John and Sarah Rees, of Blaenanerch, Cardigan. He had been born at Cenarth, and enlisted at Brecon into the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, the Pioneer battalion to the 25th Division. The Division had been in France since September 1915, and had fought at Vimy Ridge, the Somme, and at Ypres. After heavy losses during the German Spring offensives of 1918, it was removed from the line, and the 6th SWB joined the 30th Division, taking part in the great offensive which ultimately won the war. Lemuel sadly died two days after peace was declared, on 13 November 1918. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France. Lemuel is not named on the Carmarthen County War Memorial.

 

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Henllan War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

 

David Thomas Davies, Sapper, 277031, Royal Engineers. David was the son of Thomas Davies. Little is known of him, but he served with the Royal Engineers, before being posted to the 564th Company, Labour Corps. David died on 22 November 1918, aged 33, and is buried at Llandyfriog (St. Tyfriog) Churchyard.

Evan Davies, Private, 25815, Lancashire Fusiliers. Evan was the Son of David and Martha Davies, of Lowergate, Sarnau, Henllan. He enlisted at Cardigan into the army, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, which was attached to 12 Brigade, 4th Division. The Division was one of the first Divisions to move to France, and fought at at The Battle of Le Cateau, then the epic retreat to the Marne, where the German Offensive was halted, and in the advance to the Aisne. The Division was then moved north to Flanders, and took part in the Battle of Messines, where Units of the Division took part in the famous Christmas Truce while they were still in this area, in trenches near Ploegsteert Wood. In 1915 the Division fought at the Second Battle of Ypres, and in the summer of 1916 were on the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Albert and the Battle of Le Transloy. Evan was wounded early in 1917, and died of wounds on 5 February 1917, aged 23. He is buried at Heilly Station Cemetery, France.

Rhys Beynon Davies, Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Rhys was the Son of James and Margaret Davies, of Llwyngwern, Henllan. He had been a student at St. George's College, London, until volunteering for the Officer Training Corps on 3 May 1915, and was commissioned into the 4th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers. In March 1916 he went to France, and was attached to a Trench Mortar Battery, and took part in the Battle of the Somme. In October 1916 he was attached to the Royal Flying Corps, and after training as an observer, was posted to 2 Squadron, RFC in France. Rhys was wounded in the shoulder by a bullet on 11 December 1916, and spent some time convalescing, before rejoining his squadron. On 1 May 1917, Rhys was flying as an observer in A9997 Armstrong Whitley FK.8, when they came under attack by German fighters. A bullet struck the fuel tank of Rhys's aeroplane, and it exploded, sending the hapless machine to the ground in flames. Rhys and his pilot, W.P. Eastwood, were killed in the crash. Rhys was 20 years old, and was buried at Monchy-Breton Churchyard, France. Rhys is commemorated on the memorial at nearby Aberbanc, in Ceredigion.

Phillip Lloyd Elliott, Second Lieutenant, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry. Phillip was the second son of Gilbert Lloyd Elliot, of the Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry and the 13th Hussar, and of Mrs. Lloyd Elliot, Dolhaidd Mansion, Henllan. He was educated at Cheltenham College and Sandhurst, before being gazetted in August 1914, into the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwalls Light Infantry. The battalion moved to France at the outbreak of war attached to 14 Brigade, 5th Division, and landed at Havre on 15 August 1914. Phillip 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. The Division 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. Phillip was killed in action in Flanders on 21 October 1914. He was 19 years old, and is buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France. His brother T.G.L. Elliot also served.

Eben Evans, Private, 533050, London Regiment. Eben was the Son of the Rev. Daniel Evans and Mrs. Evans, of Brynhawen, Henllan, and the Husband of Juliette Marie Evans, of 326, Goldhawk Road, Shepherd's Bush, London. He served with the 1/15th Battalion (Civil Service Rifles), London Regiment, which was attached to 140 Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. The Division moved to France in March 1915, and fought at the Battle of Aubers, and the Battle of Festubert during May 1915 and in September fought at the Battle of Loos, and subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. They were north of Arras when the Germans attacked Vimy Ridge, and then moved south to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Le Transloy. Eben was killed in action here on 15 September 1916. He was 34 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Richard Parry, Private, 29563, South Wales Borderers. Richard was born at Penbryn, Cardigan, and resided at Henllan prior to the war. He enlisted at Brecon into the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which moved to France during December 1915 attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division was initiated into trench warfare in the Fleurbaix sector, and in July 1916 famously captured Mametz Wood. After suffering heavy casualties at Mametz, the Division moved to Boesinghe, and on 31 July 1917 launched its successful assault on the Pilckem Ridge. The Division wintered around Armentieres, where in February 1918 the 11th SWB were disbanded, with some men going to other units of the 38th Division, and others to the 2nd Entrenching Battalion. When the 38th Division moved to the Somme, the 2nd Entrenching Battalion remained at Merville. He it was thrown into action during the German offensive on the Lys, which was launched on 9 April 1918, and took part in heavy fighting. Richard was killed on 11 April 1918. He is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

 

John Lewis Williams, Private, 34847, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was the Son of James and Elizabeth Williams, of Manoravon, Drefach, Henllan. He served with the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 76 Brigade, 3rd Division. John was killed in action on the Somme, during the Battle of Guillemont, on 16 August 1916. He was 29 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

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 Llangeler War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

S. Evans, Private, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Cannot presently be identified.

Hugh Jones, Private, 109040, Notts & Derby (Sherwood Foresters). Hugh was born at Llangeler, and was the Son of Owen and Isabella Jones, later of 25, Camden Street, Derby Road, Bootle, Liverpool. He served with the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, which was attached to 24 Brigade, 8th Division. The Division had been on the Western Front since November 1914, and had fought in almost all of the major battles of the war. They were caught up in the German spring offensive of 21 March 1918, and took part in heavy fighting during the following days. Hugh was probably taken prisoer during this time, and died as a POW on 3 October 1918. He was 19 years old, and is buried at Berlin South-Western Cemetery, Germany.

John Jones, Private, 4335. Welsh Regiment. John was the Son of Mrs. Mary Jones, of Cwmcerrig, Llangeler. He enlisted at Ammanford into the 1/4th Battalion (Carmarthen), Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On 19 July 1915 the battalion sailed from Devonport for the Mediterranean, and on 9 August 1915 landed at Suvla Bay, Gallipoli. The 4th Welsh were immediately thrown into battle, and suffered terrible losses over the coming days. John was killed on 11 August 1915 during the attack on Sari Bair. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

Llewellyn Jones, Private, 540, Welsh Horse. Llewellyn was the Son of Mrs. Jones, Llainwen, Llangeler. He enlisted at Diss, Norfolk, along with his brother William, into the 1/1st Battalion, Welsh Horse Yeomanry, which was originally raised as a Welsh Cavalry unit. Around February 1915 the Welsh Horse joined the 1/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade, 1st Mounted Division in Woodbridge area, but in September 1915 dismounted and sailed from Liverpool in the SS Olympic on 25 September, landed at Anzac, where it became attached to the 54th (East Anglia) Division. The Welsh Horse were used as tunnellers on Gallipoli, and it was while working on a tunnel that Llewellyn was killed, when the Turks blew a mine on 20 November 1915. He was buried at 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery alongside two local men, Llewellyn Evans of Henllan, and William Cooper Lewis, of Carmarthen. Llewellyn's brother had died of dysentery just weeks earlier.

 

 

William Jones, Private, 565, Welsh Horse. William resided at Llainwen, Llangeler, with his wife and two children. He enlisted with his brother Llewellyn at Diss, Norfolk into the 1/1st Battalion, Welsh Horse Yeomanry, which was originally raised as a Welsh Cavalry unit. Around February 1915 the Welsh Horse joined the 1/1st Eastern Mounted Brigade, 1st Mounted Division in Woodbridge area, but in September 1915 dismounted and sailed from Liverpool in the SS Olympic on 25 September, landed at Anzac, where it became attached to the 54th (East Anglia) Division. The Welsh Horse were used as tunnellers on Gallipoli. William took ill on Gallipoli, and was evacuated by Hospital Ship to Egypt, where he died of dysentery on 14 November 1915. He is buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Llewellyn was killed within weeks of William's death.

 

William Jones, MM, Private, 1189, Welsh Guards. William was born at Llangeler. He enlisted at Bridgend into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, which had been raised by Royal Warrant on 26 February 1915, and moved to France on 18 August 1915 to join the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. William was probably one of the original members of the battalion, and would have seen action during the Battle of Loos. In late July 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and it was here that William was mortally wounded, dying the same day, on 10 September 1916. William has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. He was the holder of the Military Medal.

 

William Perry, Lance Corporal, 6208, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. William was the Son of Henry Perry, of Sampford Brett, Williton, Taunton, and the Husband of Rose Perry, of Winkton, Christchurch, Hants. He resided at Pentrecourt prior to the war, and enlisted at nearby Carmarthen into the 1st Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry. At the outbreak of war the battalion was at the Curragh. It joined 14 Brigade, 5th Division, and landed in France on 15 August 1914, taking part in the Battle of Mons and the subsequent retreat to the Marne. 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, and the Battle of Guillemont. William was killed at Guillemont on 4 September 1916, aged 37. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

William Dennis Sexton, Private, 202758, Welsh Regiment. William was the Husband of H. Sexton, of Pantivor, Pentrecourt, and originally enlisted at Carmarthen into the 4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. At some time in the summer of 1917, William was posted to France, where he joined the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the Carmarthen Pals Battalion, attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. William would have fought with the 15th Welsh during their assault on Pilckem Ridge on 31 July 1917, and in the following Battle of Langemarck. After wintering near Fleurbaix, the battalion moved to the Aveluy Wood sector of the Somme in April 1918, and from 21 August 1918 onwards, crossed the River Ancre, beginning their part in the great offensive which drove the Germans back over the old Somme battlefields over the coming weeks. William survived up until almost the last action of the war. He was wounded during the Battle of the Selle, and died on 27 October 1918. William is buried at Inchy Communal Cemetery Extension, which is just a couple of miles from Le Cateau, France.

 

Thomas Thomas, Private, 56931, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Son of Evan and Ann Thomas, of Towyn, Llangeler. He originally enlisted into the Pembroke yeomanry at Swansea, before being posted to France to join the 13th Battalion (2nd Rhondda), Welsh Regiment, which was in France attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had suffered heavy casualties during the capture of Mametz Wood in July 1916, before being moved to the Boesinghe Sector, north of Ypres. On 15 January 1917 the 13th Welsh were in the front line near Irish Farm, when a heavy German bombardment inflicted over 40 casualties on them. Thomas was killed during the shelling that day. He was 26 years old, and is buried at Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.