Pontyates War Memorial

The Great War, 1914-1918

Harry Alexander, Private, 11081, Welsh Regiment. Harry was born at Whitechapel, but resided at Pontyates prior to the war. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 2nd Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was sent to France at the outbreak of war as part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division moved immediately to the Belgian town of Mons, where they fought a pitched battle against the advancing Germans. The overwhelming attackers pushed the British southwards, through Le Cateau and down towards Paris, where the British stopped the German advance at the Battle of the Marne. The Germans retreated, and the BEF followed, fighting another Battle at the River Aisne, and it was here that Harry was wounded. He died just days later, on 18 September, 1914. He is buried in a shared grave at Braine Communal Cemetery, France. Not on Memorial.

David Bennett, Private, 94375, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was born at Five Roads, the son of Mrs Worboy, of Avon View, Pontyates. He was called up early and 1918, enrolling at Cardiff into the Monmouth Regiment. After training, David was posted to the 14th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was in France as part of 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The division had spent most of 1918 in positions around Aveluy Wood, near Albert on the Somme, and from there had begun the final drive to victory in August, 1918. David joined them in October, when they were pushing towards the Forest of Mormal, and he was wounded soon afterwards, at the Battle of the Sambre, on 4 November, 1918. Sadly David died just two days later. He is buried at Englefontaine British Cemetery, France.

Richard Bowen, Sapper, 197432, Royal Engineers. Richard was the Son of John and Mary Bowen, of Pontyates. He had served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers early in the war, but had transferred to the 4th Special Brigade of the Royal Engineers, which was a Special (Gas) Company. Richard was wounded in France, but the circumstances of this are unknown, and he returned to Britain for Hospital treatment. Sadly Richard died of his wounds on 5 June, 1917. He was 28 years old and is buried at Pontyates Congregational Chapelyard.

Cecil John Clark, Lance Corporal, 39436, Welsh Regiment. Little is known of Cecil but he was born in Bristol and enlisted at Llanelli into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment which was sent to France at the outbreak of war as part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division moved immediately to the Belgian town of Mons, where they fought a pitched battle against the advancing Germans. The overwhelming attackers pushed the British southwards, through Le Cateau and down towards Paris, where the British stopped the German advance at the Battle of the Marne. The Germans retreated, and the BEF followed, fighting another Battle at the River Aisne, before moving to Ypres. The Division fought in Flanders before moving to the Somme in mid 1916, and it was here that Cecil was killed, during the Battle of Pozieres, on 26 July, 1916. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Sydney Herbert Clark, Private, S/4933, Black Watch. Sydney was born at Pontyates, the Son of Mr. P. Clark, later of III, Devon Road, Lower Easton, Bristol. He enlisted at Llanelli into the Army and was posted to the 9th Battalion, Black Watch, part of 44 Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division. Between the 7th and the 13th July, 1915 the Division landed in France, where they were to win regard by the enemy as one of the most formidable in the British Army. Here they fought at the Battle of Loos, and it was during the initial attack of 25 September, 1915 that Sydney was killed. He is buried at Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France.

Onslow Davies, Gunner, 161163, Royal Garrison Artillery. Onslow was born at Pontyates, and enlisted at Llanelli into the Royal Garrison Artillery. He was posted to their 200th Siege Battery, which was in France from November 1916 onwards. Little else is known of Onslow, but he died aboard a ship in the Mediterranean on 31 December, 1917 and was buried at sea. He is commemorated on the Alexandria Chatby Memorial, Egypt.

Alfred Elmore, Private, 10905, South Wales Borderers. Alfred was born at Stoke Newington, London, and was the brother of Henry (below). He was a regular soldier, serving with the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, part of 3 Brigade, 1st Division, and he fought with them at the Battle of Mons and the retreat to the Marne. The battered Germans withdrew north towards the Valley of the Aisne, and the 1st Division met them in battle here again. It was here that Alfred was killed on 26 September, 1914. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. His brother Henry also died. Not on Memorial.

Henry Elmore, Private, 27829, Welsh Regiment. Henry was born at Marylebone, London, and resided at Pontyates prior to the war. He served with the 18th Battalion (2nd Glamorgan), Welsh Regiment, attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. This Division was formed between September and December 1915, composed of bantam units and others which had a mixture of regulation-height and shorter men. Weeding out of very under-sized or unfit men delayed the training programme, and it was not until late spring 1916 that the Division was ready to proceed on active service. The Division moved to France between the 1st and 9th June, and moved to the front near Loos. Henry was killed soon after, on 2 August, 1916. He is buried at Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, France. His brother Alfred also died, but is not commemorated on the Pontyates Memorial.

David Onslow Greville, 2nd Lieutenant, West Yorkshire Regiment. David was the Son of the late David and Catherine Thomas, of Glangwendraeth, Pontyates, and the adopted Son of Thomas Greville, of Maes Derwen, Pontyberem. He was commissioned into the West Yorkshire Regiment, and posted to their 16th Battalion, which were attached to the 93rd Brigade, 31st Division. The Division had originally been moved to Egypt in December, 1915 and then in March, 1916 moved to the Western Front, where they took part in the opening of the Somme Offensive, during the Attack on Serre. They suffered terrible casualties here, and were withdrawn from the line for several months to rest and rebuild, before being moved into positions at Arras, where they took part in the Battle of the Scarpe, where David was killed in action on the 3rd May, 1917. He was 24 years old, and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

David Jones, Private, 20536, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Pontyates, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the locally raised 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion had trained at Rhyl and Winchester before moving to France in December 1915 attached to 114 Brigade, 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 15^th 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 15^th 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 David. His grave was lost and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Not on Memorial.

David Griffith Jones, Private, 46389, Lancashire Fusiliers. David was the son of Thomas and Catherine Jones, of Cwmbach, Pontyates, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Middlesex Regiment. He subsequently transferred into the 10th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, part of 52 Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division. Between the 12th to the 17th July 1915 the Division landed in France. They spent their initial period of trench familiarisation and then holding the front lines in the southern area of the Ypres salient. Here they took part in fighting at the Bluff during February, 1916 before moving south, where they fought at the Battle of Albert, where the Division captured Fricourt at heavy cost during the opening of the Somme Offensive. They then saw action during the Battle of Arras, at the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe and the Capture of Roeux, before moving back to Ypres, and taking part in the First and Second Battles of Passchendaele. David was killed here on 9 November, 1917. He was 23 years old and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Ivor Idris Lewis, Private, 20853, Welsh Regiment. Ivor was the Son of Theophilus and Catherine Lewis, of Rostella, Pontyates, and was another local man to join the Carmarthenshire Battalion, the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. After training at Rhyl and Winchester, Ivor moved with the battalion to France in December, 1915 as part of 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. He survived the initiation into the trenches in Flanders, and the terrible fighting at Mametz Wood and in August 1916 moved with the division to positions north of Ypres, which they were to hold for the next year. On 31 August 1917 the 38^th Division attacked the German positions on Pilckem Ridge, as part of the Battle of Third Ypres, and Ivor became wounded. He was evacuated to the casualty clearing station at nearby Brandhoek for treatment, but sadly died there on 1 August, 1917. Ivor was 23 years old and is buried at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Martin Lloyd, Private, 61528, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Martin was born at Llandyfeusant, the Brother of Richard Lloyd, later of Ardwyn, Cwmgwrach, Neath. Martin had enlisted at Carmarthen into the 14th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 113 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 the 7th July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until the 14th 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 the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and the Battle of Langemarck. They then moved to Armentieres, where they remained from September 1917 until March, 1918 when the German Spring Offensive was launched. The British had been over-run on the Somme, and so in April the Division was moved South, taking up positions North of Albert, from where they weathered the storm of the coming months, until the war turned during the Battle of Amiens, on the 8th August, 1918. The Germans had now lost the upper hand, and the British regained the lost ground on the Somme after an attack which began on the 21st August, with the 38th Welsh in the midst of the attack during the Battle of Albert, and then moving east, where they fought at the Battle of Bapaume. Martin was killed here on 28 August, 1918. He was 28 years old and is buried at Delville Wood Cemetery, Longueval. Martin is not on the memorial, but is named on the Carmarthen Roll of Honour.

John Owens, Private, 45184, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was the Son of David and Rachel Owens, of Llwynyrhebog Farm, Pontyates, and he served in the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion had been in France since the outbreak of war, and had fought in most of the major actions since, being used as a stop-gap as part of 19 Brigade to fill in spaces in differing Divisions after heavy losses. By the summer of 1917, 19 Brigade was attached to 33rd Division, and took part in the Battle of Third Ypres. John was killed there, during the Battle of Polygon Wood, on 26 September, 1917. He was 30 years old and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Evan Peter Rees, Private, 15981, Welsh Regiment. Evan was the Son of Thomas and Betsy Rees, of Maes-y-bryn, Pontyates, and enlisted at Swansea into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division assembled around Bulford during September 1914. Divisional training was completed near Tidworth, from March 1915, and the Butterfly Division crossed to France between the 11th and the 21st July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos. The Division fought during the opening attack of the Battle of Loos, which is when Evan was killed, on 25 September, 1915. He was 23 years old, and as he has no known grave, is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.

Astley John Onslow Thompson, V.D., Lieutenant-Colonel, 4^th Battalion, Australian Infantry. Astley was the Son of Astley and Udea Thompson. He had been born near Pontyates, Wales in 1865, and had served for some years in the NSW Mounted Rifles, but had not fought in South Africa during the Boer War. Promoted to major in 1903, Thompson was in virtual military retirement in 1914, having been in the officers' graveyard known as the Unallotted List. In private life, Thompson, a well known company director, was a member of Australia's 'squattocracy', having come from a family of early pastoralists, and for some years he had managed the Camden Park Estate that had earlier belonged to Captain John Macarthur, the man responsible for Australia's booming wool industry through the introduction of Merino sheep. Despite being 49 years old at the outbreak of war, Thompson was seen as a man possessing the experience, drive and vitality required to lead an infantry battalion to war, and was selected to raise, train and command the 4^th Battalion, which was raised in New South Wales, and attached to 1 Brigade, 1^st Australian Division. The battalion was raised within a fortnight of the declaration of war in August 1914, and embarked just two months later. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt, arriving on 2 December. The battalion took part in the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915 as part of the second and third waves, and pushed forward ahead of the neighbouring battalions, becoming isolated in a position known as Lone Pine. Astley was killed here that same day. He was 50 years old. His body was recovered weeks later and buried in the parapet of a trench, but he was later re-interred at the 4^th Battalion Parade Ground Cemetery, Gallipoli. Astley was Mentioned in Despatches by General Sir Ian Hamilton for his gallant conduct during the day of the landings. Not on Memorial.

Robert Henry Williams, Private, 4470, Welsh Regiment. Robert was the Son of William Williams, of Moorland House, Pontyates, and had enlisted at Carmarthen into the local Territorial Battalion, the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion formed part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, which moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July, 1915 arriving at Mudros by the 5th August, 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on the 9th August. The men were plunged straight into desperate fighting, and Robert was killed the following day, 10 August, 1915. He was just 18 years old, and is buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Gallipoli.

William Williams, Private, 4/13281, South Wales Borderers. William was the Son of William and Mary Williams. He married prior to the war, and lived with his wife Annie Williams, at 75, Priory Glyn, Fach Farm, Pontyates. William enlisted at Tonyrefail into the 7th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, part of 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, with all units being concentrated near Flesselles by the 9th of the month. However it's stay in France was to be very short, as on the 27th October, 1915 the Division, having been moved by train to Marseilles, began to embark for Salonika. It completed concentration there in November, although the final artillery units were still coming in as late as the 13th December 1915. It remained in the theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the Retreat from Serbia during December, 1915. Between the 10th to the 18th August 1916 they fought at the battle of Horseshoe Hill, then between the 13th to the 14th September 1916 at the battle of Machukovo. Between the 24th-25th April and the 8th-9th May, 1917 the Division fought at the battle of Doiran. William was killed in Salonika on 9 November, 1917. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece.

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 the 15th 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 the 1st 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 the 5th 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 the 3rd May they fought in the Third Battle of the Scarpe, and captured Oppy Wood. On the 7th 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 the 26th 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. Not on Memorial.

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. Not on Memorial.

John Jones, Private, 260106, Cheshire Regiment. John was born at Llangendeirne, and had 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 the 26th 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 the 7th June, 1915 orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. On the 13th June, 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By the 4th July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between the 6th and 16th 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 the 3rd and 5th 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.

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 the 7th June, 1915 orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. On the 13th June, 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By the 4th July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between the 6th and 16th 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 the 3rd and 5th 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. Presently John's death cannot be traced. 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 24^th 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 the 5th August, 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on the 9th 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 the 11th December, 1915 the Division was evacuated to Mudros, and by the 23rd 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.