Pontyates is a sprawling village set in the Gwendraeth Valley, mid-way between Carmarthen and Llanelli. On this page we remember the men of this historic mining community who lost their lives during both World Wars.

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. Harry is not commemorated locally.

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 was educated at Cardiff and Aberystwyth, and worked as Assistant Master at Aber Council School, Ogmore Vale prior to the war. Richard joined Royal Welsh Fusiliers soon after the outbreak of war, but had since transferred to the 4th Special Brigade of the Royal Engineers, which was a Special (Gas) Company. Richard was wounded in France on 7 May 1917. He was brought back to Warrington Hospital, where he died of his wounds on 5 June 1917. Richard was 28 years old and was buried with full military honours 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 111, 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.

William Davies, Private, 7976, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of Elias and Mary Davies, and was the Husband of Sarah Davies, of Llwyn-Teg, Pontyates. He was a regular soldier, serving with the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment at the outbreak of war. The battalion was one of the first to move to France, attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division, and moved to positions near Mons. It then fought at the Battle of Mons and at Le Cateau, then in the epic retreat south to the Marne, where the German offensive was held, before driving the Germans back north to the Aisne. The 1st Division was then sent to guard the eastern approach to Ypres, where it found itself in the centre of a fresh German offensive, aimed at cutting off the Channel Ports. William was killed here during the Battle of Gheluveldt on 29 October 1914. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 37 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

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 during June 1915, 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 93 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 3 May 1917. He was 24 years old, and is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.

Tom Griffiths, Seaman, Deal/3464, Royal Marines. Tom was the Son of Mrs. Mary Bowen, of Farmers Cottage, Llangendeirne, Kidwelly. He married prior to the war, and lived with his wife Catherine Mary Griffiths; at Brongwendraeth House (Catherine later lived at Rock House, Llanfynydd, Carmarthen). Tom was one of twelve Ponyates men who enlisted and served in the Royal Marines, attached to the 1st Field Ambulance, Medical Unit, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Naval Brigades were originally sent to Antwerp and Dunkirk in September and October, 1914 to guard against invasion by the Germans. However Antwerp fell to the Germans soon after, and so many of the RND units were withdrawn to England. After a lengthy period of refit and training the Division moved to Egypt preparatory to the Gallipoli campaign. Landing on 25 April 1915 the Division fought throughout the Campaign on Gallipoli. Tom was wounded soon after, suffering a gun-shot wound to his abdomen, and was taken aboard His Majesty's Hospital Ship Dongola for treatment. Sadly he died of his wounds on 4 May 1915, aged 26, and was buried at sea. Tom is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Below is a photograph of ten of the men, with courtesy of Mark Collins/ Llanelly Mercury. Tom is second from right in the front row.

 

David Jones, Private, 20536, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Pontyates, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the locally raised 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was known as the Carmarthen Pals battalion. 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 a fresh assault going in at dawn on 10 July 1916. After two days of terrible hand to hand fighting, the wood was cleared, but at a terrible price, with the 38th Division suffering around 5,000 casualties, one of whom was David, who was killed on 11 July 1916. His grave was lost and he is now commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. David is not commemorated at Pontyates.

 

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. During 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 38th 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 famously captured Mametz 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 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. On 21 August 1918 the 38th Division launched their attack across the River Ancre, and began the drive towards the Hindenburg Line. Martin was killed near Delville Wood 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, which was 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 Division crossed to France during 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, 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 4th Battalion, which was raised in New South Wales, and attached to 1st Brigade, 1st 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 1914. 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 after the war at the 4th 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. Astley is named on the County War Memorial roll, but is not on the Pontyates 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 8 August 1915. 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, but it's stay in France was very short, and on 27 October 1915 the Division began to embark for Salonika. It completed concentration there in November. It remained in the theatre for the rest of the war, taking part in the Retreat from Serbia during December 1915. During August 1916 they fought at the battle of Horseshoe Hill, then in September 1916 at the battle of Machukovo. During April to 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.