The Town of Tumble in the Gwendraeth Valley, was an industrial hotspot during the outbreak of the Great War, and because of this, many men from outside the area worked and lived here. Below we remember these men of Tumble who gave their lives in that immense conflict. I have no photograph of the memorial, or a transcription of it as yet, so these names have been taken from the 1922 published Carmarthen County War Memorial Roll. An above average number of these men are remembered on the various Memorials to the Missing on the Western Front.

Tumble War Memorial

The Great War, 1914-1918

Thomas George Adams, Private, 27565, South Wales Borderers. Thomas was the Son of Henry and Mary Adams, of Pembroke Dock, and was the husband of Sarah Adams, of 79, High Street, Tumble. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the Army, and was posted to the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 115 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. Thomas was wounded at Ypres, and died of his wounds on 4 June 1917. He was 26 years old, and is buried in grave I. D. 3. at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

 

Christmas Brunsdon, Private, 26977, Welsh Regiment. Christmas was born at Pontypridd, but resided at Tumble prior to the war. He enlisted there into the Army, and was posted to the 8th Battalion (Pioneers), Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Christmas died on 12 May 1915, while the Division was assembling at Blackdown in Hampshire, in preparation for a move to Gallipoli. He is buried at Llannon (St. Non) Churchyard, South-West of the Church.

William Casey, Private, 33166, Hampshire Regiment. William was born at Tumble, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry. He was then posted to the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, which was in France as part of 11 Brigade, 4th Division. The Division had been in France since the Battle of Le Cateau, and had then fought at Messines in 1914, Ypres in 1915, and on the Somme in 1916. In 1917 it took part in the Battle of Arras, and fought at Passchendaele later that year. In spring, 1918 the Division fought at the First Battle of Arras, and were then moved back to Flanders, where they took part in the Battle of Hazebrouck, where they played a part in the Defence of Hinges Ridge. They then fought at the Battle of Bethune, and during the Advance in Flanders, before moving south and fighting at the Battle of the Scarpe, the Battle of Drocourt-Queant, the Battle of the Canal du Nord, the Battle of the Selle and the Battle of Valenciennes. William was killed during the final fighting of the war, on 24 October 1918. He is buried at Monchaux Communal Cemetery, France, on the South Side of the cemetery.

David Cassidy, Private, 9912, Manchester Regiment. David was born at Openshaw, Manchester. He was the Husband of Jane Cassidy, of Virginia Cottages, Llannon. He enlisted at Ashton-Under-Lyne on 25 April 1904 into the 2nd Battalion, Manchester Regiment. At the outbreak of the war, the battalion was in Ireland, stationed at The Curragh, attached to 14 Brigade, 5th Division. On 17 August 1914 they landed at Havre, 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. David was killed here on 20 October 1914. He was 48 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 34/35 of the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg L'Avoue, France.

B. Davies, Private, Welsh Regiment. Cannot be positively identified.

Enoch Oliver Davies, Lance Sergeant, 19042, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Enoch was the Son of Mr. and Mrs. John Davies, of Maesyffin, Horeb, Llandyssul, Cardiganshire. He was on the staff of Tumble Council School prior to the war, and enlisted at Llanelli into the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion became part of 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division in the summer of 1915, and moved to France in December that year, taking up the line near Fleurbaix. In June 1916 the 38th Division made the long march south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. Enoch was killed during the final assault on the wood on 11 July 1916. He was 20 years old, and is commemorated on Pier and Face 4A of the Thiepval Memorial, France.

William Davies, Corporal, 40012, South Wales Borderers. William was born at Llangathen, and resided at Tumble before the war. He enlisted there into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but was later posted to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which had recently arrived back in England from duty at Gallipoli, as part of 87 Brigade, 29th Division. The Division took part in its first major action in France during the 1916 Somme Offensive, and fought at the Battles of Albert and Le Transloy, suffering heavy casualties. They remained on the Somme over the winter, and it was here that William was killed on 26 February 1917. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Pier and Face 4A of the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

John Ellis, Private, 87219, Royal Field Artillery. John was born at Totnes, Devon, and resided at Tumble prior to the war. He enlisted there into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their 64th Brigade, which was in France attached to the 12th (Eastern) Division. The Division landed at Boulogne on 31 May 1915, and took over the line at Ploegsteert Wood. They then moved south and fought in the Battle of Loos, and the subsequent actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and remained there until March 1916. By June they were in position at the Somme, and attacked Ovillers on 2 July. They fought at Pozieres and Le Transloy before being moved to the Arras area during October, 1916, where they fought in the March 1917 Battle of Arras. John was killed later in the year, on 3 September 1917, during the Battle of Passchendaele. He is buried at Potijze Chateau Grounds Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. I. A. 26.

 

Evan James Evans, Bombardier, W/1445, Royal Field Artillery. Evan was the Son of Thomas and Anne Evans, of Glan Towy, Bethesda Road, Tumble. He enlisted at Ammanford into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their 122nd Brigade, which was attached to the 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had formed in North Wales at the end of 1914, and had moved to France during December 1915, seeing action at Mametz Wood the following year, and at Third Ypres in 1917. 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 8 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 21 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. Then the move began towards the mighty Hindenburg Line, and the Division carried on with their march east, fighting at the Battle of Havrincourt, and the Battle of Epehy. A short rest period ensued, during which time the Canal du Nord was breached, so opening a passage through the Hindenburg Line. The Division then fought at the Battle of Beaurevoir, and moved up towards Cambrai, capturing Villers-Outreaux, before advancing to the Selle and onto the Sambre. Evan was wounded during the great advance, and was evacuated to the base hospital at Rouen for treatment. He died of his wounds there aged 27, on 30 October 1918, and is buried at St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France, in Grave Ref. S. II. K. 10.

 

I. Evans, Private, Welsh Regiment. Cannot be positively identified.

John Garfield Evans, Lance Corporal, 13009, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was the Son of John and Mary Evans, of Tymaur Cellan, Lampeter, Cardiganshire. He must have been working at Tumble prior to the war, as he enlisted there into the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which had formed at Wrexham on 16 September 1914, joining 76 Brigade, 25th Division at Codford St. Mary, Salisbury Plain. On 27 September 1915 the Division landed at Boulogne, and the following month 76 Brigade moved to 3rd Division, which was at St. Eloi. The Division moved to the Somme in the summer of 1916, and took part in the great offensive there. John was killed during the Battle of Delville Wood on 20 July 1916. He was 22 years old, and is commemorated on Pier and Face 4A of the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

Thomas Evans, Private, 782, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Son of Griffith and Margaret Evans, of Brynynyd, Tumble, and had enlisted at Carmarthen into the local Territorial unit, the 4th Battalion (Carmarthen), Welsh Regiment. In April 1915 the battalion joined 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport 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. Thomas was wounded six weeks after landing. He was evacuated to Malta for treatment, but died of his wounds on 27 September 1915. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Pieta Military Cemetery, Malta, in Grave Ref. B. XV. 4.

William Ivor Evans, Private, 3941, Welsh Regiment. William was the Son of Maurice and Anne Evans, of 64, High Street, Tumble, and was another local man to serve with the 1/4th Battalion (Carmarthen), Welsh Regiment. William embarked with the battalion as part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and landed on Gallipoli on 8 August 1915, where the Welsh were plunged head first into terrible fighting. William was killed on his second day on Gallipoli, on 10 August 1915, during the Battle of Sari Bair (Attack on Scimitar Hill). He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on Panel 140/144 of the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

John Griffiths, Sergeant, 13126, Welsh Regiment. John was born at Llanpumsaint, and enlisted at Tumble into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion had been in France since July 1915, as part of 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, and had fought at Loos later that year, and on the Somme in 1916. During 1917 the division fought at Messines and Passchendaele, before moving to the southern sector of the Somme for the winter. In 1918 they were caught up in the German Spring Offensive near St. Quentin, where they suffered terrible casualties, and fought at the Battle of Bapaume. They moved to Ypres, but were caught up in the German attack at Messines, and at Bailleul, and Kemmel. After suffering terribly again, they moved South to the quieter French sector to rebuild, but were caught up in the German offensive on the Aisne, and fought during the Battle of the Selle, Valenciennes, the Sambre and the Passage of the Grand Honelle. John was killed during the last few days fighting before the armistice, on 4 November 1918. He is buried at Cross Roads Cemetery, Fontaine-Au-Bois, France, in Grave Ref. I.D.23.

 

William Henry Harries, Sapper, 45944, Royal Engineers. William was the Husband of Mrs. L. A. Harries, of Aubrey House, Bethesda Road, Tumble. He worked at Llanelli in the Locomotive and Carriage Department of the Great Western Railway, and enlisted at Tumble into the Royal Engineers. William served with their 97th Field Company, which was attached to the 21st Division, and saw service at Loos and on the Somme, then at Passchendaele in 1917. At some time William became ill, and was evacuated to Britain for treatment. Sadly he died on 16 January 1918, aged 27, and is buried at Tumble (Bethania) Congregational Chapelyard.

Sydney George Hawke, Private, R/25220, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. Sydney was the Husband of Emily L. Hawke, of 341, Grosvenor Buildings, Poplar, London. He probably worked at Tumble prior to the war, and enlisted at Canning Town into the 11th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps, which was attached to 59 Brigade, 20th (Light) Division. On 26 July 1915 the Division completed concentration in the Saint-Omer area, and moved to the Fleurbaix Sector for trench familiarisation and training. When the Battle of Loos was launched on 25 September 1915 the Division fought a diversionary attack towards Fromelles. Later that year they moved north, and fought at the Battle of Mount Sorrel alongside the Canadian Corps. They then fought through the Somme Offensive, and took part in the advance to the Hindenburg Line in March, 1917. Later that year they fought at Third Ypres, before moving south in November, to take part in the Battle of Cambrai. They remained in the area between Cambrai and St. Quentin over the winter of 1917/18 and were attacked there by the German Spring Offensive of 21 March, 1918. They then fought in the retreat at the Battle of the Somme Crossings and the Battle of Rosieres. Sydney died on 17 April 1918, aged 29, and is buried at Foreste Communal Cemetery, France. He is remembered by Special Memorial number 20.

Charles Morris Howells, Private, 3991, Welsh Regiment. Charles was the Son of Edward and Elizabeth Howells, of 4, Williams Terrace, Llanfair, Anglesey. He worked at Tumble prior to the war, and enlisted there into the 1/4th Battalion (Carmarthen), Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The 53rd (Welsh) Division moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport 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. Charles was taken ill, and evacuated to Hospital in Egypt, but died there on 1 October 1915. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

David Howells, Private, 20188, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Llangyfelach, the son of George and Mary Howells. He resided at Tumble at the outbreak of war, and enlisted into the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was to become known as the Carmarthen Pals, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The 15th Welsh landed at Boulogne on 2 December 1915, and during the coming days made their way to join the 38th Division at Fleurbaix, where they were to be trained in trench warfare. On the morning of 9 March 1916 the Germans exploded a mine beneath the positions of the 15th Welsh, and also peppered their lines with artillery shells. David was killed during the bombardment, and is buried at Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, France, in Grave Ref. III. M. 2.

 

D. James, Private, Welsh Regiment. Cannot be positively identified.

Charles Jenkins, Private, 4173, Welsh Regiment. Charles was the Son of Sydney and Mary Ann Jenkins, of The Institution, Eastville, Bristol. He resided at Tumble prior to the war, and enlisted there into the 1/4th Battalion (Carmarthen), Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport 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. Charles was killed soon after, on 10 August 1915. He was 22 years old and is commemorated on Panel 140-144 of the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

Daniel Morleigh Jenkins, Private, 851, Welsh Regiment. Daniel was born at Newquay. He resided at Tumble prior to the war, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion (Carmarthen), Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. Daniel was wounded soon after the battalion landed on Gallipoli on 8 August 1915, and he died of his wounds aboard a Hospital Ship on 16 August 1915. He was buried at sea, and is commemorated on Panel 140-144 of the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

David Jones, Private, 14124, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was the son of E. Jones of Tumble, and enlisted at Tumble into the army. He was then posted to the 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, but it's stay in France was to be very short, as on 27 October 1915 the Division began to embark for Salonika. It completed concentration there in November, and remained in the theatre for the rest of the war. After taking part in several battles over the coming years, on 18 September 1918 the division fought at the Second Battle of Doiran. David was killed in action that day. He was 27 years old, and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece.

 

Gomer Jones, Private, 63138, Welsh Regiment. Gomer was the Son of Mrs. Alice Daniels, of Furlong House, Cross Hands, and he enlisted at Carmarthen into the 11th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was known as the Cardiff Pals. The battalion was part of 67 Brigade, 22nd Division, and crossed to France in early September 1915, but it's stay in France was to be very short, as on 27 October 1915 the Division began to embark for Salonika. It completed concentration there in November, and remained in the theatre for the rest of the war. After taking part in several battles over the coming years, on 18 September 1918 the division fought at the Second Battle of Doiran. Gomer was the second Tumble man to fall that day. He was 30 years old, and is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece.

Tom Jones, Private, 36960, Gloucestershire Regiment. Tom was the Son of David and Mary Letitia Jones, of Morawel, Tumble, and originally served in the 4th reserve battalion of the Welsh Regiment. At some time he was moved to France where he joined the 10th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, which was attached to 1 Brigade, 1st Division. The division had been on the Western Front since the outbreak of war, and had fought at the Battle of Mons and at Ypres in 1914, at Loos in 1915 and on the Somme in 1916. In 1917 it took part in the Battle of Passchendaele, before spending another Winter in Flanders. They were near Estaires when the German Spring Offensive caught them, fighting at the Battles of Estaires, and it was here that Tom was wounded. He died of his wounds, aged 21, on 8 April 1918, and is buried at Fouquescourt British Cemetery, France, in Grave Ref. I.K.2.

 

W. Jones, Trumpeter, Pembroke Yeomanry. Cannot be positively identified.

John James Lewis, Private, 200798, Welsh Regiment. John was the Husband of Jane Eleanor Lewis, of 67, Charles St., Jarrow, Co. Durham. He resided at Tumble prior to the war, and enlisted there into the 1/4th Battalion (Carmarthen), Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. John probably landed at Gallipoli with the battalion on 8 August 1915, and fought there until they were evacuated in December 1915. 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. John was killed during the First Battle of Gaza on 26 March 1917. He was 42 years old, and is commemorated on panel 30-32 of the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.

 

William David Lewis, Private, 6353, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was born at St. Peters, Carmarthen. He had served in the Carmarthen RGA prior to the war, and was a miner at Tumble, the Husband of A. J. Lewis, of 4, Church Place, Tumble. He enlisted at Llanelli in October 1914 into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William's service papers survive, but are in poor condition, and they show that he deserted at some time, and was then posted to the 10th RWF, being wounded with them at Ypres in 1917. On his recovery he joined the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. He probably rejoined them before the division moved to the Somme in March 1918. They had been sent there to consolidate the line around Aveluy Wood, north of Albert, after the German Spring Offensive has pushed the British back during the preceding weeks. Soon after taking the line on the Somme, 113 Brigade was tasked with straightening the line in front of Bouzincourt, on the southern side of Aveluy Wood, and suffered heavy casualties while doing so. William was one of the men who died during the operation on 9 May 1918. He was 39 years old, and is buried at Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France, in Grave Ref. IV. A. 11.


I. Lloyd, Private, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Cannot be positively identified.

Thomas John Lloyd, Private, 31596, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was the Son of Richard and Margaret Lloyd, of 39, High Street, Tumble. He originally served with the 12th Reserve Cavalry Regiment, but at some time was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division. The Division had been on the Western Front since October 1914, and had fought at Ypres and Loos over the coming eighteen months. In the summer of 1916, the Division were on the Somme, and took part in the Battle of Albert, where they captured Mametz, one of the few successes of 1 July 1916. They then fought at the Battle of Bazentin, and the Attacks on High Wood, playing a successful part in the 'dawn attack', and were also the first troops into High Wood. The Division then took part in the Battle of Delville Wood, and the Battle of Guillemont, before spending the winter on the Ancre. In March, 1917 they followed up the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and took part in Flanking Operations Round Bullecourt. The 7th were moved into a scene of incredible ferocity at Bullecourt, a strongly fortified village on the Hindenburg Line, and alongside the Australians played a major role in penetrating the village defences. Thomas was killed at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917. He was 29 years old, and is commemorated on bay 6 of the Arras Memorial, France.

 

Comelin Macquire, Private, 14014, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment. Comelin had been born at Blackburn. He must have worked at Tumble prior to the war, and then enlisted back at Blackburn into the 8th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment, which was attached to 7 Brigade, 25th Division. The Division was formed during September, 1914 and landed at Zeebrugge on 6 October 1914. The City was already falling however, and so the Division was moved to Ypres, where they became the first British Division to hold the city, and fought during the First Battle of Ypres, where they helped stop the German advance through Belgium,. In March, 1915 the division fought at the Battle of Neuve Chappelle, and in May they fought at the Battle of Aubers Ridge, and at Festubert, before taking part in the Battle of Loos in September. Comelin was killed on 12 December 1915. He is buried at London Rifle Brigade Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. II. A. 32.

 

William Mason, Private, 17180, Leicestershire Regiment. William was the Son of Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Mason, of 66, Cranbourne St., Belgrave, Leicester. He resided at Tumble prior to the war, and enlisted at Llanelli into the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, which was attached to Garhwal Brigade, 7th (Meerut) Division. William was killed during the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. He was 27 years old, and is commemorated on panel 42-44 of the Loos Memorial, France.

 

C. Maurice, Private, East Surrey Regiment. Cannot be positively identified.

Grosby Owen, Private, 15052, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Grosby was born at Carmarthen, and resided at Tumble prior to the war. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 2nd Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry, which was attached to 80 Brigade, 27th Division. The 27th Division was formed in England in October-November 1914, from regular units returning from India, Hong Kong and Canada. On 21 December 1914 it landed in France and proceeded to the Western Front, where it fought at the Action of St Eloi, and at The Second Battle of Ypres. Grosby was killed there on 25 May 1915, and is commemorated on Panel 49 of the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

 

Dan Ivor Price, Private, 40048, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Dan was the Son of David and Margaret Elizabeth Price, of Chapel House, Peniel, Carmarthen. He was educated at Carmarthen Grammar School, and lived at Tumble prior to the war. Dan enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division. He survived the divisions ordeals on the Somme in 1916, but was killed over the following winter there, on 26 February 1917. Dan was 20 years old, and is commemorated on Pier and Face 4A of the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

Brinley George Rees, Private, 73200, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Brinley was the son of David and Hannah Rees of Tumble. He resided at Briton Ferry prior to the war, and enlisted at Neath into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The division had seen its first action during the Battle of Loos in September 1915, and had fought at the Somme the following year. In 1917 it saw action at Messines and Ypres, before moving to the southern Somme sector for the final winter of the war. In 1918 they were caught up in the German Spring Offensive near St. Quentin, where they suffered terrible casualties, and fought at the Battle of Bapaume. Brinley was killed on the second day of the offensive, on 22 March 1918. He is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial, France.

 

John Henry Richards, Private, 11833, Welsh Regiment. John was born at Felinfoel, and enlisted at Tumble into the 8th Battalion (Pioneers), Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. Towards the end of February the entire Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire, and on 7 June 1915 orders were received to prepare to move to the Mediterranean. On 13 June 1915 the first transports carrying the Division left port, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli. Between 6 and 16 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 3 and 5 August, 1915, taking part in the Battles of Sari Bair, Russell's Top, and Hill 60. John was killed during the Battle of Sari Bair on 8 August 1915. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Panel 140-144 of the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

Thomas Rowe, Private, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Cannot be positively identified.

Arthur James Stratton, Private, 25707, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Arthur was the Son of John and Rosina Stratton, of 1, Park View, Felinfoel, Llanelly. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 115 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 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. Arthur was killed here on 9 May 1918. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France, in Grave Ref. III. E. 12.

 

David James Thomas, Private, 12968, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was born at Blaenporth, Cardiganshire, and resided at Tumble prior to the war. He enlisted there into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division assembled around Bulford during September 1914, and Divisional training was completed near Tidworth, from March 1915. The Division crossed to France between 11 and 21 July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos, where it took part in the opening attack of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. The following year the Division moved to the Somme, where it took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost. It then fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres, which is where David was wounded. He died of his wounds on 10 August 1916, and is buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium, in Grave Ref. II.B.31.

 

Gwilym Thomas, Private, 12910, Welsh Regiment. Gwilym was the Son of John and Mary Ann Thomas, of Hebron House, Cross Hands. He enlisted at Tumble into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was in France attached to 84 Brigade, 28th Division. The Division formed in England between December 1914 and January 1915 from regular units returning from India, Singapore and Egypt. During January 1915 it moved to France, landing at Le Havre and moved to the Western Front, where it saw its first major action during the Second Battle of Ypres. The Division then took part in the Battle of Loos, and it was here that Gwilym was wounded, dying as a result on 12 October 1915. He was 17 years old, and is buried at Les Gonards Cemetery, Versailles, France.

J. Thomas, Private, Yorkshire Regiment. Cannot be positively identified.

J. Thomas, Private, Welsh Regiment. Cannot be positively identified.

John J. Thomas, M.M., Driver, 2943, Royal Field Artillery. John was the Son of Mary Ann Jones, of 13, High Street, Tumble. He enlisted at Ammanford into the Royal Field Artillery, and joined the 38th Trench Mortar Battery, which was attached to 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 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. John was killed in action during the German assault on the Lys on 30 March 1918. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, France, in Grave Ref. III. C. 19.

 

Bertram Treharne, Leading Seaman, Z/744, Royal Navy. Bertram was born at Tumble, and served in the Royal Navy, aboard the battlecruiser HMS Indefatigable. Which served in the 1st Battlecruiser Squadron. She sadly became the first casualty of the Battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916, when she was struck by a salvo of shells from the German battlecruiser SMS Von der Tann, which exploded her magazines, sending her to the bottom in minutes, with the loss of all bar three of her crew of 1,017. Bertram was one of the dead, and is commemorated on panel 19 of the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

 

James Wadsworth, Lance Corporal, 11309, Yorkshire Light Infantry. James was the Son of Henry and Kate Elizabeth Wadsworth, and had been born at Leeds. He resided at Tumble prior to the war, and enlisted there into the 2/5th Battalion, Yorkshire Light Infantry. The battalion was attached to 187 Brigade, 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division, and concentrated on the Western Front by 18 January 1917, where it took part in Operations on the Ancre. In March 1917 the Division followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and then fought at the Battle of Arras, during the Flanking Operations Round Bullecourt. James was killed at Bullecourt on 3 May 1917. He was 21 years old, and is commemorated on bay 7 of the Arras Memorial, France.

 

N. Watkins, Private, Welsh Regiment. Cannot be positively identified.

Frank Williams, Gunner, 98096, Royal Field Artillery. Frank was born at Kingston, and resided at Tumble prior to the war. He enlisted there into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their B Battery, 47th Brigade, which was in France attached to the 14th (Light) Division. The Division was to see its first action during the Action of Hooge, where it became the first unit to be attacked by the German use of flamethrowers. They then fought at the Second attack on Bellewaarde. In July, 1916 they moved to the Somme, and fought at the Battle of Delville Wood, and then the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and in March, 1917 followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. May saw them at Arras, where they took part in the First Battle of the Scarpe, and later at the Third Battle of the Scarpe, and then they were sent to Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of Langemarck, the First Battle of Passchendaele and the Second Battle of Passchendaele. In the Spring of 1918 the Division were near St. Quentin, and were hit there by the German Spring Offensive, launched on 21 March. Frank was killed during that terrible first day of the offensive on 21 March 1918. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on Panel 7/10 of the Pozieres Memorial, France.

 

Idris John Williams, Private, 13924, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Idris was born at Ffynonwen, Login, near Whitland, the Son of David and Mary Ann Williams, later of Rock House, Tumble. He enlisted at Tumble into the Army, and was posted to the 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 67 Brigade, 22nd Division. The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, but on 27 October 1915 the Division, having been moved by train to Marseilles, began to embark for Salonika, taking part in the Retreat from Serbia during December, 1915. Idris took ill and died of typhoid on 29 March 1916. He was 19 years old, and is buried in Grave 106 in Salonika (Lembet Road) Military Cemetery, Greece.