On the page below are commemorated the men of the villages near to, and to the North of St. Clears who lost their lives in both World Wars. The villages covered include Bancyfelin, Llangynin, Meidrim and Trelech. I have no War Memorial photos of this area as yet, so the men remembered below are those who I have discovered through other means of research. Additional information will be added as it comes to light.

Meidrim War Memorial, World War One, 1914-1918

Herbert Birchell, Private, 200461, Welsh Regiment. Herbert was residing in Meidrim and enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, who landed at Suvla Bay on 8 August 1915. He survived the Divisions ordeal at Gallipoli, and was evacuated with them during December 1915, moving to Egypt. The Division then fought in Palestine, and it was there, during the First Battle of Gaza, on 26 March 1917 that Herbert was Killed in Action. He is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.

 

David Davies, Private, 202484, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of John and Anna Davies, of Bryneglur, Mydrim. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. In June 1916 the Division landed in France, and saw action during the Somme Offensive that year. During 1917 they fought at Third Ypres and Cambrai. The Division remained in the Cambrai sector over the winter of 1917-1918, and were caught up in the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918. David was Killed in Action during desperate fighting on 24 March 1918. He was 20 years old, and is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.

John Davies, Corporal, 33471, Royal Army Medical Corps. John was born at Meidrim, the Son of David and the late Sarah Davies. The family later resided at 15, Prospect Place, Ogmore Vale, Bridgend. He enlisted at London into the Royal Army Medical Corps, and was posted to the 1st Stationary Hospital, which was situated at Le Mans from September to October 1914, then at Rouen where it remained for the duration of the war. It is not known what happened to John, but he Died of Wounds on 21 October 1916, at Rouen, aged 29, and is buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen, France.

Thomas Davies, Private, 54494, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was the Son of Benjamin and Sophia Davies, of Mydrim, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division landed at Havre in July 1915, and moved to the Neuve Chappelle sector, taking part in the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. They moved to the Somme the following year, and took part in the capture of La Boiselle on 1 July 1916, fighting on the Somme throughout the offensive, before moving to Flanders in 1917, and taking part in the Battle of Messines, and in Third Ypres. The Division was then transferred to a peaceful sector near Cambrai, but on 21 March 1918 the German Spring Offensive was launched here, and the 19th Division were caught in the thick of the action, suffering heavy casualties over the coming days, before being moved to positions near Ploegsteert to rebuild. Unfortunately, a fresh German offensive was launched on the Lys on 9 April 1918, and the Division again saw heavy fighting. Thomas was Killed in Action around Messines, on 16 April 1918. He was 23 years old, and is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

Howell Griffiths, Private, 35098, Welsh Regiment. Howell was born in Meidrim, the Son of Henry and Margaret Griffiths, and the Husband of Charlotte Mary Davies (formerly Griffiths), of White Walls, Dunvant, Swansea. He enlisted at Swansea into the army, and was posted to the 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 114 Brigade, 38th Welsh Division. The Division had arrived in France in December 1915 and were posted to a peaceful sector near Fleurbaix to gain experience. In June 1916 the Division marched south to the Somme, where they succesfully captuyred Mametz Wood between 7 and 11 July 1916. Howell was wounded at Mametz Wood, and was brought home, where he Died of Wounds, aged 27, on 25 July 1916. He is buried in Penclawdd (St. Cynwydd) Churchyard.

William John Jones, Gunner, 214419, Royal Field Artillery. William was born at Llwyncrwn, Trelech, the Son of David and Anne Jones, of Gelly, Mydrim. He enlisted at Preston into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to their 'B' Battery, 250th Brigade, attached to the 50th (Northumbrian) Division. William was Killed in Action on 27 May 1918, aged only 22, and is buried at La Ville-Aux-Bois British Cemetery, France.

David Edward Lewis DCM, Corporal, 86350, Royal Engineers. David was born at Aberdare, the Son of John and Anne Lewis, later of Mydrim, St. Clear's, Carmarthen, and the Husband of Lillian Mary Lewis, of St. Nicholas Rectory, Hereford. He enlisted at Liverpool into the Welsh Regiment, but later transferred into the 170th Tunneling Company, Royal Engineers. The Tunneling Companies had been formed with the aim of digging underneath the German lines, and placing huge quantities of explosives, or 'Mines' underneath, that would be set off prior to an infantry attack. David was in the Loos area in the Summer of 1917, when he was Killed in Action, aged 35, on 26 September 1917. He is buried at Noeux-Les-Mines Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Job Lewis, Private, 37841, Leicestershire Regiment. Job was the Son of Edward Lewis, of Garreglwyd, Mydrim. He enlisted at Merthyr into the army, and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Leicester Regiment, which had been in France since September 1914, attached to 71 Brigade, 6th Division. Job joined the battalion in the summer of 1915, and would have fought at Hooge. In  1916 the Division moved to the Somme, and fought at Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy. The following year saw them at Arras, where they fought at the Battle of Hill 70. Job was Killed in Action during the Battle of Hill 70, on 23 April 1917. He was 24 years old, and is remembered on the Loos Memorial, France.

Henry Roberts, Gunner, Royal Garrison Artillery. The Carmarthen County War Memorial lists a H. Roberts of Meidrim as serving as a Gunner with the Royal Garrison Artillery. At present, the identity of this man cannot be positively identified.

Thomas Walters, Private, T/312433, Army Service Corps. Thomas was the Son of Thomas and Hannah Walters, of Rhyd, Aberwern, Mydrim, St. Clears, and the Husband of M. B. Walters, of Brynteg, Tegryn, Llanfyrnach. Little else is known of him, but he enlisted at Bath into the Army Service Corps, and Died of Fever in France on 13 May 1917, aged 26. He is buried at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France.

 

Gwilym White, Private, 74010, Welsh Regiment. Gwilym was the Son of William White of Llanelli, and resided in Meidrim prior to the war. He enlisted into the army, and in the summer of 1918 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. The Division had just began their assault on Thiepval Ridge and Pozieres when Gwilym joined them, and he took part in their advance towards the Hindenburg Line. It was during the Battle of Epehy that Gwilym was Killed in Action, on 19 September 1918. He is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France.

Gwilym Williams, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Gwilym was the Son of William and Esther Williams, of Nantyraf, Mydrim, and was commissioned into the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion moved to France during December 1915 attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and took up positions around Fleurbaix, to gain experience. The Division arrived in France in December, 1915, and were posted near Armentieres, where they were familiarised with trench warfare. Gwilym joined the battalion at Fauquissart on 24 April 1916. He was in the front line on 20 May 1916 when he was wounded by a German rifle grenade, and was brought to the Hospital at Merville, where he died the following day, 21 May 1916. Gwilym was 26 years old, and is buried at Merville Communal Cemetery, France.

Meidrim War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945

Mabel Davies, Sister, 206113, Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. Mabel was the Daughter of James and Sarah Davies, of Mydrim, and was a Nursing Sister in Queen Alexandra's Imperial Military Nursing Service. She died at home on 11 November 1942, aged 48, and is buried in Penybont Independent Chapelyard.

Trelech War Memorial, World War One, 1914-1918

Brinley Owen Davies, Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Brinley was the Son of T. O. Davies, chemist, of Cefn Mawr, Wrexham, Denbighshire. He was an Assistant Master at Trelech, prior to gaining a commission into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and was posted to the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. Brinley probably served at Pilckem Ridge in July and August 1917. The 38th Division was then posted to the sector around Armentieres over the winter of 1917-1918, and in April 1918 was sent to positions at Aveluy Wood, north of Albert. Brinley was killed during a patrol on 22 April 1918. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.

 

Reginald Charles Wilfred Evans, Private, 68854, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Reginald was born in Nantgaredig, and enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry. He later transferred into the 2nd Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, probably late in 1917, whand during February 1918 the battalion was posted to115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division nmoved to the Somme from Armentieres during April 1918, and took the line near Aveluy, north of Albert. After holding the line here over the coming months, on 21 August 1918 launched an attack across the River Ancre, and began driving the Germans back towards the Hindenburg Line. The Division then took part in the drive towards Le Cateau, towards the Forest of Mormal, and Reginald must have become wounded during fighting at Englefontaine. He died of wounds on 3 December 1918, and is buried at Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

David Harries, Private, 200460, Welsh Regiment. David was born at Talog, and attended Penybont Chapel, Trelech. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the local Territorial Battalion, attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division landed at Cape Helles, Gallipoli, on 9 August 1915, and was immediately thrown into action, spending the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counter-attack during the Battle of Sari Bair, and then at the Attack on Scimitar Hill. The Division remained here throughout the coming months, and suffered severe losses in manpower strength during the great November 1915 blizzard on Gallipoli, when its total strength was reduced to less than that of a full-strength Brigade. On 11 December 1915 the Division was evacuated to Mudros, and by 23 December 1915 were moved to Egypt. They remained on the Suez Canal Defences for the next twelve months. David was then attached to the 5th Company, Imperial Camel Corps, and took part in operations against the Sultan of Darfur. It was during such an operation that David was wounded, and he died on 15 January 1917. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.

 

Daniel Jones, Private, 267113, Welsh Regiment. Daniel was born in Trelech, the Brother of Mr. J. Jones, of Waterloo House, Trefach, Llanfyrnach. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/6th Battalion, Welsh regiment, who had been in France almost since the start of the war, and had become the Pioneer Battalion to the 1st Division. The Division fought at Loos in September 1915, and on the Somme in 1916. During 1917 it took part in the Battle of Arras, and also fought at Third Ypres. Daniel was Killed in Action on 8 May 1918 during the German Offensive. He is buried at Sailly-Labourse Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

Idris Jones, Private, 65208, Welsh Regiment. Idris was born at Trelech, and enlisted at Aberdare into the army. He was posted to the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. In June, 1916 the Division landed in France, and saw action during the Somme Offensive, also at Third Ypres and Cambrai. They were caught up in the German Spring Offensive, and fought in Flanders in the Battle of the Lys, where Idris was Killed in Action on 13 April 1918. He is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium.

Thomas Morris, Private, 30442, East Lancashire Regiment. Thomas was born in Meidrim, the Son of Mathias Morris, of Bryndwyran, Gellywen. He enlisted at Woolwich into the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, and later transferred into the 8th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, part of 112 Brigade, 37th Division. In July 1915 the Division landed at Boulogne, and remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war. Thomas was Killed in Action near Ypres on 26 January 1918, aged 25 and is buried at Nine Elms British Cemetery, Belgium.

William John Phillips, Private, 43501, King's Liverpool Regiment. William was the Son of Phillip Phillips, of Blaenwaun, Trelech. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment, but later transferred, probably due to wounds suffered in France, into the 24th Battalion, King's Liverpool Regiment, which was a Home Service Battalion. William Died of Sickness on 14 June 1916, aged only 19, and is buried at Trelech (Rock) Congregational Chapelyard.

Benjamin Simon Rees, Private, 201535, Welsh Regiment. Benjamin was the Son of Samuel and Margaret Rees, of Tyriet, Gellywen. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh regiment, part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in Gallipoli in August 1915, and remained there until December that year, when they were evacuated to Egypt. They later fought in Palestine, and Benjamin was Killed in Action there, during the Third Battle of Gaza, on 4 November 1917, aged 27. He is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel.

 

David John Rees, Private, 320243, Welsh Regiment. David was born in Trelech, and enlisted into the Pembroke Yeomanry. The Pembroke Yeomanry were sent to the Middle East in March 1916, and in February 1917 merged with the Glamorgan Yeomanry to form the 24th Battalion, Welsh regiment, which became attached to 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division took part in the advance into Palestine during April 1918, and fought in the Second Battle of Gaza. It was during this battle, on 21 April 1917, that David was Killed in Action. He is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Israel.

Edmund Thyrkel Trafford, Lieutenant, Norfolk Regiment. Edmund was born in Natal, South Africa, the third son of William Thyrkel Trafford, of Plas Pant Howell, Trelech, and of Kilmore, Rosetta, Natal. He enlisted in South Africa, and served as Serjeant in Eustins Horse. Edmund returned to England at the outbreak of war, along with his brother Geoffrey, and was commissioned into the Norfolk Regiment in October 1915. Edmund was then posted as Lieutenant into their 1st (Garrison) Battalion, which was stationed in India. Very little else is known of him, but he died in Hospital at Karachi on 10 May 1916, aged 23. Edmund was buried at Karachi Cemetery, but due to the impossibility of maintaining graves in India, is commemorated on the Delhi Memorial (India Gate), India.

Geoffrey Thyrkel Trafford, Captain, 1st Life Guards. Geoffrey was the youngest son of William Thyrkel Trafford of Plas Pant Hoel, Trelech, and of Kilmore, Rosetta, Natal. He returned to England with his brother Edmund at the outbreak of war, and was gazetted into the 1st Life Guards, and landed in France on 4 January 1915. The 1st Life Guards were attached to 7 Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division, and had landed at Zeebrugge on 7 October 1914. The Division then moved to Ypres after the fall of Zeebrugge, and took part in the First Battle of Ypres, which is where Geoffrey joined his new unit. The cavalry brigade suffered heavy casualties at Ypres, but this was to be its last full scale action until late in 1918, as the Western Front settled into a stagnant stage of trench warfare, where Cavalry would prove to be of no worthwhile use. In the Battle of the Somme in July 1916, the British made use of tanks for the first time, when they were used in the capture of the village of Flers-Courcelette. At some time after this, Geoffrey transferred to the Tank Corps, and attended their 9th Battalion. It is not known if Geoffrey served with the tank Corps during their first great success, at the Battle of Cambrai, but in the summer of 1918 he was stationed with the 9th Battalion in the Arras sector, when he was killed in action on 23 July 1918. Geoffrey was 22 years old, and is buried at Roye New British Cemetery, France. There are several Tank Corps graves in the cemetery, which indicates that a battle took place in the area.

 

Gwilym Williams, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Gwilym was the son of William and Esther Williams, of Nantyrafr, Meidrim. He was educated at Aberystwyth University, and was well known as a prominent Welsh Bard prior to the war. Gwilym was commissioned at the outbreak of war into the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The Battalion was raised at Llandudno on 2 February 1915 in 128 Brigade, 43rd Division. On 29 April 1915, the formation became 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and moved from North Wales to Morn Hill Camp, Winchester, where the 17th RWF moved to 115 Brigade, 38th Division. The Division arrived in France in December 1915, and was posted near Armentieres, where the men were familiarised with trench warfare over the coming months, while holding a relatively peaceful sector of the Western Front. In the middle of May 1916, the 17th RWF moved from comfortable billets at Robermetz to take up positions in the front line at Riez Bailleul. Gwilym was wounded by a German rifle grenade on 20 May, and was evacuated to the Military Hospital at Merville for treatment. He died of his wounds on 21 May 1916. He was 26 years old, and was buried with full military honours at Merville Communal Cemetery the following day.

 

Trelech War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945

Edwin Jones, Fusilier, 4200480, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Edwin was the Son of James and Esther Jones, of Trelech, and the husband of Rachel Phyllis Jones, of Trelech. He served in the 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, who had landed in Normandy after D-Day as part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. They were in the process of fighting north through France, on 11 August 1944, when Edwin was Killed in Action. Edwin was 29 years old, and is buried in Brouay War Cemetery, France.

 

Bancyfelin War Memorial, World War One, 1914-1918

David William Davies, Private, 200821, Welsh Regiment. David was the Son of Mrs. Theodosia Davies, of Llamanbach, Bankyfelin. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh regiment, part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in Gallipoli in August 1915, and remained there until December that year, when they were evacuated to Egypt. They later fought in Palestine, and it was here, during the First Battle of Gaza, that David was Killed in Action, aged 23, on 26 March 1917. He is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.

 

William Morgan Davies, Private, 39579, South Wales Borderers. William was born in Llangennech, the Son of John Davies, of Llwynon, Bankyfelin. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the army, and was posted to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was in China at the outbreak of war, and fought at Tsingtao before moving back to the UK, where it joined 87 Brigade, 29th Division. After the Division had been fully assembled, they moved to the Mediterranean, and took part in the landing on Gallipoli on 25 April 1915. They remained at Gallipoli until evacuating on 11 January 1916, and from there were moved to France, arriving at Marseilles on 15 March that year. They fought on the Somme, and moved to the Arras sector in early 1917, where they took part in the Second Battle of the Scarpe, which is when William was Killed in Action, aged 24, on 23 April 1917. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.

John Howell Edwards, Private, 56906, Welsh Regiment. John was born in Llangennech, the Son of Richard and Keturah Edwards, of Parknewydd, Bankyfelin. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry, but transferred into the 9th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, probably late in 1916, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division had seen heavy fighting at Loos, on the Somme and at Cambrai, and were in Flanders in early 1918 when the German Spring Offensive was launched. John was Killed in Action during the Battle of Messines, on 16 April 1918, aged only 22. He is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

William Tucker, Private, 13208, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was the Son of William and Anne Tucker, of Bancyfelin. He enlisted at Ammanford into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division saw its first major action at Givenchy, during the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. After wintering there, it moved to the Somme the following year, and took part in the capture of La Boiselle on 1 July 1916. The division remained on the Somme, and saw much fighting over the coming months. William was Killed in Action on 11 November 1916, aged 30 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

Wilfred Howell Williams, First Mate, Mercantile Marine. Wilfred was born at Sarnau near Bancyfelin, the Son of George and Margaret Williams, and Husband of Kate Williams (nee Margerison), of 31, Clive Street, Cardiff. He served as First Mate in the Mercantile Marine, aboard the SS Mohacsfield, which was attacked by a German Submarine in April 1917. Wilfred was wounded in the attack, and Died of Wounds at home on 18 April 1917, aged 29. He is buried in Cardiff (Cathays) Cemetery.

Bancyfelin War Memorial, World War Two, 1939-1945

James Eric Howell Davies, Corporal, T/123583, Royal Army Service Corps. James was the Son of Thomas Howell Davies and Margaret Davies, of Bankyfelin and served in the 7th Anti Aircraft Brigade Company, Royal Army Service Corps in the British Expeditionary Force. The German Blitzkrieg was pushing the BEF back toward the Channel, but even though they were totally outnumbered and outgunned, the BEF fought all of the way back to Dunkirk. James was Killed in Action on 18 June 1940, during the retreat aged only 21, and is buried at Adegem Canadian War Cemetery, Belgium.

Llangynin War Memorial, World War One, 1914-1918

John Thomas, Private, G/20838, East Kent Regiment. John was born at Northampton, but resided in Llangynin prior to the war, enlisting in Carmarthen into the 1st Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs), part of 16 Brigade, 6th Division. The Division landed at St. Nazaire on 10 September 1914, and reinforced the BEF on the Aisne. They remained on the Western Front for the duration of the war, and were at Arras when the German Spring Offensive was launched on 21 March 1918. One of the first Divisions hit was the 6th Division, and John was Killed in Action on that first desperate day of the Battle. His body was lost on the battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.