Post World War Two Casualties from Carmarthenshire

John Bernard Barry, Private, 23980557, South Wales Borderers. John was born at Llandeilo on 24 June 1945. He served with the South Wales Borderers. Little else is known of him as yet, but he died (possibly of wounds suffered at Aden, on 12 April 1967, aged 21, and is buried at Llandeilo Parish Churchyard.

Vernon Bowen, Sergeant (Navigator), 1654380, Royal Air Force. Vernon was born at Cross Hands on 20 September 1923. Details of his service are not known, as the World War 2 service records are as yet unobtainable, but Vernon was serving at Singapore, based at RAF Tengah, as a Navigator with 45 Squadron, Royal Air Force during the Malayan Emergency. The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war for independence fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army, the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960. The Royal Air Force flew Avro Lincolns and Bristol Brigands from Singapore on bombing raids over Communist Malaya. Vernon was Navigator of a three man crew of a Bristol Brigand, consisting of Pilot Alan Martin and Radio Operator Peter Weston. On the morning of 15 June 1951, the crew were asked to do an air test on their Brigand VS857 (OB-K), and took off from Tengah just before lunch. The aircraft was headed north and climbing when what seemed like a massive explosion rocked the aircraft, and sent it out of control over Changi Creek, where it crashed moments later. Alan Martin and Peter Weston had survived, but sadly Vernon had been killed in the crash, his body being found underneath the wreckage of the fuselage. A later investigation found that a propeller had broken loose- a common problem on Brigands, and it was that which had made the aircraft lose control. Vernon was 27 years old when he died that day, and his body was interred at Kranji Military Cemetery, Singapore.

David Dennis, Lance Corporal, The Light Dragoons. David was born on 16 May 1980, the son of Roger and Adele Dennis of Llanelli. He joined the Army on 14 February 2003 as a gunner in the Royal Artillery before joining The King's Troop. Having served with the Gunners for just over two years, he was attached to The Light Dragoons for a six-month tour of Iraq in 2005. On 4 July 2009, he was travelling in an armoured vehicle during Operation Panthers Claw, an operation involving around 3,000 soldiers, to improve security in the area north of Lashkar Gah, clear the Babaji and Malgir areas of insurgents and restore government control before the national elections, when the vehicle was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, and he was killed. David was 29 years old, and was buried at All Saints Church, Llanelli. He left behind his mother Adele Dennis and his twin brother Gareth of Llanelli, his father Roger, step mother Helen and step brother Matthew of Port Talbot and his fiancée Lisa.

George Royston Evans, Fusilier, 22910228, Royal Welch Fusiliers. George was born at Garnant on 14 June 1935, and served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion served during the Malayan Emergency, in support of the Malayan Government against the Malayan Communist uprising. George was killed in Malay on 19 January 1955. He was just 19 years old, and is buried at Cheras Road Christian Cemetery, Kuala Lumpar, Malaysia.

Ryan Francis, Lance Corporal, The Royal Welsh. Ryan was from Llanelli, and had joined the Royal Welsh in 2003, and was deployed to Iraq as a Warrior armoured car driver. He was killed while on patrol with his battle group in the early hours of 7 July 2007, when the warrior armoured vehicle he was travelling in was struck by a roadside bomb. He died instantly at a location in the Hay Al Mudhara district of Basra. Ryan was 23 years old, and was brought home for burial at Llanelli.

Gareth Melvyn Griffiths, Guardsman, 23929722, Welsh Guards. Gareth was born at Llandeilo on 13 March 1951, the son of John and Hannah Griffiths, and was the husband of Janice Griffiths. He joined the Welsh Guards straight from school, and had served at Cyprus and Northern Ireland prior to the Argentinian invasion of the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982. As a result, the British Government sent a powerful naval task force to the Islands, arriving a month later. On 8 June 1982, Gareth was with the Welsh Guards aboard their troopship, the RFA Sir Galahad, when she was hit by an Argentinian bomb and set ablaze. Gareth was one of 56 men killed during the blaze, with over 150 more badly wounded. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Armed Forces Memorial, at Alrewas, Staffordshire. He was 31 years old, and left his widow with two young children.

Ivor Gwyn Jones, Bombardier, 21192503, Royal Artillery. Ivor was born at Llanelli on 8 May 1920. He served with the Royal Artillery, and died on 2 October 1949, aged 29. He is buried at Old Road Cemetery, Llanelli.

J. G. Jones. This man is commemorated on the Llandovery College War Memorial, which shows that he died in 1947. He cannot presently be identified.

Michael Anthony Jones, Private, 24398540, Army Catering Corps (Attached Welsh Guards). Michael was born at Carmarthen on 17 September 1959, and served with the Army Catering Corps, attached to the Welsh Guards. He was aboard the troopship RFA Sir Galahad when she was attacked by A4-C Skyhawks of the Argentinian Air Force on 8 June 1982, and was hit by three bombs. The resulting explosions and fire killed 48 men, mostly of the Welsh Guards, but also men of other units, including Michael. He is commemorated on the Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Jamie Kirkpatrick, Corporal, Royal Engineers. Jamie was born in Edinburgh, but lived in Llanelli, with his wife Heidi and their 15-month-old daughter Holly. He had enlisted into the Royal Engineers in 1997, and following his training was posted to Germany. Over the next six years he qualified as a Class 1 Plant Operator Mechanic, and deployed to Iraq on Operation TELIC. During 2009 he gained his Intermediate Explosive Ordnance Disposal qualification, and in April 2010 volunteered for a tour of Afghanistan and was attached back to 33 Engineer Regiment (Explosive Ordnance Disposal). Jamie was deployed to Kajaki in the Sangin District of Helmand Province to work with 40 Commando Royal Marines Battle Group and played a large part in increasing the freedom of movement for the local Afghans by removing Improvised Explosive Devices from key routes as well as conducting life-saving training to members of the Battle Group. The team then moved to support the 1st Battalion Royal Gurkha Rifles Battle Group, Combined Force Nahr-E Saraj (South), and Jamie was killed during a firefight there on 27 June 2010. He was 32 years old.

Nigel Dean Mead, Marine, Royal Marines. Nigel was born at Carmarthen, the son of Philip and Amanda Mead, and was educated at Queen Elizabeth School. He joined the Royal Marines in October 2008. He was sent to Afghanistan with 42 Commando, Royal Marines, on his first tour of duty. Nigel was searching a compound in Helmand province when he was killed by an improvised explosive device on 15 May 2011. He was just 19 years old.

Roger Nutbeem, Major, Royal Army Medical Corps. Roger was born in April 1942, the son of Frederick and Emily Nutbeem, and grew up in the town of Redditch in Worcestershire. He attended grammar school in Alcester, before starting further studies at agricultural college. After several years working in the industry, Roger decided to change his career, and in 1962 joined the RAMC as a dispenser, number 483497. In 1967 he was recommended for officer training, eventually taking on duties as a platoon officer. Roger rose through the ranks, and eventually became second in command of 16 Field Ambulance RAMC. In 1982, when Argentinian troops invaded the Falkland Islands, the British became involved in a war. to dislodge them from the Falklands. Roger, now a Major, was part of the RAMC deployed in early June to Ajax Bay, a settlement on East Falkland. The bay was used by the Royal Navy as a centre for military hospital ships, and after Roger arrived, he joined the crew on board the RFA Sir Galahad, which was travelling to Fitzroy, another settlement on the island. He was aboard Sir Galahad when it was attacked by A4-C Skyhawks of the Argentinian Air Force on 8 June 1982, and was hit by three bombs. The resulting explosions and fire killed 48 men, mostly of the Welsh Guards, but also men of other units, including Roger. His body was recovered to shore where he was temporarily interred, and was then repatriated to the UK, where Roger was buried in the military cemetery at Tidworth, Wiltshire. In 1993 the British army opened a military hospital in the Midlands naming it in honour of Roger Nutbeem. He left a widow, Patricia, and two young children Martin and Kathryn, who is a well known musician.

Eirwyn John Phillips, Guardsman, Welsh Guards. Eirwyn was born at Llanelli on 4 June 1962. He served with the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards. Eirwyn was aboard the Troopship RFA Sir Galahad when it was attacked by A4-C Skyhawks of the Argentinian Air Force on 8 June 1982, and was hit by three bombs. The resulting explosions and fire killed 48 men, mostly of the Welsh Guards, but also men of other units, including Eirwyn. He was 20 years old, and is commemorated on the Armed Forces Memorial at Alrewas, Staffordshire.

Denzil Ray, 24076081, Guardsman, Welsh Guards. Denzil was born on 13 July 1950, and lived at Burry Port. He served with the Welsh Guards. Denzil died in a House Fire at Burry Port on 1 January 1971, aged just 20. He was buried at St. Illtyd's Churchyard, Pembrey.

Samuel Robinson, Bombardier, Royal Artillery. Samuel was born in Carmarthen, and joined the Army on 23 November 1999 when he was 20. He transferred from 13 Air Assault Support Regiment, Royal Logistic Corps in 2006 as a parachute trained corporal, and joined 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery, 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. In March 2008, after successfully passing the Patrol Course he was selected as a Royal Artillery Special Observer. Samuel was deployed on his fourth operational tour in Afghanistan in May 2010, and was second in command of a Surveillance and Target Acquisition Patrol from 4/73 (Sphinx) Special Observation Post Battery Royal Artillery. On 8 July 2010, Samuel was on a local area patrol in Sangin, with members of A Company, 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, when he was killed by an Improvised Explosive Device. He was 31 years old.

Arthur John Rosser, Flying Officer, 607156, Royal Australian Air Force. Arthur was born at Swansea on the 16 September, 1929. He was educated at Llandovery College, and joined the Royal Air Force, where he was awarded his Pilots wings on 19 February, 1950. Arthur was posted to 77 Squadron, based at RAF Iwakuni, just 8 miles from Hiroshima in Japan. Arthur was attached to the Royal Australian Air Force, and fought during the Korean War. He died on Saturday 28 March 1953. Arthur is buried at Terendak Military Cemetery, Malacca Malaysia, and is commemorated on the Commonwealth Memorial at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, Pusan. He was 23 years old.

Patrick Francis Cranleigh Swash, 2600130, Flight Lieutenant, Royal Air Force. Patrick was born at Hendon, London on 18 June 1927. He was educated at Llandovery College, and at Clare College, and later joined the Royal Air Force, serving at RAF Wunstorf in Germany, which had been used for the Berlin Airlift. Patrick was killed in a flying accident while serving with the Royal Air Force in Germany on the 24 September 1952.

David Rudolph Bentley Thomas (Dolph), Corporal, 14493238, Royal Army Service Corps. 'Dolph', as he was known, was the nephew of John Thomas of Llanstephan. He was educated at Llandovery College, and served during the war with the Royal Army Service Corps. Dolph died on 15 March 1947, aged just 20, and is buried in Llanstephan Churchyard.

Leslie Aeron Thomas, 2542564, Aircraftman 2nd Class, Royal Air Force. Leslie was born at Carmarthen on 28 July 1933. He served with the Royal Air Force, and was based at RAF Deversoir during the Suez Crisis. Leslie was killed on 23 July 1953, and is buried at Fayid Military Cemetery, Egypt. He was just 19 years old.

Lionel Hubert Wakeford, D.F.C., Squadron Leader, Royal Air Force. Lionel was born in Weymouth in 1915 and Joined the RAF at age 15 as an apprentice at RAF Halton. By the outbreak of WW2 he was a Sergeant Pilot in Egypt (Heliopolis) flying Bristol Bombay aircraft with 216 squadron, throughout North Africa and Greece. The squadron later returned to the U.K. flying Wellington Bombers. He was an early member of the Pathfinders with 139 Squadron flying Mosquito aircraft. By the end of the war he had flown over 2,400 hours at which time he had the rank of Squadron Leader. He was twice mentioned in Dispatches and received the Distinguished Flying Cross. Post war followed service with 29 Squadron. Moving to RAF Pembrey to form 233 Squadron a conversion unit in 1952 where he ran the tactical wing. On 22 September 1953, Lionel was training Pilot W.H. Williams in flying the Vampire Jet, and the aeroplane took off from Pembrey Airfield. However shortly after take-off Lionel requested permission to return to base. The aircraft was seen to weave for 2 miles approaching the airfield which was a method of losing speed. Unfortunately the Vampire crashed at the edge of the runway. The inquest found that the aircraft had suffered a sever fire probably starting immediately after take-off (possibly a re-ignite after a "flame out") which had led to the crash. Both men were killed on impact, and Lionel is buried at Pembrey (St. Illtyd) Churchyard. On 9 March 1953, another Vampire Pilot based at Pembrey had been killed, when he crashed into a field at Llanybri.

Nicholas Webster-Smith, Corporal, Royal Military Police. Nicholas was born at Carmarthen in May 1985, the son of Richard and Jacqueline Smith. He attended Llangunnor Primary School and Queen Elizabeth Cambria Secondary School in Carmarthen before moving to Tenby, West Wales where he completed his education at Greenhill School, Tenby. He later lived in Brackley, Northamptonshire. Following his basic, Nicholas enlisted into the Corps of Royal Military Police in February 2005 and after training was posted to 160 Provost Company, Aldershot in November 2005. During his time at 160 Provost Company, as well as conducting Garrison Policing he completed a tour of duty in Afghanistan, a deployment in Kosovo, and a Joint Service Policing tour of the Falkland Islands. On 3 November 2009, Nicholas was among a small party of five MP's who were sat at a checkpoint in the Nad e Ali District in Helmand Province, when an Afghan policeman who had been training with them opened fire on them, killing Nicholas and the four other men. Nicholas was 24 years old.

David Michael Whitby-James, Flying Officer, 3510259, Royal Air Force. David was born at Masterton, New Zealand on 10 May 1929. He was educated at Llandovery College before enlisting into the Royal Air Force, serving at RAF Deversoir, probably with 249 Squadron, flying the Vampire jet. David died on 17 November 1953, aged 24, and is buried at Wayne's Keep Cemetery, Nicosia, Cyprus.