The peaceful Hamlet of Taliaris sits in the Towy Valley, about three miles north of Llandeilo. Taliaris was home to the Peel family, relatives of the late Prime Minister Sir Robert Peel, and two of the sone of the house died during the Great War. The War Memorial, as befits such a great donating family, is an impressive structure, with marble panels bearing the names of the fallen. Just under three miles further north lies the village of Talley, with the ruins of the old Twelfth Century Abbey dominating the centre of the Village, within a stones throw of the lake. The Village holds an interest to me because it is to Talley that my Mothers family came to live before the Great War. My Great Grandfather Albert Dexter was the Gamekeeper on the Edwinsford Estate, and is buried at the Churchyard in Talley. The War Memorial to the men of Talley who lost their lives during the Great War stands at the entrance to the Ancient St. Michael's Church, and takes the form of a simple granite cross, mounted on an octagonal plinth, bearing the names of the fallen. Due to the proximityt of these villagesm both are commemorated together below. Many thanks are due to Dave Hanson for his photograph of the memorials, and for his help with the research of the men.

Taliaris War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Thomas Evans, Lance Corporal, 17757, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Tom was born in Taliaris, and enlisted at Neath into the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 22 Brigade, 7th Division. The Division was a Regular Army Division which landed in Zeebrugge on 6 September 1914. Regarded as one of the best British Divisions of the War, hey fought at First Ypres, Neuve Chappelle, Aubers, Festubert, Givenchy and Loos, before moving south, to take part in the opening actions of the Battle of the Somme. At the Somme, the Division were stationed in the Fricourt area, moving forward and capturing the village of Mametz. It was during this opening stage of the battle that Thomas was wounded. He was brought back by rail to the Base Hospital at Boulogne, where he sadly died of Wounds on 9 July 1916. He is buried at Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France. Thomas is not commemorated locally.

Henry Jones, Private, 474271, Canadian Expeditionary Force. Henry Jones was born on 21 July 1884 at Bankygwin, Llangadock. His parents were William and Gwenllian Jones. Henry migrated to Canada, and it was at Saskatoon, Canada, on 3 April 1916 that Henry Enlisted into the Canadian Expeditionary Force. His age was given as 31 years and 8 months. Henry was enrolled into the 72nd Battalion (British Columbia), with the number 474271. The 72nd Battalion formed part of 12 Brigade, 4th Canadian Division. Henry was shipped to Europe, where his Battalion were being readied for the Battle of the Somme. On the 16 November 1916 whilst fighting in the Battle of the Ancre, Henry was killed. He remains buried in Aveluy Communal Cemetery Extension-in the Ancre Valley.

 

 

John Jones, Private, 46533, Welsh Regiment. John was the son of Hannah Jones and the late Thomas Jones, Pwllau, White Square, Taliaris. He was born around 1886. John enlisted at Swansea into the army, and was posted to France during the summer of 1916, where he joined the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. John probably fought on the Somme with the battalion in the summer of 1916. In 1917 they moved to Begium, and took part in the Battle of Messines. They then took part in the Third Battle of Ypres, and it was here, during the Battle of the Menin Road, that John was killed on 21 September 1917. His body was lost on the muddy Flanders Battlefield, and so he is remembered on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.

 

Alan Ralph Peel, Second Lieutenant, Nigeria Regiment. Alan was born on 7 July 1886, the son of Herbert and Mary Peel of Taliaris. Alan attended Sandhurst, from where he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the South Wales Borderers. Upon the outbreak of the Great War, Alan was a Captain in the 5th Battalion, Nigeria Regiment. They formed part of the Western Frontier Force, and they fought a ruthless war in South Africa against the Germans. Alan was killed in action at Karonga on 17 November 1914, aged just 28. He is remembered on the Zaria Memorial, Africa.

 

Robert Lloyd Peel, MC, Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. Robert was born at Taliaris, Llandeilo on 11 June 1889, the third son of Herbert and Mary Peel of Taliaris. After his education at Malvern College, he settled at Madupatti, India in 1909, where he ran a tea plantation. At the outbreak of war, Robert returned to England, where he obtained a commission into the Royal Field Artillery on the 23rd December, 1914, as a Second Lieutenant. He served in Gallipoli from August 1915, and served there until after the evacuation, when he returned to Egypt and then to France in July 1916. In France he served with 58 Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. The Division were fighting during the Battle of Passchendaele, near Poelcappelle, when Robert died of wounds sustained that same day, on 3 September 1917. He lies in Bard Cottage Cemetery, near Ypres. He had been awarded the Military Cross (London Gazette 21 December, 1916) for conspicuous gallantry in action, when he and a sergeant rescued several men from a burning gun pit, and extinguished the fire.

 

Herbert Pritchard Thomas, Private, 53067, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Herbert was born around 1879 near Llandeilo. He was the Son of William and Jane Thomas, of Llandilo, Carmarthen, and the Husband of Mabel Thomas, of 1, Standard Villa, Tre-Thomas, Bedwas, Mon. Herbert enlisted at Newport into the army, and was posted to the 1/5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division fought at Gallipoli from 8 August 1915, before being evacuated to Egypt. During MArch 1917 the Division took part in the advance into Palestine. Herbert's death is a mystery, as he is recored as having accidentally drowned on 4 May 1917, aged 38. He was buried in Oneglia Town Cemetery, Italy.

Thomas Rees Thomas, Private, 39304, Suffolk Regiment. Thomas was born around 1899 near Salem, Llandeilo, the son of David and Elizabeth Thomas, of Pantsoar. Thomas enlisted at Lambeth into the 2nd Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, who formed part of 8 Brigade, 3rd Division. This was a regular Army Division which had been in France since the war began. They fought throughout the war on the Western Front, and in early 1918 were holding the lines in Northern France when the Germans launched Operation Michael-their last great offensive of the war. Thomas was to die of wounds on 4 April 1918 during this terrible time, when the Allies were fighting a fierce defensive action on the line from Ypres down to the Somme. He is buried in Pernes British Cemetery, France.

 

Joshua Williams, Private, 633812, London Regiment. Joshua was born in November 1886, and worked as a Draper, residing at Ty Coch, White Square, Taliaris, Llandilo. Joshua enlisted on 18 November 1915 into the 15th Battalion, London Regiment, and on 5 July 1916, he embarked with the Battalion for France, where he transferred to the 20th Battalion, London Regiment, attached to 141 Brigade, 47th (London) Division. The Division fought on the Somme that year, through the Battles of Flers-Courcelette and Le Transloy, where they captured Eaucourt L'Abbe, and attacked the Butte de Warlencourt. Joshua took ill after these actions, and was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Boulogne with influenza. On 2 November 1916 he returned to England, and spent the next few months at the 2nd General Eastern Hospital, Brighton. Joshua was discharged from the army on 26 June 1917, owing to ill health, and was transferred to Beechwood House Hospital, Newport, where he sadly died on 17 September 1917, suffering from Cardiac Failure. He was recently accepted by the CWGC for commemoration, after extensive research by Dave Hanson, and is buried at Taliaris (Holy Trinity) Churchyard.

Taliaris, World War Two, 1939-1945

Murray Shuldham-Legh, Major, 5320, The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). Murray was born on 4 December 1895, the son of Colonel Harry and Frances J. Shuldham-Legh. He was commissioned into the infantry on 20 November 1914, and served throughout the Great War with the Queen's (Royal West Surreys). Murray married Irene Gage in 1923, but the couple divorced in 1928, and he then married Julia Ashwell Semple in 1934, the couple having a son, Murray Shudham-Legh twelve months later. Murray served again during World War Two, but died at Taliaris on 24 September 1942, aged 46. Murray is buried at Taliaris (Holy Trinity) Churchyard. Murray was a member of the MCC, and is commemorated on the War Memorial at Lords Cricket Ground.

 

Talley War Memorial, The Great War, 1914-1918

Oliver Boston, Private, 12471, Gloucestershire Regiment. Oliver was born in Ringsbury. Not a lot is known about him, but he must have moved to Talley sometime before the war, where he resided at Glanyrafonddu Uchaf. Oliver enlisted into the 10th Battalion, Gloucester Regiment, which was attached to 1 Brigade, 1st Division. This Division had fought on the Western Front since the outbreak of war, and had taken part in the retreat from Mons to the Marne. It then moved to Ypres, and took part in the defence of the ancient city, during the First and Second Battles of Ypres. From 25 September 1915, the Division were at Loos, and it was during the Battle of Loos that Oliver was wounded. He was brought to the Hospital at Bethune, where he died of wounds on 9 October 1915. He is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

 

Ebenezer Davies, Private, 45200, Welsh Regiment. Ebenezer was born around 1880 to Thomas and Elizabeth Davies, of Cross Inn Cottage, Talley. He enrolled into the army, and to posted to France during the summer of 1916, the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was known as the Carmarthen Pals battalion. The battalion had been in France since December 1915 attached to 114 Brigade, 38th Welsh Division, and famously captured Mametz Wood during July 1915, before moving to positions at Boesinghe, north of Ypres. Ebenezer was wounded while the 15th Welsh were in the line during February 1917, and died of his wounds, aged 38, on 20 February 1917. He is buried at Mendinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.

 

John Talley Evans, Lance Sergeant, 29508, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born around 1893 at Talley. He was the son of John and Elizabeth Evans, of Halfway, Talley. John enlisted at Cardiff into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The Battalion formed part of 19 Brigade, 33rd Division, and was famous as being the Battalion in which Frank Richards, Siegfried Sassoon and Robert Graves. During the Battle of the Somme, the Division took part in the Battle of Bazentin, and it was during this Battle that John was wounded. He died of his wounds on 7 November 1916, and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

Thomas Evans, Gunner, 228095, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was born around 1888 and was the son of John and Elizabeth Evans of Halfway, Talley, and a brother to John. He enlisted in Glasgow into the Royal Field Artillery, as a Gunner in B Battery, 330th Brigade, which formed part of the 66th (East Lancs.) Division. When the Geman Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918, called Operation Michael, hit the area, Thomas was wounded, and captured by the Germans. He sadly died of his wounds whilst a POW on 28 April 1918, and is buried in Roisel Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

 

William Evans, Corporal, 290285, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William Evans was born in 1889 in Pencraig, Talley. He married Nellie and moved to Frolic Street, Newtown, Montgomeryshire. William enlisted at Newtown into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had fought at Gallipoli before heading to Egypt in 1916. During March 1917 the Division was sent into Palestine, and it was during this campaign, in the First Battle of Gaza, that William was killed in action, on 26 March 1917. He was aged 27 and is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.

William Edward Evans, Private, 19570, Royal Fusiliers. William was born around 1880 at Ty Ann Arthur, Talley. He was the son of Dafydd and Jane E. Evans. William enlisted at Ammanford into the 26th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, with the number 19570. The Battalion formed part of 124 Brigade, 41st Division. The Division were on the Somme in 1916, and it was during the Battle of the Ancre that William was killed in action, on 10 October 1916. He was aged 36 and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

 

 

Daniel Ginn, Private, 126146, Machine Gun Corps. Daniel isn't on the Talley Memorial, but Soldiers Died shows him as being born in Talley. He is in fact listed on the Golden Grove War Memorial. Daniel was born around 1894, and was the son of William and Elizabeth Ginn, of Cefn Brisken, Llanefynydd, Golden Grove, Carmarthen; Husband of Elizabeth Roderick (formerly Ginn), of 32, Towy Terrace, Ffairfach, Llandilo. Daniel enlisted at Ammanford, and was posted to the 59th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, which was attached to the 59th (2nd North Midland) Division. On 21 March 1918 the great German Offensive, called Operation Michael, was launched on the Somme. The entire British sector of the Western Front came under a murderous deluge of shells, before their lines were attacked by German Storm Troopers. It was on this day that Daniel was killed in action, and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial, France.

 

Wymond Howard Lloyd, Second Lieutenant, Herefordshire Regiment. Wymond was born on 20 March 1883, the eldest son of Mr and Mrs H. Meuric Lloyd of Delfryn, Carmarthenshire. Wymond was educated at Malvern and New College, Oxford, where he had completed two years' residence, and was half way through his degree and studying for the Civil Service. He rowed for his college in the second eight, and was a member of the O.U.O.T.C., and so was commissioned into the Herefordshire Regiment as a Second Lieutenant in September 1914. Wymond embarked with his regiment to Gallipoli in August, 1915, and was five weeks at Suvla before contracting enteric fever and dysentery, which required his return home after many weeks in hospital. Upon his return, he was posted to Park Hall Camp, Oswestry, engaged on light duty and hoped to pass for active service at a medical board on 23 March, but on 18 March he was struck by a train while walking near the camp, and brought to Oswestry Cottage Hospital, where he died the following day, on 19 March 1916. He was 23 years of age, and was brought home to be buried with military honours in Llangadock Cemetery, on 23 March 1916. The Colonel commanding the Welsh Division Grouped Depots, T.F., wrote:- "Your son was a very fine young officer, and had gained the love and respect of all who came into contact with him, both in Gallipoli and here. I regret his loss personally, for I know what good work he was doing here in the training of the men."

 

Cecil Evelyn Long-Price, Captain, West Yorkshire Regiment. Cecil Evelyn Long-Price was the son of David Long Price and Suzanne Price, Talley House, Talley. He had originally served with the Munster Fusiliers, before being posted to the Indian Army. At the outbreak of the Great War, Cecil was posted to the 9th Battalion, West Yorkshire Regiment, which was attached to 32 Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division. The Division were sent to Gallipoli, and landed at Suvla Bay on 7 August 1915. Cecil was 38 years old when he was killed in action that same day. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

 

James Arthur Parry, Private, 29429, South Wales Borderers. James was born at Esgairwen, Talley in 1897. He was son of John and Gwen Parry, of Parcbach, Cwmdu, Llandilo. James enlisted at Ammanford into the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, and probably joined the battalion after its withdrawal from Gallipoli. In May 1916 the battalion moved to France, with 87 Brigade, 29th Division. The Division moved to positions at Beaumont Hamel, and attacked there on 1 July 1916, suffering heavy casualties. The following year they took part in the Third Battle of Ypres, before moving to Cambrai. The Division took part in the Battle of Cambrai, where the use of massed tank formations was pioneered. James was killed in action there, aged 20, on 3 December 1917, and is remembered on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.

 

Thomas Peter Parry, Private, 4197, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in 1885 in Talley. He was the son of John and Gwenllian Parry, of Esgairwen, Cwmdu, Llandilo. Thomas enlisted at Ammanford into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division was sent to the Mediterranean, and on 8 August 1915 landed at Gallipoli, where it was immediately thrown into action. It was here, during the Battle of Sari Bair, that Thomas was killed in action on 11 August 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.

 

John Archibald Thomas, Private, Australian Infantry. John was born at Talley during March 1897. He had emigrated to Australia during 1908, where he worked as a farmer. He enlisted at the outbreak of war into the Australian Imperial Force. John survived he war, and was demobilized in Britain. He returned to West Wales, and set up home temporarily at 2, Claremont Villas, Carmarthen, while he awaited a chance to return to Australia. Thomas had suffered from depression since leaving the army, and was said to be worried about being able to return to Australia. He was discovered dead at Capel Evan, near Wellfield Road, Carmarthen on Monday 22 September 1919, and an autopsy showed that he had killed himself by cutting his own throat with a razor. John was 30 years old, and was buried at Carmarthen. No more is presently known of him, and he is not commemorated on any war memorial, even though his depression was brought on by his service.

Joshua Williams, Private, 633812, London Regiment. Joshua was born in November 1886, and worked as a Draper, residing at Ty Coch, White Square, Taliaris, Llandilo. Joshua enlisted on 18 November 1915 into the 15th Battalion, London Regiment, and on 5 July 1916, he embarked with the Battalion for France, where he transferred to the 20th Battalion, London Regiment, attached to 141 Brigade, 47th (London) Division. The Division fought on the Somme that year, through the Battles of Flers-Courcelette and Le Transloy, where they captured Eaucourt L'Abbe, and attacked the Butte de Warlencourt. Joshua took ill after these actions, and was admitted to the 2nd Australian General Hospital at Boulogne with influenza. On 2 November 1916 he returned to England, and spent the next few months at the 2nd General Eastern Hospital, Brighton. Joshua was discharged from the army on 26 June 1917, owing to ill health, and was transferred to Beechwood House Hospital, Newport, where he sadly died on 17 September 1917, suffering from Cardiac Failure. He is not commemorated on the CWGC or on SDGW, so more research is needed to find where he is buried.

Evan George Wright, Private, 5136, Welsh Regiment. Evan was born around 1896, the son of  Mr. A. J. and Mrs. E. J. Wright, of Maesyrhiw, Talley. Evan enlisted at Carmarthen into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and sailed for the Mediterranean. The Division landed at Gallipoli on 8 August 1915, and was immediately pluged into heavy fighting. It was at Gallipoli, during the Attack on Scimitar Hill, that Evan was killed in action on 10 August 1915. He is remembered on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.