Lambston is a parish situated about four miles west of Haverfordwest, south of the A487 road to St. David’s. The Parish Church is dedicated to St. Ismael, and contained a carved wooden memorial, which commemorated Frederick Hooper, who fell during the Great War. Also commemorated below are several men who were born at Lambston who fell during the Great War. Sadly the Church, like many others, has recently been sold and converted into a holiday let. The war memorial has been relocated to St Martin’s Church, Haverfordwest.
The Great War, 1914-1918
George Winfred Bowen, Private, 201578, Welsh Regiment. George (known as Fred) was born at Lambston, and was the illegitimate son of either Sarah or Hannah Bowen, and the Nephew of Mary Louisa Summons (nee Bowen), of 84, Portfield, Haverfordwest. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 4th Welsh. He served with the 15th Battalion, which was attached to 114 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 12 July to 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 at the Battle of Langemarck. Fred was wounded at Langemarck, and evacuated to a nearby Casualty Clearing Station, where he died of his wounds on 20 August 1917, aged 23. He is buried at Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Frederick Hooper, Private, 263014, Monmouthshire Regiment. Frederick was the son of William and Ann Hooper, of Sutton Village, Portfield Gate. He enlisted at Swansea on 1 May 1916 into the 6th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, before being attached to the 4th Welsh at Forst Scoveston. Frederick deserted on 2 July 1916, and was apprehended by the police at Lambston on 1 January 1917, and was charged with desertion and of losing all of his uniform and equipment. Frederick was then sentenced to three months imprisonment, but was instead posted to France on 24 February 1917 to join the 1st Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment, before being attached to the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was at Arras attached to 87 Brigade, 29th Division. Frederick was killed in action during the battalions attack on Monchy-Le-Pruex on 23 April 1917. He was 32 years old, and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
John Henry John, Private, 127, Pembroke Yeomanry. John was born in Lambston, the son of William John. He was the husband of Mary Ann John (later Jepson), of 62, Prendergast, Haverfordwest. John had enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 1/1st Battalion, Pembroke Yeomanry at the outbreak of war, and had joined the Battalion at Penally Camp. The Battalion was part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade, 1st Mounted Division, and remained in England until November, 1915 when they moved to Egypt. However, John died of sickness before the move, on 30 October 1915. He was 37 years old and is buried at Camrose Baptist Churchyard.
Thomas Walter Roberts, Corporal, 63268, Royal Garrison Artillery. Thomas was born at Lambston in 1891, the son of William and Mary Ann Roberts. The family later resided at 17 Glaneynon Terrace, Aberaman, Aberdare, and on 31 July 1912, Thomas married Lilian May Roberts, of 7, York Street, Godreaman, Aberdare. Thomas enlisted there on 3 November 1915 into the Royal Garrison Artillery, and sailed for France with the 160th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on 30 July 1916. Thomas was transferred to the 117th Siege Battery on the Western Front within days of landing. Thomas was wounded at Ypres in October 1917, but rejoined his unit on 13 February 1918. He was killed in action during the Offensive in Flanders on 8 August 1918, aged 27. Thomas is buried at Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
