The Cemetery at Milford Haven contains military graves dating back to the earliest days of the areas military past. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission care for a large number of graves from both World Wars, which are located within the CWGC plot at Milford. While many of these belong to soldiers, sailors and airmen who are commemorated on various local War Memorials, a large number of these graves belong to men who were either posted to Milford, or who died at sea, and whose bodies were interred here, and having no local ties, lie forgotten locally. In order to commemorate these men who died during both wars, they are commemorated on this page. Several men who are commemorated on local War Memorials are commemorated on their respective pages, and are therefore omitted from here. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photographs. This is not an exhaustive survey, as many of the burials in Milford Haven are commemorated on the town war memorial, so are commemorated on those pages of this website, and also on the Freshwater Bay page.
Milford Haven Cemetery
The Great War, 1914-1918
James Cobban Forsyth, Captain, Canadian Army Medical Corps. James was born at Middlesex County, London, Ontario on 3 March 1871. He resided at 16, Yarwood Street, St Thomas, Ontario prior to the war, where he was a physician. James enlisted at Calgary on 30 December 1915 into the Canadian Army Medical Corps, and was posted to France, joining the staff of the 1st Canadian General Hospital. On 8 September 1918 James was aboard the troopship S.S. Missanabie, which was on route from Liverpool for New York, when she was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-87, and sank with the loss of 45 lives. James died of wounds suffered that same day. He was 58 years old, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery, Wales. James is not commemorated at Milford.
William Henry Cornish Harris, Second Hand, SA/2441, Royal Naval Reserve. William was born on 21 November 1894, the son of William Henry Harris and Emma Harris, of 22, Warwick Road, Milford Haven. He served aboard H.M.S. Sabrina, a Medina Class Gunboat. William died of sickness whilst on active service, on 8 August 1916, aged 21, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Alec John Lee, Signaller, Z/7296, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Alec was the son of William Edward and Annie Martha Lee, of 12, Foots Row, Sleaford Street, Battersea, London, and served aboard SS Hirano Maru. Alec drowned when she was torpedoed and sunk near Freshwater, south of Ireland by UB91 on 4 October 1918, and his body must have been washed ashore, where he was taken for burial at Milford Haven Cemetery. Alec was 19 years old. Two of his shipmates are buried at Lamphey, after being washed up at Freshwater East.
Patrick Maloney, Private, 47349, Worcestershire Regiment. Patrick served with the 16th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment, which was a Home Service (Transport Workers) Battalion. He died at Milford on 31 October 1917 aged 44 and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Thomas Edward White, Trimmer, TS/5619, Royal Naval Reserve. Thomas was born in London on 4 March 1890 but had worked at Milford for several years prior to the war, residing with his wife Mary Ann White, at Norton Hill, Neyland. He had served at HMS Idaho, and survived the war, sadly dying on 20 August 1919 aged 38. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. Thomas does not seem to be commemorated locally.
World War Two, 1939-1945
Arthur Albert Brissenden, Ordinary Seaman, C/JX. 172816, Royal Navy. Arthur was the son of Sidney James Brissenden and Isabel Brissenden (Nee Harrison), of Sittingbourne, Kent. He served at HMS Vernon, the Admiralty Torpedo, Mining and Electrical Training Establishment, which had been based at Portsmouth, before heavy bombing saw it disperse around the country, and it became the Navy’s mine disposal and counter-measure expert. Early in the war the Germans began placing booby traps in some mines to counter attempts by Vernon’s staff to capture them. One exploded in a mining shed at Vernon on 6 August 1940, killing an officer and four ratings and seriously injuring a number of other personnel. Arthur wasn’t among the men involved in that tragedy. Later that month he was at sea fitting degaussing cables to a ship when he was washed overboard and drowned on 18 August 1940. He was 18 years old, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Arthur George Brown, Sapper, 14271135, Royal Engineers. Arthur was the son of Arthur and Elizabeth Brown, and the husband of Phyllis Jane Brown, of Hakin, Milford Haven. He died on 17 December 1945, aged 42, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
William James Buck, Master at Arms, D/M. 10529, Royal Navy. William was the Husband of Matilda Lavina Buck, of Milford Haven. He survived the war, but died of its effects on 10 December 1946, at the age of 61, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Peter Carrol, Engineman, LT/KX. 87902, Royal Naval Patrol Service. Peter was the son of Peter and Jessie Carrol, of Aberdeen, and the Husband of Jane Carrol, of Torry, Aberdeen. He served aboard HMS Star Of Liberty, an Admiralty Trawler. Peter became sick and died at Milford on 25 December 1940, aged 49, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Thomas Henry Albert Davies, Leading Aircraftman, 974475, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was the son of Albert and Beatrice Davies, of Milford Haven, and the Husband of Edith Laura May Davies, of Hakin, Milford Haven. He served in the RAFVR, and died on 25 July 1943 aged 32. Thomas is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
A. De Graaf, Schipper, Dutch Forces. This man was born on 24 September 1881, and died on 28 April 1941. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. He served with Western Approaches Command, based at Milford.
Victor Henry Dennis, 3972262, Royal Artillery. Victor was from Bermondsey, in London and served with 5 Battery, 3 Anti Aircraft Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery. He died at Milford on 7 July 1941, aged 22, and was buried in Milford Haven Cemetery. Victor was probably the son of Alfred Dennis and Annie Elizabeth Dennis (nee Metcalf), who were killed during an air raid on 25 October 1940.
Robert Donnelly, Fireman and Trimmer, Merchant Navy. Robert served aboard SS Pikepool, a West Hartlepool registered vessel. Robert drowned when Pikepool struck a mine in a gale, and sank almost immediately on 22 November 1940, with only five of her crew surviving. He was 53 years old, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Joseph Francis Edmondson, Able Seaman, D/JX. 169482, Royal Navy. Joseph was the son of Margaret Jane Hill, of Preston, Lancashire, and served at HMS President III, a Naval Gunnery training establishment. He died on 18 April 1941 and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
C. Goedknegt, Matroos, Dutch Forces. This man was born on 18 October 1904, and was another of the Dutch sailors based at Milford with Western Approaches Command. He died on 31 August 1942, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
J. Groeneveld, Sergeant Machinist, Dutch Forces. This man was born on 8 December 1898, and served with the Dutch Navy, based at Milford Haven under Western Approaches Command. He died on 17 May 1942, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Mathew Bruce Higgins, Lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Mathew was the son of Alfred Herbert and Winifred Alice Higgins, and the Husband of Josceline Higgins, of Etchingham, Sussex. He served aboard HM Trawler Courtier, which had been converted into a minesweeper. Mathew died on 20 December 1940, aged 34, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Robert Benjamin High, Leading Aircraftman, 967883, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Robert was the son of Reginald Robert High and Myrtle High (nee Blockwell), of Milford Haven. He trained as a Pilot with No 2 Flying Training School at RAF Brize Norton. On 20 September 1940 Robert was carrying out a blind flying exercise in Oxford P9039 when it collided with Avro Anson N9821 of No 6 Flying Training School, and crashed in a field North of Great Barington. The occupants of both aircraft were all killed. Robert was 21 years old when he died that day and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Stanley Charles David Hill, Leading Stoker, R/KX. 102256, Royal Navy. Stanley was the son of George Stanley and Eunice Lilian Hill, of Milford Haven, and served at HMS Cochrane, the Naval Base at Rosyth. Stanley died on 3 September 1946, aged 28, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
W. J. Jansen, Kok K.V., Dutch Forces. This man was born on 1 March 1906, and served as a Cook with the Dutch fleet, based at Milford Haven under Western Approaches Command. He died on 18 December 1943, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
N. G. Jarden, Seaman, Merchant Navy. This man died during the war, on 4 October 1944, but is not commemorated by the CWGC, even though he served with the Merchant Navy.
Bertie J. John, Fusilier, 4196003, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Bertie was the son of William and Emma John, of St. Ishmaels, and was a pre-war regular in the Army, serving with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. At the outbreak of war, the battalion was sent to France with the BEF, and Bertie must have been wounded there. He died at home on 15 August 1940, after the evacuation of Dunkirk, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Arthur Robert Jones, Aircraftman 1st Class, 1404449, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Arthur was the son of John and Jessie Jones, of Milford Haven, and the Husband of Martha Elizabeth Jones, of Hakin, Milford Haven. He served during the war with the RAF, and died on 21 December 1947 as a result of illness brought upon by his service. He was 38 years old, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
G. Klein, Kwartiermeester, Dutch Forces. This man was born on 8 September 1895, and was serving as Quartermaster with the Dutch Naval Forces based at Milford under Western Approaches Command. He died on 28 April 1941, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
William Ernest Kruper, Leading Stoker, V/54450, Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve. William was the son of Jessie Kruper, of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. He died on 8 May 1945, aged 21, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Raymond George Crane Lambert, Able Seaman, C/JXX 160978, Royal Navy. Raymond served aboard HM Rescue Motor Launch 529. Raymond survived the war, but died on 30 December 1946. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
R. Mapkokhc, Seaman, Greek Merchant Navy. This man was a Greek, and died on 6 July 1942. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Hugh John McGreevy, Able Seaman, D/JX. 146756, Royal Navy. Hugh was the son of Mrs. E. McGreevy, of Belfast, Northern Ireland, and served aboard HMS Artreus, a mine layer. Hugh died on 4 April 1940, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Robert McMurran, Chief Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. Robert served aboard the cargo ship SS Brightside. He died on 19 July 1943, aged 39, but is not commemorated by the CWGC. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Kabir Mian, Trimmer, Indian Merchant Navy. Kabir was the son of Massemullah, and the Husband of Baitu Bibi, of Guzarai, Sylhet, Pakistan. He was another member of the crew of SS Baron Belhaven, an Ardrossan registered passenger steamer, and died on 13 April 1941 aged 41. Kabir is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Nausha Mian, Fireman, Indian Merchant Navy. Nausha was the son of Hazim Muhammad and Manwara Bibi, and the Husband of Santija Bibi, of Taherlam, Sylhet, Pakistan. He was another of the crew of the SS Baron Belhaven, the Ardrossan registered passenger steamer, who died on 13 April 1941. He was 33 years old, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Siraj Mian, Fireman, Indian Merchant Navy. Siraj was the son of Samiruddin and Karimer Nessa, and the Husband of Chand Banu, of Mirjanagar, Noakhali, Pakistan. He was one of the four members of the crew of SS Baron Belhaven, the Ardrossan registered passenger steamer, who died on 13 April 1941, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. Siraj was 33 years old.
Osborne Charles Nickerson, Able Seaman, A/4429, Royal Canadian Navy Reserve. Osborne was the son of Walter and Matilda Nickerson, of Clyde River, Shelburne Co., Novia Scotia, Canada. He died on 6 December 1944, aged 26, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
A. Paotottoyaoc, Seaman, Greek Merchant Navy. This man was a Greek Merchant Seaman, and died on 6 July 1942. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
James William Peach, Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. James was the son of William and Mary Ellen Peach, of Tynemouth, Northumberland, and served aboard MV Donovania, a London registered vessel. She was sunk later in the war, but James died before this, on 28 August 1941, aged 24, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Robert Stanley Phillips, Aircraftman 1st Class, 1413590, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Robert was the son of George Pasco Phillips and Helen Georgina Phillips, and the Husband of Catherine Phillips, of Milford Haven. He survived the war, but died on 30 November 1945, aged 39, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Cornelius Octavius Regnart, MID, Commander, Royal Navy. Cornelius was the son of Mr. And Mrs. Clare Regnart, and the Husband of Frances Regnart, of Warminster, Wiltshire. Cornelius had been Mentioned in Despatches during the Great War, while serving aboard a Submarine. In World War Two he served aboard HMS Skirmisher. Cornelius died on 27 June 1941, aged 54, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Robert L. B. Robinson, Air Mechanic 2nd Class, FX.110214, Royal Navy. Little is known of this man, but he served at HMS Gosling, the Fleet Air Arm Training Establishment, and died on 4 July 1944, aged 24. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery, but is not commemorated by the CWGC.
L. Salomons, Matroos, Dutch Forces. This man was born on 15 December 1919, and served as a sailor with the Dutch forces based at Milford under Western Approaches Command. He died on 18 December 1943, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Thomas Reginald Scoble, Leading Seaman, LT/X. 21317A, Royal Naval Reserve. Thomas served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service during the war. He died on 11 June 1946, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Victor John Steward Silvester, Able Seaman, P/JX. 152202, Royal Navy. Victor was the son of John J. Silvester, and Mary Silvester, of Butlocks Heath, Hampshire. He served aboard the armed boarding vessel, HMS Lairds Isle, and died on 29 January 1941, aged 19. Victor is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Arthur Smith, Gunner, 5103428, Royal Artillery. Arthur was the son of James Thomas Smith and Mary Smith, Of Birmingham, and the Husband of Elsie Smith, of Kingstanding, Birmingham. He served with 1 Maritime Regiment, Royal Artillery. It is not known what ship Arthur died aboard, but he died on 28 March 1945, aged 37, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
J. Spaans, Matroos, Dutch Forces. J. Spaans was a Dutch Sailor, born on 28 October 1897. He died on 28 April 1941, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Eric Stanley, Skipper, Royal Naval Reserve. Eric was the son of Henry and Sarah Stanley, and the Husband of Mona Gertrude Stanley, of Hakin, Milford Haven. He died on 23 February 1944, aged 33, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Thomas Swingler, Boatswain (Bosun), Fishing Fleet. Thomas was the son of Thomas and Edith Swingler, of Hull, Yorkshire, and the Husband of Ida Isobel Swingler, of Hull. He served aboard SS Caliph, a Milford registered trawler. Thomas died, aged 53, on 4 November 1941, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
TT, Tamttoyahc, Seaman, Greek Merchant Navy. This man died on 6 July 1942, after the fall of Greece to Germany, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Kenneth Archibald Tester, Leading Motor Mechanic, P/MX. 99259, Royal Navy. Kenneth was the son of Richard A. Tester and Edith M. Tester, of Chichester, Sussex. He served aboard H.M. Motor Torpedo Boat 649. Kenneth drowned on 29 May 1943, aged 20, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Hasan Ullah, Fireman, Indian Merchant Navy. Hasan was the son of Nasratullah, and the Husband of Fooljan Bibi, of Budohimantpur, Sylhet, Pakistan. He served with the Indian Merchant Navy aboard SS Baron Belhaven, an Ardrossan registered passenger steamer. Hasan died, aged 41, on 13 April 1941, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
J. W. Van Buren Lensinck, Leutnant Ter Zee, Dutch Forces. This man was born on 26 July 1914, and served in the Dutch Navy. He died on 28 April 1941 and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
I. L. Vaneuville, Marin, Belgian Royal Navy. This man was a Belgian Marine, and died on 3 November 1940. He is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. He was probably wounded during the evacuation of Dunkirk.
M. Veermoote, Stuurman, Belgian Royal Navy. This man was a Belgian sailor, born on 2 February 1914. He died on 3 November 1940, and is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. He was probably wounded during the evacuation of Dunkirk.
Edward Walker, Stoker 1st Class, D/KX. 153047, Royal Navy. Edward served aboard HMS Northmark, a Fleet Reserve oiler, which had been captured from the Germans in 1945. Edward is buried at Milford Haven Cemetery.
Dawson Henry Wills, Seaman, LT/JX. 215001, Royal Naval Patrol Service. Dawson was from 27, Market Street, Falmouth, and served aboard HM Trawler Lady Estelle. She had been taken over by the Admiralty in January 1942, for use with the Royal Naval Patrol Service. Tragically, Dawson’s body was found floating in Milford Dock on 6 February 1942, near the end of the fish market by George Morris, a local diver. Dawson was 23 years old, and was buried at Milford Haven Cemetery. The verdict at the inquest was of accidental drowning.
Post WW2 Burials
J. T. Griffiths, Bombardier, Royal Artillery. His grave reads that he died on 6 September 1957, aged 23.
Martin Robert Plunkett, Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army. Martin’s grave reads that he was born on 3 March 1931, and died on 4 July 1976. He served in Korea and Vietnam.
