Whitland War Memorial

Whitland is an ancient market town, most well known for being the place where Hywell Dda sat in Parliament and created the first laws. The town is sited along the main A40 road from St Clears into Pembrokeshire, and is about six miles east of Narberth. The men of Whitland who fell during both World Wars are commemorated on two marble plaques which are displayed inside the memorial hall. There is an extra memorial in the Hall with photos of some of the men killed in the Great War, and there is a fine oil painting of Sapper David James, who was killed while serving with the Gloucesters. The Congregational Chapel in West Street also has a War Memorial, in the form of a Celtic Cross, which holds the names of its members who fell during both World Wars. Some of these men are on the main Memorials in the Hall, but some are not, and are marked as such below.

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The Great War, 1914-1918

Vincent Allen, Private, 16474, Welsh Regiment. Vincent was born in Whitland, but had moved with his family to Gloucester before the war. He enlisted at Caerphilly into the 10th battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was originally formed in the Rhondda Valley, attached to the 25th Division. The 10th Welsh then transferred to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. In the summer of 1915 the Battalion moved with the remainder of the Welsh Division to Morn Hill Camp, Winchester, where it completed its training and equipping, and embarked for France in December 1915, disembarking at Boulogne the same day. During the winter and spring of 1916 the Battalion held the line in the Armentières sector, and at the end of May 1916 moved South with the remainder of the 38th (Welsh) Division to the Somme area, in readiness for the First Battle of The Somme. The 38th Division were tasked with the taking of the infamous Mametz Wood, with the first attack going in on 7 July 1916. The Welshmen were mown down by heavy machine-gun fire, and forced to withdraw, after suffering terrible casualties. The next attack went in on 10 July 1916, and after two days of hand to hand fighting, the wood was cleared, but at the cost of over 5,000 casualties in the 38th (Welsh) Division. Vincent was Killed in Action during the attack on 10 July 1916. His body was never recovered. And so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France. Vincent is not commemorated on any Memorial in Whitland.

David John Price Davies, Gunner, RMA/11928, Royal Marine Artillery. David was born at Whitland on 13 July 1889, the son of David and Eliza Davies, later of 186, Battersea Park Road, London. David had enlisted prior to the war into the Royal Marine Artillery, and was posted aboard the Cruiser HMS Defence, part of the First Cruiser Squadron of the Royal Navy. HMS Defence had been built at Pembroke Dock, and was stationed in the Mediterranean at the outbreak of war. Upon her transfer to the First Cruiser Squadron, the Defence took part in the Battle of Jutland on 31 May, 1916, and was attacking the German Cruiser SMS Wiesbaden when she was struck by a salvo from a German Battlecruiser hidden in a bank of smoke. She blew up and sank immediately, taking down her entire crew of 903 men, including David Davies, who was 27 years old. He is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. David is not commemorated on either Memorial at Whitland.

John Davies, Corporal, 12295, South Wales Borderers. John was the son of Ben and Jane Davies, of Spring Gardens, Whitland. He enlisted at Brecon into the 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. During June 1915 the Division sailed for the Mediterranean, and moved to Alexandria. By 4 July, all units had moved to Mudros, preparatory for landing on Gallipoli, and between 6 and 16 July 1915 landed on Cape Helles and relieved the 29th Division. They left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove from 3 August 1915, taking part in the Battle of Sari Bair. John was wounded here, and died aboard a Hospital Ship on 11 August 1915, aged 16. He was buried at sea, and so is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. John is not commemorated on any of the Whitland Memorials.

John Harries Davies, Private, PS/8887, London Regiment. John was born in Whitland in 1894, the son of Benjamin and Amy Davies. At some time after the birth of his brother William in 1896 the family moved to Newark Farm, Hempsted, near Gloucester. John enlisted at Epsom into the army and was posted to the 20th (Blackheath and Woolwich) Battalion, London Regiment. The battalion was attached to 141 Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Regiment and landed in France on 10 March 1915. John joined the battalion in 1916 in time to take part in the Somme offensive. He was killed in action during the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on 20 July 1916, aged 21. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. John is not commemorated on any of the Whitland Memorials, but is commemorated at Hempsted.

Richard Davies, Private, 34034, South Lancashire Regiment. Richard was born in Whitland, the son of Thomas and Julia Ellen Davies. The family moved later to The Post Office, Goodwick. Richard enlisted at Fishguard into the Welsh Regiment, with the service number 2405, but must have been wounded at sometime, resulting in his transferring into the7th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, part of 56 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division had arrived in France in July, 1915 and saw considerable action during the Battle of Loos, before moving to the Somme area, where it attacked and took the village of La Boiselle. After a brief rest period, they took to the line again, fighting at Pozieres, and then spending time at the Ancre, where Richard was Killed in Action on 14 November 1916, aged 25. His body was lost in the terrible conditions in the Ancre valley, and he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. Richard is not commemorated on either Memorial, but is named on the Fishguard Memorial.

Evan Evans, Private, 14151, Somerset Light Infantry. Evan was born in Whitland, the son of Mary Evans. He enlisted at Merthyr Tydfil into the 6th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, which was attached to 43 Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. The Division arrived in Flanders during the summer of 1915, fighting at Hooge on 2 June 1915 onwards, where Evan was wounded, probably during the German ‘Liquid Fire’ attack. He was transported back to the Field Ambulance at Vlamertinghe, where he died of wounds on 28 June 1915. Evan is buried at Vlamertinghe Military Cemetery. Evan is not commemorated on either Memorial.

Bertram Louis Heil, Private, 355837, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Bertram was born in Bethnal Green, on 10 January 1895, the son of Joseph and Annie Heil. He was later fostered by Mrs. S. Archer, of 103, G Block, Queen’s Buildings, Collinson Street, London after both his parents died. Bertram then came to west Wales and worked for the Rowlands family at Glanmarlais Farm, Whitland for several years prior to the war. He enlisted at Melton, Suffolk on 24 April 1915 into the Welsh Horse Yeomanry with the service number 1159. The Welsh Horse was formed as a Welsh Cavalry unit, and fought at Gallipoli and in Palestine as a dismounted Pioneer Battalion, until 4 March 1917 when the battalion was merged with the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, forming the 25 Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, joining the newly formed 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division was not ready to fight in the First Battle of Gaza, but saw its first major action during the Second Battle of Gaza. The battle was a failure, and the EEF was re-organised under a new commander, Sir Edmund Allenby, before launching the Third Battle of Gaza on the night of 31 October 1917. This assault was launched along a winder front, running from Gaza to Beersheba, and this time the EEF prevailed, opening the door to Jerusalem. After the fall of Jerusalem the EEF continued its advance through the Jordan Valley. On 30 November 1917 the 25th RWF took part in an advance, during the Battle of Nabi Samwil. Bertram was killed in action that day, when advancing with a party of some 40 men which was counter-attacked by the Turks whilst pushing into the hills. The 22-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. Bertram is not commemorated on either Memorial at Whitland.

Peter William James, Driver, 42313, Royal Field Artillery. Peter was born in 1889, the son of William and Phoebe James, of Llanllyn, Hebron, Whitland. He worked as a Grocer’s Assistant in Merthyr Tydfil prior to the war and enlisted at Tonypandy into the Royal Field Artillery on 5 November 1914. He was posted to the 147th Brigade Ammunition Column, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 29th Division. Peter landed with the division on the Gallipoli peninsula on 3 April 1915 and would have taken part in some heavy fighting before being wounded on 30 April, suffering bullet wounds to his head and arm. He was evacuated to hospital at Port Said, where he was operated on, but died of his wounds on 2 July 1915, aged 28. Peter is buried in Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He is not commemorated at Whitland.

Richard Jenkins, Private, 201048, Welsh Regiment. Richard was the son of William and Elizabeth Jenkins, of Llawhaden, Narberth. He enlisted at Llanelli into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was part of 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. Richard survived the battalion’s time at Gallipoli, and moved to Egypt with them during the withdrawal from Gallipoli. After a year fighting Arab tribesmen in Egypt, the division moved into Palestine, and Richard was killed here, during the Second Battle of Gaza, on 20 April 1917. He was just 21 years old, and is buried at Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Egypt. Richard is commemorated on the Congregational Chapel Memorial.

Violet Isabel Johnson, Nurse, British Red Cross. Violet was born in London in 1892, the daughter of Benjamin and Isabel Johnson. Her father worked as a painter and glazier and by 1901 had moved his family to Llanboidy, before settling them at 3, King Edward Street, Whitland by 1911. Violet worked as a typist at Whitland prior to the war. Following the outbreak of war in August 1914, the British Red Cross set up a military hospital at Carmarthen, and on 29 December 1914 Violet took up employment there as a Ward Nurse and Kitchen Orderly. The hospital had come into use very early in the war, accepting soldiers who had been wounded during the retreat from Mons, and also took in Belgian, French and Australian troops among its patients. The work was hard and demanding for the many young women working there, and this work took its toll on Violets health. She died at home in Whitland on 9 July 1916, aged 24. Nothing further is known of Violet, as she is not commemorated as a casualty by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. She is also not commemorated on any local war memorial.

John Jones, Private, 23413, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born at Llansawel, the son of Evan and Ellen Jones. His parents later moved to Dolgellau, and John resided in Whitland prior to the war. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 76 Brigade, 3rd Division. The 10th RWF’s first action with the Division was during the actions of the St. Eloi craters, south of Ypres, during March 1916. John was badly wounded by gunshot wounds to his buttocks, and was brought to the No. 13 General Hospital at Boulogne on 1 April 1916. He died there of his wounds on 4 April 1916, aged 29. He is buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. John is not commemorated on either Memorial at Whitland.

James Ranger, Private, G/53571, Middlesex Regiment. James was the son of Caroline Selina Ranger, of 105, All Saints Street, Hastings. Prior to the outbreak of war, James lived in Whitland, enlisting at Carmarthen into the 1/8th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, part of 167 Brigade, 56th (London) Division. The Battalion had landed at Le Havre on 9 March, 1915, attached to the 28th Division, and fought at Ypres, before moving to the 8th Division on 23 June 1915, again in Flanders. On 9 February, 1916 they moved to the 56th Division, which took part in the Attack on Gommecourt in July 1916, as a diversionary measure to the main Somme Offensive. They remained on the Somme through 1917, moving to Arras in 1917, then to Ypres, where they fought at Langemark. They fought in the Battle of Cambrai in late 1917, and were in the Arras area when the German Spring Offensive hit, and were pushed back over the old Somme battlefields. The Division fought in the great advance of 1918, at the Canal Du Nord and at Cambrai, the pursued the retreating Germans back to the Selle and beyond. James was Killed in Action just days before the Armistice, on 7 November, 1918, aged only 21. He is buried at Hautrage Military Cemetery. James is not commemorated on either Memorial.

David Salmon, Private, 31204, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was born at Narberth, the son of John and Sarah Salmon, (and the brother of Evan below) of Lowlands, Narberth. He enlisted at Carmarthen with his brother, originally into the Royal Field Artillery, with consecutive service numbers 98763 and 98764. Both brothers then transferred into the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 22 Brigade, 7th Division. The Division had served on the Western Front since 7 August, 1914, and by early 1916 were stationed on the Somme. David was wounded in February 1916, and Died of Wounds on 6 February 1916 aged 21. He is buried at Point 110 New Military Cemetery, Fricourt. David is commemorated on the Congregational Chapel Memorial. He is also named, along with his brother Evan, on the St. Clears and Narberth Memorials.

Evan Salmon, Private, 31203, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Evan was born at Narberth, the son of John and Sarah Salmon, (and the brother of David above) of Lowlands, Narberth. He enlisted at Carmarthen with his brother, originally into the Royal Field Artillery, with consecutive service numbers 98763 and 98764. Both brothers then transferred into the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, part of 22 Brigade, 7th Division. The Division had served on the Western Front since 7 August, 1914, and by early 1916 were stationed on the Somme. Evan was killed in Action just a day after his brother, on 7 February, 1916 aged 23. He is buried at Corbie Communal Cemetery Extension. Evan is commemorated on the Congregational Chapel Memorial. He is also named, along with his brother David, on the St. Clears and Narberth Memorials. It must have been a terrible blow to their parents to hear of the loss of both their sons.

Daniel Thomas, Guardsman, 6995, Guards Machine Gun Regiment. Daniel was the son of Rowland and Elizabeth Thomas, of Tynewydd Rhydypark, Cwmfelyn, Whitland. He enlisted into the 5th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Regiment, part of the Guards Division, which had been formed in France on 10 May, 1918 by Royal Warrant, from the four Machine Gun Battalions of the Guards Division. Daniel was hospitalised in Spring 1918 with pneumonia, and sadly died on 7 July 1918, aged 21. He is buried at Caterham & Warlingham Burial Ground. Daniel is not commemorated on either Memorial.

David Thomas, Sergeant, 24219, Welsh Regiment. David was born in Whitland, and enlisted at Barry into the 16th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, part of 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during late 1915 and had spent the Winter being initiated into trench warfare around the Armentieres area, before moving south in June, 1916 to take part in the Battle of the Somme. The Division were tasked with the capture of the formidable Mametz Wood, and begun their attack on 7 July 1916, suffering many casualties. One of the casualties during the initial attack was David Thomas. His body was lost in the ensuing fighting over the Wood, and so he is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial. David is not commemorated on either Memorial.

Ernest and Mary Hannah Thomas, Civilians. Ernest was born in 1879, the son of David and Ann Thomas, of 16, St. John Street, Whitland. He worked as a builder for many years prior to the war before emigrating to Canada, and lived with his wife Mary Hannah Thomas, at 318, Notre Dame, Winnipeg. The couple had been home visiting their family in Whitland a number of times prior to the war and early in 1915 had decided to visit Whitland once more, travelling to New York to sail back to Britain aboard the SS Lusitania. By this time the Germans had declared unrestricted submarine warfare and notices had been posted in many American newspapers warning people against travelling on ocean liners, however the warnings were ignored, and Lusitania set sail from New York on 1 May 1915. On 7 May 1915 Lusitania was nearing safety, and was steaming past the Old Head of Kinsale off the south coast of Ireland, when she was struck by a torpedo which had been fired by the German submarine U-20. A secondary explosion caused the liner to begin to sink and listed heavily, making the launching of her lifeboats difficult. By the time she had gone down, only six of her 48 lifeboats had been launched. The cruiser HMS Juno was despatched from Cork Harbour immediately upon the receipt of an SOS from Lusitania, but was ordered to return to port. Aboard Lusitania were 1,266 passengers and a crew of 696, a combined total of 1,962 people. 1,201 lost their lives in the sinking. Among them were Ernest and his wife Mary Hannah Thomas. Ernest’s body was recovered and identified, before being buried in Cobh Old Church Cemetery, in grave 475, while the body of his wife was never identified. Neither of the young couple appear to be commemorated locally, although they are commemorated on the grave of Ernest’s parents at Carvan Chapel.

Levi Thomas, Private, 8226, South Wales Borderers. Levi was born at Cyffig, Whitland in 1884, the son of Daniel Thomas and Jane Thomas (née David). By 1891 the family was residing at Shop Back, Tavernspite. David worked as a stockman at Tavernspite and then as a Collier prior to enlisting at Pontypridd into the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers (2nd SWB) in 1903 and served with C Company. The 2nd SWB was based in Tientsin in China at the outbreak of war, where it took part in an operation alongside the Japanese army to force the German garrison from Tsingtao. The battalion embarked from Hong Kong on 4 December 1914 for Plymouth. Once back on British soil, it joined 87 Brigade, 29th Division at Rugby. On 17 March 1915 the battalion sailed from Avonmouth aboard the SS Canada for Alexandria, and on 25 April 1915 the entire division landed at Gallipoli. Levi was killed in action during the landings on Gallipoli that day. He was 31 years old, and is remembered on the Helles Memorial to the missing. Levi does not appear to be commemorated locally, but is most probably the only war casualty to have hailed from Tavernspite, which has no war memorial.

Hywel Penry Walters, Private, 228544, Royal Fusiliers. Hywel was born at Whitland in 1896, the son of John and Catharine Walters, of Brunant Farm. By 1911 the family had sold up and moved to Church Farm, Throwley, Faversham, Kent.Hywel enlisted into the Royal West Kent Regiment at Faversham, while his brother John enlisted into the East Kent Regiment (the Buffs). Hywel was then posted to the 1st Battalion, London Regiment, before joining the 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, which was in France attached to 111 Brigade, 37th Division. He probably joined the battalion after the early stages of the Somme offensive, in time to take part in the Battle of the Ancre. The division then moved in March 1917 and took part in the First Battle of the Scarpe, where it captured Monchy le Preux. They then took part in the Second Battle of the Scarpe, and the Battle of Arleux before moving north to Ypres. Hywel was killed in action following a German counter-attack against his battalions trenches just south of the Menin Road on 1 October 1917. He was 21 years old and was buried on the battlefield, but following the war his grave was exhumed and he was re-interred in Zantvoorde British Cemetery, Belgium. Hywel does not appear to be commemorated locally.

World War Two, 1939-1945

Benjamin Stanley Davies, Fusilier, 4201888, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Benjamin was born on 11 July 1914, the son of Thomas Davies and Anne Davies of New Pencraig, Efailwen, Whitland. He worked as a tunnel labourer prior to enlisting into the army and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The Battalion had suffered terribly during the German invasion of France, and the remnants were evacuated from Dunkirk. Back in the U.K., it was brought back up to strength by drafting in men from other Battalions of the R.W.F., and in 1942 they sailed to the Far East to face the Japanese invasion. After a brief stop in Cape Town they arrived in India in the Summer of 1942 and were employed in quelling the rebellion there at first. After some training in amphibious landing, the Battalion were sent to Burma, landing on Akyab Island. In March 1943 they moved to Donbaik where they had their first taste of battle against the Japanese. After suffering heavily, they managed to evade encirclement and were pulled out of Burma back to India, where they rebuilt and underwent further training. In 1944 the Japanese crossed the Chindwin River in Burma, and were advancing on Imphal and Kohima. The R.W.F., as part of 6 Brigade, 2nd Division, were rushed to the area during April, where they met the Japanese head on, finally winning the battle. After that, the Japanese were on the back foot, being pushed back by the advancing British troops, and it was during this period that Benjamin was posted as missing, presumed killed in action, on 29 September 1944. The 30-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar. Benjamin is not commemorated locally, but is possibly commemorated at Efailwen.

Benjamin Gwynmor Davies, Sergeant, 1704708, Royal Artillery. Benjamin was born on 26 December 1912, the son of Edwin Davies and Mary Davies (nee Williams), of Market Street, Whitland. He married Elsie Mary Edwards prior to the war and by 1939 the couple were residing at 18, Glenalla Road, Llanelli, where Benjamin worked as a manager in a grocery store. Benjamin enlisted into the Royal Artillery in 1941 and was posted to Egypt, where he met his brother Eddie, who was serving there with the Royal Air Force. Benjamin most likely saw active service in North Africa until becoming posted to India and was attached to the 22nd Anti-Tank Regiment, West African Artillery, which was attached to the Royal West African Frontier Force. Benjamin was killed in action in India on 13 April 1945. The 32-year-old was originally buried in Riazmunshir, near Fenny, in Bengal, but in 1946 the war graves in the cemetery were exhumed and re-interred in Maynamatti War Cemetery, Bangladesh. Benjamin is commemorated on the Memorial Hall.

Myrddin L. Davies, Royal Engineers. The memorial contains the name of this man, who reportedly served with the Royal Engineers. There was no such man, and also no-one close to matching these details, and the closest matches are the two men below, Charles Llewellyn Davies, Royal Engineers; Myrddin Charles Davies, Royal Navy. The former is the closest match serving with the Royal Engineers, and the latter the closest matching name:

Charles Llewellyn Davies, Sapper, 14527401, Royal Engineers. The Memorial shows a Myrddin L. Davies, but the only possible match for this is Charles Llewellyn Davies. Not much is known of him, but he resided at Stammers Road, Saundersfoot prior to the war. He died at Swansea on 5 September 1947, aged 23, and is buried at St. Issells Cemetery. He is commemorated in the Memorial Hall?

Dalis George Davies, Pilot Officer, 48776, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Dalis was the son of Benjamin and Annie Davies, of Whitland. Dalis must have been an experienced pilot, as he was sent to Canada to become a Pilot Instructor, through the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan and joined No. 33 Elementary Flying Training School, at Caron. This scheme in Canada produced thousands of well-trained aircrew, more than enough to keep the various air forces of the Commonwealth supplied with men throughout the course of the war, but thousands died whilst training in Canada. Dalis was killed whilst performing aerobatics during a solo flight, when he crashed into the ground near Lake Valley, Saskatchewan on 8 September 1942. The remains of the 24-year-old were recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Caron Municipal Cemetery, Ontario. Dalis is commemorated in the Memorial Hall and at Whitland Grammar School.

Myrddin Charles Davies, Stoker 2nd Class, D/KX132031, Royal Navy. Myrddin was born at Blaengarw on 5 April 1922, the son of Jenkyn William Davies and Irene May Davies (nee Charles). He enlisted into the Royal Navy and after completing his training as a stoker was posted aboard the Tribal Class Destroyer HMS Matabele. On 17 January 1942 Matabele was part of the escort screen for Convoy PQ-8, which was bound for Murmansk, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-454, with the loss of all but two of her crew of 238 men. Myrddin was 18 years old and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, England.

Norman Davies, Lance Bombardier, 842041, Royal Artillery. Norman was born in 1915, the son of Evelyn Blanche Davies. His mother married Walter Joseph Mansfield, of Garden House, Trewern, Whitland, in 1924 and Norman was raised as his son. He had enlisted into the 8th Field Regiment, Royal Artillery, which formed part of the 6th Division during the beginning of WW2, but were sent to the Middle East, where they were attached to the Australian forces at Mersa Matruh. In September, 1940 the Italians invaded Egypt, with the intention of taking the oil fields of North Africa, but after some initial success they met their match against the Allies, and the intervention of Germany was needed. Norman was killed in action in North Africa on 24 November 1940. The 25-year-old was originally buried in Mersa Matruh Cemetery, but in May 1944 his grave was exhumed and Norman was re-interred in El Alamein War Cemetery. Norman is commemorated in the Memorial Hall.

Thomas Eric Davies, Leading Aircraftman, 1832131, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was born on 13 July 1923, the son of John Albert Davies and Mary Davies (nee Phillips), of Lan Mill, Narberth. He was still studying when war broke out, but enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was then posted to 9 Initial Training Wing, at Stratford-upon-Avon, for technical training. Sadly Thomas drowned whilst swimming in the River Avon on 6 July 1943. The body of the 19-year-old was recovered from the river, and he was brought home to be buried Lampeter Velfrey, in Bryn Sion Congregational Chapelyard. Thomas is not commemorated on either Memorial at Whitland, but is named on the Lampeter Velfrey Memorial.

Gwyn Edwards, Lieutenant, Monmouthshire Regiment. Gwyn was born on 7 March 1909, the son of David Edwards, and of Asenath Mary Edwards (nee Grier), of Henllan-Amgoed, Whitland. He worked as a refrigeration engineer at Swansea prior to the war. Gwyn then left his job to enlist into the army and was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion, the Monmouthshire Regiment, which was a Territorial Battalion that had been mobilised at the outbreak of war. The Battalion were trained in Northern Ireland for the first two years of war, and returned to England in 1941, where it remained until June, 1944, when it was moved to France as part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Battalion moved into battle positions near the River Odon, and prepared to launch an offensive against the enemy. Gwyn was killed in action here, on 30 June 1944. The 35-year-old was originally buried at Vigor-le-Grand, but in March 1945 his grave was exhumed and he was re-interred in Bayeux War Cemetery, France. Gwyn is commemorated in the Memorial Hall.

Emrys Evans, Pilot Officer, 119172, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Emrys was born in Whitland on 14 May 1917, the son of Gwilym Evans and Anne Evans (nee Thomas). The family resided at Johnstown, Carmarthen, prior to the war. Emrys had graduated from University with a B.Sc. from the Welsh Board of Education, before enlisting into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and after completing his training as an Air Gunner was commissioned as Pilot Officer from Flight Sergeant on 21 March 1942, before being posted to 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The Squadron had formed at Alconbury in 1942 as a medium bomber squadron, flying the Vickers Wellington Mark III, and operated with No. 3 Group. On the night of 30 May 1942 a massive raid was launched by Bomber Command on Cologne, with some 1,047 aircraft taking to the sky. Emrys took off from Alconbury aboard a Vickers Wellington, Serial X3598, under the command of Pilot Officer Bain DFC. Of the aircraft that left England, 898 aircraft managed to drop their deadly cargoes on the city, causing terrible fires. Emrys and his crew had successfully dropped their bombs but on the return leg of the raid were intercepted and shot down over Holland by a German night-fighter, crashing into the Oosterschelde at 00.35 on the morning of 31 May 1942. Emrys and his five other crew-mates died in the resulting crash. The remains of the 25-year-old and his fellow crewmen were recovered from the wreckage and were buried besides each other in Bergen-op-Zoom German Military Cemetery. In April 1946 the Allied war graves within the cemetery were exhumed and re-interred in Bergen-Op-Zoom War Cemetery, Netherlands. Emrys is commemorated in the Memorial Hall.

John Emrys Evans, Pilot Officer, 61954, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was born in 1920, the son of Dewi Evans and Laura Ellen Evans (nee Davies), of the Emporium, Whitland. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer and after completing his training as a pilot was posted to 10 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a Bomber Command unit, based at RAF Leeming, in Yorkshire. On 8 August 1941 John took off from RAF Leeming aboard Armstrong Whitworth Whitley V, Serial Z6815, which joined a large bomber force sent to destroy targets in Kiel. The Whitley was shot down that night, possibly by a German night fighter, near the target area, and crashed, killing all its crew. John was 21 years old when he was killed during the crash. He has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, whilst all of his fellow crewmen are buried in Kiel War Cemetery, Germany. The photograph of John is courtesy of Eluned Morgan MS.

Ivor Evans, Fusilier, 3963528, Royal Scots Fusiliers. Ivor was born on 6 March 1917, the of Benjamin Evans and Elizabeth Jane Evans (nee Lewis), of 3, Park Street, Whitland. He married Lilian Ann Browning, a nurse, at Barry in 1941 and the couple briefly set up home at Cardiff where their two children were born. Ivor originally enlisted into the Welch Regiment, but was later transferred to the 6th Battalion, Royal Scots Fusiliers, which was attached to the 15th (Scottish) Division. The division landed in Normandy after D-Day, and took part in the fighting to break out from the beach head. Towards the end of July the 15th (Scottish) Division relieved the US 5th Division, then launched Operation Bluecoat, to aid a US breakout offensive. Ivor was killed during the securing of the high ground of Mont Pinçon, on 4 August 1944. The 27-year-old was originally buried at Montcharivel, but in February 1946 his grave was exhumed and he was re-interred buried in Bayeux War Cemetery, France.

Gordon Wreford Griffiths, Leading Aircraftman, 1315678, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Gordon was born in 1921 the son of Alfred Griffiths and Winifred Ann Griffiths (nee Wreford). The family, from Pembrokeshire, had lived at Whitland for several years prior to the war, due to Alfred’s work as a wagon examiner for the Great Western Railway. Gordon enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was posted to No 3 Service Flight Training School at South Cerney, in Gloucestershire for pilot training. On 26 October 1941, Gordon was carrying out a routine training flight, piloting an Airspeed Oxford I, Serial R6072, when it collided with Oxford N6267 of the same unit and crashed to the ground. Gordon was just 20 years old when he was killed that day. His body was recovered from the wreckage, and he was buried in Llanwnda Cemetery, Goodwick. Gordon is commemorated on both memorials.

Reginald Allenby Douglas Griffiths, 6402909, Royal Sussex Regiment. Reginald was born on 19 December 1917, the son of Dan Griffiths and Margaret Griffiths (nee Roberts), of Lan, Whitland. He worked as a heavy labourer, laying pipework in Yorkshire prior to the war and was lodging at Wesley House, Holderness when war erupted. Reginald then enlisted into the army and was posted to the 4th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment. The Battalion was part of the B.E.F. in France at the outbreak of war, and was evacuated from Dunkirk in May 1940 after suffering heavy losses. In May 1942 the Battalion sailed to North Africa, as part of the 44th Division, and landed at Suez in July 1942, joining the 8th Army. The battalion then fought the Afrika Corps at Alan El Haifa, before joining the 10th Armoured Division. The Battle of El Alamein started on 23 October 1942, and on 27 October the Sussex were ordered to capture Woodcock. The battalion successfully advanced two miles into the German lines, but suffered heavy casualties. Reginald was posted as wounded and missing at sometime between 27 and 28 October 1942. The remains of the 24-year-old were later discovered and he was buried on the battlefield. In May 1943 his grave was exhumed and Reginald was re-interred in El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt. Reginald is commemorated in the Memorial Hall, and is also on the Pendine Roll of Honour, and the Red Roses Memorial.

John Wynford Marsh Jones, Flight Sergeant, 1062633, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was born on 2 January 1906, the son of Esther Jones, of 11 Park Street Whitland. He married Mary Auld Russell Young, the daughter of Robert Young, of the Gas Works, Whitland at Dursley on 10 February 1932. John enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as a pilot, gaining his flying certificate at Lincolnshire Aero Club on 28 August 1939. He was then posted to 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which had been reformed in 1936 due to the growing German threat. The squadron was based in France at the outbreak of war, as part of the Advanced Air Strike Force, equipped with the obsolete Fairey Battle, but was withdrawn in June 1940 when the situation in France became critical. After spells at RAF Abingdon and Newton, the squadron took up permanent residence at R.A.F. Elsham Wolds in July 1941, as part of 1 Group, Bomber Command. By now it had been re-equipped with the Vickers Wellington, and was taking part in the 1,000 bomber raids on Nazi Germany. In July 1942 the squadron was re-equipped with the Handley Page Halifax, but they proved to be not up to the job, and after heavy losses the squadron converted to Avro Lancasters three months later. The squadron now took part on bombing missions over the industrial Ruhr Valley. On the night of 22 June 1943 John took off from RAF Elsham Wolds aboard an Avro Lancaster I, Serial ED773, as part of a 557 aircraft raid on Mulheim. The town was almost completely destroyed, but John’s Lancaster was shot down and crashed near the church of Téteghem, Nord, Hauts-de-France on the return journey the following morning, 23 June 1943, killing all her crew of eight men. The remains of John’s seven fellow crewmen were recovered from the wreckage and buried in Dunkirk Tow Cemetery, but the 37-year-old John has no known grave so is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. John is commemorated on both Memorials at Whitland and is also commemorated on the Scunthorpe War Memorial.

William Francis Lanfear, Gunner, 3963334, Royal Artillery. William (Billy) was born in 1920, the son of Thomas Francis Lanfear and Elizabeth Anne Lanfear (nee Francis), of Whitland. He enlisted into the Royal Artillery and was posted to the 4th Maritime Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. The Maritime Regiments were used as Anti Aircraft gunners aboard Merchant Vessels such as this, and served in some of the most dangerous theatres of war, such as the Arctic, Malta and Atlantic Convoys. Billy served aboard the SS Empire Wildebeeste, which was a 5,600 ton steamship. On 24 January, 1942 the ship was taking part in one of the Atlantic Convoys (Convoy ON-53), bound from Hull to the United States. The convoy was spotted just North West of Bermuda by the German Submarine U-106, Captained by Hermann Rasch, and he fired a spread of torpedoes at the Empire Wildebeest. She sank within minutes of the torpedo strike, and only 34 men survived the sinking. They were rescued by the American Destroyer USS Lang some days later. Billy was one of the men who died when the Empire Wildebeest sank. The 21-year-old has no known grave but the sea, so is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Billy is commemorated in the Memorial Hall.

Dyfrig George Morgan, Able Seaman, D/SSX26145, Royal Navy. Dyfrig was born in Llandilofawr on 28 February 1921, the son of William and Mabel Morgan (nee George). His father worked for the Great Western Railway, and by 1936 the family had moved to Pontloerig, Whitland. Dyfrig enlisted into the Royal Navy as a young man and by the time war erupted was serving aboard the Tribal Class destroyer HMS Matabele, which had been completed on 25 January 1939. Matabele served in the 6th Destroyer Flotilla, and fought during the Battle of Norway in 1940 and on the Arctic Convoys in 1941 and 1942. She saw varied service, being an escort to various Commando landings, and was used for anti submarine duties, as well as convoy escort work. During January 1942 Matabele was nominated for escort work on Convoy PQ8 from Iceland to Murmansk. The convoy departed from Iceland on 11 January, then on 17 January 1942, just one day away from Murmansk, came under attack by the German submarine U-454. The U-Boat first sank the Russian trawler RT-68 Enisej, then later that afternoon the merchant ship Harmatis was hit by a single torpedo and taken in tow by the minesweeper HMS Speedwell. Matabele provided an escort as the rest of the convoy continued on ahead, but the U-Boat soon came into position and hit Matabele in the stern with a single torpedo. The explosion set of a massive explosion in the ships magazine which caused her to sink in less than two minutes. Sadly the majority of the survivors who jumped overboard into the freezing sea, were killed by ensuing explosions from the sinking ship, while more died as a result of the freezing sea temperature. Of some 238 men aboard Matabele, only two survived. Dyfrig was killed with the loss of Matabele that day. The 20-year-old has no known grave but the sea, so is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Dyfrig is commemorated in the Memorial Hall.

Parry Glyn Morgan, Signalman, 2334207, Royal Signal Corps. Parry was born on 20 November 1919, the son of Henry David and Lilian Edith Maud Morgan, of Compton House, Llanfallteg. He lodged at Aeron, Whitland prior to the war and worked for the Great Western Railway as a telegraphist and railway clerk. Upon enlisting into the army, Parry was posted to the Royal Corps of Signals, along with his brother Walter, and embarked for the Far East to join Malaya Command. When Parry arrived in Thailand, the British were in a state of readiness as Japanese aggression against China was at a high. At the beginning of December 1941 the Japanese launched simultaneous attacks on Pearl Harbour, Malaya, Thailand and Burma and heavy fighting ensued. Thailand itself was attacked on 8 December, the day after Pearl Harbour, and after several hours of fighting the Thai Government surrendered, allowing the Japanese safe passage through the country to Burma and Malaya. Parry was taken Prisoner by the Japanese in Thailand on 15 February 1942, and was marched, alongside thousands of other POW’s, to the POW base at Kanburi, where the men were distributed to other camps from which they would build the Burma Railway. Parry died of malnutrition and dysentery whilst working on the Burma Railway, on 9 June 1943. The 23-year-old was buried in the POW Camp at Tamakan, but in January 1946 his grave was exhumed and he was re-interred in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, near Kanburi, in Thailand. His brother Walter had died in 1940. He is commemorated at Henllan Amgoed and in Whitland Memorial Hall.

James Edward O’Brien, Sapper, 4208432, Royal Engineers. James, or Jimmy as he was known, was born in 1922, the son of Patrick O’Brien and Fanny O’Brien (nee Giles), of Delphin, Cyffig. He served in the 1024 Docks Operating Company, Royal Engineers. The men of the Company consisted of the various trades required to operate a dockyard, crane drivers, forklift drivers, engine drivers and so on. Jimmy was possibly an engine driver with the GWR, which led to his being called up into the Royal Engineers, and he served with them in North Africa, but was posted as missing, believed killed, in Tunisia on 4 August 1943. No trace of the 20-year-old was ever found, so he is commemorated on the Medjez-el-Bab Memorial, 60 km west of Tunis. Jimmy is commemorated in the Memorial Hall, and is also on the Pendine Roll of Honour and Red Roses Memorial.

Leslie George Islwyn Owen, Sergeant, 1288474, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Leslie was born on 26 May 1917, the son of Hugh Vaughan Owen and Rowena Lilian Owen (nee Lawrence), of Hazel Grove, Red Roses. After leaving school, Leslie became a Chemist’s Assistant and lodged at 14, Spring Gardens, Narberth. Leslie enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after completing his training as an Observer was posted to 148 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron had formed at Scampton as a long range medium bomber unit in 1937. By March 1939 the Squadron were armed with Vickers Wellingtons, and moved to R.A.F. Harwell, then moved to Malta in December 1940 from where it flew valuable bombing raids over North Africa. The squadron then moved again, to RAF Kabrit, in Egypt, to support the campaign in the Western Desert. On 8 July 1942 Leslie took off from Kabrit aboard a Vickers Wellington Ic, Serial T2985, under the command of Flying Officer Frank Tribe, as part of a bomber force despatched to strike targets in Tobruk Harbour. The Wellington was damaged during the raid and crashed some ten miles Southwest of Shallufa whilst attempting to return to Kabrit, killing all six of her crew. The graves of the crew were located in the desert in 1950 and all six men were buried in a collective grave in Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt. Leslie was 25 years old. He is not commemorated on either Whitland Memorial, but is on the Pendine Roll of Honour and the Red Roses Memorial.

David Parry Thomas, Fusiliers, 4197603, Royal Welch Fusiliers. David was born in 1917, the son of John and Esther Thomas, of Whitland. He enlisted into the army and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion was a Regular Army unit and was attached to the 6th Infantry Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. It served in France in 1940, seeing heavy fighting during the withdrawal to Dunkirk, then spent two years in Britain rebuilding and re-equipping. On 15 April 1942 the 2nd Division sailed from England to reinforce the Eighth Army in the Western Desert, however with growing civil unrest in India, the convoy was diverted to the Far East, arriving in July 1942. In November the 6th Infantry Brigade was detached from the 2nd Division and joined the Arakan Campaign alongside Indian Army units. In June 1943 the brigade returned to the 2nd Division, which was still in India. In March 1944 Japanese forces invaded India and the 2nd Division was thrown into heavy fighting at Kohima, which had been besieged by the Japanese. The action became known as the Stalingrad of the East due to the ferocity of fighting on both sides, that helped to turn the tide of the campaign in the South East Asian theatre. At the end of the War in the East, the 2nd Division moved back to India on Garrison duties. Sadly David, who had survived the horrific fighting at Kohima, died as a result of an accident in Kirkee on 9 December 1945. The 25-year-old was buried in Kirkee War Cemetery, India. David is commemorated in the Memorial Hall.

Denzil Jonah Thomas, Leading Aircraftman, 651354, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Denzil was born at Cardigan on 10 August 1920, the son of Thomas Thomas and Hannah Thomas (nee James). The family had moved to Whitland by 1921, when Denzil’s sister was born. Denzil enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was posted to the Middle East, to join 30 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron had originally been formed in Ismailia in 1915, but prior to the outbreak of the Second World War was in Iraq. The squadron then moved to Egypt by 1938, flying the Bristol Blenheim and was ideally situated to play an active part in the fighting in North Africa when war erupted. The squadron initially flew bomber escort duties in North Africa, and moved to Greece when invasion was imminent, but when Greece fell to the Germans, the squadron was hurriedly evacuated to Crete, being stationed at Maleme Airfield. On 20 May 1941, the Germans attacked Crete, firstly by bombing the island, then by launching a paratrooper assault, with squadrons of Junkers 88 transport planes dropping scores of elite German Paratroopers near the airfield. Heavy fighting rapidly ensued as the Germans took possession of Maleme, in order to allow further reinforcements to land safely. Denzil was killed during the land battle for Maleme airfield on 20 May 1941. The 20-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial, Egypt. Denzil is commemorated in the Memorial Hall, and is also on the Llanboidy Memorial.