Llangorwen is a small village situated a mile north of Aberystwyth, near to Clarach Bay. The village is served by All Saints Church, inside which are two War Memorials; a marble plaque, with an additional panel beneath, commemorates the men who fell during both World Wars, while a separate wooden panel commemorates the men who served during the Great War, but survived.

The Great War, 1914-1918

Thomas Rees Davies, Gunner, 164773, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was born in 1886, the son of Thomas and Margaret Davies, of Blaenddol Cottages, Llangorwen. He enlisted at Aberystwyth into the Royal Artillery, and was posted to France with A Battery, 165th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 31st Division. In March 1916 the division moved to France, and saw its first major action at the Battle of Albert in July 1916. The division moved back into the line in November 1916 and took part in the Battle of the Ancre, and then wintered on the Ancre, until moving to Arras the following year. Here it fought at the Third Battle of the Scarpe, and helped in the capture of Oppy Wood. At the beginning of 1918 the Division was in the St. Quentin sector, and became one of the Divisions hit by the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918, taking part in heavy fighting during the withdrawal towards Arras. Thomas was killed by a shell on 21 April 1918. He was 31 years old, and is buried in St. Amand British Cemetery, France. He is also commemorated on a memorial at Noddfa Chapel, Bow Street.

John Charles Jenkins, Private, 33234, South Wales Borderers. John was the son of David and Anne Scott Jenkins, of Alltg’ais, Clarach. He enlisted at Abertillery into the South Wales Borderers, and was posted to France, joining the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. On 4 December 1915 the battalion moved to France, and the entire Division moved to the Fleurbaix sector, where it was initiated into trench warfare. During June 1916 the Division marched south to the Somme, and on 7 July 1916 attacked Mametz Wood. The initial attack failed, and it was three days later, on 10 July, that a fresh attack was mounted. After two days of heavy hand to hand fighting within the wood, the Germans withdrew, and the battered Welshmen moved via Hébuterne to Boesinghe, on the Yser Canal, where it remained until launching its attack on Pilckem Ridge on 31 July 1917. John was killed in action during the successful capture of Pilckem Ridge, on 31 July 1917. He was 35 years old, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

World War Two, 1939-1945

Henry Morris James, Fusilier, 14531265, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Henry was the son of William and Elizabeth James of Talybont, and the husband of Jennie Edith James, of Bow Street. He served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion served in the Far East, in India, and then in the campaign in Burma. Henry was killed in Burma on 6 May 1944. He was 37 years old, and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar. The photograph is courtesy of Tony Beck.

Llangorwen War Memorial, Those Who Served in the Great War

THE GREAT WAR 1914-1919

ROLL OF HONOUR

OF THOSE FROM THE PARISH OF

LLANGORWEN WHO FOUGHT FOR

FREEDOM RIGHT AND JUSTICE.

 1914                                                                                       1916

 D. DAVIES                                                                            C. H. BAILEY

 J. M. EDWARDS                                                                 T. O. JAMES

 J. R. HUGHES                                                                      W. J. JAMES

 D. Ll. JENKINS                                                                                    G. M. JENKINS

 A. R. JENKINS                                                                                     R. JONES

 E. H. JENKINS                                                                                     J. R. LEWIS

 R. T. JENKINS                                                                                     D. J. MORGAN

 T. D. JENKINS                                                                                     R. E. ROBERTS

 E. R. JENKINS                                                                     1917

 G. J. JONES                                                                         H. BAYNAM

 R. E. JONES                                                                         D. M. JENKINS

 S. E. MAGOR                                                                      J. L. JONES

 1915                                                                                       T. J. JONES

 P. M. CHARLES                                                                  W. RICHARDS

 P. GUNN                                                                              1918

 G. HARPER                                                                          G. HARVEY

 B. F. MAGOR                                                                      D. J. JAMES

 J. PHILIP                                                                               T. JENKINS

 J. ROBERTS

THIS TABLET WAS GIVEN BY THE

CONGREGATION OF THIS CHURCH.