Llandyssul (Pren Gwyn Chapel) War Memorial
Carmel Welsh Independent Chapel, also known as Pren Gwyn Chapel, is situated at Pontsian Road, Llandysul. The Chapel was originally built in 1819, and contains a fine marble war memorial plaque, which commemorates the members of its congregation who fell during the Great War. The photograph of the memorial was kindly supplied by Mike Berrell.
The Great War, 1914-1918
David Davies, Private, 38384, Welsh Regiment. David was the son of James Davies, of Blaengloewonfach, Talgarreg. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the Welsh Regiment, and landed in France on 16 December 1915, being posted to the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The division was still in the Loos sector, and moved to the Somme early in 1916, where it was tasked with being the reserve division for the assault on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July 1916. The division famously captured La Boiselle, and after a brief rest took part in the attack on Contalmaison on 7 July 1916. David was among 35 men killed during the attack by the 9th Welsh that day. He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
John Davies, Private, 29566, South Wales Borderers. John was born on 24 July 1895, the Son of Mrs. Hannah Davies, of 3, Marble Terrace, Llandyssul. He enlisted at Brecon into the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which were attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division moved to France in July 1915 and fought at the Battle of Loos, then moved to the Somme, where they took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle, capturing the village at heavy cost, and fought through the Somme Battles of Pozières and the Ancre in 1916. They then moved North to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcappelle and Passchendaele Village itself. In 1918 they were caught up in the German Spring Offensive near St. Quentin, where they suffered terrible casualties, and fought at the Battle of Bapaume. They moved to Ypres, but were caught up in the German attack at Messines, and at Bailleul, and Kemmel. After suffering terribly again, they moved South to the quieter French sector to rebuild, but were caught up in the German offensive on the Aisne. John was wounded during the Battle of the Aisne, and died of wounds on 12 June 1918. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Sezanne Communal Cemetery, France.
John Osbourne, Able Seaman, Z/3613, Royal Navy. John was born on 9 November 1897, the son of Walter and Elizabeth Osborne, of 74, Moors Cottages, Crockenhill, Swanley Junction, Kent. He resided at Cwmmarch, Llandyssul prior to the war, and served with the Royal Navy, aboard the SS Madame Renee. John was drowned when the ship was sunk off Scarborough by a German U-Boat on 10 August 1918. He was just 19 years old, and is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
Cyril Robinson, Lance Sergeant, 21968, Welsh Regiment. Cyril was born in Poplar, Middlesex, and prior to the war resided at Fronwen, Llandyssul. He enlisted at Llandyssul into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had been one of the first to arrive in France, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and taking part in the retreat to the Marne, where the Germans were stopped. They then fought at the Aisne, and at Chivy, before being moved North to Ypres. Here they fought at the First Battle of Ypres, where they again stopped the German Offensive, before wintering in Flanders. The following year saw them in action again at the Battle of Aubers, before moving South to Loos, where they fought during the Battle of Loos, and the action at the Hohenzollern redoubt. Again they were required for a major offensive, moving South to the Somme, where they fought during the opening of the Somme Offensive at the Battle of Albert, then at Bazentin, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette and Morval. Cyril was wounded after the Somme battles had drawn to a close, and died of wounds on 28 December 1916, aged 21. He is buried at Dernancourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
William Henry Russen, Private, 21969, Welsh Regiment. William was born in Marylebone early in 1895, and resided at Cwmmarch, Llandyssul prior to the war. He served with the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was a home service battalion, used for reinforcing the Welsh Battalions on the Western Front. William died of lockjaw in Carmarthen Infirmary on 25 October 1915, after cutting his leg during a riding accident. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Carmarthen Cemetery.
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Website News
6 Dec 2018. Another piece of good news today, another Welsh soldier has been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my research: George Henry Downer, of Swansea. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
5 Dec 2018. Some more great news today, another four Welsh soldiers have been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my work: Richard Cook, of Newport; Daniel Oscar Evans, of Ystrad; Evan Ivor Isaac Jenkins, of Llanelli; and William John Jones, of Abercarn. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
16 Nov 2018. Again I'm pleased to say that another two Welsh soldiers have been accepted for commemoration today: William Arthur Hopkins, of Talywain; and William Henry Hopkins, of Cymmer. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
15 Nov 2018. Some more great news today that another two Welsh soldiers have been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my work: Sam Cooper, of Trevethin; and Thomas William George, of Swansea. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
14 Nov 2018. Great news today that another four Welsh soldiers have been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my research: Godfrey Dorey, of Neath; John Garvin, of Pontypool; Stanley Griffiths, of Swansea; and William Price, of Abergavenny. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
13 Nov 2018. More great news, the CWGC have accepted another Welsh soldier for commemoration today as a result of my work: Thomas John Hale, of Newport, Mon. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
10 Nov 2018. Great news today that another three Welsh soldiers have been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my work: Richard Charles, of Neath; David Evan Gough, of Merthyr; and William Jones, of Rhyl. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
19 Oct 2018. Some more great news today, after having received confirmation that another three Welsh soldiers have been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my research: Archibald Casswell; Sidney Coker; and Thomas John Joseph, all Swansea men. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
17 Oct 2018. Some great news again today after having received confirmation that another four Welsh servicemen have been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my research: Samuel Brooks, of Swansea; David Humphreys, of Pontypool; David Jenkin Jones, of Llwydcoed; and Tudor Emlyn Jones, of Swansea. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
16 Oct 2018. Have today received confirmation that another Welsh serviceman has been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my research: William Henry Lippitt, of Llanhilleth. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
12 Oct 2018. Some great news today that another two Welsh soldiers have been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my research: David Morgan Jenkins, of Swansea; and Jenkin Robert Lewis, of Llanelli. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
6 Mar 2018. Some more good news today that yet another Welsh soldier, Thomas David Rees, of Whitchurch, Cardiff, has been accepted as a war casualty by the CWGC as a result of my work. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
3 Mar 2018. Good news today that another Welsh soldier, Reginald Wilfred Collard, of Whitchurch, Cardiff, has been accepted as a war casualty by the CWGC as a result of my work. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
26 Feb 2018. The second volume of my latest book 'The Welsh at War' has been published today and is available from all good bookshops. Please see the Steve's Books page for details.
23 Feb 2018. Some good news today that another local man, Gwilym Bennett, of Llanelli, has been accepted as a war casualty by the CWGC as a result of my work. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
5 Feb 2018. The first volume of my latest book 'The Welsh at War' has been published today and is available from all good bookshops. Please see the Steve's Books page for details.
27 Jan 2018. Some good news again, that Thomas Arthur Edward Pugsley, of Ynysboeth, has recently been accepted by the CWGC for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my work. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
22 Jan 2018. I have received news that a sailor from Swansea, James Carne, who I had researched, has been accepted for commemoration by the CWGC as a result of my work. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers section of the website for further details.
1 December 2017. A new section has been added to the website, which will cover some war memorials in Glamorgan, more especially the memorials nearest to the county border with Carmarthenshire. More will be added as time allows.
4 November 2017. Some good news this week following the discovery, after much searching, of the grave of Private Thomas Davies, of Laugharne. Please see the Forgotten Soldiers page of the website for details.
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