Pen-y-Bont-Fawr (or Penybontfawr) is a small village in the Tanat valley in Montgomeryshire, which sits to the northwest of Llanfyllin, on the junction of the B4391 and B4396 roads, some twelve miles from the town of Oswestry and was on the Tanat Valley Light Railway. The village is served by St Thomas’s Church, which was built in 1855. style. Following the end of the Great War in 1918, the villagers built a memorial hall, inside which was erected a memorial plaque to the men of the village who fell during the course of the war. Also listed on the memorial are other villagers who served and survived. Below the memorial is a later one, which commemorates the sole WW2 casualty from the village. Many thanks to Henry Jones for the photographs of the two memorial plaques.
The Great War, 1914-1918
David Watkin Davies, Private, 355317, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was born at Pennant in 1896, the son of David Davies and Tabitha Davies (nee Watkins). His father had died by 1901, and his mother re-married Thomas Jones, of Tanyfron, Llanwddyn. David was raised by his grandmother at Felin Fach, Penybontfawr. He enlisted into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry at Penybontfawr. The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry had been mobilised at Welshpool soon after the outbreak of war, as part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade, before moving via Hereford to Thetford, to join the 1st Mounted Division. On 4 March 1916 the 1st Mounted Division sailed for Egypt to join the EEF. On 4 March 1917 the battalion merged with the Welsh Horse Yeomanry to form the 25th (Montgomery & Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, as part of the newly formed 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division assembled in Egypt as part of the EEF, before crossing the Suez Canal into the Sinai, and 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. The Division then took part in the drive north into Syria, but as a result of the heavy losses suffered in France, following the launching of the three German Spring offensives from 21 March 1918, was sent to France, landing in Marseilles on 7 May 1918. The Division underwent a system of training, to prepare it for the vastly different conditions on the Western Front, before taking over a section of the front in the St. Floris Sector. In September the Division moved south to the Somme sector, to join the great Allied offensive towards the Hindenburg Line, and on 18 September took part in an assault on positions near Lempire and Ronssoy, which formed part of the outer defensive line for the Hindenburg Line. After suffering heavy casualties, especially around Orchard Post and Gillemont Farm, the Division then attacked the Quadrilateral defences, suffering heavily again before being relieved on 24 September and entrained at Péronne for northern France once more. David had been wounded during the fighting for Orchard Post, and was evacuated to Hospital at Le Havre, where he died of his wounds on 25 September 1918. The 23-year-old is buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France.
Robert Ellis, Private, 8486, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Robert was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ellis, of Pen Lan, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant. He had served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers prior to the war but by 1910 had left the army and married Elizabeth Eleanor Lloyd in 1910. By 1911 Robert was working as a coalminer in the South Wales valleys, while Elizabeth was raising their first child at Bod Erw, Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant. Prior to the war the couple were living at Colwyn House, Oak Street, Llangollen. Robert was an army reservist and re-joined his old battalion, the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which returned to England following service overseas, joining 22 Brigade, 7th Division at Lyndhurst, before the entire Division embarked for the front, landing at Zeebrugge on 7 October 1914. Unfortunately, the port was already in the process of falling to the Germans, so the 7th Division moved out of the city, marching via Bruges to Ostend, where the Division then entrained for Ghent. The Division then marched to Meirelbeke, and dug in defensive positions, in support of the French and Belgians. It soon became apparent that the Germans had broken through the Belgian lines, so on 11 October the 7th Division received orders to withdraw, reaching Hansbeke by the following day, and over the coming days continued to withdraw, marching through Thielt to Roulers, and by 14 October reached Ypres, becoming the first British Division to hold the city. The remainder of the BEF moved to Ypres from the Marne soon afterwards, in time to take part in the desperate defence of Ypres, when the Germans began attacking the city on 19 October. The 1st RWF held a section of the line near Zillebeke and saw terrible fighting over the coming weeks, while the BEF managed to hold off the Germans and saved Ypres. On 7 November 1914 the 1st RWF launched an assault on the enemy trenches, capturing three machine-guns, but were forced to withdraw after coming under heavy fire. Robert was killed in action during this attack that day. The 34-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. He is also commemorated on the Llangollen war memorial.
Griffith John Evans, Private, 37967, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Griffith was the son of Evan Evans and Grave Evans (nee Roberts), of Glanhafon Ucha, Penybontfawr. He was studying as a Clerk in Holy Orders at Cardiff University at the outbreak of war. Griffith enlisted at Cardiff into the army, and after completing his training, was drafted to France in the summer of 1916, joining the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion was attached to 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and Griffith probably joined it after the Division had pulled out of Mametz Wood, following its famous assault on July 1916. Following its relief, the Division took over a section of the front at Hébuterne before moving to the Ypres Salient, and taking over the Canal Bank sector at Boesinghe. The infantry battalions of the Division then began carrying out the normal pattern of rotation in the trenches, four days in the front, four in support and four in reserve, whilst also working on trench improvement, digging new trenches, and also carrying out regular patrols and trench raids. On 19 May 1917 the 13th RWF was moved from the front line to the rear areas, to train in preparation for the forthcoming Third Battle of Ypres. On 10 June the battalion moved back to L Camp at Poperinghe, and on the following day, relieved the 15th Welsh in the Canal Bank support line. On 12 June the 13th RWF moved forward, relieving the 10th Welsh in the front line, to begin a routine tour in the trenches. Griffith was killed by enemy artillery fire on 15 June 1917. The 25-year-old is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Thomas John Evans, Private, 3188, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was born in 1886, the son of Evan Thomas Evans and Ellen Ann Evans, of The Cottage, Pen-y-Bont Fawr. He lived at Glanfeiglo, Llanfyllin prior to the war. Thomas enlisted at Welshpool into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion was a Territorial unit, which mobilised for war at Newtown in August 1914, as part of North Wales Brigade, Welsh Division and moved to Conway until the end of the month, before moving to Northampton. In December the Division moved to Cambridge and then in May 1915 to Bedford, where the Division was numbered and the formation became 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On 19 July 1915 the entire Division sailed from Devonport for Imbros and on 9 August 1915 landed at Suvla Bay. The infantry moved off the beaches into the bush, but due to a lack of maps and no knowledge of the terrain, many of the units became disorientated, and the situation became chaotic. Thomas was killed in action on the following day, 10 August 1915. The 30-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli.
John Jones, Private, S/17888, Gordon Highlanders. John was the son of John and Mary Jones, of Llwyn-Onn, Penybontfawr. He worked on his parent’s farm prior to enlisting into the army at Welshpool soon after the outbreak of war and was posted to the 9th Battalion, Gordon Highlanders. The battalion was in France, serving as the Pioneer Battalion to the 15th (Scottish) Division. John does not appear to have served with the battalion for long before being transferred to the 1st Battalion, Gordon Highlanders, which was attached to 76 Brigade, 3rd Division. The Division had seen heavy fighting on the Somme in 1916, then during 1917 fought at the Battle of Arras before moving to Ypres, where it fought throughout the Passchendaele offensive. In November the Division moved south and fought at the Battle of Cambrai, remaining in the sector over the winter. The Division was hit hard following the launching of the German Spring offensive on 21 March 1918 and saw heavy fighting as it was forced to withdraw over the coming days. The battered Division was moved to Flanders to rebuild but unfortunately became caught up in more terrible fighting when the Germans launched the second phase of their offensive to the Lys valley on 9 April 1918 and saw more heavy fighting over the coming weeks. The Division held the line near Hinges throughout the summer of 1918, remaining here until the Allies launched their great offensive along the Western Front on 21 August 1918. The 3rd Division attacked the Germans from the direction of Ayette, on the left flank of the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division and over the coming days captured Gomiecourt, Douchy and Écoust, whilst driving towards the Canal du Nord and the Hindenburg Line. On 23 October 1918 the 1st Gordon Highlanders attacked and captured the village of Romeries. John was killed in action during the fighting that day. The 27-year-old is buried in Romeries Communal Cemetery Extension, France. John is not commemorated on the Penybontfawr War Memorial.
Thomas Ellis Jones, Gunner, 215042, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was born in 1893, the son of Edward Jones and Mary Jones, of Nant-y-Wern, Penybontfawr. He worked as a farm labourer prior to the war. Thomas enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery at Dolgellau, and after completing his training, was posted to France to join B Battery, 76th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 16th (Irish) Division. On 19 January 1917 the brigade left the division and became an Army Brigade, moving to the Arras sector, to support the forthcoming Battle of Arras. During May 1917 the Battery moved north, to Kemmel, and the following month supported the Allied assault on Messines Ridge. Following the end of the battle, the Battery moved to Proven, and sent its guns for overhaul, before setting up new gun positions at Brielen, in order to support the forthcoming Third Battle of Ypres, which was launched on 31 July 1917, and supported the assault of the 38th (Welsh) Division on the Pilckem Ridge. The Battery remained at Ypres as the battle dragged on, covering whichever Divisions needed artillery support. On 4 October 1917 the Battery was in position at Navara Farm, supporting another infantry assault, when Thomas and another gunner were killed by German counter-battery fire. Thomas was 24-years-old when he was killed that day, and is buried in Cement House Cemetery, Belgium.
William Pugh Jones, Private, 56990, Welsh Regiment. William was born on 28 March 1898, the son of John Edward Jones and Mary Alice Jones, of 12, Jolly Bank, Cefn Mawr. He was living in Gelli Canol, Penybontfawr when war erupted and travelled to Welshpool to enlist into the 3/1st Battalion, Montgomeryshire Yeomanry on 24 November 1915, being given the service number 3239. He then joined the battalion in Dublin, where it was attached to the 6th Reserve Cavalry Regiment. The battalion participated in the action against the Easter Rising in Dublin in April 1916, then two months later became dismounted and attached to the 3rd Line Groups of the Welsh Division at Gobowen. In September 1916 William left the battalion, embarking for France, and was posted from the Infantry Base Depot to the 10th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, which was by then holding the Canal Bank sector at Boesinghe, north of Ypres. He served with the battalion at Ypres until July 1917 when he was posted to the Depot in Cardiff, after having suffered from gassing. After recovering from his gas wounds, on 27 November 1917 William embarked for France again, joining the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion had been raised in January 1915 as a Bantam Battalion, made up of men of below average height, and was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. William joined the battalion in the Cambrai Sector, as it was rebuilding its strength following a horrific action at Bourlon Wood the previous week. The division moved to the Lys Sector over the winter, and was caught up in the desperate fighting which followed the launching of the German offensive on the Lys on 9 April 1918. Five days into the battle, on 13 April, William was posted as missing. He was later found to have been taken prisoner of war and transported back to Germany. Sadly his health broke down in captivity and he died of pneumonia at the Camp Hospital at Munster, Germany on 22 October 1918. The 20-year-old was buried in Cologne Southern Cemetery, Germany. William is not commemorated on the Penybontfawr War Memorial, but in his native Cefn Mawr.
William Richard Lloyd, Able Seaman, R/4333, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. William was born on 6 March 1886, the son of Thomas and Mary Lloyd, of Ty Isa, Hirnant. He enlisted into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 12 December 1915 and was initially placed on the Army Reserve. On 28 June 1917 he was mobilised and posted to the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, then on 30 October 1917 was posted to France, joining Anson Battalion, Royal Naval Reserve, which was attached to the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Division had been formed at the outbreak of war, due to there being more sailors than ships, so the Division was formed to utilise the surplus of Royal Naval sailors as infantry. The Division had suffered heavy casualties during an assault on Passchendaele Ridge on 26 October, in an assault which saw Anson battalion alone suffer 260 casualties. After rebuilding, Anson Battalion went back into the line on the ridge on 5 November for its last tour at Ypres, before the Division was relieved and by 13 November had moved to Arneke, before transferring south, reaching Beaulencourt by 11 December to join the fighting at Cambrai. William came home on sick leave for a short period, and married a widow, Sarah Williams, of 4, Derby Road, High Town, Wrexham, before returning to France. In the meantime, the Allies had launched a huge assault towards Cambrai on 20 November, utilising massed tank formations and had broken the Hindenburg Line, however, the Germans counter-attacked on 30 November and regained all of the ground lost so with the situation desperate, the Royal Naval Division was thrown into action, stopping the Germans after an epic fight on Welsh Ridge on 30 December 1917. The Division remained in the Cambrai sector over the winter, holding the line near Havrincourt Wood, and on 21 March 1918 was hit hard by the Germans when they launched their desperate Spring Offensive. The Royal Naval Division was forced to withdraw towards Thiepval over the coming days, fighting a desperate rearguard action. William was wounded in the leg and taken by prisoner on 24 March 1918 and was taken to a German Military Hospital based in a former girls school in Mons. He died there on 18 April 1918, as a result of cardiac weakness which had been exacerbated by his wounds. The 32-year-old was buried in Mons (Bergen) Communal Cemetery, Belgium. William does not appear to be commemorated locally. His sister, Elizabeth Eleanor Lloyd, lost her husband, Robert Ellis, in France in 1914.
Oswald Lunt Owen, Gunner, 959, Royal Garrison Artillery. Oswald was the son of Reverend Lewis Owen, a Methodist Minister, and Rosamund Owen (nee Humphreys), of Bro Gain, Penybontfawr. He worked as a Drapers Assistant at Bangor prior to the war. Oswald enlisted into the 2/1st (Welsh) Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery at Bangor. The Battery was the second line unit to the original 1/1st (Caernarvonshire) Battery, RGA, which had been originally attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division before embarking for France to join the BEF. The 2/1st Battery had been recruited to full strength by December 1914, joining the 68th (2nd Welsh) Division at Northampton in April 1915. The Division moved to Bedford in the summer to replace the 53rd (Welsh) Division upon its embarkation for Gallipoli. The 68th (2nd Welsh) Division was then allocated to Home Defence and joined the First Army (Home Forces) in Central Force, with its units quartered across Eastern England. Oswald suffered accidental injuries whilst training during March 1916 and was taken to Chelmsford Hospital in Essex, where he died of his injuries on 2 April 1916. The remains of the 29-year-old were brought home and he was buried in Horeb Methodist Chapelyard, Brithdir.
Evan Roberts, Private, 37092, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Evan was the son of Ellis and Ellen Roberts, of Elim Cottage, Wern, Llanrhaiadr. He worked as a farm labourer for Ernest Hughes, at Wernddu, Gwyddelwern prior to enlisting at Oswestry into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 20 November 1915 and was posted to the Depot at Wrexham, joining the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. On 26 April 1916 Evan embarked at Southampton aboard the SS Copenhagen, and disembarked in Rouen, joining No 2 Infantry Base Depot. On 7 May 1916 Evan joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was in the line at Auchy, attached to 19 Brigade, 33rd Division. The battalion was carrying out the normal routine of trench rotation at the time, and on 4 June moved to billets at Annequin South, then to Bethune a week later. On 20 June the battalion relieved the 4th Suffolks in the Givenchy Left sector of the front, to begin another tour in the trenches. At 02.50 on the morning of 22 June 1916 a massive mine exploded under B Company’s positions on the right of Givenchy Left, destroying 80 yards of line, and was followed by an intensive artillery bombardment which preceded a large-scale trench raid by around 150 Germans. The 2nd RWF fought desperately, but suffered terrible casualties throughout the morning. Evan survived the carnage at Red Dragon Crater, as he was in hospital suffering from measles, but re-joined the battalion on 1 June, prior to its move south to the Somme on 9 July. A week later, the 2nd RWF began moving up to the front, marching into the ghostly ruins of Mametz Wood on 16 July, and two days later moved to Bazentin-le-Petit, to join the fighting for High Wood. The battalion attacked the wood from Flat Iron Copse on the morning of 20 July 1916, and managed to gain a foothold in the wood, despite suffering heavily. Evan was killed during the days fighting. The 24-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Edward Thomas, Gunner, 213712, Royal Field Artillery. Edward was the son of John and Sarah Thomas, of Cwmmur Ucha, Penybontfawr. He worked at Tyfos Farm, Llandrillo prior to enlisting at Dolgellau into the Royal Field Artillery in March 1917. After completing his training, Edward embarked for France, to join B Battery, 187th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The battery was attached to the 41st Division and, following heavy fighting during the Third Battle of Ypres, was selected as one of five British Divisions to be moved to Italy, as part of a reinforcement action taken by the Allies following a disastrous defeat of the Italian Army at Caporetto. The Division arrived at Mantua on 17 November 1917, where it held a part of the line on the River Piave, however, the crisis had passed, and the Division was hurried back to the Western Front in early March 1918. The Division then moved to Flanders where it held the St. Eloi sector near Ypres that was, for once, relatively quiet. Edward was killed whilst his battery was carrying out operations at St. Eloi on 5 April 1918. The 29-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
World War Two, 1939-1945
John Stanley Tucker Jones, Corporal, 5829258, Suffolk Regiment. John was born on 12 December 1915, the son of Emlyn Lewis Jones and Edith Jones, of School House, Penybontfawr. He was educated at Llandovery College, before gaining his M.A. at Cambridge. John married after leaving University, to Florence Mary Jones, of Claughton cum Grange, Cheshire. By then he had enlisted into the army and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Suffolk Regiment, which was attached to 3rd Division. He landed with the battalion on D-Day, 6 June 1944, at Queen White Sector, Sword Beach. The battalion quickly assembled in woods near Hermanville, from where it launched several attacks on their designated objectives of coastal gun batteries scattered in the area. John was one of just 5 men of the battalion killed during that first day, on 6 June 1944. He was 28 years old and is buried in Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, France.
They Also Served
Davies, Evan Thomas. Private, 202876, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Of Barro Terrace, Penybontfawr.
Davies, John Jones. Of Berwyn View, Penybontfawr.
Edwards, William Price. Private, 50013, East Yorkshire Regiment. Of Rhydycul, Penybontfawr.
Ellis, Thomas Owen. Trooper, 11618, Imperial Yeomanry, 16th Battalion. Of Penybontfawr. (Not on Memorial) Served in Boer War. Also served RWF and Labour Corps during WW1.
Evans, David. Private, 18836, South Wales Borderers, 7th Battalion. Of Tycroes, Hirnant, Penybontfawr.
Evans, Iorwerth. Driver, M2/202864, Army Service Corps. Of Barracks Stores, Penybontfawr.
Evans, John Thomas. Private, 43978, Labour Corps. Of Pentre Issa, Penybontfawr.
Evans, John Edward. Of Barrog House, Penybontfawr.
Evans, Robert Thomas. Sapper, WR/151547, Royal Engineers, Railways. Of Peryntawe, Penybontfawr.
Evans, Richard Einon. Driver, 604279, Royal Horse Artillery. Of Peniarth Issa, Penybontfawr.
Evans, William Owen. Of Pentre Issa, Penybontfawr.
Griffiths, J.
Griffiths, James Hillage. Of Ivy House, Penybontfawr.
Hughes, R.
Humphreys, Evan Price. Private, 21993, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Of Castell Cottage, Penybontfawr.
Humphreys, Hugh Morris. Private, 37094, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Of Castell Cottage, Penybontfawr.
Humphreys, William David. Of Cadnant, Penybontfawr.
Jackson, Idris Ivor. Airman, 125421, Royal Air Force. Of 1, Wddyn House, Penybontfawr.
Jenkins, William. Private, 6792, Australian Infantry, 15th Battalion. Of Clochnant Isaf, Hirnant. A Farm Servant at Penybontfawr prior to emigrating to Australia in 1913. (Not on Memorial)
Jones, A.
Jones, David Thomas. Private, 7476, South Wales Borderers.
Jones, G.
Jones, J.
Jones, W. E.
Lewis, Griffith. Private, 3408, Montgomeryshire Yeomanry. Of Bryn Glas, Penybontfawr.(Not on Memorial) Three of his brothers died during the war.
Owen, Arthur. Driver, M/302153, Army Service Corps. Of Liverpool House, Penybontfawr.
Owen, E.
Owen, Edward Erasmus. Sapper, 194828, Royal Engineers. Of Liverpool House, Penybontfawr.
Richards, Tom Oliver. Private, 358823, Labour Corps. Of Cross Foxes Inn, Penybontfawr. Formerly Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and 25th RWF
Roberts, David. Driver, 247915, Royal Field Artillery. Of Shop Isaf, Penybontfawr.
Roberts, E.
Roberts, John Enoch. Of Plasynddol, Penybontfawr.
Roberts, J. J.
Roberts, R. E.
Watkins, Frederick. Of Felin Fach, Penybontfawr.
Williams, D.
Williams, E.
Williams, J. H.
Williams, T.
Woodfine, Frederick. Lance Corporal, P/14843, Royal Military Police. Of Caenant Coch, Penybontfawr.