Cynghordy is a small hampet located astride the A483 road from Llandovery to Builth Wells, about four miles north-east of Llandovery. At the centre of the village lies St. Mary’s Church. Within the Church is a plaque which commemorates the six local men, which includes two sets of brothers, who fell during the Great War.
Cynghordy Church, The Great War, 1914-1918
James Jones, Private, 20026, Welsh Regiment. James was the son of Daniel and Mary Jane Jones, of 4, Towy Avenue, Llandovery. He enlisted at Ammanford along with his brother John, into the 15th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, which was the Carmarthen Pals battalion, attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division landed in France in December 1915 and moved to the Armentieres area where they were initiated into trench warfare. They then moved to the Somme in June, 1916, to take part in the attack on Mametz Wood, which began on 7 July 1916. The attack failed, and so 114 Brigade went in again on 10 July and were decimated. James was killed in action during the assault across ‘Death Valley’, on 10 July 1916, alongside his brother John. He was 21 years old and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
John Jones, Corporal, 20027, Welsh Regiment. John was the son of Daniel and Mary Jane Jones, of 4, Towy Avenue, Llandovery. He enlisted at Ammanford along with his brother James, into the 15th Battalion, the Welsh Regiment, known as the Carmarthen Pals battalion, which was attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division landed in France in December, 1915 and moved to the Armentieres area where they were initiated into trench warfare. They then moved to the Somme in June, 1916, to take part in the attack on Mametz Wood, which began on 7 July 1916. The attack failed, and so 114 Brigade went in again on 10 July, and were decimated. John was killed in action during the assault across ‘Death Valley’, on the 10 July 1916, alongside his brother James. He was 24 years old and is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Thomas Rees Jones, Private, 46326, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born in Llandovery in 1881. In 1908 he married Eliza Beatrice Penelrick, and the couple set up home at 2, Victoria Street, Llandingat, where their three children were born. Thomas enlisted at Llandovery into the 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was a Bantam battalion, attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division moved to France in June 1916, and served at Loos until August, before moving to the Somme. They fought during the Battle of the Ancre, and followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line where Thomas was killed in action on 24 April 1917, aged 37. Thomas is buried at Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers-Plouich, France.
Aneurin Rhys Lewis, Gunner, 124040, Royal Garrison Artillery. Aneurin was the Son of Charles William Rhys Lewis and Miriam Lewis, of Fronfelen, Llandovery. He enlisted at Oxford on 26 October 1916 into the Royal Fusiliers, but was discharged as unfit, and re-enlisted into the Royal Garrison Artillery. Aneurin was then posted to France, joining the 13th Siege Battery. Aneurin was killed in action during the opening day of the German Spring Offensive on 21 March 1918, aged 20. Aneurin was initially buried on the battlefield, but in 1920 his body was exhumed, and he was reburied at Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery, France.
Edward Redding, Private, 6350, Welsh Regiment. Edward was born in London in 1878. He had moved to Carmarthenshire by 1886, and lived at Divlyn, Llandovery with his brother John. Both brothers had served with the Welsh Regiment during the Boer War, before returning to Llandovery. Edward re-enlisted at Llandeilo into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division were one of the first in France landing on 13 August 1914. They immediately moved to Mons and took part in the Battle of Mons, before fighting in the epic retreat South toward the Marne, where the German Offensive was held. The Welsh took part in the advance to the Aisne, and fought at the Battle of the Aisne, before being moved to Ypres, where they took part in First Ypres, the battle which held the German advance across Flanders. Edward was wounded during the Battle of Gheluveld, and Died of Wounds on 31 October 1914, aged 36. He is remembered on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
John Redding, Private, 6324, Welsh Regiment. John was born in London in 1874. He had moved to Carmarthenshire by 1886, and lived at Divlyn, Llandovery with his brother Edward. Both brothers had served with the Welsh Regiment during the Boer War, before returning to Llandovery. John re-enlisted at Llandeilo into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, along with his brother, Edward. The battalion was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division were one of the first in France landing on 13 August 1914. They immediately moved to Mons and took part in the Battle of Mons, before fighting in the epic retreat South toward the Marne, where the German Offensive was held. The Welsh took part in the advance to the Aisne, and fought at the Battle of the Aisne, before being moved to Ypres, where they took part in First Ypres, the battle which held the German advance across Flanders. John was possibly wounded at Loos in September 1915. He was brought back to Wales where he became attached to the 3rd Welsh. He died in Bangor Military Hospital of pneumonia on 2 January 1916, aged 42. He is buried in Bangor (Glanadda) Cemetery.