Betws Lleucu, or Capel Betws Lleucu, is a small hamlet, about seven miles north of Lampeter, situated in the Aeron Valley. The parish Church is dedicated to St. Lucia, and contains two war memorials, a wooden war memorial which contains the names of all the men of the parish who served during the Great War, of which at least two died, and another marble war memorial which commemorates the two fallen men. The photograph of the memorial is courtesy of Mike Berrell.
The Great War, 1914-1918
John Davies, Private, 41925, Welsh Regiment. John was the son of Owen and Jane Davies, of Coxhead Castle, Llanddewi Brefi. He enlisted at Llandovery into the Welsh Regiment, and was posted to Salonika with the 23rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to the 28th Division as the Divisional Pioneer battalion from 24 August 1916. John was wounded soon after arriving at Salonika, and Died of Wounds on 3 October 1916, aged 24. He is buried at Struma Military Cemetery, Greece.
John Jones, Gunner, 243704, Royal Field Artillery. John was the son of Thomas and Anne Jones, of Tyngwndwn, Llanio Road. He enlisted at Porth into the Royal Field Artillery, and was posted to the 169th Brigade, RFA, which was attached to the 31st Division. The division had served in Egypt before being transferred to the Western Front in March 1916, and took part in the Somme offensive that summer. It wintered on the Ancre, until moving to Arras the following year. Here they 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. It was among the Divisions hit by the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918 at the Battle of St Quentin, and suffered heavy casualties during the retreat west. John was wounded during the early hours of the offensive, and died of his wounds on 25 April 1918, aged 23. He is buried in Crouy British Cemetery, Crouy-sur-Somme, France. His original wooden grave marker is located within the Church, beneath the war memorial.
Betws Lleucu Parishioners Who Served, Great War, 1914-1918
1914 1918
RHESTR ANRHYDEDD
Rfmn. Davies, J.T. R.B. The Grange
Gnr. Jones, John. R.F.A. Tyngwndwn (Fell)
Pte. Barnes, G. C.R. Cefnfaes
Lieut. Daniel, E. K.L.R. Capel Bettws
Pte. Daniel, T. K.L.R. Capel Bettws
B.S.M. Davies, B. CdeG. R.F.A. Pendre
Pte. Davies, D. Welsh Reg. Penrheol
Gnr. Davies, E.D. R.F.A. Felinfawr
Capt. Davies, J.T. F.Y.R. Vedw
Spr. Davies, T. R.E. Pendre
Dvr. Jones, D. R.F.A. Pontarwy
Pte. Jones, D. A.S.C. Llainlas
Gnr. Jones, N. R.F.A. Pontarwy
A.B. Lloyd, B.L. R.N. Tyllwyd
Pte. Lloyd, Lewis S.A.I. Tyllwyd
Pte. Ratford, R. R.W.F. Capel Bettws
Pte. Williams, D. D.L.I. Penbwlchmawr
Cpl. Williams, W. M.G.C. Penbwlchmawr
A.B. Moreton, F. R.N. Blaenrhyn?
A.B. Davies, T. R.N. Pwllybadell
Pte. Davies, J. Welsh Regt. Coxhead (Fell)
Pte. Davies, R. Welsh regt. Coxhead
Sgt. Mjr. Davies, Sam R.M.L.I. (R.N.D.) Pwllybadell
Pte. James, C. K.S.L.I. Capel Bettws
Pte. Cotterell, P. L.C. Castell