Soar Chapel merged with Gerlan Methodist Chapel, which was situated at High Street, Borth, in 1969 and its war memorial was moved there. Another memorial was moved there following the closure of Capel Shiloh in 1994. Gerlan itself was formerly known as Libanus and also erected memorials to its parishioners who fell during both World Wars. All four memorials were moved to St. Matthew’s Church at Borth, after Gerlan Chapel closed its doors on 25 March 2013.
World War Two, 1939-1945
Raymond Hughes, Deck Boy, Merchant Navy. Raymond was the son of Richard David and Elizabeth Hughes, of Borth. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Bradfyne, a Bideford registered steamship. On 22 November 1940, Bradfyne was on voyage from Montreal for Belfast, carrying 7,900 tons of grain, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-100. Raymond was one of 39 men who perished aboard her that day. He was just 16 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
John Ivor Kinsey, First Radio Officer, Merchant Navy. John was the son of David Thomas Kinsey and Margretta Kinsey, of Borth. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Dalblair, which was a Newcastle-on-Tyne registered cargo steamer. On 29 August 1940, Dalblair was on route from The Tyne for Philadelphia in ballast, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-100. John was among 24 men lost from a total crew of 42. He was 33 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Evan William Lewis, Boatswain, Merchant Navy. Evan was the son of Evan and Elizabeth Jane Lewis, of Borth, and the husband of Mary Elizabeth Lewis, of Rhyl, Flintshire. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Bradfyne, a Bideford registered steamship. On 22 November 1940, Bradfyne was on voyage from Montreal for Belfast, carrying 7,900 tons of grain, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-100. Evan was one of 39 men who perished aboard her that day. He was 46 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
David Hughes Richards, Master, Merchant Navy. David was the son of Catherine Richards, of 1, London Place, Borth. He lived at Eversleigh, Borth, and served with the Merchant Navy as Master of the S.S. Grainton. David died at the College Hospital in New York on 30 December 1942, aged 63, following a fall. Nothing more is known of him as he is not commemorated by the CWGC.
