Cross Inn is a small village situated between Maenygroes and Synod Inn, near the coastal resort of New Quay in Ceredigion, in the community of Llanllwchaiarn. Whilst most of the men of the area who fell during both World Wars are commemorated in war memorials in New Quay, there was also a separate war memorial located inside the now closed Cross Inn Primary School, which commemorated the soldiers and sailors of Cross Inn and Llanllwchaiarn who fell during the Great War of 1914-1918. The memorial separates those who were killed on the field of battle from those who ‘died at home and away from home’ and also commemorates those who served and returned home safely. The memorial is in the form of a bronze monument with white lettering and was moved to nearby Maenygroes Chapel following the closure of Cross Inn School in 2009.

ER SERCHUS GOF AM

Y RHAI A LADDWYD AR FAES Y FRWYDR

(For Loving Memory Of

Those who were killed on the field of battle)

Alfred Canham, Private, 131070, Machine Gun Corps. Alfred was born at Islington, London in 1894, the son of Francis Augustus Richard Canham and Charlotte Canham (nee Newman). His mother died in 1908 and his father remarried the following year, so Alfred moved to west Wales and found work as a farm servant at Pensarnau prior to the war. Alfred enlisted at Brecon into the Welsh Regiment sometime after the outbreak of war and was drafted to France in the spring of 1918, joining the newly formed 21st Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. The battalion had formed on 24 February from the Machine Gun Companies of the 21st Division as the Divisional Machine Gun Battalion and set up its HQ at Longavesnes. The division was in position facing the Hindenburg Line near Épehy and the men were aware of a build-up of activity behind the German lines as they prepared to launch a desperate offensive against the Allies, intent on winning the war. At dawn on 21 March 1918 the fears of the Allies came true, when the Germans launched a ferocious artillery bombardment along a stretch of the Western front running south from Croisilles to La Fère, which was followed up by a massed infantry assault by highly trained Stormtroopers, code named Operation Michael. The Allied line broke and several divisions were overrun before the survivors began to withdraw. Terrible fighting raged for over a week as the Allies desperately fought to stem the German onslaught, with fresh divisions being rushed into the area to save the day. German attention then switched to the second phase of their offensive, Operation Georgette, on the Lys Valley. This fresh offensive was launched on 9 April 1918 and the Germans overwhelmed the Portuguese near Festubert, before sweeping forward through the gap in the line. The 21st Division, which had just moved to Locre to rebuild, was once again thrown into desperate fighting as the Allies fought to prevent the breakthrough. Alfred was killed in action during the heavy fighting that followed, near Ridge Wood, on 27 April 1918. The 20-year-old is buried in Voormezeele Enclosure No. 3, Belgium. His brother, John Francis Canham, had been killed at Arras the previous year.

David Francis Davies, Private, 45419, Welsh Regiment. David, known as Frank, was born on 8 May 1889, the son of David Davies and Ruth Davies (nee Thomas), of Brynllys, New Quay. He worked as a stone mason prior to enlisting at Maesteg into the Welsh Regiment, and was posted to France in 1916, joining the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. David probably joined the battalion on the Somme, where it had suffered heavy losses during the fighting for Bazentin Ridge and Pozieres. The Division had followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917 and was then briefed for an operation on the Flanders Coast, being relieved at the end of May 1917 and by the middle of June had taken over their new positions on the coast. While the Division was holding the line near Coxyde, the Passchendaele offensive was launched on 31 July 1917, but had got bogged down, so at the beginning of November the Division was transferred to Ypres, to join the great push for Passchendaele Ridge. The Division took up positions near Valour Farm, on the lower edge of the ridge, by 9 November and prepared to launch an assault on the following morning. The objectives were a series of ruined farms which had been fortified by the Germans and at dawn on 10 November 1917 the Division launched its assault. The men arose from the trenches and began to advance through thick mud, but the men got caught up in their own artillery barrage and terrible casualties were suffered. Following the closure of the offensive, the 1st Division moved to the Éstaires area, where it became caught up during the heavy fighting which followed the launching of the German offensive on the Lys, Operation Georgette, on 9 April 1918. The 1st Division saw heavy fighting again, then spent the summer rebuilding before joining the great Allied offensive which was launched on 21 August 1918 and took part in the Battle of Drocourt-Queant, and at the Battle of Épehy. The Hindenburg Line was broken on 29 September and the Allies then drove on past the St. Quentin Canal. Frank was wounded during this great advance and was evacuated to Rouen for treatment. He died of his wounds there on 23 October 1918. The 29-year-old is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

John Davies, Private, 44388, South Wales Borderers. John was born in 1887, the son of Jenkin Davies and Mary Davies, of Blaendelings, Cross Inn. He was in business as a carpenter with Michael Davies at 11, Station Street, Treherbert for several years prior to the war. John enlisted at Pentre into the Royal Engineers, He was subsequently drafted to France in the spring of 1917, and was posted to the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was at Ypres, attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The division had taken part in the terrible fighting for Mametz Wood the previous year and then 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 carrying out regular patrols and trench raids. On 31 July 1917 the Division launched its famous assault on the Pilckem Ridge, capturing Iron Cross and reaching its objective of the Steenbeek. John was badly wounded during the assault that day and died soon afterwards of his wounds. The 29-year-old was buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium.

Evan Griffith Evans, Private, 364393, Royal Army Medical Corps. Evan was born in 1890, the son of John Evans and Mary Evans (nee Griffiths), of Pleasant View, New Quay. Upon leaving school he began studying Theology at Cardiff University but left Cardiff to enlist at Ebbw Vale into the Royal Army Medical Corps on 12 November 1915. Evan was initially posted to the 3/1st Welsh Field Ambulance at Blackpool. He was posted to France in the summer of 1917, joining the 28th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, which was attached to the 9th (Scottish) Division. Evan joined the division at Ypres, where it was taking part in the Battle of the Menin Road. The division then saw further fighting here during the First Battle of Passchendaele, before being moved to Cambrai, and took part in the Action of Welsh Ridge, following the German counterattack. The division wintered in the area, in positions facing the Hindenburg Line near Dessart Wood. Evan’s unit based itself at Moislaines on 28 February 1918, after a spell at rest in camps near Bray, whilst the divisional infantry took over the front line. It was by now common knowledge that a German attack was imminent, so the 28th Field Ambulance began preparing for the impending casualties. At dawn on 21 March 1918 the fears of the Allies came true, when the Germans launched a ferocious artillery bombardment along a stretch of the Western front running south from Croisilles to La Fère, which was followed up by a massed infantry assault by highly trained Stormtroopers, code named Operation Michael. The Allied line broke and several divisions were overrun, before the survivors began to withdraw. The 9th Division held firm, but both flanks were overrun, so began to withdraw towards Nurlu.  Evan was killed in action on the second day of the offensive, on 22 March 1918. The 28-year-old has no known grave so is commemorated on the Pozières Memorial, France.

Edward Jones, Gunner, 168240, Royal Field Artillery. Edward was born in 1889, the son of Watkin Jones and Mary Jones (nee Lewis), of Cilgynllefawr, New Quay. The family moved to Crossheddig-Newydd in 1915. Edward worked as a tailor at Brynamman prior to the war. He returned home and enlisted at Cardigan into the Royal Artillery and was posted to France in 1916 with the 23rd Battery, 40th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 3rd Infantry Division. During 1916 the Division was on the Somme and fought at the Battle of Albert, and the Battle of Bazentin, where it captured the ruined village of Longueval. The division then took part in the bloody Battle for Delville Wood, and later fought during the Battle of the Ancre, before settling into a bleak winter in France. In April 1917 the Division was at Arras and fought at the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe, and then in the Battle of Arleux and the Third Battle of the Scarpe, where it captured the village of Roeux. Edward’s battery was positioned near Wancourt and was kept busy during the battles, firing some 24 rounds per gun per hour to maintain artillery support for the infantry fighting in front of them. Edward was wounded here by German counter-battery fire and died of his wounds on 14 May 1917. The 28-year-old is buried in Duisans British Cemetery, Étrun, France.

Charles Robert Wilson, MM, Private, 267569, Monmouthshire Regiment. Charles was born in 1896, the son of Alfred Wilson. He was orphaned as a young boy and raised in a children’s home before settling at Coybal, New Quay prior to the war. Charles enlisted at Brecon into the 2/1st Brecknock Battalion, South Wales Borderers on 12 October 1914. The battalion left Brecon for Dale, in Pembrokeshire in April 1915 to join the Milford Haven garrison, then at the end of 1915 moved to Bedford to join the 68th (2nd Welsh) Division. On 30 July 1916 Charles was posted to the Infantry Base Depot in France, where he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment. The battalion was the Pioneer Battalion to the 29th Division and was by then on the Somme. The Division had suffered terrible casualties at Beaumont Hamel, during its assault on Y-Ravine on 1 July 1916 and, although severely depleted, the Division remained in the line here over the coming weeks, in trying conditions. On 27 July the Division entrained for Flanders, detraining at Proven before relieving the 6th Division at Ypres. The Division held the line here over the coming weeks as it rebuilt its strength and the 2nd Monmouth’s worked hard on improving trenches and digging new communications trenches. The battalion then worked on the Menin Road, erecting elephant shelters, then on 4 October the Division was relieved and entrained south for the Somme once more, moving to Trônes Wood, before joining the latter stages of the Somme offensive. The Division wintered on the Somme, with the 2nd Monmouth’s working on road repairs around Montauban, then at Ginchy, Flers and Morval. The 2nd Monmouth’s moved into reserve at the end of December and moved to Fourdrinoy, where the men trained in infantry assault manoeuvres. On 12 January 1917 the battalion began marching back into the battle area, taking over positions near Morval, and began supplying working parties around Montauban once more, then in February 1917 took part in the advance which followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. At the beginning of April, the entire 29th Division moved out of the Somme sector to the Arras sector, and by 9 April took over a section of the line facing Monchy-le-Preux. The Division then began to prepare for the forthcoming Battle of Arras. At dawn on 23 April 1917, the Division launched an assault on Monchy-le-Preux, suffering heavy casualties, yet remained in the sector for several more months before being moved further north to Ypres, initially to hold the line whilst other units had been withdrawn for specialist training, in readiness for the Third Battle of Ypres, which opened on 31 July 1917. The 29th Division went into reserve whilst the first attacks, the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, took place, then on the night of 14-15 August the 2nd SWB moved into the line facing Langemarck, ready to launch another offensive. On the following day the battalion reconnoitred the ground in front of them, and laid white tapes in No Man’s Land, to guide the attacking troops, and at dawn on 16 August 1917 the Division launched an attack on Langemarck, taking its objectives, but suffering heavily again. The Division then had another period out of the line to rest and refit before taking part in further fighting near Poelcapelle. Charles was wounded in the abdomen at Ypres and was evacuated via the 51st Field Ambulance to the 61 Casualty Clearing Station, where he died of his wounds on 23 October 1917. The 21-year-old was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium. A memorial service was held to honour him in New Quay Parish Church as soon as news of his death reached friends back there. Charles had been awarded the Military Medal just three months prior to his death, for carrying in wounded men under heavy fire. His effects were forwarded to Kate Davies, at City Lodge Hospital in Cardiff.

Y RHAI A FU FARW GARTREF AC ODDICARTREF

(Those who died at home and away from home)

Evan Thomas Davies, Private, 104359, Royal Army Medical Corps. Evan was born in 1888, the son of John Davies and Sarah Davies (nee James), of Cledlyn Villa, New Quay. He was initially raised by his grandfather at Gwastad Mawr, Llanllwchaiarn. Upon leaving school, Evan gained a place at Cardiff University where he began studying Theology. He then enlisted at Cardiff into the Royal Army Medical Corps on 20 October 1915 and was posted to the 19th Company, RAMC for training. Evan’s health began to break down over the coming months and after being diagnosed with tuberculosis, he was discharged from the army on 27 June 1916 and sent to Beechwood House Hospital at Newport. With his health ailing further, Evan was then sent to the West Wales Sanatorium, at Llanybydder, where he was treated for several months, before being sent home. Evan died at home at New Quay on 7 March 1917. The 28-year-old is buried in Maenygroes Independent Chapelyard. The photograph of Evan is courtesy of his nephew, Captain Irfon Jones.

David Jones, Driver, WT4/069777, Royal Army Service Corps. David was born in 1895, the son of David Jones and Eliza Jones (nee Davies), of Llwynwermod, Maenygroes, New Quay. He enlisted into the Army Service Corps on 17 March 1915 and was posted to the 43rd (Welsh) Division as a Driver. The division was assembling and training in North Wales, then on 29 April 1915 became renumbered to the 38th (Welsh) Division, before moving to Winchester in the summer of 1915 to complete its training. The Division began moving to France on 2 December 1915 and moved to the Nursery Sector near Fleurbaix for trench initiation alongside the Guards Division. The Division then held a sector of the line near Cuinchy before marching south to the Somme sector in June 1916 to take part in the assault on Mametz Wood. The first attack on the wood was launched on a two-battalion front on 7 July, but failed, and the Divisional Commander, Sir Ivor Philipps, was replaced before the Division attacked again on a two Brigade front on 10 July 1916. After two days of ferocious hand-to-hand fighting, the wood was cleared up to its northern edge, before the battered Division was relieved. It then 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 31 July 1917 the Division launched its famous assault on the Pilckem Ridge, capturing Iron Cross and reaching its objective of the Steenbeek, then played a supporting role in the Battle of Langemarck. The Division was transferred to the Sailly-sur-la-Lys sector in September and remained in the area over the winter before being moved to positions north of Albert, at Bouzincourt Ridge, at the end of March 1918, relieving the battered 2nd and 47th Divisions. It held this sector, again carrying out minor operations and trench raids, over the coming months. David was wounded in the arm during the summer of 1918, whilst the 38th (Welsh) Division was still stationed on the Somme and was hospitalised for a while before being evacuated to a hospital back in Britain. David was discharged from the army as medically unfit on 9 August 1918 and returned home to Llwynwermod. He eventually died there on 11 October 1921, aged 26. Nothing more is currently known of him, as he is not commemorated as a war casualty by the CWGC.

David Thomas, Seaman, Mercantile Marine. David was born on 29 May 1893, the son of John Thomas and Mary Ann Thomas (nee Evans), of Tegfan, Cross Inn. He lived at Ardwyn, Cross Inn prior to the war. David enlisted into the Mercantile Marine as a young man and by the time war broke out was serving aboard the SS Treglisson, a 2,512-tonne cargo steamer. At the outbreak of war, Treglisson was docked in Bremen, so was detained by the Germans, and utilised as a prison ship for the duration of the war. David and the rest of her crew were interned in Ruhleben Prisoner of War camp in Germany. David became ill whilst in captivity and died of blood poisoning in the Lazarette, Ruhleben on 27 May 1917. The 23-year-old was buried in Ruhleben, Germany. David was only recently accepted for commemoration by the CWGC and was to be commemorated on the Cologne Memorial, Germany, but the location of his grave has since been verified and he is commemorated in Spandau (In Den Kisseln) Cemetery, Berlin, in Plot 39. Row 3. Grave 30. After the war, his ship, Treglisson, was returned to her owners. Thanks to Emyr Langley for the details and the photos of David and his original grave marker.

MILWYR (SOLDIERS)

G. BAYFORD, Pantteg

John O. DAVIES, Llaingrog

David J. DAVIES, Ffynongynen

William DAVIES, Potre

Evan DAVIES, Penlôn

David DAVIES, Dychwelfa

Evans EVANS, Allen View

Griffith EVANS, Post Office

John L. EVANS, Coybal

Tom EVANS, Crossheddig-fach

David EVANS, Rhydyfedw

Jenkin EVANS, Bwlchydwr

David EVANS, Llaingrog

Jenkin EVANS, Maenygroes

Evan T. GRIFFITHS, Gwersyllt

Ernys GRIFFITHS, Arwerydd

William GRIFFITHS, Cnwcymanal

J.J. GRIFFITHS, Bryngwyn

G. GRIFFITHS, Bryngwyn

G.J. HERBERT, Pantygwartheg

Abraham JENKINS, Tawelfryn

Henry JENKINS, Tawelfryn

William J. JONES, Pencnwc-bach

Daniel JONES, Llwynhelyg

David JONES, Cilgynlle-fawr

John D. JONES, Pendre

David A. LEWIS, Penrhiw

David R. LEWIS, Greenhill

Tom LEWIS, Greenhill

Tom Rees LLOYD, Greenhill

Willie REES, Fforchcwm

Albert STACEY, Penrhiwgaled

Walter SHAW, Pensarnau

David THOMAS, Soar

J. THOMAS, Cefngwiddil

J. VINEY, Cefngwiddil

M. WORRAL, Hafan View

G. WORRAL, Hafan View

William WILLIAMS, Arosfa

G. Ivor DAVIES, Cross Inn, Y.M.C.A

MORWYR (SAILORS)

Capt. E. L. DAVIES, Tyrhos

Capt. H. DAVIES, Three Horse Shoe

Capt. E. GRIFFITHS, Three Horse Shoe

Capt. D. REES, Llainyrorfa

David EVANS, Pantycollman

James EVANS, Llwynwermod

Evan EVANS, Maenygroes

Seymore GRIFFITHS, Bryngwyn

J. JAMES, Penralltwen

Evan JONES, Brynonen

Albert MERREL, Penrhyn

J.T. TEES, Fforchcwm

Charlie REES, Fforchcwm

John THOMAS, Glynaeron