Cwmrheidol (Rheidol Valley) is reached from the A44 road from Capel Bangor, and is about eight miles east of Aberystwyth. The valley was once home to a thriving mining community, but has since become better known for its beauty, and for the hydro-electric power station. This page commemorates the men on the War Memorial at Llwyn-y-Groes Chapel, at Cwmrheidol. The men who fell during World War Two are commemorated on a small brass engraved plaque, which is within St John’s Church, at Ysbytty Cynfyn.
The Great War, 1914-1918
George Benjamin, Private, 29118, South Wales Borderers. George was born at Llanbadarn in 1887, the son of Thomas and Margaret Benjamin. The family later resided at Caehaedd, Cwmrheidol. George enlisted at Brecon into the South Wales Borderers, and was posted to France early in 1916, where he was posted to the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had suffered heavy casualties at Loos in 1915, and in 1916 moved to the Somme. Here it took part in the Battle of Albert, and fought at Bazentin, Pozières, Flers-Courcelette and Morval. The Division followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917, before moving to the Flanders Coast during the summer of 1917. George was killed in action here on 13 July 1917. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Evan Arthur Morgan, Private, 2624, Guards Machine Gun Regiment. Evan was born at Aberffrwd in 1892. He worked as a Waggoner at a farm in London prior to the war, before enlisting into the Welsh Guards. Evan was posted to the 4th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Regiment, after its formation on 10 May 1918. The battalion was attached to the famous Guards Division, and was stationed north of the Somme. On 8 August the Australian Corps advanced towards the town of Villers Brettoneux and won a mighty battle there against the Germans, thus turning the war. On 21 August the British launched an attack on the Somme, and the Guards Division fought here at the Battle of Albert, driving eastwards towards Bapaume over the coming days. Evan was killed during the initial advance, on 23 August 1918. He was 26 years old, and is buried at Douchy-Les-Ayette British Cemetery, France.
World War Two, 1939-1945
Harold Teify Jones, Lance Corporal, 6139353, East Surrey Regiment. Harold resided at Tegfan. He served with the 1st Battalion, East Surrey Regiment. The Battalion was in France soon after the outbreak of the Second World War and were evacuated through Dunkirk in June 1940. Harold was killed during the retreat to Dunkirk, on 21 May 1940. He was 28 years old and is buried in Heverlee War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Ivor Martin Kendall, Aircraftman 2nd Class, 1470879, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Ivor was born on 27 April 1922, the son of Ivor James Kendall and Sarah Kendall, of Erwyd Villa, Ponterwyd. He served with the Royal Air Force at the Apprentices Training Unit at RAF Halton. Ivor died on actice service at Aylesbury on 10 January 1942. He was 19 years old, and was brought home for burial at Yspytty Cynfyn (St. John The Baptist) Churchyard.
John Gilbert Kendall. John was the son of Ivor J. Kendall and Sarah Kendall, of Erwyd Villa, Ponterwyd. He was born two years after his brother Ivor (above), in 1924. He died early in 1944, aged 19. John’s military service cannot presently be traced.
Tegwyn Mason Lewis, Lance Corporal, 14531306, Reconnaissance Corps. Tegwyn was the son of John and Elizabeth Lewis (nee Davies), of Brynchwith, Ponterwyd. He served with “C” Squadron, 52nd (Lowland) Reconnaissance Regiment. The regiment arrived in Holland in September 1944 and its first action was Operation Market Garden, the attempt to take the bridges over the lower Rhine, Maas and Waal. He was 23 years of age when he was killed in action on 25 October 1944. On the same day the British 1st Airborne Division was evacuated following the failure to cross the Rhine in sufficient numbers. It remained a barrier until March 1945. Tegwyn is buried in Adegem Canadian War Cemetery near Antwerp in Belgium along with to two of his comrades in “C” Squadron killed on the same day; Troopers Frederick Heath and Charles James Purser. Tegwyn is also commemorated on his parents headstone at Ponterwyd.
Daniel Arllwyd Richards, Fusilier, 14308360, Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regt). Daniel was the son of Enos Brinley Richards and Annie Letitia Richards, of Bwlchybrynar, Ystumtuen. He served with the 9th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. The battalion served in the North African campaign, and after the fall of the Axis Forces in Tunisia, took part in the liberation of Italy. Daniel was killed in Italy on 19 December 1943. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial, Italy.