Llanarth War Memorial

Llanarth is located on the A487 between Aberystwyth and Cardigan, situated on the crossroads to New Quay. The ancient parish Church, dedicated to St David, is around 800 years old, and contains an ancient cross inscribed with the Ogham script. The men of the Parish who fell during both World Wars are commemorated on two plaques within Llanarth Memorial Hall.

The Great War, 1914-1918

Thomas James Cook, Private, 320301, Welsh Regiment. Thomas was born at Maidstone in 1893, the son of James Cook. He was initially raised by his grandparents, Thomas and Elizabeth Cook at Sheppey, but had resided at Llanarth for several years prior to the war, where he had found work as a farm labourer. Thomas enlisted at Carmarthen into the Pembroke Yeomanry soon after the outbreak of war. During March 1916 the 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry moved to Egypt, where it merged with the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade and formed the 4th Dismounted Brigade. On 2 February 1917 it merged with the 1/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry to form the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, and became attached to 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division assembled in Egypt as part of the EEF, before crossing the Suez Canal into the Sinai, and saw its first major action during the Second Battle of Gaza. The battle was a failure, and the EEF was re-organised under a new commander, Sir Edmund Allenby, before launching the Third Battle of Gaza on the night of 31 October 1917. This assault was launched along a winder front, running from Gaza to Beersheba, and this time the EEF prevailed, opening the door to Jerusalem. Thomas was killed during a further advance on 6 November 1917. He was 32 years old, and is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel.

Jenkin Davies, Private, 44251, King’s Liverpool Regiment. Jenkin was the son of Griffith and Margaret Davies, of Llanarth. He enlisted at Lampeter into the South Wales Borderers, but was subsequently transferred to the 18th Battalion, King’s Liverpool Regiment, which was attached to 89 Brigade, 30th Division. The Division moved to France in November 1915, and took part in its first major action during the Somme Offensive, at the Battle of Albert, where they captured Montauban. They then fought during the latter stages of the offensive, during the Battle of Le Transloy, before wintering on the Somme. In March 1917 the Division followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and in April took part in the First Battle of the Scarpe, and then at the later Second Battle of the Scarpe. Later that year they were moved north to Ypres. Jenkin was wounded soon after arriving at Ypres, and was evacuated to the Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Sidings where he died of his wounds on 15 June 1917. Jenkin was 38 years old, and is buried at Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Thomas Davies, Able Seaman, Mercantile Marine. Thomas was the son of James and Ruth Davies, of The Llanina Arms, Llanarth. He served with the Mercantile Marine aboard the SS Northfield, a Cardiff registered merchant steamer. On 3 March 1918, Northfield was 25 miles from Lundy Island when she was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine, with the loss of 15 lives. Thomas was just 17 years old when he drowned that day, and he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Owen Enoch, Lance Sergeant, 21753, South Wales Borderers. Owen was the son of Enoch Enoch, of Felin Wern, Llanina. He resided at Tycroes prior to the war, where he ran his own Drapery business, and enlisted at Newport into the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, which moved to France during July 1915, taking up positions near Loos, where it took part in the opening attack of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. Owen landed in France on 4 December 1915, joining the battalion at Loos. The following year the Division moved to the Somme, where it took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost. It then fought through the Somme Battles of Pozieres and the Ancre in 1916. In 1917 the Division moved North to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcappelle and Passchendaele Village itself. In 1918 they were caught up in the German Spring Offensive near St. Quentin, where they suffered terrible casualties, and fought at the Battle of Bapaume. They moved to Ypres, but were caught up in the German attack at Messines, and at Bailleul, and Kemmel. After suffering terribly again, they moved South to the quieter French sector to rebuild, but were caught up in the German offensive on the Aisne. Owen was killed in action here, during the Battle of the Aisne, on 6 June 1918, aged 38. He is buried at La Neuville-Aux-Larris Military Cemetery, France.

Evan Evans, Lance Corporal, 27776, Welsh Regiment. Evan was the husband of Hannah Evans, of Bryn Isaf, Cross Inn. He enlisted at Pentre into the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment (2nd Glamorgan), which was a bantam battalion, attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. The Division moved to France during the first week of June 1916, and moved to the front near Loos. Late in 1916 it moved south to the Somme, fighting at the Battle of the Ancre, and remained in the area over the winter. In March 1917 the Germans withdrew to their shortened line, called the Hindenburg Line, and the 40th Division was one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. Later in the year it took part in the Battle of Cambrai, playing an important role in the attack on Bourlon Wood. Evan was killed in Bourlon Wood on 23 November 1917, aged 36. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France. Evan does not appear to be commemorated locally.

Jenkin Dewi Evans, Sailor, Mercantile Marine. Jenkin was born in 1900, the son of David and Sarah Evans, of Rhiw Awel, Llangareglwyd, Llanarth. He served with the Mercantile Marine, aboard the SS Lord Byron. The ship was serving in the Mediterranean when Jenkin took ill, and he died on 30 March 1918, aged 17, at Taranto. Jenkin was buried at Taranto Town Cemetery Extension, Italy.

John Watkin Evans, Private, 11897, Gloucestershire Regiment. John was the son of David and Mary Evans, of Maesyreglwys, Llanarth. He worked as a Draper at Whiteley’s, London prior to the war, and enlisted at Westminster into the army. John was posted to the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, which was attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The Division had been one of the first to arrive in France, fighting at the Battle of Mons, and taking part in the retreat to the Marne, where the Germans were stopped. They then fought at the Aisne, and at Chivy, before being moved north to Ypres. Here they fought at the First Battle of Ypres, where they again stopped the German Offensive, before wintering in Flanders. John joined the battalion here on 2 February 1915, and took part in the Battle of Aubers Ridge several months later. John was killed in action here on 29 June 1915. He was 27 years old, and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg L’Avoue, France.

David Griffiths, Private, 12967, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. David was working at Tumble at the outbreak of war, and enlisted there into the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division moved to France during July 1915, and moved to positions near Loos, where it took part in the opening attack of the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915. The following year the Division moved to the Somme, where it took part in the second wave of the attack on Ovillers-La Boiselle on 1 July, capturing the village at heavy cost. It then fought through the Somme Battles of Pozières and the Ancre in 1916. In 1917 the Division moved north to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines, and fought on the Menin Road and at Polygon Wood, before moving up to Broodseinde, Poelcappelle and Passchendaele Village itself. In 1918 they were caught up in the German Spring Offensive near St. Quentin, where they suffered terrible casualties. David was killed here on 22 March 1918. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.

Evan James, Private, 26808, South Wales Borderers. Evan was born on 28 June 1894, the son of Stephen and Eliza James, of Blaenrhos, Cross Inn. He was a theological student before enlisting at Newport on 28 March 1916 into the South Wales Borderers, and was posted to the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. He joined the battalion in France on 24 June 1916, and fought with them throughout the Somme offensive that summer. He took ill in France, and returned to Britain, spending several months in hospital before being discharged from the army as unfit on 11 July 1917. Evan died at home on 29 August 1917, aged 23, and is buried in Brynrhiwgaled Independent Chapelyard. He does not appear to be commemorated locally.

Enoch Jenkins, Private, M/349914, Royal Army Service Corps. Owen was born in 1894, the son of Mary Jenkins, of Blaenyryngoed, Llanarth. He resided with his wife, Rachel Jenkins, at Llanarth prior to the war. Enoch enlisted at Caerphilly into the Army Service Corps, and was posted to France with the 6th Auxiliary Petrol Company, Mechanical Transport, Army Service Corps. Enoch was hospitalised at Wimille during the summer of 1918, and died there on 7 August 1918, aged 24. He is buried at Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France.

Jenkin Isaac Jenkins, Private, 39874, Welsh Regiment. Jenkin was born in 1894, the son of Elinor Jenkins, of Blaendyffryn, Llanarth. He enlisted at Lampeter into the 8th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion formed at Cardiff in August 1914, joining 40 Brigade, 13th Division, and on 15 June 1915 sailed from Avonmouth for Mudros. The Division landed at Anzac, Gallipoli on 5 August 1915, and took part in heavy fighting in the coming days. In December 1915 the Division left Gallipoli for Egypt, before moving into Mesopotamia in February 1916. Jenkin took part in the operation to relieve the besieged city of Kut, but died during the expedition, on 29 June 1916. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

Arthur Jones, Private, 14213, South Wales Borderers. Arthur was the son of William and Anne Jones, of Llanarth Villa, Llanarth. He enlisted at Aberystwyth into the 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division. On 15 June 1915 the Division sailed from Avonmouth for Mudros. The Division landed at Anzac, Gallipoli on 5 August 1915, and took part in heavy fighting in the coming days. In December 1915 the Division left Gallipoli for Egypt, before moving into Mesopotamia in February 1916. Arthur took part in the operation to relieve General Townsend’s besieged garrison at the city of Kut, but was killed in action on 9 April 1916, He was just 18 years old, and is buried at Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

Evan Lewis Jones, Second Lieutenant, Machine Gun Corps. Evan was the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth Jones, of Gofynachfawr, Llanarth. He was a schoolteacher prior to being commissioned early in 1916 into the 10th Battalion, North Staffordshire Regiment. Evan was then attached to the 76th Brigade, Machine Gun Corps, which was attached to the 3rd Division. One of the first formations in France, the 3rd Division was still at Ypres early in 1916, where it fought at the Actions of the Bluff, and at the St Eloi Craters. They were then moved south to the Somme, and fought there at the Battle of Albert, and the Battle of Bazentin, where they captured Longueval. They then took part in the Battle of Delville Wood. The next major action for the Division was during the Battle of the Ancre, and it was here, on 13 November 1916, that Evan was killed. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Bertrancourt Military Cemetery, France.

David Handel Lewis, Private, 23756, Welsh Regiment. David was the son of Mrs. Sarah Evans, of Rhiwawel, Llaingareglwyd, Llanarth. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 16th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was the Cardiff City Battalion, attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. On 2 December 1915 the battalion moved to France, and the entire Division moved to the Fleurbaix sector, where it was initiated into trench warfare. During June 1916 the Division marched south to the Somme, and on 7 July 1916 attacked Mametz Wood. The initial attack failed, and it was three days later, on 10 July, that a fresh attack was mounted. After two days of heavy hand to hand fighting within the wood, the Germans withdrew, and the battered Welshmen moved via Hebuterne to Boesinghe, on the Yser Canal. On 5 September 1916, the 16th Welsh was positioned around Machine Gun Farm, preparing for relief by the 14th Welsh. The War Diary shows that the day was quiet, but fails to mention that David was killed that day. He was 32 years old, and is buried at Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.

Griffith Lewis, Master, Mercantile Marine. Griffith was born at Aberayron in 1871, the son of Mary Lewis. He resided with his wife, Annie Ellen Lewis, at Aldborough, Aberaeron, and was a long serving mariner. At the outbreak of war, Griffith served with the Mercantile Marine as Captain of the SS Oaklands Grange. Griffith died of malarial fever aboard his ship on 21 October 1917, aged 46. He was initially thought to have been buried at sea, but information has recently come to light which shows that his body was brought ashore at Plymouth and taken home for burial in Henfynw Cemetery. He is not a casualty of war, so is not commemorated by the CWGC.

John Owen Lloyd, Gunner, 69895, Royal Field Artillery. John was the son of John and Mary Lloyd, of Cwmneuadd, Llanarth. He enlisted at Pontypridd into the Royal Artillery, and was posted to France with the 121st Battery, 27th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 5th Division. John had landed at Havre with the Division on 15 August 1914, and fought at the Battle of Mons, and during the retreat south, fighting at Le Cateau, then down to the Marne where the German attack was halted. They took part in the advance to the Aisne, before moving to Flanders, where they fought at the Battle of La Bassée, then at Messines in October, 1914. They fought here through First Ypres, and took part in the capture of Hill 60, and then fought at Second Ypres in April 1915, before John had the opportunity to return home on leave. March 1916 saw the Division moving to positions between St. Laurent-Blangy and Vimy, near Arras, and the Division saw plenty of action during its spell here. On 1 July 1916 the Battle of the Somme opened, and the Division moved south, taking part in the Battles of High Wood and Guillemont. John was killed in action during the ensuing Battle of Flers-Courcelette, on 17 September 1916, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Edward Francis Longcroft, Second Lieutenant, Pembroke Yeomanry. Edward was born at Llanarth in 1885, was the son of Captain Charles Edward Longcroft, and of Catherine Alicia Longcroft, of Llanina. He was educated at Clifton College and at Cirencester, and at the outbreak of war enlisted into the 4th Battalion, Norfolk Regiment. Edward was immediately commissioned into the Pembroke Yeomanry. He caught a chill whilst in camp, and whilst he was in hospital he underwent a knee operation. Edward died in hospital on 30 November 1914, aged 29, and was buried at Brompton Cemetery, after a funeral service at St. Stephen’s Church, Westminster. Edward is not commemorated by the CWGC.

World War Two, 1939-1945

John Evan Evans, Master, Merchant Navy. John was the Master of the SS Empire Leopard, a London registered cargo steamer. On 2 November 1942, Empire Leopard was on voyage from St John’s, Newfoundland to Belfast and Avonmouth, with a cargo of zinc, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-402. 37 men of a total of 41 were lost in the sinking. John was 37 years old when he drowned that day, and he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Elias Tudor Jones, Carpenter, Merchant Navy. Elias was the son of Margaret and David Jones, of Llanarth. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Empire Leopard, a London registered cargo steamer. On 2 November 1942, Empire Leopard was on voyage from St John’s, Newfoundland to Belfast and Avonmouth, with a cargo of zinc, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-402. 37 men of a total of 41 were lost in the sinking. Elias was 35 years old when he drowned that day, and he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Owain Gwynfor Jones, Flight Sergeant (Pilot), 570249, Royal Air Force. Owain was the son of John Owen and Margaret Eleanor Jones, of Llanarth. He served as a Pilot with 112 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was based in Sicily after the invasion of the Island on 10 July 1943, operating the Curtiss P40-Kittyhawk. In February 1945 the Squadron converted to the Mustang MkIV, and supported the ground assault troops in the Italian Campaign. Owain was shot down in the Adriatic and had to parachute out of his Mustang III, Serial HB925 on 21 October 1944. He was picked up by a Catalina and brought to hospital. He soon recovered and was back in the air again. Sadly, Owain was killed when his aeroplane crashed during operations over Italy on 11 March 1945. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Padua War Cemetery, Italy.

William Robert Jones, Third Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. William was the son of Thomas Lewis Jones and Ellen Jane Jones, and the husband of Hannah Amelia Jones, of Llanarth. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Harmala, a London registered cargo steamer. On 7 February 1943, Harmala was on route from Rio de Janeiro via New York and Halifax to Middlesbrough, as part of Convoy SC-118, carrying a cargo of iron ore, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German Submarine U-614. William was 33 years old when he drowned that day, and he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

David Jones Thomas, Boatswain, Merchant Navy. David was the son of William and Nellie Thomas, of Frondeg, Llanarth, and served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Ramillies, a Cardiff registered steamer. On 8 May 1941, Ramillies was in the Atlantic, having been dispersed from Convoy OB-317, when she was hit by a torpedo from the German submarine U-97. The ship shuddered to a halt, and the Germans fired another torpedo at her, sinking her. David was among 29 men lost in the sinking of Ramillies that day, and he is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. His brother Francis was also lost in the sinking.

Francis James Thomas, Seaman, Merchant Navy. Francis was the son of William and Nellie Thomas, of Frondeg, Llanarth, and the husband of Eleanor Ann Thomas, of Blaenavon, Monmouthshire. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Ramillies, a Cardiff registered steamer. On 8 May 1941, Ramillies was in the Atlantic, having been dispersed from Convoy OB-317, when she was hit by a torpedo from the German submarine U-97. The ship shuddered to a halt, and the Germans fired another torpedo at her, sinking her. Francis was among 29 men lost in the sinking of Ramillies that day. He was 30 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. His brother David was also lost in the sinking.

James Lewis Thomas, Second Officer, Merchant Navy. James was the son of Lewis and Mary Thomas, and the husband of Mary Ellen Thomas, of Llanarth. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Sesostris, an Egyptian steamer. On 29 January 1941, Sesostris was in convoy from Halifax to Liverpool, when she was sunk with all hands during a submarine attack. James is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Margaret Thomas, Civilian. Margaret was the daughter of James and Ruth Davies, of Llanina Hotel, Llanarth. She lived at 9, Lochinvar Street, Wandsworth with her husband Timothy Edgar Lewis Thomas prior to the war. Timothy had gone off to war, and Margaret was alone in her house when it was hit by a doodlebug on 19 June 1944, killing Margaret, who was 44 years old. Margaret is not commemorated at Llanarth.