Penuwch is a small village, which lies in the heart of a rural community, about eight miles west of Tregaron, and about eight miles west of the Ceredigion coast. The village lies just south of the B4577 road between Tregaron and Aberaeron. The men of the village who fell during both World Wars are commemorated on two War Memorial tablets which are mounted into the exterior walls of Penuwch Methodist Chapel. The photographs of the memorials are courtesy of Yvonne Courtine.
The Great War, 1914-1918
John Evan Davies, Gunner, 32319, Royal Field Artillery. John was the son of David and Mary Davies, of Glangors, Penuwch, Llanio Road. He enlisted at Caerphilly into the Royal Artillery, and landed in France on 5 September 1915, attached to A Battery, 100th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 22nd Division. The Division crossed to France in early September 1915, with all units being concentrated near Flesselles by 9 September, but the Division was then diverted to Salonika, sailing from Marseilles on 27 October 1915. John was wounded during the Second Battle of Doiran. He died of his wounds on 21 September 1918, aged 25, and is buried at Sarigol Military Cemetery, Kriston, Salonika.
Willie Isaac Griffiths, Private, 266767, Welsh Regiment, Willie was born at Nantcwnlle in 1895, the son of Thomas and Margaret Griffiths, of Glanrhyd. He lived at Llangybi prior to the war, where he worked as a farm labourer, and enlisted at Newport, Monmouth into the Monmouthshire Regiment. Willie was probably posted to France in the summer of 1916, where he was transferred to the 1/6th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion was attached to the 1st Division as the Divisional Pioneer Battalion. The division fought throughout the Somme offensive throughout the summer of 1916, and followed the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line in early 1917. The division was then briefed for an offensive along the Flanders Coast, and moved there during the summer of 1917. The offensive was called off after the Third Battle of Ypres had ground to a halt, and the 1st Division was moved to Ypres, where they fought at the Second Battle of Passchendaele. The 1/6th Welsh were kept busy repairing and constructing roads to the front lines. Willie was killed in action on 24 October 1917, whilst the battalion was at work. He was 22 years old, and is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, Belgium.
Daniel Hughes, Private, 722370, London Regiment. Daniel was born at Llangeitho in 1888, the son of William and Mary Hughes, of Ochresgair. He followed his father’s profession, becoming a stone mason, and at the outbreak of war was working and residing at Battersea. Daniel enlisted there on 10 January 1916 into the 24th Battalion, London Regiment (The Queen’s). Daniel was then posted on 3 March 1916 to the 2/24th Battalion, London Regiment, which was attached to 181 Brigade, 60th (2/2nd London) Division. In June 1916 the division landed at Le Havre, and in November 1916 moved to Salonika. After six months there, the division was moved to Egypt, and took part in the Palestinian campaign thereafter. Daniel was killed in action in Syria on 20 February 1918. He was 29 years old, and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
World War Two, 1939-1945
Daniel John Evans, Gunner, 1835138, Royal Artillery. Daniel was born in 1921, and had resided at Graigwen, Penuwch. He served with 239 Battery, 77 Heavy Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, which was a TA unit, raised in South Wales. On 6 December 1941, the regiment sailed in Convoy WS14 from the Clyde bound for the Middle East. By the time the Convoy had reached Durban, the destination of the Regiments had been changed to Singapore, and again to Djakarta, in Java, and the Convoy reached its destination on 4 February 1942. 239 Battery moved by road and rail to Surabaja, in Eastern Java and went into action in that area in February 1942. Daniel was 21 years old when he was captured by the Japanese in Java when it capitulated in March 1942. He survived over two years in captivity, but died as a POW at Muna Island on 20 September 1944, aged 23. Daniel is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, Singapore.
William John Evans, Fusilier, 10699106, Royal Welch Fusiliers. William was the son of Edward and Jane Evans, of Plasnewydd, Penuwch. He served with the 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, which was attached to 158th Infantry Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The division was a TA unit, and landed in Normandy at the end of June 1944, taking part in the fighting around Caen, and in the infamous Bocage. Between 15 and 17 July 1944 Operation Greenline took place, which was designed to capture the high ground around Bougy, Évrecy, and Maizet, south of the Odon. For this operation the 158th Infantry Brigade came under command of the 15th (Scottish) Division. William was killed during the 7th RWF attack on Évrecy on 16 July 1944. He was 24 years old, and is buried in Ranville War Cemetery, France.
Penuwch (Those Who Served) Memorials
