Llanon War Memorial

Llanon (Llannon) lies on the A487 coastal road between Aberaeron and Aberystwyth, about five miles from Aberaeron. The name of the village is derived from its association with Non, the mother of Saint David, who tradition says lived in Llanon as a child. Many of the men from the village who died in both World Wars are commemorated on the memorials inside Llansantffraed Church, but as these memorials only commemorated the church members, in 1995, the local community council erected memorials inside Llanon Memorial Hall, which include several people not commemorated at Llansantffraed. The photographs of the memorials have been kindly provided by Mrs Irene Phillips.

The Great War, 1914-1918

Isaac Evans Davies, Third Engineer, Mercantile Marine. Isaac was the son of John Elias Davies and Elizabeth Ann Davies (nee Evans), of Glanmorfa, Llanon. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Cliftondale, a Bristol registered cargo steamer. On 25 December 1917, Cliftondale was on route from Cardiff for Algiers, with a cargo of coal, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-35. Isaac was 21 years old when he died that day, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

John William Davies, Lance Corporal, 25471, Welsh Regiment. John was the son of Mrs Mary Morgan, of Cledan View, Llanon. He had been raised by his grandmother Jane Davies, at Letty’r Wenol, Pennant, prior to working at Pantyffyllon Farm, Llanon. John enlisted at Tonypandy into the 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was a bantam battalion, entitled, the 1st Glamorgans, and was 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 they moved south to the Somme, and fought 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 were one of the Divisions that followed the withdrawal. Later in the year they took part in the Battle of Cambrai, playing an important role in the attack on Bourlon Wood. John was badly wounded at Bourlon Wood, and died on 25 November 1917, aged 21. He has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France.

Nathaniel Edwards, Private, 782, Rhodesia Regiment. Nathaniel was the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Edwards, of Llwynon, Llanon. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Rhodesia Regiment. The regiment was formed in November 1914, and was sent to British East Africa, to take part in the campaign against German held territories. Nathaniel was possibly a former British soldier, who had settled in Rhodesia after the Boer War, and would have been a valued member of the regiment. He died in Tanzania on 5 February 1917, aged 38, and is buried in Morogoro Cemetery, Tanzania.

David James Evans, First Mate, Mercantile Marine. David was the son of Evan Evans and Anne Evans, of Llanon, and the husband of Jane Evans (nee Davies), of Omia House, Llanon. He served with the Mercantile Marine aboard the SS Ballater, a Liverpool registered Merchant steamship. On 22 September 1917, she was on route from Bilbao to Middleborough with a cargo of Iron Ore, when she was torpedoed and sunk about seven miles off Devon by the German submarine UB-40, with the loss of 19 lives. David was 30 years old when he died that day, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Isaac David Evans, Driver, T4/145741, Royal Army Service Corps. Isaac was the son of Thomas and Anne Evans, of Bryn Ywen, Nebo, Llanon. He had worked at Ammanford prior to the war, but travelled to Aberystwyth to enlist on 17 November 1915 into the Army Service Corps. He was posted to the Middle East with the 39th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps, which was attached to the 13th (Western) Division. The division was in Egypt after being evacuated from Gallipoli, and Isaac joined his new unit in time to take part in the offensive into Mesopotamia, and the attempt to relieve the besieged town of Kut. He died of dysentery on 24 April 1916, aged 25, and is buried in Amara War Cemetery, Iraq.

Jenkin Evans, Boatswain and Lamps, Mercantile Marine. Jenkin was the son of David and Anne Evans, of Priory House, Llanon. He served as Bosun aboard the S.S. Constantia, a London registered cargo steamer. On 8 May 1918 Constatia was en route from Newcastle to Rouen with a cargo of coal when she was torpedoed by the German submarine UB-21 and sank off South Cheek, Robin Hood’s Bay, with the loss of three lives. Jenkin was 48 years old when he died that day and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. I have recently been kindly informed by Sue Rees that Jenkin is buried in Llansantffraed Churchyard, and recent research has discovered that his body was brought ashore at Whitby, and sent home for burial by his family.

John David Evans, Private, 13859, Somerset Light Infantry. John was born at Llanon. He was the husband of Sarah Lizzie Evans, and the couple resided at Treorchy prior to the war. John was an army reservist. He rejoined the colours at the outbreak of war, and re-attested at Pentre into the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, which was in France attached to 11 Brigade, 4th Division. John joined the battalion at Ypres on 27 December 1914 as a reinforcement after the First Battle of Ypres. In 1915 the Division fought at the Second Battle of Ypres, and it was here that John was wounded. He died of his wounds on 27 April 1915, aged 28, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. As far as is known, John is not commemorated anywhere locally.

Charles Gutteridge, Private, Welsh Regiment. Charles lived at Rhydtorth Farm, and served with the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He is shown on the memorial as having been killed in France on 15 March 1915, aged 17. Only two men of the Welsh Regiment died that day, neither of which is Charles. His name does not in fact appear on the Welsh regiment casualty roll, so his actual fate is for now somewhat of a mystery.

Daniel Harold Jenkins, Guardsman, 1427, Welsh Guards. Daniel was the son of David and Elizabeth Jenkins, of Millet Park, Llanon. He enlisted at Cardiff into the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards. The Regiment was raised by Royal Warrant of 26 February 1915, at White City, before landing at Le Havre on 18 August 1915, becoming attached to 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Division saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915, remaining in the area during the coming months, where they also fought in the subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. In July 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs Village. They remained here for the winter, and in March 1917 followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Later that year they moved north to Ypres, where they fought at the Battle of Pilkem Ridge, and then at the Battle of the Menin Road, Battle of Poelcapelle and the First Battle of Passchendaele. November saw them move south again, where they took part in the Battle of Cambrai. They remained in the area over the final winter of the war, and were stationed near Gouzeaucourt when the German Spring Offensive hit the area on 21 March 1918, at the Battle of St Quentin. Daniel was killed on the Somme on 27 May 1918. He was 30 years old, and is buried at Bienvillers Military Cemetery, France.

Jenkin David Jones, Private, 8485, 16th Queen’s Lancers. Jenkin was born at Llanon in 1892, the son of Richard and Elizabeth Jones. The family had moved to 66, Thomas Street, Abertridwr by 1897, where Richard had gained work as a miner. Jenkin followed his father into the mines, but after the outbreak of war enlisted at Abertridwr into the 16th Queen’s Lancers. Jenkin joined the regiment in France at some time in 1916, where it was attached to the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division. The Regiment didn’t take part in any major actions in 1916, but in 1917 took part in the Battle of Arras. Jenkin was killed at Arras on 11 April 1917, aged 24. He is buried in Tilloy British Cemetery, Tilloy-Les-Mofflaines, France. Jenkin does not appear to be commemorated locally.

Thomas Jones, First Mate, Mercantile Marine. Thomas was the son of the late David and Elizabeth Jones, of Llanon, and the husband of Mary Elizabeth Jones, of Gwalia House, Llanon. He served with the Mercantile Marine aboard the SS Landonia, a London registered cargo steamer. On 21 April 1918, she was 27 miles off Strumble Head, in St Georges Channel, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-91, whilst on route from Bilboa for Glasgow with a cargo of pig iron. Thomas was among 21 men who died in the sinking that day. He was 48 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Stephen Lewis Morgan, Private, 63698, Royal Fusiliers. Stephen was the son of William and Mary Morgan, of Peris Terrace, Llanon. He resided in London prior to the war, and enlisted there into the 2nd Battalion, London Regiment. Stephen was posted to France early in 1916, and transferred to the 20th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers (3rd Public Schools), which was attached to 19 Brigade, 33rd Division. He saw his first major action at the Battle of the Somme that year, and was killed during the Battle of the Ancre on 7 November 1916. Stephen was 36 years old, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

Evan Edward Jones Morris, Sapper, 216899, Royal Engineers. Evan was the son of Catherine Morris, of Felinmore, Llanon. He served with the 158th Army Troops Company, Royal Engineers. Evan served in Italy, probably after moving there in 1917. He survived the war, but died in hospital at Cremona on 26 November 1918. Evan was 21 years old, and is buried at Cremona Town Cemetery, Italy.

John Alfred Evan Norton, Private, 458, 5th Royal Irish Lancers. John was born at Hemel Hempstead in 1883. He was the grandson of Mary Jones, of Peris Terrace, Llanon. John lived at Bethnel Green prior to the war, and enlisted at Croydon into the 5th Royal Irish Lancers. John landed in France with the regiment on 15 August 1914. The 5th Lancers formed part of the 3rd Cavalry Brigade, and took part in the Rearguard Action of Solesmes, near Mons, and the subsequent retreat to the Marne. The Lancers then took part in the Battle of the Aisne, before the BEF was moved to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Messines and the First Battle of Ypres. After wintering in Flanders the Lancers at The Battle of Neuve Chapelle in March 1915 and then in the Second Battle of Ypres. John was killed in action during the Battle of Bellewaarde Ridge, on 24 May 1915, He was 31 years old, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.

John Thornton, Private, 22493, Welsh Regiment. John was born in Rangoon in 1897. He was educated at Stockport, and had worked at Penlan, Llanon prior to enlisting at Aberystwyth into the Welsh Regiment in November 1914. John was posted to France on 17 February 1915, joining the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was in trenches at Neuve Chapelle attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. Over the coming weeks the division prepared for a planned offensive, the Battle of Aubers Ridge, which was launched on 9 May. The 2nd Welsh suffered heavy casualties during the attack, and John saw his first major action. He survived, but was killed there on 27 May 1915, during the later battle of Festubert. John was 18 years old, and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, Richebourg L’Avoue, France.

World War Two, 1939-1945

Alan Longland Brigden, Warrant Officer, 565708, Royal Air Force. Alan was the son of Walter Longland Brigden and Patricia Brigden. He married Barbara Frances Cope at Chichester in 1939, and the couple moved to Llanon. Alan served with 172 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a Coastal Command unit, equipped with the Vickers Wellington. The aircraft were fitted with radar to enable them to hunt U-Boats. Alan was killed when his Wellington was lost on a mission on 8 September 1943. He was 27 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Alan is not commemorated locally.

John Merfyn Davies, Aircraftman 1st Class, 1255308, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the son of John Evans Davies and Ellen Davies, of Ardgrange, Llanddeiniol. He served with 100 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was equipped with the obsolete Vickers Vildebeest. The Squadron took part in the defence of Singapore in December 1941, but most of its personnel were captured by the Japanese after the surrender of the garrison. John was interred at Batoe-Doeah-Ambon, Dutch East Indies, and died there on 25 July 1944, aged 24. He is buried at Ambon War Cemetery, Indonesia. The photograph is courtesy of Tony Beck.

Simon Davies, Sailor, Merchant Navy. Simon was the son of Owen and Ann Davies, of Sunny Villa, Llanon. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Empire Amethyst, a Middlesbrough registered Steam Tanker, which had been built in 1941. On 13 April 1942, she was on route from New Orleans for Freetown carrying a cargo of 12,000 tons of oil, when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-1564, blew up and sank with the loss of all her crew. Simon was 24 years old when he died that day, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

William John George, Private, 3961466, Welch Regiment. William was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen George. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Welch Regiment. William married Anne Jane Williams, of Llanon, in 1942, before sailing to join his battalion in the Far East. During January 1945 the 2nd Welch were in action in Burma, crossing the Irrawaddy on the night of 28 January. The battalion saw heavy fighting over the coming fortnight, being continually under fire from the Japanese. William was killed in the Burmese jungle on 10 February 1945, aged 33. He is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar. William does not appear to be commemorated locally.

Lewis Ivor Jenkins, Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve. Lewis was the son of John Daniel and Anne Elizabeth Jenkins, of Millet Park, Llanon. He married Annie Freada Evans, of Pennant, Llanon, in 1931. He served with the Royal Naval Reserve at H.M.S. Lucifer, the Royal Naval base at Swansea. Lewis died in Swansea on 8 December 1940, aged 41, and is buried in Pennant Calvinistic Methodist Chapelyard. Annie died in 1966.

Elizabeth Lee Lewis, Civilian. Elizabeth was the daughter of Evan and Margaret Lewis, of Allthoyd Farm, Llanon. Elizabeth and her two sisters kept the Whitehall Inn until 1928, when they moved 80, Nestles Avenue, Hayes, London. Elizabeth worked at the H.M.V. Gramophone Factory, which had been converted into a factory which helped create the first airborne radar sets. She was killed when an air raid shelter in the factory was directly hit by a V1 flying bomb on 7 July 1944, killing 37 people. Elizabeth was 52 years old, and is buried in Rhiwbwys Chapel Cemetery. She is also commemorated on a memorial to the victims in Cherry Lane Cemetery, London.

Ivor Caradoc Lewis, Private, 5507363, Hampshire Regiment. Ivor was born on 23 May 1913, the son of Henry and Mary Lewis, of Brynamlwg, Llanon. He served with the 2/4th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, which had sailed for North Africa in 1942 to take part in Operation Torch, as part of the 46th Division. On 9 September 1943 the division landed at Salerno, and took part in the drive through Italy. Ivor was killed in Italy on 22 November 1944, aged 31, and is buried at Cesena War Cemetery, Italy.

Evan Iorwerth Rosser Morgan, Able Seaman, Merchant Navy. Evan was the son of David Thomas Morgan and Margaretta Jane Morgan, of Dauntless, Llanon. He married Gladys Lilian Gutteridge, of Poplar, London in 1934. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the MV San Emiliano, a London registered motor tanker. On 9 August 1942, she was 450 miles west of Trinidad, carrying a cargo of Aviation spirit, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-155, with the loss of 39 lives. Evan was 39 years old when he died that day, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

David Elwyn Owen, Sergeant (Air Bomber), 534934, Royal Air Force. David was the son of Lewis and Margaret Jane Owen, of Cledan, Llanon. He served with 90 Squadron, Royal Air Force, as an Air Bomber. The squadron was a heavy bomber squadron, equipped with the Short Stirling. On the night of 27 August 1943 David took off from RAF Wratting Common aboard a Halifax Mk III, Serial EF439, which was part of a force sent to bomb a target in Nuremberg. For reasons unknown, on the following morning, 28 August 1943, the Halifax crashed at Hesselnberg, killing six of the crew. One man survived and was taken prisoner, while David and the rest of the crew were buried in Herzogenaurach. All six men have been subsequently re-interred in Durnbach War Cemetery, Germany. David was 25 years old, and is also commemorated on a family memorial at Goginan.

Evan William Sweeney, Baker, Merchant Navy. Evan was the son of Robert and Anne Jane Sweeney, of Greenfield, Llanon. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Empire Endurance, a Middlesborough registered cargo steamer, which had been captured from the Germans at Norway in 1940. On 20 April 1941 she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-73, southeast of Rockall, Scotland, with the loss of 66 lives. Evan was 27 years old when he died that day, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

John Daniel Vincent Thomas, Civilian. John was the son of Captain and Mrs Thomas, of Glenville, Llanon. He was badly wounded during an air raid on London around the end of January 1941, and died at St James Hospital, Battersea aged 24. John was buried at Llansantffraed Churchyard on 5 February 1941. He is not commemorated by the CWGC.

John Lewis Williams, Sailor, Merchant Navy. John was the son of John and Catherine Williams, of Llanrhystud (late of Troedrhis, Llanon). He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. San Emiliano, a London registered tanker. On 29 April 1942 San Emiliano sailed from Swansea for Curucao. She loaded up with high octane fuel before beginning the return voyage via Freetown. On 9 August 1942 San Emiliano was struck by two torpedoes which had been fired by the German submarine U-155 and exploded with the loss of 40 of her crew of 48. John was 25 years old when he was killed in the explosion that day, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.