Rassau is a village and community located in the historic county of Breconshire, which was originally part of the larger settlement of Beaufort. The village lies to the south of the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road, north of Ebbw Vale, and is now in Monmouthshire. The men of Rassau and Beaufort who fell during both World Wars are commemorated on a modern war memorial which is situated at Bethesda Church Memorial Garden, in Beaufort. This new memorial has no names, as it was decided that it would be hard to ensure the commemoration of all of the local war casualties, so I have created this page purely to commemorate those known to have lived in Rassau. There is some repetition within the details below, as many of the men served with the same battalion, the 10th SWB, during the Great War.
The Great War, 1914-1918
David Linton Ashman, Private, 32226, South Wales Borderers. David was the son of David John Ashman and Mary Ashman (nee Jones), of 1, Cross Row, Rassau. He enlisted into the South Wales Borderers at Newport and was drafted to France in the Spring of 1916, joining the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. He joined the Division near Cuinchy before it marched 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, before taking part in the great offensive of 21 August 1918, and began its advance towards the Hindenburg Line. Over the coming weeks the division crossed the old Somme battlefields, recapturing Pozieres, Mametz Wood, Longueval, Delville Wood and Morval, before advancing across the Bapaume to Péronne Road and crossing the Canal du Nord. By 3 October the Division had reached Lempire, in the outer Hindenburg Defensive Line and on the following day began its attacks on the Hindenburg outposts. David was killed in action four days later, on 8 October 1918, during the Divisions assault on Villers-Outréaux. The 19-year-old is buried in Guizancourt Farm Cemetery, Gouy.
John Bull, Corporal, 20374, South Wales Borderers. John was the son of Joseph and Martha Bull, of 27, North Street, Beaufort Hill, Beaufort. He married Elizabeth Lavinia Freebury in 1902 and the couple set up home at 3, Cross Row, Rassau. John worked as a coal hewer for the Ebbw Vale Company prior to enlisting into the 11th South Wales Borderers at Ebbw Vale soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion was at Colwyn Bay attached to the 43rd (Welsh) Division. The Division trained in North Wales before moving to Winchester in the summer of 1915, where the formation became renumbered 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. 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 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 killed in action during the assault that day. The 37-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. His son, John Henry Bull, was killed at Antwerp during the Second World War.
Albert Dunn, Private, 20380, South Wales Borderers. Albert was the son of William and Mary Dunn, of 2, Mount Pleasant Square, Bedwellty. He married Mary Jane Thomas in 1902 and the couple set up home at 2, Cross Row, Rassau. Albert worked as a coal hewer prior to enlisting into the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers at Ebbw Vale soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion was at Colwyn Bay attached to the 43rd (Welsh) Division. The Division trained in North Wales before moving to Winchester in the summer of 1915, where the formation became renumbered 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. 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 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. Albert was badly wounded at Langemarck and was evacuated to a Casualty Clearing Station at Proven, where he died of his wounds on 17 August 1917. The 34-year-old was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.
William Thomas Edwards, Private, 20315, South Wales Borderers. William was born at Brilly, Herefordshire in 1883, the son of William Edwards. He had moved to Rhymney to work as a coalminer by 1910 and on 3 December 1910 married Elizabeth Anne Bevan, at Rhymney. The couple then set up home at Samuel’s Row, Rassau. William enlisted into the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers at Brynmawr on 6 October 1914, but was discharged as medically unfit two weeks later. Undeterred, he re-enlisted into the South Wales Borderers at Ebbw Vale soon afterwards and was posted to Colwyn Bay to join the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to the 43rd (Welsh) Division. The Division trained in North Wales before moving to Winchester in the summer of 1915, where the formation became renumbered 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. 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, before taking part in the great offensive of 21 August 1918, and began its advance towards the Hindenburg Line. Over the coming weeks the division crossed the old Somme battlefields, recapturing Pozieres, Mametz Wood, Longueval, Delville Wood and Morval, before advancing across the Bapaume to Péronne Road and crossing the Canal du Nord. By 3 October the Division had reached Lempire, in the outer Hindenburg Defensive Line and on the following day began its attacks on the Hindenburg outposts. William was killed in action four days later, on 8 October 1918, during the Divisions assault on Villers-Outréaux. The 35-year-old was buried in Guizancourt Farm Cemetery, Gouy, France.
John Charles Hobbs, Private, 14485, South Wales Borderers. John was the son of Charles Hobbs and Margaret Hobbs (nee Davies), of 10, Pit Row, Ebbw Vale. He married Cecelia Ann Moores in 1906 and the couple set up home at Bridgend Building, Rassau, where their three daughters were born over the coming years. Cecelia died in childbirth in 1913, so two daughters went to live with Mrs Dobbs, at 1, Rock Cottage, Rassau, whilst the third went to live with Mrs Holman, at 2, Partridge Row, Beaufort. John enlisted at Brecon into the 5th Battalion, South Wales Borderers soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion formed at Brecon before moving to Park House Camp, near Tidworth, to join 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The men spent the winter in billets at Basingstoke, where in January 1915 the battalion became the Pioneer Battalion to the 19th Division. The Division began landing in France on 19 July 1915, then moved to the Nursery Sector at Calonne for trench initiation alongside the Dehra Dun Brigade. The infantry battalions of the division then began carrying out the usual routines of rotating in the trenches: four days in the front line; four in support; and four in reserve, interspersed with training regimes and carrying out working parties and trench raids. Just south, the British launched a great offensive around the town of Loos on 25 September 1915, and the 19th Division was ordered to attack from its positions at the same time, to attempt to draw enemy attention away from the main battle area. The attacking battalions of the 19th Division were in place by 04.00, and then at 05.50 the men climbed out of their trenches to launch their assault, behind a gas and smoke screen. The assault was a disaster, and heavy casualties were suffered by the 19th Division for no gain. The Division wintered on the Somme and in February followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. During the middle of March 1917 the Division was relieved from the line and began to move north, taking over positions in the Ypres Salient, and on 7 June took part in the assault on Messines Ridge, which was famously preceded by the blowing of a series of 19 huge underground mines. The 19th Division saw heavy fighting during the battle, then enjoyed a short spell in reserve before moving back into the line on 11 September, taking over a section of trenches running from the Ypres-Comines Canal to Belgian Wood. On 20 September the Division attacked past Hollebeke Chateau, to Hessian Wood, suffering heavy casualties. The Division wintered in the Cambrai sector, following the closure of the Battle of Cambrai, and was holding a section of the line in the Flesquières Salient. On 21 March 1918 the Germans launched the first of three offensives on to the section of the front running from Flesquières to St. Quentin, and the 19th Division was thrown into desperate fighting as it was pushed back over the coming days. The battered Division was then moved to the Messines sector to rest, but on 11 April became caught up in the second phase of the German offensive, which had been launched along the Lys Valley on 9 April, and again became caught up in desperate fighting. The remnants of the Division were moved south to the Aisne sector to rest and rebuild, but by sheer bad luck, the Germans third, and last, offensive was launched here on 27 May 1918, and the Division was once more caught up in desperate fighting. At some time during these terrible months, John had been taken ill and been evacuated back to Britain. He was taken to the Lord Derby War Hospital at Warrington, where he died of cerebro-spinal fever on 6 June 1918. The remains of the 36-year-old were conveyed home and he was buried in St. David’s Churchyard, Beaufort.
John Morris, Private, Deal 4388/S, Royal Marines. John was born on 7 July 1891, the son of William and Joanna Morris, of Linebridge Cottage, Rassau. He worked as a collier at the Tunnel Colliery, Ebbw Vale prior to enlisting into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 8 September 1915 and on 17 March 1916 was transferred to the Royal Marines Medical Unit. John was drafted to France on 11 May 1917 and was posted to the 2nd (Royal Naval) Field Ambulance, in the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division. The Division was at Arras and saw heavy fighting during the Battle of Arras, before moving north to Ypres in October to join the offensive for Passchendaele Ridge. John was killed at Passchendaele whilst carrying a wounded soldier from the battlefield on 26 October 1917. The 26-year-old is buried in Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium.
William Irving Pembrey, Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 20256, South Wales Borderers. William was the son of William Pembrey and Deborah Pembrey (nee Jones), of Rassau. He worked as an office clerk prior to enlisting into the South Wales Borderers at Ebbw Vale soon after the outbreak of war and was posted to Colwyn Bay to join the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to the 43rd (Welsh) Division. The Division trained in North Wales before moving to Winchester in the summer of 1915, where the formation became renumbered 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. 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, before taking part in the great offensive of 21 August 1918, and began its advance towards the Hindenburg Line. William was killed in action during the early stages of the great advance, on 24 August 1918. The 24-year-old is buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authille Wood, France. William had been awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre during the war, the award of which was published in the London Gazette of 9 July 1918.
Joseph Price, Private, 13957, South Wales Borderers. Joseph was the son of John and Catherine Price, of Llangynidr. The family resided at the Castle Inn, Rassau by 1911 and Joseph worked as a coal hewer. He enlisted into the 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers at Brecon soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion formed at Brecon in August 1914 before moving to Park House Camp, near Tidworth to join 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division, then underwent several moves before sailing from Avonmouth for Mudros on 29 June 1915, in preparation to join the Gallipoli campaign. The Division began landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli from 6 July 1915, relieving the 29th Division. It then left and returned to Mudros at the end of the month, before landing at ANZAC Cove from 3 August 1915, to join the Anzacs in readiness to take part in an attack intended to divert Turkish attention away from new landings at Suvla Bay. Joseph was killed in action at Anzac on 7 August 1915, probably by Turkish artillery fire. The 32-year-old is buried in New Zealand No. 2 Outpost Cemetery, Gallipoli. His brother, William, had been killed on the Aisne in 1914.
William Arthur Price, Private, 7924, South Wales Borderers. William was the son of John and Catherine Price, of Llangynidr. The family resided at the Castle Inn, Rassau by 1911 and William worked as a limestone tipper. He had enlisted into the South Wales Borderers Militia on 26 April 1898 and by the time war erupted was on the Army Reserve. William was mobilised on 4 August 1914 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was at Bordon attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. William landed in France with the Division on 13 August 1914 and the Division then entrained for the Belgian frontier, near the town of Mons, joining the BEF. On 23 August 1914 the Germans attacked Mons in overwhelming force and the BEF was driven south, retreating over the coming days to the River Marne, where the German drive on Paris was halted. The Germans then withdrew to the heights of the Chemin-des-Dames ridge, to the north of the River Aisne, and the BEF advanced before attacking the German positions on 13 September. Neither side could gain any ground, despite ferocious fighting, so the BEF was ordered to dig in, thus beginning the first stages of the forming of the Western Front. William was killed in action during an artillery bombardment on the trenches held by the 1st SWB on 18 September 1914. The 34-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the La Ferté-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France. His brother, Joseph, was killed at Gallipoli the following year.
William Charles Stokes, Private, 67664, Cheshire Regiment. William was the son of William Stokes and Sarah Ann Stokes (nee Phillips), of Holly Bush Cottage, Rassau. He worked as a collier prior to enlisting into the 13th (Reserve) Battalion, South Wales Borderers at Abertillery on 21 August 1915 and joined the battalion at Kinmel Park. William lied about his age at enlistment, so remained in Kinmel Park for over a year before being transferred to the 59th Battalion, Training Reserve. He did not embark for France until 2 April 1918 and upon disembarkation joined the 9th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was attached to 56 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The Division had suffered terrible casualties the previous month, following its heroic defence of Beugny and the ensuing withdrawal towards Hébuterne, following the opening phase of the German Spring offensive and had moved to positions near Ploegsteert to rest and refit. Unfortunately, on 9 April 1918 the Germans launched the second phase of their Spring offensive along the Lys Valley and the 19th Division was hit hard once more over the coming days. William was badly wounded during the first day of the fighting and was evacuated to the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Lijssenthoek, where he died of his wounds on 11 April 1918. The 18-year-old is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Tom James Williams, Private, 13016, South Wales Borderers. Tom was the son of William and Louisa Williams, of 3, Holly Bush Row, Rassau. He worked as a collier prior to enlisting at Newport into the 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion formed at Brecon, before moving to Park House Camp, near Tidworth to join 40 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division, then moved to billets in Cirencester before moving to Woking in March 1915 for final training. On 29 June 1915 the Division sailed from Avonmouth for Mudros, before landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on 15 July 1915. Two weeks later the Division was moved to Anzac, to reinforce the Australian and New Zealand troops there, in readiness for a great assault on the Sari Bair Ridge, in conjunction with fresh Allied landings at Suvla Bay. The assault began on 6 August 1915 and raged over the coming days. The 4th SWB reached the Achyl Dere before assaulting, and seizing Damakjelik Bair, one of the ridges held by the Turks. The Turks counter-attacked on 9 August and terrible fighting raged throughout the day. Tom was wounded during the day and was evacuated to the 7th Field Ambulance, where he died of his wounds on 10 August 1915. The 28-year-old is buried in the 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery, Gallipoli.
Herbert Wood, Rifleman, S/8986, Rifle Brigade. Herbert was born in Blaenavon in 1889, the son of William Layton Wood and Elizabeth Wood (nee Williams). He married Eliza Ann Davies at Bridgend on 17 April 1911 and the couple set up home at 5, Hollybush Road, Rassau, with her mother, Alice. Herbert worked as a haulier prior to enlisting into the Rifle Brigade at Maesteg on 17 March 1915 and was posted to the Depot at Winchester for training. He was drafted to France on 1 September 1915, joining the 3rd Battalion, Rifle Brigade, which was at Ypres attached to 17 Brigade, 6th Division. On 14 October the 3rd Rifle Brigade transferred with 17 Brigade to the newly arrived 24th Division which had been thrown into action at the Battle of Loos a month after its arrival at the front and had suffered severe casualties. The Division was then withdrawn from the line and didn’t see action until the summer of 1916 when it was moved to the Somme. It then fought at Delville Wood and Guillemont, before moving north of Arras in early 1917. In April and May 1917, the Division fought at the Battle of Vimy, alongside the Canadian Corps, and in June it was moved to positions south of Ypres at the end of May, in readiness to take part in the Battle of Messines. The battle opened with a roar on 7 June 1917 following the blowing of a series of vast underground mines beneath key German positions and was followed up by a combined infantry and tank assault. The Division attacked from positions near Wytschaete and captured its objective of Odonto Trench before consolidating its gains overnight. Herbert was killed in action here on the following day, 8 June 1917. The 29-year-old is buried in Oostaverne Wood Cemetery, Belgium.
World War Two, 1939-1945
Ivor Beynon, Private, 14531159, The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey). Ivor was the son of Ivor and Mary Ann Beynon, of Rassau. He enlisted into the South Wales Borderers, but on 4 February 1943 was among a number of men from the regiment transferred to the 1st Battalion, The Queen’s Royal Regiment (West Surrey). The 1st Battalion was serving in British India on the outbreak of the Second World War but did not see action until 1942 against the Imperial Japanese Army. The 1st Queens fought in the Burma Campaign throughout the war as part of the 33rd Indian Infantry Brigade, 7th Indian Infantry Division. After extensive training, in December 1943 the 7th Division took part in an offensive in Arakan, the coastal province of Burma and advanced down the Kalapanzin River valley. In February 1944, Japanese troops infiltrated through the division’s front and but were beaten off. On the following month the Japanese launched a major offensive, so the 7th Division moved to Dimapur, and took part in the Battle of Kohima. Ivor was killed in action near Kohima on 11 May 1944. The 20-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar.
John Henry Bull, Private, 4037495, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. John was the son of John Bull and Elizabeth Lavinia Bull (nee Freebury), of 3, Cross Row, Rassau. He enlisted into the army and was posted to the 4th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. The Battalion was a Territorial Army unit and was attached to the 159th Infantry Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division at the outbreak of war. On 17 May 1942, the 4th KSLI, along with the brigade, were transferred to become the motorised infantry element of the 11th Armoured Division and spent the next two years training and preparing for Operation Overlord. The Division landed on Juno Beach on 13 June 1944 and took part in several major action soon afterwards, which led to the break-out from the Normandy beachhead. It then took part in the drive through Northern France into Belgium over the coming weeks. The 11th Armoured liberated L’Aigle on 23 August and crossed the Seine on 30 August. Moving some 60 miles that night, the Division liberated Amiens on 1 September before advancing to Lens, then Tournai, and then pushed towards the strategically important Belgian port of Antwerp, which it liberated on 4 September. Two days later, on 6 September 1944, the Division tried to establish a bridgehead over the Albert Canal but failed due to a heroic German defence. John was killed in action during the attack that day. The 29-year-old is buried in Schoonselhof Cemetery, Antwerp. His father, John Bull, had been killed during the Great War.
Mervyn Davies, Private, 1093097, Pioneer Corps. Mervyn was the son of Emlyn Thomas Davies and Mary Ann Davies (nee Holcombe), of Ebbw Vale. He married Gladys May Jones in 1930 and the couple set up home at Rassau. Mervyn enlisted into the army and was posted to the Pioneer Corps. Little else is known of his service, but he died at home on 26 June 1945. The 34-year-old was buried in Ebbw Vale Cemetery.
James Tacey Howells, Private, 3915685, The Parachute Regiment. James was born on 7 August 1922, the son of Daniel Howells and Ida May Howells (nee Smith), of Rassau. He enlisted into the army and was posted to the 10th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. In August 1942 the battalion was converted from an ordinary infantry unit into the 6th (Royal Welch) Parachute Battalion, as part of the 2nd Parachute Brigade. The Brigade embarked for North Africa in April 1943 to prepare for operations in Sicily and Italy. The Brigades first operation was cancelled, whilst the 1st Parachute Brigade landed in Sicily where it suffered heavy casualties. In the meantime, plans were put into place for Operation Slapstick, the landings at Taranto. The 2nd Parachute Brigade left Bizerta on 8 September, the day before the Italian surrender, and landed unopposed, however James was aboard a transport ship, HMS Abdiel, which struck a mine and sank whilst entering the port on 10 September 1943, going down with the loss of fifty-eight men from the 6th Parachute Battalion. James was 21 years old when he was killed in the sinking of HMS Abdiel that day. His body was recovered from the sea, and he was buried in Bari War Cemetery, Italy.
John Robert Jones, Flight Sergeant, 3025712, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the son of Robert Frank Jones and Blodwen Jones (nee Parry), of Rassau. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after training as a Flight Engineer was posted to 297 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron had been formed as a Parachute unit and in 1943 the squadron flew their Armstrong Whitworth Albemarle’s to Algeria to take part in Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily, where they dropped members of the 1st Airborne, before returning to Britain the same year. The squadron then began practising towing Horsa gliders in preparation for Operation Overlord, where the Airborne would be tasked with the capture of the Caen canal and Orne River bridges, as well as the Merville Batter, which overlooked Sword Beach. The squadrons next major operation was during Operation Market Garden, where it towed 29 Horsa and 2 Waco gliders in the first wave and 24 Horsa’s in the second, all without loss. The squadron’s last mission of the war was on 24 March 1945, when thirty Halifax aircraft towed Horsa’s manned with 6th Airborne paratroopers to carry out a successful Rhine crossing. The squadron was disbanded on 1 April 1946 but reformed on 1 April 1946 at RAF Station Tarrant Rushton. John was killed here on 8 July 1946 whilst flying aboard a Halifax AVII, which crashed during take off whilst on a supply dropping exercise. The remains of the 20-year-old were brought back home, and he was buried in Ebbw Vale Cemetery.
William Lionel Jones, Sergeant, 1412377, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. William was born on 11 May 1922, the son of William Jones and Sarah Jane Jones, of Rassau. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after training as an Air Gunner was posted to 7 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a heavy bomber unit, based at RAF Oakington, in Cambridgeshire. On the night of 29 November 1942, William took off from Oakington aboard a Short Stirling Mk I, Serial R9150, which was part of a force of bombers despatched to bomb the Fiat Works in Turin. The aircraft was one of a few which successfully crossed the Alps and reached the target, before heading for home. During the return leg of the journey on the following morning, 30 November 1942, the Stirling was attacked and shot down by a German night-fighter, crashing near Pecy, some 21 miles Northeast of Melun in France, with the loss of five of her crew of seven. William was 20 years old when he was killed in the crash that morning and is buried alongside his fellow crewmen in Pecy Communal Cemetery, France.
James Lawrence McNamara, Lance Corporal, 5957380, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. James was born at Pontardawe in 1920, the son of James McNamara and Elizabeth McNamara (nee Payne). The family moved to Rassau at some time afterwards, after his father had gained a position as a Foreman Steel Smelter at Ebbw Vale. James enlisted into the army and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Regiment. The battalion was stationed in the Middle East with 14th Infantry Brigade, 6th Division at the start of the war, then moved to India in 1942, after the Japanese entered the war. The battalion became part of Orde Wingate’s famous Chindit force and served in the Burma Campaign of 1944. James was probably taken ill during the campaign, which became renowned for the terrible impact of tropical diseases on the troops, and was sent back to India, where he died on 28 April 1944. The 23-year-old is buried in Gauhati War Cemetery, India.