Arddleen is a small village in Montgomeryshire, situated on the Welsh/English border, some five miles north of Welshpool, in the community of Llandrinio. The Montgomeryshire canal runs through the village, which was also served by a branch line of the Cambrian Railway. The men of the villages of Arddleen and Pool Quay who fell during both World Wars are commemorated on the Pool Quay and Arddleen War Memorial, which is located in the grounds of St John the Evangelist Church, in Pool Quay, however Arddleen Tabernacle Chapel also contains two memorial tablets, which commemorate its fallen parishioners of both World Wars. This page commemorates these men on the Tabernacle Chapel war memorials.
The Great War, 1914-1918
George Fred Evans, Private, 52165, Machine Gun Corps. George was born on 23 April 1895, the son of Alfred and Elizabeth Evans, of Cefnllwyd Cottages, Llansantffraid. He enlisted at Newtown into the 2/1st Battalion, Welsh Horse Yeomanry soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion had formed at Newtown in 1914 and in July 1915 joined the 2/1st South Wales Mounted Brigade in the Dorchester area. During September 1915 the brigade moved to Yoxford joining the 1st Mounted Division. At some time in 1916 George was drafted to France, joining the 2nd Squadron, Machine Gun Corps, a Cavalry unit. The unit formed in France on 28 February 1916, joining the 2nd Cavalry Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. Due to the stagnant nature of trench warfare, the Cavalry Divisions were rarely used, as there was hardly ever any opportunity during the war to exploit any breakthroughs with the use of mounted troops, so it was not until the Battle of Flers-Courcelette on 15 September 1916, during the Somme offensive, that George would have seen his first major action. The 1st Cavalry Division then took part in the Battle of Arras during April 1917, but remained mainly in reserve to the infantry, ready to mount attacks in case of any breakthroughs. The Division saw heavy fighting during the Cambrai offensive, however, taking part in the initial tank attack on 20 November and being present during the capture of Bourlon Wood, before seeing more fighting following the German counterattacks from 30 November. The 1st Cavalry Division remained in the area over the winter, in positions in front of Roisel, facing the Hindenburg Line. When the Germans launched their great Spring offensive on 21 March 1918, the 1st Cavalry Division was ordered to man its battle positions but suffered mainly from shellfire during the opening day. At about 10.00 on 22 March 1918 the Germans attacked Roisel, and the Machine-Gun crews came into action, desperately trying to stop the advancing German infantry before being surrounded. George was killed in an action during the desperate defence of Roisel that morning. The 22-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Charles Galliers, Private, 33246, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Charles was born at Guilsfield in 1895, the illegitimate son of Mary Emma Galliers. He was adopted by Edward and Annie Jones, of Guilsfield soon after his birth. By 1911 Charles was lodging at Severn Street, Welshpool, where he worked as a stableboy, but soon afterwards he moved to Oswestry after gaining work for the Cambrian Railways. He enlisted at Oswestry into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry and was drafted to Egypt in the summer of 1917, joining the newly formed 10th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, which had formed at Cairo on 2 March 1917 from the merger of two dismounted yeomanry regiments, as part of 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division saw its first major action during the Second Battle of Gaza on 17 April. 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. The Division then took part in the drive north into Syria, but as a result of the heavy losses suffered in France, following the launching of the three German Spring offensives from 21 March 1918, was sent to France, landing in Marseilles on 7 May 1918. The Division underwent a system of training, to prepare it for the vastly different conditions on the Western Front, before taking over a section of the front in the St. Floris Sector. On 21 August 1918 the 10th KSLI relieved the 24th Welsh in the front line to begin a routine spell in the trenches. Charles was wounded during the relief and was evacuated to hospital at Merville, where he died of his wounds on 22 August 1918. The 22-year-old is buried in Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Richard Herbert Higgins, Chief Engineer, Mercantile Marine. Richard was the son of John and Mary Elizabeth Higgins, of Lower House, Guilsfield. He went to sea as a young man, to train as a Marine Engineer, and later lived at Bryn-Morwel, Somerset Road, Barry, where he married Sarah Margaret Griffiths in 1912. Richard served as Chief Engineer aboard the Elders and Fyffes owned refrigerated cargo steamer, SS Zent. At the beginning of April 1916, Zent set off from Garston to Colombia. During the morning of 5 April 1916, she was steaming off the southern coast of Ireland when she was torpedoed without warning by the German submarine U-66 and sank quickly with the loss of 49 lives. The ship sank so quickly that her two lifeboats were taken down with her, but one popped up, upside down, allowing ten survivors to cling onto it, before being rescued. Richard was among the men drowned when Zent sank that day. The 36-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Richard is also commemorated on the Pool Quay and Arddleen memorial.
John Ingram, Private, 355478, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was the son of John Ingram, and Mary Jane Ingram (nee Morris), of Guilsfield. He worked as a farm servant at Burgedin, Llanymynech prior to enlisting into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry at Welshpool on 8 September 1914. He was discharged as medically unfit just three months later but, undeterred, re-enlisted and was posted to Egypt early in 1917, joining the newly formed 25th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion had been formed 0n 4 March 1917 by the merger of the Welsh Horse Yeomanry and the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry to form the 25th (Montgomery & Welsh Horse Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, as part of the newly formed 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. John had been killed in action during the assault that day, 31 October 1917. The 22-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Andrew Richard Jones, Ordinary Seaman, J/81911, Royal Navy. Andrew was born on 6 December 1899, the son of Richard Charles Jones and Mary Ellen Jones (nee Peate), of Trederwen Cottage, Arddleen. He worked as a farm hand prior to enlisting into the Royal Navy on 14 December 1917 and was posted to HMS Victory I at Portsmouth for training. Andrew had not been at Portsmouth long when he took ill and was taken to Haslar Royal Naval Hospital for treatment. He died there of meningitis on 28 January 1918, aged just 18. Andrew was buried in Haslar Royal Naval Cemetery, Portsmouth.
George Albert Jones, Private, 67600, Cheshire Regiment. George was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jones, of Trederwen, Bytake, Llandrinio. He worked as a waggoner prior to enlisting into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry at Welshpool on 21 March 1917, and was posted to the 60th Training Reserve Battalion at Kinmel Park, Bodelwyddan for training. George embarked for France at Southampton on 31 March 1918, and joined the Infantry Base Depot at Rouen. On 9 April 1918 George was posted to the 15th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, joining C Company. The battalion was attached to 105 Brigade, 35th Division, and had been at Ypres until entraining for the Somme on 23 March 1918, to reinforce the battered Divisions which had been taking part in the desperate fighting which followed the launching of the German Spring offensive of 21 March. The Division took up positions in Corps Reserve astride the Albert to Amiens road, and George joined the battalion at Bouzincourt on 10 April. The battalion then took over positions east of Martinsart, and held the line on Bouzincourt Ridge, to the right of the 38th (Welsh) Division, which had just moved south from Armentieres. At the end of June, the 35th Division withdrew from the Somme and began moving north, to the Locre sector, in Flanders. During August the Division moved into the St. Jan Cappel sector, and prepared to join the great Allied offensive. To the south the Allies launched a great offensive on 21 August, and began their drive towards the Hindenburg Line. It was five weeks later, on 28 September, that the Allies attacked in Flanders. The 35th Division launched its part of the great advance from its positions at Les Trois Rois, and by the following day had reached Zandvoorde. The advance continued over the coming weeks, with the infantry battalions of the division taking turns to lead the assault. George was wounded during an assault along the Menin Road early in October, and was evacuated to the 62nd Casualty Clearing Station, where he died of his wounds on 15 October 1918. The 20-year-old was buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Thomas Pryce Jones, Private, 1186, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was born at Horseshoe Cottage, Arddleen in 1895, the son of Thomas and Eliza Jones. His parents later resided at Dolfor Locks, while Thomas worked as a servant at Bellan Cottage, Mardu, Llandrinio prior to the war. He enlisted at Newtown into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion was a Territorial unit, which mobilised for war at Newtown in August 1914, as part of North Wales Brigade, Welsh Division and moved to Conway until the end of the month, before moving to Northampton. Thomas died in Northampton on 12 November 1914. The remains of the 19-year-old were brought home for burial in St. Llwchaiarn’s Churchyard, Llanllwchaiarn.
Samuel Herbert Lewis, Private, 108838, Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Samuel was the son of Samuel and Jane Lewis, of Mardu Farm, Llanymynech. He worked as a shepherd prior to enlisting into the Royal Field Artillery at Welshpool on 7 February 1916 and was initially placed on the Army Reserve. He was mobilised on 28 April and posted to Preston, joining the 7th Reserve Battery, Royal Field Artillery. Samuel was transferred to the 3rd Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers on 17 June and embarked for France on 28 September 1916, joining the 15th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, which was on the Somme attached to 96 Brigade, 32nd Division. The Division had taken part in heavy fighting during the opening stages of the Somme offensive and then took part in the Battle of the Ancre and the resulting Operations on the Ancre. The Division remained on the Somme over the winter, and in March 1917 followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. On 14 May 1917 Samuel returned to England, suffering from dysentery. He was drafted back out to France on 31 March 1918 and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, which was attached to 24 Brigade, 8th Division. The Division was rebuilding in the Hangest area, following heavy losses following the launching of the German offensive of 21 March 1918, which saw the Division take part in a gallant Rearguard action over the Somme crossings. As soon as it was up to strength the Division was moved south to the Aisne sector. Unfortunately, the Germans launched the third, and final stage of their offensive on the Aisne on 27 May 1918 and the 8th Division was caught up in terrible fighting near Bligny. Samuel was killed in action here on 1 June 1918. The 26-year-old was buried in Sissonne British Cemetery, France.
John Edward Middleton, Private, 93511, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born on 18 January 1900, the son of Edwin and Fanny Middleton, of Rose Cottage, Wern, Pool Quay. He enlisted into the Training Reserve at Wrexham, and was posted to Kinmel Park for training. John was drafted out to France in the summer of 1918, joining the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had seen heavy fighting at Ypres during the Passchendaele offensive the previous year, before being 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, 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. The initial assault, across the flooded Ancre Valley at Aveluy Wood, was made by 114 Brigade, who captured Thiepval Ridge. On 23 August, 113 Brigade joined the assault, and the 13th RWF moved through Albert in the morning, and launched their assault from Crucifix Corner, Aveluy, towards the Albert to Bapaume Road. Over the coming days the Division captured Pozieres, before recapturing Mametz Wood, and drove on, capturing Bazentin, Longueval and Delville Wood, all famous battlefields from the old Somme offensive in 1916. On 1 September the Division captured Sailly-Saillisel, and on 5 September the 13th RWF moved to bivouacs NW of Ginchy to rest and refit. John had been wounded just before the relief, and was evacuated to the 34th Casualty Clearing Station at Fienvillers, where he died of his wounds on 10 September 1918. The 18-year-old is buried in Fienvillers British Cemetery, France.
Albert Thomas Roberts, Private, 15283, Machine Gun Corps. Albert was born at Penegoes in 1894, the illegitimate son of Margaret Jane Roberts. He was raised by his grandmother, Anne Roberts, at the School House, Dylife. Albert worked as a farm labourer prior to enlisting into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Machynlleth and upon completing his training was posted to the 5th Reserve Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, which was at Grantham. Albert took ill soon after arriving at Grantham and was taken to Belton Military Hospital at Grantham where he spent several weeks undergoing treatment. He died there on 17 March 1918, aged 24. Albert was buried in Grantham Cemetery.
Albert Williams, Private, 31901, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Albert was born on 5 December 1896, the son of William Williams and Sarah Williams, of 2, Osbaston Cottages, Knockin. He lived with an elder brother, Thomas, at Arddleen and worked as a labourer there prior to enlisting into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool on 13 July 1915 and was posted to the Barracks at Wrexham prior to being posted to the 12th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers to undertake his training as a specialist machine-gunner. He embarked for France on 17 February 1916 to join the 19th Infantry Base Depot at Étaples, and from there was posted to the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, joining the battalion near Merville on 26 February 1916. The battalion was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, which was still rebuilding following heavy losses at Loos the previous year, and was holding the Laventie Sector when Albert arrived. Much of April and May was spent training behind the lines before the 19th Division moved south to the Somme Sector at the end of June, taking over positions in front of Albert, ready to take part in the opening offensive of the Battle of the Somme. The division saw terrible fighting on the Somme over the coming days and months, before moving to the Bailleul area to refit, was brought back south at the beginning of October to take part in the final operations which ended with the capture of Beaumont Hamel. The Division wintered on the Somme and in February followed the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. On 12 January 1917 the 9th RWF sent two Companies forward to aid the 6th Wiltshire’s in the front line in L Sector. Albert was killed in action there that day. The body of the 20-year-old was brought back behind the lines and he was buried in Hébuterne Communal Cemetery, France.
World War Two, 1939-1945
Ernest Ellis Breeze, Fusilier, 4195349, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Ernest was the son of William Breeze and Catherine Letitia Breeze (nee Lloyd), of Ark Cottage, Llanfyllin. Ernest enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers following the outbreak of war. The battalion was a Territorial Army unit, attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The battalion was mobilised at the outbreak of war, when the Division moved to Northern Ireland to begin garrison duties. The Division then moved to Pembroke Dock, before moving again to the south of England, where it trained in readiness for the D-Day Landings. Ernest was home on leave early in 1944, and married Annis Jefferey, of Oldham at Llandinam, before re-joining his battalion. On 24 June 1944 the 7th RWF left England for Normandy, and landed at La Riviere near Ver Sur Mer. The Division then took part in heavy fighting over the coming weeks, as part of the effort to break-out of the Normandy beach-head, seeing heavy fighting at Évrecy, before starting the epic advance through Northern France into Belgium and Holland. On 15 September the Division forced the crossing of the Junction Canal North of Lommel, and continued to push westwards towards Elst, between Nijmegen and Arnhem, during Operation Market Garden. On 22 October the Division launched its famous assault on ‘s-Hertogenbosch, before continuing its advance to the German frontier. Between December 1944 and January 1945, the Division took part in the Battle of the Bulge, helping in the counter-attack which helped save the Americans, who were under heavy pressure, then after the German offensive was broken, took part in heavy fighting to enter the Rhineland. Ernest had been sent back to England at some time, either wounded or ill, and he died at Ashton, Lancashire on 16 January 1945. The 24-year-old is buried in Oldham (Greenacres) Cemetery, Lancashire.
Albert Ernest Preen, Fusiliers, 4193163, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Albert was born in 1915, the son of Albert Ernest Preen and Martha Preen (nee Huson), of Welshpool. He married Gwendoline Mary Humphreys at Welshpool in 1940. Albert had enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, the local Territorial Army (TA) infantry battalion, which was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The battalion was mobilised at the outbreak of war when the Division moved to Northern Ireland to begin garrison duties. The Division then moved to Pembroke Dock, before moving again to the south of England, where it trained in readiness for the D-Day Landings. On 24 June 1944 the 7th RWF left England for Normandy, and landed at La Riviere near Ver Sur Mer. The Division then took part in heavy fighting over the coming weeks, as part of the effort to break-out of the Normandy beachhead, seeing heavy fighting at Évrecy, before starting the epic advance through Northern France into Belgium and Holland. On 15 September, the Division forced the crossing of the Junction Canal North of Lommel, and continued to push westwards towards Elst, between Nijmegen and Arnhem, during Operation Market Garden. On 22 October, the Division launched its famous assault on ‘s-Hertogenbosch, before continuing its advance to the German frontier. Between December 1944 and January 1945, the Division took part in the Battle of the Bulge, helping in the counterattack which helped save the Americans, who were under heavy pressure, then after the German offensive was broken, took part in heavy fighting to enter the Rhineland, taking part in Operation Plunder, the Rhine Crossings, in March 1945. Albert was killed in Germany on 13 April 1945, when the Germans counter-attacked positions recently captured by the 158th Brigade. The 29-year-old is buried in Becklingen War Cemetery, Germany.
Reece Cadwalader Thomas, Fusilier, 4194452, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Reece was born on 7 October 1919, the son of Edward Alfred Thomas and Margaret Jane Thomas (nee Roberts), of Laurels, Pool Quay. He enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, which was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The battalion was mobilised at the outbreak of war, when the Division moved to Northern Ireland to begin garrison duties. The Division then moved to Pembroke Dock, before moving again to the south of England, where it trained in readiness for the D-Day Landings. On 24 June 1944 the 7th RWF left England for Normandy, and landed at La Riviere near Ver Sur Mer. The Division then took part in heavy fighting over the coming weeks, as part of the effort to break-out of the Normandy beach-head, seeing heavy fighting at Évrecy, before starting the epic advance through Northern France into Belgium and Holland. On 15 September the Division forced the crossing of the Junction Canal North of Lommel, and continued to push westwards towards Elst, between Nijmegen and Arnhem, during Operation Market Garden. On 22 October the Division launched its famous assault on ‘s-Hertogenbosch, before continuing its advance to the German frontier. Between December 1944 and January 1945, the Division took part in the Battle of the Bulge, helping in the counter-attack which helped save the Americans, who were under heavy pressure, then after the German offensive was broken, took part in heavy fighting to enter the Rhineland. On 1 April, 158 Brigade passed through the village of Alstatte, and during the night received orders to continue the attack the following morning. At 8.30 on 2 April 1945, the 7th RWF (in Troop Carrying Transport), were directed to cross the Epe bridge and advance along the main East-West Road leading to Ochtrup-Rethenberg-Wettringen and Rheine. After minor delays due to enemy action just East of Epe, and to the North-East where the bridge over the Goor stream had been blown, the leading troops were held up at a strong road block about two miles West of Ochtrup, and the battalion launched a pincer movement upon the Germans. Reece was killed in action during the fighting that day. The 25-year-old was originally buried in Ochtrup, alongside three of his comrades, but in June 1947 their graves were exhumed, and the four men were re-interred in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.