Welshpool is a market town situated in the historic county of Montgomeryshire, some four miles from the Wales – England border, near the River Severn. The town lies in a prominent position along the main road from Newtown to Oswestry. The community includes Cloddiau and Pool Quay, and incorporates the fine Powis Castle and its estate, which lie just to the south. The men and women of the town and surrounding area who fell during both World Wars are commemorated on the Welshpool and District War Memorial, which is situated in a memorial garden along a steep flight of steps running from Church Street to the grounds of St. Mary’s Church, in a prominent position overlooking the town. The memorial takes the form of a series of sixteen tablets, set into a semi-circular wall, which curves around an elaborately carved lantern cross. This page commemorates the fallen of the district who fell during the Great War, in order of which panel they are commemorated on. Interestingly, the names on these panels do not always correspond to the names on the relevant village war memorials!
The Great War, 1914-1918
Welshpool War Memorial (Buttington)
Thomas Jones. The Buttington section of the war memorial in Welshpool names a Thomas Jones, however the Buttington war memorial itself does not include his name, as no man of that name from Buttington fell during the Great War. One man named Thomas Jones served with the 11th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but survived and returned home, before going to work in Chirbury after the war, so perhaps this is a mistake on the memorial?
Edward Leach, Private, 2388, Montgomeryshire Yeomanry. Edward was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Leach, of Park Cottage, Leighton. He worked as a cowman prior to enlisting into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry on 7 September 1914. He served on home service with the 2nd/1st Battalion, Montgomery Yeomanry for over two years before his health began to deteriorate and he was discharged as medically unfit on 10 January 1917 after having been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Edward died in hospital in Newport, Monmouth on 5 September 1918, aged 23. Edward was not previously commemorated by the CWGC, but his case was forwarded to the CWGC as a result of my research, and he was accepted for commemoration by them on Tuesday 25 August 2020. He will be commemorated in the United Kingdom Book of Remembrance at Maidenhead unless the location of his grave can be traced.
Edward Millington, Private, 25432, South Wales Borderers. Edward was the son of William Edward Millington and Mary Ann Millington, of The Smithy, Buttington. He enlisted into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry at Welshpool, and after completing his training was posted to France in the Spring of 1917, where he was among a large number of KSLI men posted to the 11th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division, and had been holding the Canal Bank sector at Boesinghe since October 1916, following its assault on Mametz Wood the previous July. On 14 June the 11th SWB marched out of the line to bivouacs in Proven, and began a training programme, then moved further away from the front, to Westrehem, where its training intensified, in preparation for the forthcoming Passchendaele offensive. By 19 July the battalion was back at Proven, and two days later practised an attack at St. Sixte on a scale model of the German trenches they were due to assault. By 30 July the battalion had moved back into the battle zone, and moved into its assembly positions, alongside the other attacking battalions of the 38th Division. The Division had been tasked with the capture of the Pilckem Ridge, which would then bring Langemarck within range, and at dawn on 31 July 1917 the Division launched its assault on the Ridge, gaining its objective along the Steenbeek by the end of the day before digging in and consolidating its gains. Edward was killed in action during the assault that day. The 19-year-old was originally buried on the battlefield, but after the war his grave was exhumed and identified by his pay book in his tunic pocket, before Edward was re-interred in Poelcapelle British Cemetery, Belgium on 5 October 1920.
William Thomas Nichols, Private, 16716, Essex Regiment. William was the son of Alfred and Elizabeth Nichols, of Buttington. He had moved to London as a young man, and on 11 September 1905 married Harriet Heathfield, at St. Andrew’s, Haverstock Hill. By 1911 the couple were living at 64, Manor Park Road, East Finchley, where William worked as a Grocer’s Assistant. He enlisted at East Ham into the Essex Regiment soon after the outbreak of war. William embarked for France on 25 May 1915, joining the 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment, which was at Shell Trap Farm, near Wieltje, in the Ypres Salient attached to 12 Brigade, 4th Division. On 31 May, 12 Brigade was relieved from the front line and moved to billets to rest. On 6 June the Brigade relieved a French Division in support trenches at Turco Farm, before the 2nd Essex moved to Elverdinghe Chateau before being forced to move into the front line a day early, replacing another battalion which had been instead diverted to other work. The following days were relatively quiet; however, William was unfortunately the sole man killed in action in the battalion whilst it was holding the line on 8 June 1915. The 33-year-old was originally buried on the battlefield, but his grave was exhumed after the war, and he was re-interred in New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium on 21 August 1919.
William John Parry, Sergeant, 355190, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was the son of John Parry and Mary Ann Parry (nee Hughes), of Lacon Villa, Criggion, Alberbury. He resided at Heldre Hall, Buttington prior to enlisting into the 1/1st Battalion, Montgomeryshire Yeomanry at Welshpool on 26 August 1914. The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry had been mobilised at Welshpool at the outbreak of war, as part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade, before moving via Hereford to Thetford, to join the 1st Mounted Division. On 4 March 1916 the 1st Mounted Division sailed for Egypt to join the EEF. On 4 March 1917 the battalion merged with the Welsh Horse 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. Due to the terrible casualties suffered by the British on the Western Front in March and April 1918 the Division was recalled to the Western Front and arrived at Marseilles during May 1918. The Division trained near Le Cauroy before taking over positions in the St. Floris Sector, moving into the front line between the La Bassée Canal and the River Lys, with the left resting on the small village of Corbie. The Division faced the recently lost town of Merville, some 3,000 yards away. To the south, the Allies launched their offensive on 21 August 1918, and began the great advance towards the Hindenburg Line. The 74th Division was transferred south to join the offensive and assembled around Beaucourt Chateau before moving forwards to the area around the twin villages of Lempire and Ronssoy, launching an assault against the outer Hindenburg Line defences on 18 September. After suffering heavy casualties, the Division was relieved and entrained at Péronne for Northern France, taking over a section of front line near Hinges on 2 October. Over the coming days the Division began to advance, joining the Great Advance in Flanders, and began to push the Germans back towards the Belgian frontier. By 17 October the Division had reached Faches, and on the following day took the village of Sainghin, before crossing the River Marcq, before pushing forwards to the village of Camphin. William was killed in action near Camphin on the following day, 20 October 1918. The 27-year-old is buried in Lamain Communal Cemetery, Belgium.
John William Powell, Private, 55489, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was the son of Thomas and Fanny Powell, of The Bushes, Hope, Leighton. He enlisted into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry at Welshpool soon after the outbreak of war and was posted to the 3/1st Battalion at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry for training. John was drafted to France in the Winter of 1916-17 and joined the 5th Infantry Base Depot at Rouen. He was then transferred to the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was in the Canal Bank sector at Ypres, attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had moved there in September 1916 following its famous assault on Mametz Wood. 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. On 8 May 1918 the 17th RWF moved into the front line on Bouzincourt Ridge, to begin a routine tour. John was killed in action during this routine tour, on 13 May 1918. The 28-year-old was buried in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Albert Edward Ramsbotham, Private, 54856, Royal Fusiliers. Albert was the son of Joseph Ramsbotham and Sarah Ann Ramsbotham (nee Hughes), of Blackley, Lancashire. His mother was from Buttington, and Albert was raised by her parents at New House, Buttington. After leaving school, Albert returned to Lancashire, and married Clara French in 1911, before the couple set up home at 20, Sapphire Street, Blackley, Manchester. Albert enlisted into the army at Manchester, and was posted to France, joining the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on 26 July 1916. The battalion was on the Somme, attached to 36 Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division, and was taking part in the Battle of Pozieres when Albert arrived. He was not with the battalion long, as on 4 August 1916 Albert was transferred to the 24th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, which was also on the Somme, attached to 5 Brigade, 2nd Division. He served with the battalion until 10 October, when he appears to have returned to England. Upon his return he was posted to the 23rd Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, joining the battalion on 20 March 1917, but on 8 April 1917 was posted to C Company of the 7th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. The battalion was attached to 190 Brigade, 63rd (Royal Naval) Division, and was at Hallecourt, in the Arras sector, when Albert joined its ranks. On 14 April 1917 the 63rd Division relieved the 34th Division in the line near Roclincourt, where it prepared to take part in the Battle of Arras. The Division then fought at the Second Battle of the Scarpe, where it captured the village of Gavrelle on 23 April. At the end of April, the 7th Royal Fusiliers were relieved and moved to huts in Ecurie, and spent ten days there before moving to Écoivres, to carry out a training programme. On 18 May the battalion moved back into the front-line area, then by 1 June had taken over positions at Oppy, on the Hindenburg Line, remaining here over the coming weeks. On 5 July 1917 the battalion was in the front line at Oppy, with three Companies working on Oppy Trench, when their positions came under artillery fire. Albert was killed in action here during the day. The 28-year-old is buried in Albuera Cemetery, Bailleul-Sire-Berthoult, France. Interestingly, two of his brothers, Allen Gwilliam Ramsbotham and William Leonard Ramsbotham, gained the award of the Military Medal during the war, whilst serving with the Royal Engineers. William Leonard later served with the Royal Navy and was lost aboard HMS Hood in 1940.
Evan Roberts, Company Quartermaster Sergeant, 355013, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Evan was the son of Evan and Fanny Roberts, of Hope Farm, Leighton. He worked on his parent’s farm prior to enlisting into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry at Welshpool on 8 April 1908, and over the coming years attended every annual TA summer camp, being promoted to Sergeant by 1913. On 5 August 1914 the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry was mobilised at Welshpool, as part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade, before moving via Hereford to Thetford, to join the 1st Mounted Division. On 4 March 1916 the 1st Mounted Division sailed for Egypt to join the EEF. On 4 March 1917 the battalion merged with the Welsh Horse 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. The Division then took part in the drive north into Syria over the coming months. Evan took ill just after the New Year of 1918, and was hospitalised in Jerusalem, where he died of pericarditis on 31 January 1918. The 39-year-old was buried in Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel.
Welshpool (Castle Caereinion)
George Edward Astley, Guardsman, 4046, Welsh Guards. George was the son of Pryce and Annie Astley, of Tanhouse, Llanfair Caereinion. As a young man he worked as a cowman at Graig, Llanfair Caereinion, but then left home to join the London and North Western Railway Police Department, becoming a Detective at Lime Street, Liverpool. Following the outbreak of war George, like many other policemen, enlisted into the newly formed Welsh Guards. The Regiment had been 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 and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos, which began on 25 September 1915. George would have joined the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards at some time in the winter of 1917-18, probably after the Guards had taken part in the heavy fighting which followed the German counterattack at Cambrai on 30 November and saw the Guards Division launch a desperate counterattack, aided by tanks, which stemmed the German onslaught. The Guards wintered near Gouzeaucourt, enjoying some brief rest periods out of the line at Arras, over the coming weeks. On 19 March 1918, the Welsh Guards moved to a rest area at Berneville, to rest and refit. In the early hours of 21 March 1918, the Welshmen could hear artillery fire coming from the front, and soon received news that the Germans had launched a massive offensive along the section of line running south from Croisilles to La Fère. On the following day, the CO went forwards to inspect the ground near Mercatel, prior to the Welsh Guards moving there, and setting up camp. On 24 March, the Welsh Guards moved to Boisleux-St. Marc, before taking up positions in front of Boyelles, where the men awaited the advancing Germans. The battalion came under attack on 25 March first by artillery, then by German infantry, and saw heavy fighting during the day before being forced to withdraw. The following day was relatively quiet, but on 27 March 1917 the Germans attacked the new line near Boisleux-St. Marc, and heavy fighting again ensued. George was killed in action during the fighting that day. The 26-year-old is buried in Bucquoy Road Cemetery, Ficheux, France.
Arthur Frederick Bailey, Lance Corporal, 30853, Devonshire Regiment. Arthur was born at Lakenheath, Suffolk in 1891, the son of Thomas and Amelia Bailey. His father was a postman, and by 1911 the family was living at Castle Caereinion, where Arthur gained work as a gamekeeper. Arthur enlisted at Worcester into the 9th Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion joined 39 Brigade, 13th (Western) Division on Salisbury Plain, before moving to Blackdown, Aldershot and on 24 June 1915 sailed from Avonmouth, landing at Gallipoli on 13 July 1915. Arthur was invalided home at some time afterwards, and upon recovering was drafted to France in the summer of 1917, joining the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment. The battalion was attached to 23 Brigade, 8th Division. The Division was in the Railway Wood sector at Ypres when the Passchendaele offensive was launched and the 2nd Devon’s took part in the initial assault, suffering over 200 casualties. The Division remained at Ypres throughout the offensive, spending time in and out of the front line, over the coming months. The Division then moved slightly south to the Ploegsteert Sector in October, before returning to Ypres, and taking over positions on Passchendaele Ridge. The Division wintered in the Salient, with its battalions rotating for duty in the trenches and in reserve. Arthur was killed in action here during a trench raid on Teal Cottage on 3 March 1918. The 25-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium. The war memorial shows his name at Albert F. Bayley, but this is incorrect.
Francis Harold Bebb, Gunner, 138715, Royal Field Artillery. Francis was of John Maurice Bebb and Jemima Bebb (nee Jones), of Bank Farm, Castle Caereinion. He was educated at Welshpool Grammar School and worked as a clerk in the London, City and Midland Bank Chester, prior to the war. Francis enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery at Chester, and was posted to A Battery, 103rd Brigade, RFA. The brigade was attached to the 23rd Division, and embarked for France in August 1915, concentrating near Tilques. The Division saw its first major action at the Battle of Albert, where it captured Contalmaison, and then fought at the Battle of Bazentin, the Battle of Pozieres, the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the Battle of Morval and the Battle of Le Transloy, where it captured Le Sars. In June 1917 the Division took part in the Battle of Messines Ridge, and then took part in the Third Battle of Ypres from 31 July onwards, fighting at the Battle of the Menin Road, the Battle of Polygon Wood, the First Battle of Passchendaele and the Second Battle of Passchendaele. Francis was killed in action near Ypres on 21 October 1917 when a German shell crashed into his gun battery, killing most of the gun crew. The 20-year-old is buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium.
George Herriman, Lance Corporal, 1136, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. George was the son of Richard Herriman and Mary Herriman (nee Beckett), of 2, Styche Cottages, Nobridge, Market Drayton, Shropshire. He lived at Castle Caereinion prior to the war. George enlisted into the 14th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion was raised at Birmingham and became attached to 95 Brigade, 32nd Division, moving to Codford, Salisbury Plain before landing at Boulogne on 21 November 1915. On the following month the battalion transferred to 13 Brigade, 5th Division and moved to the Somme sector. Early in March 1916 the Division moved to positions between St. Laurent-Blangy and Vimy, in the Arras sector, and in June the Division moved back into the Somme sector, to prepare to take part in the forthcoming Somme offensive. On 1 July 1916 the Battle of the Somme opened, and the Division took over a section of the old German line between Longueval and Bazentin-le-Grand on 19 July. Over the coming days the Division moved forwards and took part in the desperate fighting for High Wood from 22 July. After two days of intense fighting, the 14th Warwick’s moved back to Pommiers Redoubt to rest and on 29 July received orders to move back into the front line and at 06.10 on 30 July 1916 the battalion took part in another assault against the German line. The attacking troops were met with a stout defence, as the German trenches had not been touched by the preparatory artillery barrage and, as a result, heavy casualties were suffered. George was killed in action during the attack that morning. The 26-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. His brother, Victor John Herriman, was serving with the Grenadier Guards, and died of wounds at Ypres on 20 August 1917.
Thomas Edward Lloyd, Drummer, 9950, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was the son of William Henry Lloyd and Elizabeth Lloyd (nee Thomas), of Castle View, Castle Caereinion. He enlisted at Cardiff into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers prior to the war and became a Drummer with the regiment. Following the outbreak of war, Thomas embarked for France with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 11 August 1914. The battalion was initially placed on Lines of Communication at Rouen, before joining 19 Brigade at Valenciennes, taking part in the retreat to the Marne with the BEF. Following the Battles of the Marne and the Aisne, 19 Brigade moved to Flanders with the BEF, and eventually took over the La Boutillerie sector after becoming attached to the 6th Division. The Division then spent several months at Bois-Grenier, then on 31 May 1915, 19 Brigade transferred to the 27th Division. The Brigade was then temporarily attached to the 2nd Division on 19 August, taking part in the Battle of Loos, and subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt, before joining the newly arrived 33rd Division on 25 November 1915. The Division endured a hard time during its first few months in the line, holding such notorious sectors as Cambrin and Cuinchy, where underground warfare was prevalent. On 22 June 1916 the Germans exploded a massive mine beneath the position held by B Company, 2nd RWF, which killed 54 men of the battalion, as well as trapping a number of British tunnellers underground. During the attempted rescue of one tunneller, a soldier of the 14th Welsh, Sapper Hackett was awarded the VC. At the beginning of July, the 33rd Division moved out of the sector and began to move into the Somme area. By 16 July the 2nd RWF were bivouacked in the newly captured Mametz Wood and moved to Bazentin-le-Petit two days later, to take part in the assault on High Wood. The battalion suffered heavy casualties at High Wood and moved back into reserve at Buire-sur-L’Ancre until 6 August and then spent several days at Becordel before moving back into the line at High Wood on 18 August and helped beat off a German counterattack. On 22 August 1916 the 2nd RWF moved into the support line at Bazentin-le-Grand, and six men were killed by artillery fire during their relief. The 2nd RWF then spent most of October in reserve, rebuilding at Lucheux, before moving back into the line and moved into trenches at Lesboeufs. The Division spent the winter in the Suzanne area, and at the beginning of April 1917 began to move away from the Somme, taking over positions facing the Hindenburg Line at Croisilles, east of Boiry-Becquerelle. On 23 April the battalion took part in a costly assault against the Hindenburg Line and when relieved the following night moved to Basseux to rest. On 15 May the battalion moved back into support positions near St. Leger, and on 20 May witnessed another attack by the 33rd Division against the Hindenburg Line, which saw a section of the outer line captured. The 2nd RWF suffered terribly during this period, and on 31 May moved into reserve positions at Bailleulval to rest, before moving back into the front line on the night of 19 June. Thomas was killed in action here three days later, on 22 June 1917. The 27-year-old is buried in Croisilles British Cemetery, France. His brother, William Henry Lloyd, died in France the following year.
William Henry Lloyd, Private, 238196, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was the son of William Henry Lloyd and Elizabeth Lloyd (nee Thomas), of Castle View, Castle Caereinion. He worked as a farm labourer prior to the war. William had enlisted into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry in April 1912 and had attended the annual Territorial summer camp every year afterwards. On 5 August 1914 the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry was mobilised at Welshpool, as part of the South Wales Mounted Brigade, before moving via Hereford to Thetford, to join the 1st Mounted Division. On 4 March 1916 the 1st Mounted Division embarked at Devonport and sailed for Egypt to join the EEF, taking up positions on the Suez Canal defences. On 11 December 1916 William was invalided back to England after contracting diphtheria and treated at Southwark Military Hospital, East Dulwich. It was almost two years before William was fit again for front line service, and on 22 October 1918 he was drafted to France, embarking at Southampton, intended to join the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which by then was near Englefontaine, attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. Unfortunately, despite his posting, he never left Rouen. William caught ill soon after arriving in France and was sent to the 1st Stationary Hospital at Rouen, where he died of broncho-pneumonia on 21 November 1918. The 26-year-old is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France. His brother, Thomas, had been killed at Arras the previous year.
Joseph Albert Pugh, Private, 3024, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Joseph was born at Castle Caereinion in 1896, the son of Joseph and Amelia Pugh (nee Edwards). His parents later resided at Moat Cottage, Chirbury. Joseph enlisted at Welshpool into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers soon after the outbreak of war. 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. In December the Division moved to Cambridge and then in May 1915 to Bedford, where the Division was numbered and the formation became 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On 19 July 1915 the entire Division sailed from Devonport for Imbros and on 9 August 1915 landed at Suvla Bay. The infantry moved off the beaches into the bush, but due to a lack of maps and no knowledge of the terrain, many of the units became disorientated, and the situation became chaotic. Even as the fighting calmed down, the situation facing the troops at Gallipoli failed to improve. The conditions were dire, with sickness and disease rife among the troops, due to the insanitary conditions, with hundreds of bodies lying unburied in No Man’s Land attracting countless flies. Joseph became ill just weeks after the landing, and was evacuated to the 3rd Australian General Hospital, Mudros, where he died of enteric fever on 6 October 1915, aged 18. He is buried in Portianos Military Cemetery, Lemnos, Greece.
Noel Price James Turner, Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Noel was born on 7 December 1878, the son of the Reverend John James Turner and Harriette Augusta Turner (nee Harrison), of Pentreheylin, Llanymynech. He was educated at Charterhouse and at Keble College, Oxford and had served during the Boer War with the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry. Noel married Minnie Beck, an Australian, at Guilsfield, near Welshpool on 25 September 1902 and the couple lived at Sylfaen Hall, Welshpool. Noel was commissioned into the South Wales Borderers on 4 September 1914 and was attached to the 2nd Welsh until joining the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers in March 1915. Both the 2nd Welsh and the 1st SWB were attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division, and had taken part in every major action of the war thus far. By May 1915 the Allies had decided to launch a combined British and French offensive, and the British were tasked with an assault against the Aubers Ridge, the same sector as the unsuccessful Battle of Neuve Chapelle the previous month. The Germans had by now strengthened their defences, and when the battle was launched on 9 May 1915, the 1st Division and the Indian Meerut Division launched their assault on a 2,000-metre frontage from Chocolat Menier Corner, north-east of Festubert, to the Port Arthur cross-roads, south of Neuve Chapelle. Artillery support was inadequate, and the wire had not been cut by the time the troops advanced, and heavy losses were suffered. Noel was badly wounded during the initial charge and was evacuated to hospital in Bethune, where he died later that day, 9 May 1915, aged 36. He is buried in Bethune Town Cemetery, France. Both his sons served as officers with the 7th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers during World War Two.
Welshpool War Memorial (Guilsfield)
Ernest Chorlton, Private, 54394, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Ernest was the illegitimate son of Mary Ellen Burgess, of Traws-Coed Cottage, Guilsfield. His mother married Frederick Chorlton, a warehouseman, at Manchester on 3 August 1903. Ernest was raised by his grandparents as Ernest Burgess but enlisted into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry under his stepfather’s name as Ernest Chorlton. As soon as he turned 18, Ernest embarked for France in the summer of 1916 and was posted to the 10th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was on the Somme attached to 76 Brigade, 3rd Division. The battalion had taken a mauling during its assault on Delville Wood on 20 July 1916, where it became caught in terrible fighting within the wood, the fighting of such severity that two men of the battalion were awarded the Victoria Cross. On 25 July the shattered battalion was relieved and moved into reserve and did not move back into the line until 17 August, when the battalion attacked Lonely Trench. On 23 August the Division moved out of the line to rest and moved to Noeux-les-Mines, near Loos. After a month there, the Division moved back into a rest area for further training before moving back south to the Somme and by 12 November took over trenches at Serre. On the following day, 13 November 1916, the Division launched an assault against the German positions at Serre. The 10th RWF reached Serre village, but the flanking battalions failed to keep up, and heavy losses were suffered, with almost 300 officers and men killed, wounded, or missing. Ernest was probably taken prisoner during the assault on Serre and was taken to a Prisoner of War Camp at Munster Lage, Germany, where he died of ill-health on 18 May 1917. The 18-year-old is buried in Hamburg Cemetery, Germany. His stepfather, Frederick Chorlton, was killed in action during the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, on 1 July 1916.
Robert Sandeman Gaisford, Captain, Royal Flying Corps. Robert was born at Guilsfield on 14 January 1896, the son of Lieutenant Colonel Douglas John Gaisford and Elizabeth Glencairn Gaisford (nee Alison). He was educated at Wellington College, and passed into the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich in September 1913. Robert passed out and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the Royal Field Artillery in September 1914. He embarked for France in May 1915 and took part in the Battle of Aubers Ridge soon afterwards. Robert then took part in the Battle of Loos on 25 September, and the following year fought during the Battle of the Somme. He volunteered for the Royal Flying Corps in 1917 and on 7 June 1917 gained his pilots certificate at the Military School, Ruislip. Robert was then posted to 34 Squadron, RFC. The Squadron had embarked for France in July 1916 as a reconnaissance unit equipped with BE2s, then in January 1917 it refitted with RE8s. Towards the end of 1917 it was sent to the Italian Front, to fly reconnaissance and bomber missions. On 30 January 1918 Robert was flying over enemy territory when his aircraft was shot down and crashed in flames, killing him and his observer. The 22-year-old was buried next to his observer in Tezze British Cemetery, Italy.
Edward Rees Griffiths, Guardsman, 10442, Grenadier Guards. Edward was the son of James and Margaret Griffiths, of Guilsfield. He was a regular soldier, who had enlisted into the Grenadier Guards several years prior to the war. Edward embarked for France with the 2nd Battalion, Grenadier Guards on 13 August 1914. The battalion was attached to the 4th (Guards) Brigade, 2nd Division and moved to positions guarding the city of Mons, together with the rest of the BEF. Following the German invasion of Belgium, the BEF fought a gallant action at the Battle of Mons, before retreating southwards, fighting at the Affair of Landrecies, the Rearguard Actions of Villers-Cotterets, and at the Battle of the Marne where the German offensive was stopped. The Germans then withdrew north towards the Chemin-des-Dames and the BEF advanced, fighting at the Battle of the Aisne, where the German drive on Paris was halted. The 2nd Division was then moved to Flanders with the BEF and took part in the heroic First Battle of Ypres, where the German advance through Flanders towards the Channel coast was stopped. The 2nd Division remained in Flanders throughout the first winter of the war, holding a section of the line around Cuinchy, with its infantry battalions rotating between duty in the front line, in support and in reserve. Edward was wounded here during March 1915 and was evacuated back to England. He died of his wounds in hospital in Bristol on 9 April 1915. The 40-year-old was buried in Arnos Vale Cemetery, Bristol.
John Higgins, Private, 28309, Essex Regiment. John was the son of Robert Higgins and Margaret Higgins, of Stone Cottage, Guilsfield. He worked as a domestic gardener prior to enlisting into the Essex Regiment at Norfolk soon after the outbreak of war. He was drafted to France in the summer of 1916, joining the 13th Battalion, Essex Regiment, which was on the Somme attached to 6 Brigade, 2nd Division. The Division saw heavy fighting during the Battle of Delville Wood in August 1916 and then saw further fighting during the Battle of the Ancre, and the ensuing Operations on the Ancre. In March 1917 the Division followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, and in April moved north to the Arras sector, taking up positions near Roclincourt in the Oppy Sector. On 18 April the 13th Essex relieved the 17th Royall Fusiliers in the front line to begin its first tour in the Arras trenches and suffered a torrid few days before being relieved on 23 April, moving into reserve at Roclincourt. On the night of 27 April, the battalion moved back into the line, taking over assembly trenches in the Oppy Sector, in readiness for an assault on the following morning. At dawn the following morning, the 2nd Division launched an assault in conjunction with the 1st Canadian Division and the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division upon the Hindenburg Line. John was killed in action during the assault that day, to the south of the village of Oppy. The 23-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Edwin Jones, Rifleman, 304009, London Regiment. Edwin was the son of Edwin and Mary Jones, of The Belan, Guilsfield. He worked as a Sexton prior to the war. Edwin enlisted into the 8th Battalion, London Regiment in London soon after the outbreak of war. He was drafted to France early in 1916 and was posted to the 5th Battalion, London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade), which was attached to 169 Brigade, 56th (London) Division. The Division moved to the Somme sector in February 1916, taking up positions near Hébuterne, on the northern Somme sector. The Division took part in the diversionary attack on Gommecourt, in conjunction with the 46th and 48th Divisions, on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, on 1 July 1916. The Division then moved to Foncquevillers to refit before moving to Hannescamps and did not return into the line until 5 September when it moved forwards past Fricourt and Mametz to Leuze Wood in front of Ginchy. On the following morning, 6 September 1916, the Division assaulted Ginchy, which sat on a prominent position overlooking the German held village of Combles. Edwin’s battalion launched its assault on Ginchy at 04.45 but made no real gains and suffering terrible casualties was forced to withdraw. Edwin was killed in action during the terrible fighting that day. The 39-year-old is buried in Combles Communal Cemetery Extension, France. His brother, James, was killed in Palestine the following year.
James Jones, Corporal, 290855, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. James was the son of Edwin and Mary Jones, of The Belan, Guilsfield. He was educated at Welshpool County School and on leaving became an assistant at the Berriew Road Boys’ School. He then entered Aberystwyth University but was erupted soon afterwards and James enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool on 21 November 1914. 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. In December the Division moved to Cambridge and then in May 1915 to Bedford, where the Division was numbered and the formation became 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On 19 July 1915 the entire Division sailed from Devonport for Imbros and on 9 August 1915 landed at Suvla Bay. The infantry moved off the beaches across the Salt Lake, under shellfire, into the scrub covered Chocolate Hill, but due to a lack of maps and no knowledge of the terrain, many of the units became disorientated, and the situation became chaotic. The Division was eventually evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915, moving to Egypt to join the EEF, and helped guard the Suez Canal before taking part in operations to drive the Turks out of the Sinai. The EEF then turned its attention onto driving the Turks out of Palestine, and on 26 March 1917 launched its first offensive against the coastal city of Gaza, which guarded the road to Jerusalem. Initial gains during the day were lost when the assaulting divisions lost touch with each other, and communication broke down when a thick fog cloaked the battlefield. A second attempt to force Gaza was launched on 17 April, which also failed, and the EEF suffered a change in leadership, with Sir Edmund Allenby assuming command, before being re-organised, and a third offensive was launched against a wider front from Beersheba to Gaza on 31 October 1917. This time the Turkish defences were breached, and the road to Jerusalem now lay open and the EEF began to advance north. On 6 November 1917, 158 Brigade launched an attack on the Khuweilfeh Heights. James was shot in the chest during the advance and was evacuated to the 231st Field Ambulance where he died of his wounds on 11 November 1917. The 21-year-old is buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. His elder brother, Edwin, was killed on the Somme in 1916.
William Morgan, Private, 11741, South Wales Borderers. William was born in Guilsfield in 1891, the son of William Morgan. He was raised by John and Marie Jones, at 3, park Road, Guilsfield prior to enlisting into the South Wales Borderers as a young man. William embarked for France on 20 September 1914, joining the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was on the Aisne attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division, having taken part in the epic retreat from Mons to the Marne and joined the battalion at Vendresse. On 17 October the 1st SWB entrained for Étaples, before moving to Flanders with the BEF. The 1st Division originally took up positions north-east of the city, at Langemarck and entrenched there, awaiting the advancing German army which was attempting to reach the Channel coast. The Germans launched their first assault on the Ypres Salient on 19 October, with almost suicidal charges by young soldiers against the experienced riflemen of the BEF at Langemarck, and the 1st SWB moved into the line there on 21 October. An officer of the battalion who witnessed the carnage wrote that day: ‘The Germans came on in great masses, silly idiots…’ The 1st Division then moved to positions east of the city of Ypres, along the Menin Road at Gheluvelt and on 31 October 1914 came under heavy attack again. William was killed in action during the fighting that day. The 23-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Edward Morris, Private, 203093, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Edward was the son of John and Sarah Morris, of Stone House, Guilsfield. He married Catherine Lewis, of Rednal, at Penrhos on 23 July 1908 and the couple later resided at Middlehouse, Guilsfield. Edward worked as a farm labourer prior to enlisting at Welshpool into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry on 17 August 1916 and was posted to park hall Camp, Oswestry for training. He had served with the regiment for three years prior to the war and had attended four annual TA summer camps, so had some prior military experience. Edward embarked for France at Southampton on 17 December 1916 and joined the 5th Infantry Base Depot at Rouen. On 5 January 1917 he was posted to the 1/4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was at Ypres and was the Pioneer Battalion to the 47th (2nd London) Division. In October 1916 the Division had moved north to Belgium from the Somme sector, taking over a section of the front line running south from Hill 60 to the Ypres-Comines Canal and remained here until taking part in the Battle of Messines Ridge on 7 June 1917. The men of the 4th RWF worked tirelessly during the battle to repair roads and to extend the Spoil Bank tram line. The Division took part in the Battle of Messines Ridge on 7 June 1917 and the 4th RWF worked hard once more, repairing roads and extending a trench tramway over the coming days. Edward was wounded just after the initial attack and was evacuated to the 2nd Canadian Casualty Clearing Station at Lijssenthoek, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He died of his wounds there on 15 June 1917. The 30-year-old is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Welshpool War Memorial (Gungrog Fechan)
Frank Adams, Private, 6045, South Wales Borderers. Frank was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ann Adams, of Welshpool. He left home as an 18-year-old to enlist into the South Wales Borderers on 13 October 1898. By the time that war erupted, Frank was serving in China with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was stationed at Tientsin. On 23 September 1914 the battalion landed at Lao Shan Bay for operations in conjunction with the Japanese against the German held port of Tsingtao. On 4 December the battalion embarked at Hong Kong and landed at Plymouth, before entraining for Rugby to join 87 Brigade, 29th Division. On 17 March 1915 the Division sailed from Avonmouth for Alexandria, then moved to Mudros island before landing at Cape Helles, Gallipoli on 25 April 1915, during the initial landings. The Division saw terrible fighting over the coming days as the Allies fought to gain a foothold on the Peninsula. Frank was wounded some weeks after the landings and was evacuated to hospital in Cairo, where he died of his wounds on 17 June 1915. The 35-year-old is buried in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
William Stanley Bowen, Private, 21327, Canadian Infantry. William was born at Chirbury on 15 April 1879, the son of Reverend William Bowen and Hannah Bowen. His parents later resided at Waterloo Place, Welshpool. William married Rhoda Ellen Webb, of Meole Brace, in 1901, and the couple emigrated to Canada prior to the war. William found work as a waiter in Valcartier but left his job to enlist into the Canadian Infantry in the town on 24 September 1914, stating on his attestation form that he had previously served seven years with the South Wales Borderers. William was posted to the 11th Battalion, Canadian Infantry, which embarked for Great Britain on 30 September 1914 and moved to Tidworth. William was transferred to the 5th Battalion, Canadian Infantry at Tidworth on 13 March 1915 and joined the battalion in the Ypres Salient, where it was attached to the 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division. The 5th Battalion, CEF was in the line at Gravenstafel when William was taken on strength, having suffered terrible casualties whilst defending the sector following the first German gas attack three days previously, which had opened a gap in the line. The battalion was then relieved, marching to St. Jean to rest, before taking over dug outs on the Canal Bank on 30 April. Soon afterwards the Division was relieved and moved to Outtersteene, before being posted to the Festubert sector and on 20 May the 5th Battalion moved into the front-line in their new sector for the first time. On 24 May 1915 the battalion launched an assault against the German trenches, and captured the position known as K5. William was posted as missing during the horrific fighting which ensued that day. No trace of the 36-year-old was ever found, although he was reportedly buried, so he is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial, France.
James Dennis Edwards, Private, 67317, Royal Army Medical Corps. James was born in Llanfyllin in 1897, the son of James Owen Edwards and Margaret Maud Edwards (nee Gibbins), of 5, Narrow Street, Llanfyllin. He lived at 15, Wellington Crescent, Welshpool prior to the war, where he worked as a Clerk. James enlisted at Liverpool into the 1/3rd (East Lancs) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps on 6 September 1915 and was posted to Sheffield for training. After completing his training, he was posted to France, embarking at Southampton on 8 November 1915, before being attached to the 26th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery on 26 May 1916. By the summer of 1917 James had been attached to the 298th Siege Battery, RGA, which had landed in France on 1 April 1917. The battery had then moved to the Ypres Salient, setting up its guns near Belgian Chateau, in preparation to support the forthcoming Battle of Messines Ridge. Following the battle, on 31 July 1917 the Third Battle of Ypres opened, and the Battery moved its positions forward to cover the assault. James was killed in action at Ypres on 6 November 1917. The 20-year-old is buried in St. Julien Dressing Station Cemetery, Belgium.
Frank Meredith, Pioneer, 65529, Royal Engineers. Frank was the son of John William Meredith and Charlotte Meredith, of 7, Wellington Crescent, Welshpool. He worked as a motor mechanic at Welshpool prior to enlisting into the Royal Engineers on 25 January 1915 and was posted to Chatham for training. Frank was then posted to the 105th Field Company, Royal Engineers and embarked for France with the Company on 27 September 1915. The Company moved to Flanders and billeted in Armentieres, before beginning work on the repair and improvement of a system of trenches held by 74 Brigade over the coming weeks. Frank was killed in action whilst carrying out trenching repairs on 9 November 1915. The 20-year-old is buried in Tancrez Farm Cemetery, Belgium. One of his brothers, Walter, died of wounds in France in 1918.
Walter Meredith, Private, 290179, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Walter was the son of John William Meredith and Charlotte Meredith, of 7, Wellington Crescent, Welshpool. He had worked as a gas fitter with the Welshpool Gas Company for five years prior to enlisting into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 19 March 1914. Walter attended his first, and only, annual TA summer camp at Aberystwyth that year. 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. In December the Division moved to Cambridge and then in May 1915 to Bedford, where the Division was numbered and the formation became 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. Walter was then transferred to the 2/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and did not embark for foreign service until 16 June 1917 when he embarked for France to join the 5th Infantry Base Depot. Walter was then posted to the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was at Ypres, holding the Canal Bank sector at Boesinghe, attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. 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. Walter was wounded during the initial assault and was hospitalised for almost two months before returning to duty. 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. Walter was wounded in the face by shrapnel whilst his battalion was at work improving its camp near Senlis soon after the move south and was taken to the Casualty Clearing Station at Warloy-Baillon where he died of his wounds on 13 April 1918. The 21-year-old is buried in Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension, France. One of his brothers, Frank, had been killed in France in 1915.
Charles Herbert Morris, Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Charles was the son of William and Jane Charlotte Morris, of Severn Villa, Welshpool. He entered St. David’s College, Lampeter from Lampeter College School in October 1912. In August 1914 he enlisted into the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, and landed in France in December that year to join one of the regular battalions. Charles then joined the Royal Flying Corps, and was posted to 59 Squadron, RFC, which had formed at Narborough on 1 August 1916, before moving to France, equipped with the Royal Aircraft factory RE8. During the spring of 1917 the allies launched their Arras offensive, and 59 Squadron became involved in photo reconnaissance and spotting work for the Royal Artillery. On 13 April 1917 Charles was flying as an observer aboard RE8, Serial A3216, which had been detailed to photograph targets around Étaing. The aircraft was one of six from the squadron, which was shot down by German fighters, at the height of what would become known in the RFC as ‘Bloody April’. Charles and his pilot, Captain G.B. Hodgson were posted as missing that day. Charles was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Arras Flying Services Memorial, France. His brother, Edwin, was killed in 1916.
Edwin Morris, Sergeant, 2024, Canadian Corps Cavalry Regiment. Edwin was born on 30 September 1881, the son of William and Jane Charlotte Morris, of Severn Villa, Welshpool. He had served with the 19th Dragoons prior to emigrating to Canada several years prior to the war and worked as a saw fitter in a timber mill. Edwin enlisted into the Canadian Infantry at Valcartier on 23 September 1914 and was posted to the Canadian Corps Cavalry Regiment. Edwin embarked for Great Britain and was posted to the 5th Battalion, Canadian Cavalry, which was attached to the 1st Canadian Division and was in France by August 1915. Edwin was badly wounded on the Somme, suffering gunshot wounds to his arms, head and legs and was admitted to the 4th General Hospital at Camiers on 3 October. Sadly, he died of his wounds there two days later, on 5 October 1916. The 35-year-old is buried in Étaples Military Cemetery, France. One of his brothers, Charles, was killed in France the following year.
Thomas Edward Oliver, Private, 11660, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Thomas was the son of Pryce Oliver and Emily Phoebe Oliver (nee Reese), of Castle View, Llanfechain. He worked in the South Wales valleys prior to the war, and enlisted at Pontypridd into the 6th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion formed at Shrewsbury before joining 60 Brigade, 20th (Light) Division at Aldershot, then in April 1915 moved to Larkhill, Salisbury Plain to complete its training. On 22 July 1915 the battalion landed at Boulogne, and the entire Division moved to the St. Omer area, before being sent to the Outtersteene area, before taking over a section of the front at Sailly, in the Fleurbaix sector, for instruction alongside the 8th Division. When the Battle of Loos was launched on 25 September 1915 the Division fought a diversionary attack towards Fromelles. On 8 January 1916 the 6th KSLI was relieved from a routine tour in the trenches, and moved to billets near Hazebrouck, as the 20th Division had gone back into Corps Reserve. The Division underwent a scheme of training near Godewaersvelde, before moving back into the line on the Canal Bank at Ypres on 12 February. As soon as the 6th KSLI had taken over the front line that day, the Germans attacked the battalion to their left, whilst opening up an artillery barrage upon the Canal Bank lines. Thomas was wounded by shrapnel, and evacuated to the huge hospital at Remi Sidings, where he died of his wounds later that day, 12 February 1916. The 25-year-old is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium. One of his brothers, George Pryce Oliver, had died in Malta on 21 November 1913, whilst stationed there with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and another brother, Henry Morris Morgan, died of wounds on 10 June 1915.
Edward Elwyn Lloyd Roberts, Second Lieutenant, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Edward was born in 1895, the second son of Edward Dryhurst Roberts and Alice Elizabeth Roberts (nee Morris), of Rose Cottage, Pontrobert. He was commissioned into the Royal Warwickshire Regiment on 18 December 1917 and was posted to France, joining the 2/6th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, which was attached to 182 Brigade, 61st (South Midland) Division. Edward joined the battalion at Holnon Wood, where it had spent the winter, holding a section of the front line facing the Hindenburg Line. Edward was taken ill and hospitalised in February 1918 but returned to duty in time to face the German Spring offensive, which was launched along a section of the front running south from Croisilles to La Fère on 21 March 1918. The 2/6th Warwick’s retired from Attilly the following day, with the entire line under heavy pressure, and over the coming days withdrew past Matigny, Voyennes and Billancourt, where the tired men rested. The battalion then took up positions along the Canal du Nord on 24 August but was forced to withdraw due to the unit on the right flank being broken. Eventually, after ten epic days, the battalion reached Marcelcave, where it dug a new defensive line before the depleted Division was moved to Flanders to rest, but the Germans launched the second phase of their offensive here just weeks later, on 9 April 1918, putting the 61st Division in the thick of the action again. After weeks of further heavy fighting, the Germans moved their attention further south, to the Aisne sector, on 27 May. The 61st Division remained in the Robecq area over the coming months while it rebuilt its strength. On 21 August 1918 the Allies launched a great offensive along the Somme front. As the attacking Divisions advanced, the British prepared to advance from the Ypres Salient and in Flanders. The 61st Division launched its assault along the River Lys on 3 September and began driving back the Germans. Four weeks later the Division was moved south to Anneux and moved to billets near Cambrai. Edward was wounded soon after arriving in this new sector and was evacuated to the 55th Casualty Clearing Station at Doingt, where he died of his wounds on 20 September 1918. The 23-year-old is buried in Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Edward was one of three Roberts brothers who fell during the war.
Goronwy Owen Roberts, Telegraphist, Mersey Z/2391, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Goronwy was born on 9 June 1898, the third son of Edward Dryhurst Roberts and Alice Elizabeth Roberts (nee Morris), of Rose Cottage, Pontrobert. He worked as a linograph operator at the County Times prior to enlisting into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 17 March 1916 and was posted to HMS Victory VI at Crystal Palace for training. Goronwy was then posted to HMS Idaho, the Royal Navy base at Milford Haven, which was used as a base for anti-submarine trawlers, mine-sweeping trawlers and Q-Ships, which were converted civilian ships and trawlers, heavily armed yet disguised, which were used to lure in German submarines before opening fire with their concealed deck-guns. Goronwy had four other postings before being posted aboard HM Trawler James Pond, which served with the Dover Patrol. On the night of 14-15 February 1918, small force of German destroyers took part in a gallant attack against vessels of the Dover Patrol. James Pond was stationed among a line of similar craft which were equipped with searchlights to cover the entrances to the port, but the trawlers became easy prey when the heavily armed German destroyers began to fire at them. Goronwy was one of three men killed when James Pond was struck by a German shell and set ablaze on the morning of 15 February 1918. The 30-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Goronwy was one of three Roberts brothers who fell during the war.
Meredydd Vaughan Roberts, Lance Corporal, 15446, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. Meredydd was born in 1892, the eldest son of Edward Dryhurst Roberts and Alice Elizabeth Roberts (nee Morris), of Rose Cottage, Pontrobert. He left home as a young man to work as an assistant draper in Birmingham and lodged at Aston Street. Meredydd enlisted in Birmingham into the 6th Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion was formed at Oxford in September 1914, joining 60 Brigade, 20th (Light) Division and landed at Boulogne on 22 July 1915. The Division moved to the Fleurbaix Sector for trench familiarisation and training. When the Battle of Loos was launched on 25 September 1915 the Division fought a diversionary attack towards Fromelles. Later that year the Division moved north, and fought at the Battle of Mount Sorrel alongside the Canadian Corps. It then moved south and fought through the Somme Offensive. The Division wintered on the Somme and took part in the advance to the Hindenburg Line in March 1917. Later that year the Division moved north and fought at the Third Battle of Ypres, before moving south in November, to take part in the Battle of Cambrai. The Division remained in the area between Cambrai and St. Quentin over the winter of 1917/18 then on 15 February 1918 the battalion was disbanded, due to the reorganisation of the British army, and Meredydd was then posted to the 2nd Battalion, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, which was at Metz-en-Couture, facing the Hindenburg Line, attached to 5 Brigade, 2nd Division. At dawn on 21 March 1918 the battalion was in camp at Ytres when the men were awoken by the thundering of an intensive artillery bombardment. The bombardment heralded the opening of the German Spring offensive, along a section of the Western Front running south from Croisilles to La Fère, and was followed up by an infantry assault, led by highly trained German stormtroopers. The 2nd Ox & Bucks were told to Stand To and be ready to move but did not receive its marching orders until the following morning, when the battalion was ordered to move with the Division to the Barastre-Haplincourt area. As the men marched towards the battle zone, streams of retreating troops were encountered, but nevertheless, the Division continued to advance until reaching a line running west of the Bertincourt to Hermies Road and began to dig in. The Germans hit the line during the afternoon of 23 March and heavy fighting then ensued, before the 2nd Division was ordered to withdraw on the following morning, having had its flanks enfiladed. Meredydd’s battalion then dug in again on the ridge east of Barastre, where it attempted to delay the enemy advance. Meredydd was killed in action here on 25 March 1918 whilst his battalion was withdrawing again, under heavy fire. The 25-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Meredydd was one of three Roberts brothers who fell during the war.
Edward Williams, Private, 9591, The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Edward was the son of Peter and Catherine Williams, of Gravel Lodge, Leighton. He worked as a Waggoner at Rhallt Farm, Welshpool prior to enlisting at Shrewsbury into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry some time prior to the war, and was serving with the 2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry in India when war was declared. The battalion embarked at Bombay on 13 October 1914, and upon disembarking in Plymouth some weeks later, moved to Winchester, joining 80 Brigade, 27th Division. On 21 December 1914 the Division landed at Havre, and proceeded to Blaringhem in the Ypres Salient, taking over the line near Dickebusch, at Westoutre and St. Eloi. The Division held this sector over the coming months, its infantry battalions carrying out the regular routines of trench rotation, with several days spent in the front line, several in support, and several in reserve. Whilst the Division was manning the trenches, the Royal Engineers worked hard underground, and had constructed a series of six mines beneath the German positions. At 04.15 on 27 March 1915 the mines were blown, and the troops of the 27th Division rose from their trenches to attack and capture the resulting craters, taking all bar two. The 2nd KSLI had been in reserve at Reninghelst during the battle, and by 2 April had moved to billets in Ypres, before the Division took over the Polygon Wood sector. On 22 April 1915 the Germans launched a gas attack against a sector just to the north of the 27th Division, at Gravenstafel, which was held by French Colonial troops. The French fled in terror, so the Canadian Corps was rushed in to plug the gap. The attack heralded the opening of the Second Battle of Ypres, a desperate attempt by the Germans to take Ypres, and thus open the way to the Channel ports. On 8 May the 27th Division came under attack, during the Battle of Frezenberg Ridge, and desperate fighting followed. Edward was possibly wounded at Ypres, as he was at some time transferred to the 5th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, which had landed at Boulogne on 20 May 1915, attached to 42 Brigade, 14th (Light) Division. The Division was in the line at Zillebeke and had been the first Division to be attacked by the German use of flamethrowers on 30 July 1915 and took part in desperate fighting to maintain hold of the Hooge craters. On 25 September 1915 the Division launched an assault on Bellewaarde Farm, as a diversionary tactic to the main offensive, which was launched to the south, at Loos, at the same time. The Division suffered heavily again for no gain, but remained in the Ypres Salient over the winter, moving to the Canal Bank sector near Boesinghe. On 11 February 1916 the 5th KSLI was holding the front line on the Canal Bank, awaiting relief. As the battalion was in the process of being relieved, a German bombing party attacked the trenches, causing over 25 casualties among the battalion. William was one of the men killed during the surprise attack that day. The 23-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Welshpool War Memorial (Llanerchydol)
William Herbert Evans, Private, 7851, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. William was the son of Edward and Ann Evans, of Welshpool. He had enlisted into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry as a young man and had served for several years before leaving the army in 1908, becoming a Postman at Wrexham. As a former soldier, William was mobilised from the Army Reserve soon after the outbreak of war and married Mary Emily Owen, of Pwllyglo, Welshpool, at Wrexham on 29 September 1914, just before entraining for Pembroke Dock to join the 3rd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. The battalion was the regiments reserve unit and was on garrison duty at Pembroke Dock until moving to Edinburgh in November 1914. During March 1915 the battalion moved back to Pembroke Dock. William embarked for France on 19 May 1915, joining the 2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry at Busseboom on 21 May. The battalion was attached to 80 Brigade, 27th Division, which was holding the line at Hooge and Railway Wood and was enjoying a short rest from duties in the front line following heavy fighting during the Second Battle of Ypres. On 24 May 1915 the Germans launched a poison gas attack against the 28th Division and the 4th Division, so the men of the 2nd KSLI were roused from their tents and ordered back into the line, marching via the line of the Ypres to Roulers railway. At dawn the following day, 25 May 1915, the battalion launched an assault on Bellewaarde Farm, but suffered terrible casualties before being forced to withdraw. William was among around 200 men killed during the failed assault that morning. The 39-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. His widow, Mary, died at Welshpool in 1923.
Reginald Valentine Manford, Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. Reginald, known as Rex, was the son of Samuel Manford and Edith Hannah Manford (nee Hiles), of Spring Bank, Welshpool. He worked as the private secretary to the Earl of Powis at Powis Castle and was the organist at Christ Church, Welshpool prior to enlisting into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry at Welshpool on 2 March 1915. He was posted to the 2/1st Battalion, Montgomeryshire Yeomanry and trained at Welshpool and Bedford before gaining a commission as Second Lieutenant into the Royal Field Artillery on 22 February 1915. Rex embarked for France on 21 November 1915 and was then posted to Egypt where he joined the Chester Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He then took part in the Palestinian Campaign and was present at the capture of Jerusalem before being wounded in the knee and forced to return to Britain for treatment. Upon his recovery, Rex was posted back out to France, joining the 59th Battery, 18th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The battery was stationed in the southern Somme sector, near Morlancourt, by the time Rex joined its ranks. On 8 August 1918 a combined British, Australian and Canadian offensive was launched in this area towards Villers-Bretonneux, marking a day which went down in history as ‘The Black Day of the German Army’, where the Allies smashed German morale, laying the seeds for ultimately winning the war. Rex was killed in action by German counter-battery fire that day, 8 August 1918. The 26-year-old is buried in Ribemont Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France.
John Edward Owen, Private, 61033, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born in Ellesmere, Shropshire in 1898, the son of Pryce Owen and Sarah Ann Owen (nee Davies). By 1901 the family had moved back to their native Mochdre and lived at Tyn-y-Bar. John enlisted into the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool and was posted to Litherland Camp, Liverpool for training. John had not been at Liverpool long, before he took ill and died of pneumonia at Blundellsands Military Hospital on 10 July 1918, aged 19. His remains were brought home and he was buried two days later in All Saints Churchyard, Mochdre.
John Pardell, Sergeant, 55491, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was born at Pendleton, Lancashire on 18 March 1894, the son of Thomas Pardell and Mary Jane Pardell (nee Jones). His father died in 1899 and his mother married Benjamin Gittins in 1904, before moving the family to The Frochas, Castle Caereinion. John worked as a waggoner for David Mackenzie at Frochas prior to gaining a position as a relaying labourer with the Great Western Railway’s Engineering Department at Shrewsbury. He enlisted at Welshpool into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry in 1915 and was posted to Park Hall Camp, Oswestry for training. In November 1916 he was drafted to France, and joined the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The battalion was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division and was holding the Canal Bank sector at Ypres, rebuilding following heavy losses suffered during the attack on Mametz Wood in July 1916. Following its moved to Ypres, the various battalions of the division were kept busy digging and improving the trenches, and also constructing a series of deep dugouts, whilst also carrying out the normal routines of trench rotation. At the beginning of March 1917, the 17th RWF was busy, with its men on various working parties constructing a light railway, wiring and improving trenches. 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 recaptured Thiepval, Pozieres, Mametz Wood, High Wood and Delville Wood, all famous names from the 1916 Somme offensive, before crossing the Canal du Nord, and once the Hindenburg Line had been broken the Division advanced past Le Cateau towards the Forest of Mormal, forcing the crossing of the River Selle. John was wounded during this period and was evacuated to the 10th General Hospital at Rouen, where he died of his wounds on 2 November 1918. The 24-year-old is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.
Welshpool War Memorial (Maesmawr and Moel-y-Garth)
Evan Arthur, Driver, 449663, Royal Engineers. Evan was the son of Francis and Edith Arthur, of White House, Moelgarth, Guilsfield. He worked as a cowman prior to enlisting into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool, but at some time later was medically downgraded and was transferred to the Royal Engineers. He most probably served with one of the RE units attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division, so would have seen service in Palestine. Evan returned to Britain after the Armistice and was on leave at home when he became ill and died of pneumonia on 7 March 1919. The 21-year-old is buried in Guilsfield Cemetery. His brother, Francis, was killed in Palestine in 1917.
Francis Arthur, Private, 290819, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Francis was the son of Francis and Edith Arthur, of White House, Moelgarth, Guilsfield. He worked as a timber haulier prior to enlisting into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool on 9 November 1914. He was posted to the 3/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, one of the reserve battalions, at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry for training. On 27 January 1916 Francis embarked at Devonport for Egypt, joining the 1/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had been evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915, moving to Egypt to join the EEF, and helped guard the Suez Canal before taking part in operations to drive the Turks out of the Sinai. The EEF then turned its attention onto driving the Turks out of Palestine, and on 26 March 1917 launched its first offensive against the coastal city of Gaza, which guarded the road to Jerusalem. Initial gains during the day were lost when the assaulting divisions lost touch with each other, and communication broke down when a thick fog cloaked the battlefield. A second attempt to force Gaza was launched on 17 April, which also failed, and the EEF suffered a change in leadership, with Sir Edmund Allenby assuming command, before being re-organised, and a third offensive was launched against a wider front from Beersheba to Gaza on 31 October 1917. This time the Turkish defences were breached, and the road to Jerusalem now lay open and the EEF began to advance north. Francis was killed, probably by a sniper, during the Divisions advance to the foothills of the Khuweilfeh range on 4 November 1917. The 21-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. His brother, Evan, died on active service in 1919.
David Thomas Bailey, Lance Corporal, 35047, Cheshire Regiment. David was the son of John Thomas Bailey and Mary Bailey (nee Morris), of Brook House, Cloddia, Guilsfield. He lived at 99 Rodney Street, Birkenhead prior to the war and worked as a plumber for J. Davies at Heswall. David enlisted into the 14th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment at Birkenhead on 21 November 1915 and was initially placed on the Army Reserve. He was mobilised on 15 February 1916 and joined the battalion at Prees Heath, near Whitchurch. On 19 July 1916 David embarked for France and joined the Infantry Base Depot at Rouen. On 27 July 1916 he was posted to the 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was on the Somme attached to 74 Brigade, 25th Division. David joined the 13th Cheshire’s at Mailly Wood, just prior to the battalion going into the trenches at Mary Redan on 31 July. Apart from the constant threat from German minenwerfer fire, the battalion enjoyed a relatively quiet tour in the line over the coming days before being relieved and marching to billets in Beaussart. It was not until 18 August that the 13th Cheshire’s took over the front line again, moving to the Thiepval Wood sector and suffered another spell of constant German minenwerfer fire over the coming days. On 27 August the battalion marched out of the line to bivouacs at Bouzincourt Ridge, then by 1 September moved into a new section of the line at Ovillers. The 13th Cheshire’s then spent the coming weeks in a similar rotation until 20 October, when the battalion moved into Hessian Trench, preparatory for an assault on the following morning. At dawn on 21 October 1916, the 13th Cheshire’s took part in an assault by 74 Brigade upon the strongly defended Regina Trench. Over 250 prisoners were taken by the battalion, but at the cost of almost 200 casualties. David had been killed during the assault. The 26-year-old is buried in Stump Road Cemetery, Grandcourt, France. His younger brother, Herbert, was killed in France two years later.
Herbert Bailey, Private, 26842, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment). Herbert was the son of John Thomas Bailey and Mary Bailey (nee Morris), of Brook House, Cloddia, Guilsfield. He enlisted at Welshpool into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 12 October 1914 and was posted to the 2/7th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Herbert embarked for France on 31 July 1916, joining the 5th Infantry Base Depot at Rouen. A week later he was posted to the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 115 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had just been relieved from the Somme sector, following its assault on Mametz Wood the previous month, and Herbert joined the 17th RWF in billets at Volkerinkhove, where it was refitting following heavy losses. The Division then moved to the Ypres Salient, 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. Herbert was wounded during the assault on Pilckem Ridge and was hospitalised at Boulogne before being evacuated home aboard the Hospital Ship St. Denis. Upon his recovery, he embarked for France again on 9 December 1917 and disembarked at Rouen, before being posted to the 19th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was in the Bullecourt Sector, attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division. On 6 February 1918 the battalion was disbanded, following the reorganisation of the army in France and Herbert was temporarily posted to the 8th Entrenching Battalion. On 6 April 1918 he was transferred to the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment), which was at Ypres attached to 147 Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division. During June 1918 he was hospitalised at the 16th General Hospital at Le Treport, after contracting influenza, then re-joined the battalion at Zillebeke Lake, in the Ypres Salient, on 24 July. To the south, on 21 August 1918 the Allies launched a general assault along a long stretch of the front and began to drive the Germans back towards the Hindenburg Line. The 49th Division was relieved from Ypres and transferred south to join the great offensive, reaching Estrée-Cauchy, north-west of Arras, by 1 September and began a scheme of training. It was not until the beginning of October that the Division moved forward to take part in the offensive, moving to the old Drocourt-Queant line and then marched forward to positions at Escaudouvres, north of Cambrai, to take part in the pursuit of the Germans to the River Selle. On 11 October 1918 the Division attacked from its starting positions at Navres, just northeast of Cambrai, alongside the Canadian Corps. Herbert was killed in action during the initial assault that day. The 21-year-old is buried in Wellington Cemetery, Rieux-En-Cambresis, France. His elder brother, David, had been killed in France two years earlier.
Edward Evans, Private, 152908, Canadian Infantry. Edward was born on 7 February 1890, the son of Edward and Ann Evans, of Cefn Crin, Castle Caereinion. He emigrated to Canada prior to the war and became a farmer at Medora, Manitoba. On 11 April 1916 Edward enlisted at Brandon, Manitoba into the 79th Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force. On 22 May 1916 the battalion sailed for England aboard the SS Baltic, and disembarked at Liverpool on 30 May, before entraining for the Canadian Camp at East Sandling. On 5 January 1917 Edward landed in France and was posted to the 31st Battalion, Canadian Infantry, which was attached to the 6th Canadian Brigade, 2nd Canadian Division. Edward would have taken part in the famous Canadian assault on Vimy Ridge from 9 April 1917, and following the capture of the ridge, the Canadians continued to fight to the east, during the attack on La Coulotte and the Battle of Arleux. The Canadians then fought during the Third Battle of the Scarpe the following month. Edward was killed in action near Vimy on 26 July 1917. The 29-year-old is buried in Fosse No. 10 Communal Cemetery Extension, Sains-en-Gohelle, France. His brother, Richard, had been killed in France just two months earlier.
Charles Phillips, Private, 46495, Machine Gun Corps. Charles was born in Guilsfield in 1883, the son of Edward and Jane Phillips. He married Annie Jones on 24 September 1910 and the couple set up home at 3, Norfolk Place, Welshpool. Charles worked as a gamekeeper prior to enlisting at Welshpool into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was probably posted to Park Hall Camp, Oswestry for training and became a specialist machine-gunner. Charles was then posted to France, joining the 19th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps. The battalion was formed in France on 14 February 1918 by the merger of the Machine Gun Companies of the 19th (Western) Division. The Division had 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. Charles appears to have been taken prisoner on the Lys and was taken to a prisoner of war camp at Tannay in the Ardennes. He died there in captivity on 9 July 1918, aged 32. Charles was originally buried in Tannay Communal Cemetery, but in 1935 his grave, together with that of another soldier, was exhumed, and both men were re-interred in Chestres French National Cemetery, near Reims, France.
Evan Phillips, Private, 60161, Welsh Regiment. Evan was the son of David and Mary Phillips, of Cefndre, Guilsfield. He married Elizabeth Ann Evans on 23 December 1911 and the couple lived at Viggin, Maesmawr. Evan worked as a timber haulier prior to enlisting at Welshpool into the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment on 6 December 1915 and was initially placed on the Army Reserve. He was mobilised on 6 June 1917, travelling to Wrexham to attest before being posted to the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which by then was at Redcar. Evan embarked for France at Southampton on 6 November 1917, joining the 5th Infantry Base Depot at Rouen. On 5 December 1917 he joined the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was in the Cambrai sector, in the Flesquières Salient facing the Hindenburg Line, attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. 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, before the survivors took up quieter positions near Ypres. Evan was killed whilst the 9th Welsh was holding the Vlamertinghe to Hallebast Line near Ypres on 29 April 1918. The 28-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Thomas Frederick Carlisle Phillips, Private, 85843, Royal Defence Corps. Thomas, known as Fred, was the son of Thomas Llewellyn Phillips and Jane Phillips, of Cambrian Vaults, Newtown. He worked at Maesmawr prior to the war and enlisted in Welshpool into the Cheshire Regiment. Fred was not passed fit for infantry service, so was then transferred into the 153rd Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps and posted to Taunton. Little else is known of him, but Fred died in Taunton Hospital on 16 September 1918, aged 19. His remains were brought home and he was buried in St. David’s Churchyard, Newtown. His brother, Edmund Pedro Llewellyn Phillips, was killed at Ypres in 1917.
Welshpool War Memorial (Pool Quay)
John Arthur Bebb, Captain, Mercantile Marine. John was born at Pool Quay, Welshpool in 1868, the son of John and Mary Bebb. The family later resided at Lyndhurst, Temple Street, Llandrindod Wells. John was a long serving Mariner and had married Margaret Dalglish Gilfillan at Liverpool on 25 March 1896. By the outbreak of war, John was Captain of the Alfred Holt owned steamer, SS Telemachus. She was then requisitioned by the Admiralty for use as a troopship. On 1 January 1917 Telemachus was involved in a collision with another troopship in the North Atlantic. Both ships survived the collision, and no blame was attached to John, but the incident must have remained in his mind, as he committed suicide at La Coruna, Spain on 6 July 1917. John was 48 years old and is buried in the British Cemetery, La Coruna, Spain.
D. C. Evans. This man cannot presently be identified, however a man named Edward Charles Davies, of Pool Quay, was killed during the Great War and is not commemorated on the Pool Quay war memorial, so is the naming on the Welshpool war memorial incorrect, as the initials, although backwards, are the same?
Edward Charles Davies, Stoker 2nd Class, K/44250, Royal Navy. Edward was born on 15 June 1899, the son of John and Ann Davies, of Sarnau, Llanymynech. He worked as a Cycle Repairer prior to enlisting into the Royal Navy on 19 July 1917 and was posted to HMS Vivid I at Portsmouth for training. Edward had been in uniform for little over a month before he took ill and died of typhoid fever in hospital at Plymouth on 14 September 1917. The 18-year-old was buried in Ford Park Cemetery, Plymouth. His parents later resided at Perthy Cottage, Arddleen.
Charles Edward Jones, Private, 36551, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Charles was born on 30 July 1897, the son of Edward and Mary Jane Jones, of Abbey Cottage, Pool Quay. He worked as a labourer prior to enlisting into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool on 4 November 1915, and was posted to Wrexham Barracks, before being sent to Litherland Camp, Liverpool for training. On 15 March 1916 Charles embarked for France, and was posted to the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division, joining the battalion at Morlancourt on 26 March. The battalion was home to a number of famous war poets, including Siegfried Sassoon, Bernard Adams and Robert Graves, and was highly regarded. The Division was holding a sector of the front line facing Fricourt, to the east of Albert, in positions which were hard fought over. Charles arrived as the 1st RWF were moving back into the front-line to begin a routine tour. On 31 March the Germans exploded two mines in front of the battalion, collapsing 50 yards of trenches, and a section of barbed wire defences fell into the resulting craters. On the following day the battalion was relieved, and marched back to Morlancourt, before moving back into the front line by 7 April to begin another tour. This pattern continued in the coming weeks, as the Allies prepared to launch the Somme offensive, and the 1st RWF kept themselves busy in and out of the line, training, supplying working parties and carrying out numerous trench-raids. The Battle of the Somme was due to be launched by the blowing of a series of underground mines, and a mass infantry assault on 1 July, so two days prior to this, the 1st RWF moved forwards in support of the 20th Manchester’s, who were to lead the Divisions assault on Fricourt. Charles was killed during the period leading up to the assault, on 29 June 1916. The 18-year-old has non known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
Vaughan Larter, Private, 46034, Cheshire Regiment. Vaughan was born in Hargham, Norfolk in 1883, the son of George and Charlotte Larter. The family had moved to Cleobury Mortimer, Shropshire by 1895, as George had gained a position as Head Gamekeeper on an estate there. Vaughan followed in his father’s profession, and by 1907 had gained a position as Gamekeeper at Bobbington, Staffordshire, marrying Clara Malpas there on 19 June 1907. By 1911 he had gained a position as Head Gamekeeper on an estate in Staffordshire, and the couple had set up home at Harrison Farm, near Preston. Soon afterwards, Vaughan gained another position as Gamekeeper at Pool Quay, and moved to The Rhallt with his family. He enlisted into the Cheshire Regiment at Welshpool on 7 December 1915 and was placed on the Army Reserve. On 16 June 1916 Vaughan was mobilised and was posted to the 17th (Reserve) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment at Prees Heath, for training. He was then posted to the 20th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was a Labour Battalion, and embarked for France with the battalion on 21 July 1916. The battalion then moved to the Somme, where it began work. Vaughan’s service papers show a record of ill-health, which is probably why he had been posted to a labour unit, not the infantry, and he was hospitalised during several occasions from October 1916. The battalion spent the winter in the Becourt Sector, working on roads and railways. On 10 February Vaughan was evacuated to the 29th Casualty Clearing Station, Gézaincourt, where he died of nephritis on 12 February 1917. The 33-year-old is buried in Gézaincourt Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Welshpool War Memorial (Powis Castle, Belan, Brithdir and Trehelig)
Albert Bowen, Private, 27789, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Albert was the son of Charles Bowen and Elizabeth Bowen (nee Davies), of Bacheldre Mill, Churchstoke. His father died after 1901 and his mother moved to The Cottage, Belan. Albert worked at the Rose and Crown Hotel, Bulford, Salisbury prior to returning to Belan to live with his mother. He enlisted at Wem into the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry early in 1915, but was then transferred to the 16th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. The battalion was attached to 95 Brigade, 32nd Division and embarked for France on 21 November 1915, landing at Boulogne before moving to the Vignacourt area, then took over positions in front of Vaux-sur-Somme at Bray, for trench initiation alongside the 5th Division. The 16th Warwick’s then transferred to 15 Brigade, 5th Division on 26 December and remained in this sector until the end of February 1916 when the Division was relieved and began to move north, taking over positions between St. Laurent-Blangy and Vimy, near Arras. To the south, the Battle of the Somme opened on 1 July 1916, and the 5th Division moved south to take part in the offensive, being caught up in the desperate fighting and took part in the attacks on High Wood, Guillemont, Flers-Courcelette, Morval and Le Transloy over the coming months. On 5 October, after suffering heavy casualties, the Division moved to Festubert, where it remained until March 1917, then moved south to take part in the Battle of Arras, fighting at the Battle of Vimy in April 1917, and the subsequent attack on La Coulette. On 3 May the Division fought in the Third Battle of the Scarpe and captured Oppy Wood. At the end of September, the Division was pulled out of the line again, and moved north to join the great offensive in Flanders: The Third Battle of Ypres, or Passchendaele as it is better known. The 16th Warwick’s had taken over billets behind the line at Thieushoek by 1 October and by the night of 3 October had moved into the battle zone through Ridge Wood to Bedford House, where the men spent the night. On the following day, 5 October, 15 Brigade relieved 13 Brigade in the front line at Tor Top. The men then dug in and spent the coming days waiting for orders to attack, all the while under heavy shellfire. At 05.20 on 9 October 1917 the Brigade attacked towards the Reutelbeek. The men came under heavy machine-gun fire from the direction of Gheluvelt as they advanced and heavy casualties were suffered. Albert was killed in action during the fighting that day. The 35-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Arthur Davies, Private, 2028, Welsh Guards. Arthur was born in Welshpool in 1880, the son of Price Davies and Ann Davies, of 1, Belan Lime Kilns. He worked at Coedydinas and at The Gaer, Forden prior to marrying Ann Taylor, of Chirbury, in 1903. The couple then moved to Amberley Cottage, near Monmouth, where Arthur had gained work as a farm labourer. Prior to the war the family had moved to Lydbury North, and Arthur worked at The Home Farm, Walcot. Arthur enlisted at Shrewsbury into the Welsh Guards and was drafted to France early in 1916, joining the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, which was attached to the 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Division had seen its first major action during the Battle of Loos, which began on 25 September 1915, and had suffered heavy casualties at Hill 70, before also taking part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The Division had a brief rest in the Calais area, before moving to the Ypres Salient, and held the line at Potijze for several months. At the end of July 1916, the Division withdrew from Ypres and moved to the Somme, before holding the line north of the Ancre for a short period. By 25 August the Guards Division had moved slightly south, and had marched passed Corbie, to Mericourt-L’Abbe. By 9 September the Guards had passed Ginchy, and moved into positions at Guillemont, prior to taking part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the first-time tanks were ever used in action. The Guards Division saw heavy fighting at Flers, and then during the ensuing Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs Village. After the Somme offensive had died down, the Guards remained on the Somme for the winter. On 26 December the Welsh Guards moved into the front line between Bouleaux Wood and Haie Wood, to begin a routine tour in the trenches. Arthur was killed in action during a routine spell in the front line on 19 November 1916, when the Welsh Guards were in the process of being relieved and came under an intense artillery barrage. The 36-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. His brother, George Oliver Davies, also fell.
David Davies, Private, W/932, Cheshire Regiment. David was the son of Thomas and Eliza Davies, of The Pwll, Powis Castle, Welshpool. He was working at Port Sunlight prior to the war and enlisted there into the 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment. The battalion was raised at Port Sunlight by Gershom Stewart, MP in September 1914, before moving to Chester, and on the following month moved to Salisbury Plain joining 74 Brigade, 25th Division. The battalion moved to billets in Bournemouth for the winter, then in May 1915 moved to Aldershot for final training before the entire Division embarked for France on 25 September 1915. The Division then moved to Flanders for trench initiation before taking over the Vimy area, where the Division defended Vimy Ridge against a German attack in May 1916. The Division then moved to the Warloy area and attacked on 3 July near Thiepval, at the village of La Boiselle. The 13th Cheshire’s remained in reserve for the initial assault, then on 6 July took over the front line, which the troops consolidated before settling in for the night. At dawn on the following morning, 7 July 1916, the 13th Cheshire’s went over the top but got mown down by machine-gun fire, suffering over 250 casualties. David was among the men killed during the charge that morning. The 27-year-old is buried in Ovillers Military Cemetery, France.
George Oliver Davies, Lance Corporal, 290261, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. George was the son of Pryce and Ann Davies, of 1, Belan Lime Kilns, Welshpool. He worked as a gardener at Powis Castle prior to the war. George enlisted at Welshpool into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 11 August 1914. 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. In December the Division moved to Cambridge and then in May 1915 to Bedford, where the Division was numbered and the formation became 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On 19 July 1915 the entire Division sailed from Devonport for Imbros and on 9 August 1915 landed at Suvla Bay. The infantry moved off the beaches across the Salt Lake, under shellfire, into the scrub covered Chocolate Hill, but due to a lack of maps and no knowledge of the terrain, many of the units became disorientated, and the situation became chaotic. After the fighting died down, the winter rolled in, and the men first had to endure torrential downpours, which flooded the trenches, before the snow hit, and many men began falling ill in the terrible conditions. The Division was eventually evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915, moving to Egypt to join the EEF, and helped guard the Suez Canal before taking part in operations to drive the Turks out of the Sinai. The EEF then turned its attention onto driving the Turks out of Palestine, and on 26 March 1917 launched its first offensive against the coastal city of Gaza, which guarded the road to Jerusalem. Initial gains during the day were lost when the assaulting divisions lost touch with each other, and communication broke down when a thick fog cloaked the battlefield. George was posted as missing during the terrible fighting that day and was later deemed to have been killed in action. The 23-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel. His brother, Arthur Davies, also fell.
Daniel Albert Emberton, Lance Corporal, 48508, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). Daniel was born at Walton, Liverpool in 1893, the son of Daniel Emberton and Sarah Emberton (nee Hodson). The family came to live at The Glen, Belan, Welshpool prior to the war. Daniel was a keen footballer and had captained Bedford FC and Kirkdale District prior to the war. He enlisted at Liverpool into the King’s (Liverpool Regiment) in November 1915. Daniel did not embark for France until April 1918 and joined the 4th Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment, which was at Brandhoek attached to 98 Brigade, 33rd Division. By the time that Daniel arrived at the front, fighting was raging in the Somme sector, following the launching of the first phase of the German spring offensive there on 21 March 1918. At the beginning of April, the 33rd Division moved out of the line for a rest, but on 9 April 1918 the Germans launched the second phase of their offensive along the Lys Valley, so the Division was thrown into action at Meteren by 13 April, playing an important role in the Defence of Neuve Eglise. The Division then took part in the First Battle of Kemmel, and in the recapture of Ridge Wood, before being sent to the St. Quentin area to rest and rebuild. On 8 August 1918 a great Allied victory at Villers-Bretonneux broke the will of the German army and on 21 August 1918 the 33rd Division took part in a general offensive which was launched along the Somme front, fighting besides the 38th (Welsh) Division. Over the coming weeks the Allies drove the Germans back towards the Hindenburg Line, which was smashed on 29 September, before the 33rd Division took part in the drive past Cambrai, taking part in the Pursuit to the Selle and the Battle of the Selle. On 26 October the Division captured Englefontaine, on the southern edge of the Forest of Mormal. Daniel was posted as being killed in action on 28 October 1918, but by then his battalion had withdrawn to Montay to rest, so he was most likely killed during the capture of Englefontaine two days previously. The 25-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Haucourt, France.
Thomas Reuben Hannum, Gunner, 220585, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was the son of John and Ann Hannum, of Pound Bank, Churchstoke. He married Mary Elizabeth Trow, a Parlour Maid of Garthmyl Hall, in 1917, and the couple briefly lived at Green Bungalow, Churchstoke. Thomas enlisted into the Royal Field Artillery at Newtown, and was posted to France, joining A Battery, 330th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The Battery was attached to the 66th (East Lancs) Division and had landed in France on 26 February 1917. The Division concentrated by 16 March 1917 and moved to the Flanders Coast, in readiness for a planned offensive, but during the meantime the Passchendaele offensive had become bogged down, so at the end of September 1917 the Division moved to Ypres and took part in the Battle of Poelcapelle. Over the winter the Division remained in the Ypres Salient, but in February 1918 moved south to the Somme, to positions near Moreuil, and on 21 March 1918 was hit hard when the Germans launched the opening phase of their Spring Offensive. Several guns of the 330th Brigade were over-run, but their handlers managed to remove the breech blocks before being forced to withdraw. The situation was obviously dire, as the artillerymen reported that barely any infantry from the Division had been seen to retire, so it was obvious that heavy casualties had been suffered. Over the coming days the remnants of the Division withdrew under heavy pressure and by 26 March the Divisional Artillery had reached Guillacourt. Thomas was killed in action on the following day, 27 March 1918. The 27-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
Percy Robert Herbert (Viscount Clive), Lieutenant, Welsh Guards. Percy was born in Westminster on 2 December 1892, the son of George Charles Herbert, the Fourth Earl of Powis, and his wife, Lady Violet Ida Eveline Herbert (nee Lane-Fox), of Powis Castle, Welshpool. He was educated at Eton and at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, where he excelled in sports. Percy was commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards in October 1913. When war erupted, the battalion was billeted at the Tower of London and the following month moved to Lyndhurst to join 20 Brigade, 7th Division. Percy landed at Zeebrugge with the 2nd Battalion, Scots Guards on 7 October 1914, but by then it was obvious that the port was in the process of falling to the Germans, so the 7th Division moved to Ypres, where it became the first British Division to hold the city. The Division fought throughout the epic First Battle of Ypres, where it helped stop the German advance through Belgium towards the Channel coast, before settling into the trenches for the winter. Percy was invalided home before Christmas 1914, suffering from frostbite. By the time he had recovered, he volunteered to transfer to the newly formed Welsh Guards. The Regiment had been raised by Royal Warrant of 26 February 1915, at White City, and mounted its first King’s Guard on 1 March 1915, St David’s Day. The 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards then embarked for France, 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, which began on 25 September 1915, and suffered heavy casualties at Hill 70, before also taking part in the Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. The Division had a brief rest in the Calais area, before moving to the Ypres Salient, and held the line at Potijze for several months. At the end of July 1916, the Division withdrew from Ypres and moved to the Somme, before holding the line north of the Ancre for a short period. By 25 August the Guards Division had moved slightly south, and had marched passed Corbie, to Mericourt-L’Abbe. By 9 September the Guards had passed Ginchy, and moved into positions at Guillemont, prior to taking part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, the first-time tanks were ever used in action. The Welsh Guards took up positions facing Ginchy on 15 September and received orders to attack on the following morning. The CO, Murray-Threipland, then moved the battalion slightly nearer to Ginchy, and went forward to look at the ground. At 01.00 on 16 September orders were given that the 1st Grenadier’s and the Welsh Guards would attack the original second objective, in conjunction with 61 Brigade on the right and that zero hour was 09.30. During the night heavy rain fell all over the battlefield, and due to the trenches being congested, the Welsh Guards were forced to move back to Ginchy to shelter rather than stay in the open and be in full view of the Germans when dawn broke. When the attack started, Murray-Threipland put No. 3 Company in reserve, and the attack was carried out by the Prince of Wales’s Company on the right and No. 2 on the left, with No. 4 in support. The assault was met with murderous fire and casualties were terrible and several officers were hit. Due to the confusion the Welsh Guards lost direction and mistook Gueudecourt for Lesboeufs, a mistake which made them swing left and come into contact with the Germans on the Flers to Lesboeufs Road, so began to dig in. The 4th Grenadier’s Guards and the 3rd Coldstream’s came up each side, but the Guards were still almost 200 metres short of the second objective. Percy was shot through the thigh during the attack, fracturing his leg and rolled into a shell-hole for cover. After being rescued, he was evacuated to hospital in Rouen before being brought home to Southampton and then to King Edward VII Hospital in London where he was operated on to remove the bullet. He subsequently suffered a haemorrhage and died on 31 October 1916. The body of the 23-year-old was brought home and he was buried with full military honours in Christ Church, Welshpool, accompanied by the band of the KSLI from Shrewsbury. His brother, Mervyn Horatio Herbert, fell during the Second World War.
Herbert Jones, Private 1st Class, H80370, Royal Air Force. Herbert was born on 7 February 1885, the son of William and Elizabeth Jones, of 49, Mount Street, Welshpool. He worked as a postman prior to the war. Herbert enlisted into the Royal Flying Corps on 8 May 1917 and on 15 October 1917 married Rose Smith, of Llwynderw, Welshpool whilst home on leave. In March 1918 the Royal Flying Corps merged with the Royal Naval Air Service to form the Royal Air Force and Herbert transferred to this new branch of the Armed Forces. Herbert was attached to a Salvage Section at Aldershot and remained there for much of the war. After the Armistice he took ill, and died of influenza at Cambridge Military Hospital, Aldershot on 11 December 1918. The remains of the 33-year-old were conveyed home and he was buried with full military honours in Christ Church Churchyard, Welshpool three days later. His brother-in-law, William Longhurst, was killed in France in 1918.
Richard Jones, Private, 110, Welsh Guards. Richard was born in Llangadfan in about 1881. He was serving with the Grenadier Guards at the outbreak of war but following the formation of the Welsh Guards by Royal Warrant of 26 February 1915, Richard was among the first to transfer to the new regiment. The Welsh Guards took guard at Buckingham Palace for the first time on St. David’s Day, 1915. Richard landed at Le Havre with the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards on 18 August 1915, and the battalion became attached to the newly formed 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division. The Division saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos, which began on 25 September 1915, and the Welsh Guards saw desperate fighting on Hill 60 two days later, suffering terrible casualties. The Guards remained in the area during the coming weeks, where they also fought in the subsequent Action of the Hohenzollern Redoubt. In the middle of November, the Guards Division moved to Merville, then held the line at Laventie and La Gorgue until 16 February 1916, when the Division moved to the Calais area. After celebrating St. David’s Day at Wormhoudt, the Guards moved into the Ypres Salient, and took over positions at Potijze. On 3 May 1916 the Welsh Guards were holding the line, when Richard and another man were killed. Richard was 35 years old when he died that day, and is buried in Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Belgium.
Sydney Wood Jones, Private, 1053, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Sydney was the son of William Jones and Annie Jones (nee Wood), of Rose Cottage, Belan, Welshpool. He worked as a farm labourer at Abermule prior to the war. Sydney had enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers prior to the war. 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. In December the Division moved to Cambridge and then in May 1915 to Bedford, where the Division was numbered and the formation became 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. Sydney never served overseas, and as he retained the old TA service number, was probably discharged from the battalion as medically unfit at around this time. He returned home to Rose Cottage where he eventually died of pulmonary tuberculosis on 23 August 1919. The 25-year-old was buried in Christ Church Churchyard, Welshpool four days later. Sydney is not commemorated by the CWGC.
George Herbert Matthews, Gunner, 35599, Royal Garrison Artillery. George was the son of Richard and Jane Matthews, of Glyn, Golfa, Welshpool. He worked as a blacksmith prior to enlisting into the Royal Garrison Artillery at Coventry on 23 August 1911 and was posted to Warwick before being sent to Gosport for training. George then served with a number of different batteries over the coming years, but when war erupted, he was serving with the 99th Heavy Battery, RGA. George was then posted to the 63rd Heavy Battery, RGA and on 22 June 1915 embarked for Egypt. He was shot in the thigh in July 1915 and hospitalised at the 15th General Hospital at Alexandria. Upon recovering, he re-joined his battery and was wounded again in December 1915 during the evacuations, suffering gunshot wounds to his back and head, before being admitted to the Nasrieh Schools Military Hospital at Cairo. He was discharged from hospital on 13 January 1916 and posted to the 42nd Siege Battery, RGA, which was also in Egypt. George served with the Battery until September 1917 when he returned to Britain and was posted to the RGA Depot at Ripon. He was discharged from the army as medically unfit on 5 March 1918 and returned home to Welshpool. George married Hilda Casewell at Welshpool in April, but by then his health was beginning to suffer. He died of disease at Welshpool on 10 December 1918. The 28-year-old was buried in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Welshpool.
Thomas Roberts, Private, 291289, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Roberts, of Bwlchygraig, Llanfyllin. He worked on his parent’s farm prior to the war. Thomas enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool on 27 November 1915, and was posted to the 3/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry. He embarked for Egypt on 30 May 1916, joining the 1/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had been evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915, moving to Egypt to join the EEF, and helped guard the Suez Canal before taking part in operations to drive the Turks out of the Sinai. The EEF then turned its attention onto driving the Turks out of Palestine, and on 26 March 1917 launched its first offensive against the coastal city of Gaza, which guarded the road to Jerusalem. Initial gains during the day were lost when the assaulting divisions lost touch with each other, and communication broke down when a thick fog cloaked the battlefield. A second attempt to force Gaza was launched on 17 April, which also failed, and the EEF suffered a change in leadership, with Sir Edmund Allenby assuming command, before being re-organised, and a third offensive was launched against a wider front from Beersheba to Gaza on 31 October 1917. This time the Turkish defences were breached, and the road to Jerusalem now lay open and the EEF began to advance north. On 6 November 1917, 158 Brigade launched an attack on the Khuweilfeh Heights. Thomas was killed in action during the assault that day. The 23-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Welshpool War Memorial (Trelydan)
William Jones, Lance Corporal, 26716, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. William was the son of William Jones and Mary Jane Jones (nee Edwards), of Cefn Pentre, Guilsfield. He worked as a farm labourer prior to enlisting into the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry at Welshpool. William was drafted to France in the late summer of 1916 was posted to the 7th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, which was attached to 8 Brigade, 3rd Division. The Division saw terrible fighting on the Somme during the summer of 1916. By May 1917 the Division was at Arras and fought at the First and Second Battles of the Scarpe, and at the Battle of Arleux and the Third Battle of the Scarpe, where they captured Roeux. The Division then moved north and fought in the Third Battle of Ypres, at the Battle of the Menin Road and the Battle of Polygon Wood, then in November the Division moved south again, where it fought at the Battle of Cambrai. The Division was caught up in the heavy fighting which followed the German Spring Offensives in March and April 1918 and later that year took part in the great advance which ultimately won the war. After the Armistice William was demobilised and returned home. He began work as a farm labourer at the Viggin, Maesmawr, but took ill and died at the Institute, Welshpool on 11 August 1918. The 25-year-old was buried in Guilsfield Cemetery.
Alan Langlands, Second Lieutenant, South Wales Borderers. Alan was born at Longrood, Rugby, Warwickshire on 25 September 1894, the son of Captain John Shakespeare Langlands and Lucy Alice Langlands (nee Beck). His father died the following year, and his mother re-married Major Charles Harold Longfield Beatty, DSO, at Leighton on 31 January 1905, and the family took up residence at Trelydan Hall. Alan’s new stepfather was a brother of Vice Admiral Sir David Beatty, the commander of the Royal Navy’s Battle Cruiser Fleet. With all the military connections in the family, it was no surprise that Alan gained a commission as Second Lieutenant into the 3rd Battalion, South Wales Borderers on 7 October 1914, after completing his education at Stubbington and Wellington College. Alan embarked for France on 5 March 1915, and joined the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was in the Festubert sector, attached to 3 Brigade, 1st Division. The battalion was enduring a torrid time, due to the weather, with the trenches being waterlogged, and men were being invalided daily due to health conditions. Alan joined the battalion in reserve at Essars on 11 March 1915. On the previous day the British had launched an offensive at Givenchy and Neuve Chapelle, to divert German attention away from a French offensive to the south at Notre Dame De Lorette. The fighting raged over the coming days, but the 1st SWB remained in reserve, within hearing distance of the fighting. On 14 March the battalion moved to billets at Hingette, where it received orders to be prepared to move at two hours’ notice, but didn’t move until 23 March, when the 1st SWB moved to Lacouture, relieving the Indians of the Jullundur Brigade in the Neuve Chapelle trenches, near Porth Arthur, on the following day. The battalion endured another torrid time in the trenches, with relentless rain and sporadic artillery fire over the coming days causing several casualties. The battalion was relieved on 31 March and moved to dugouts at Windy Corner, Cuinchy. On 7 April the battalion moved to Hingette, taking over billets in the village, and remained there for several days, carrying out a system of training. On 15 April the battalion moved into the line at Richebourg-L’avoue and enjoyed a relatively peaceful spell before being relieved on 25 April, marching back to billets in Hingette. On 8 May the battalion left Hingette, taking over support trenches at Rue Du Bois, to support an assault by the 2nd Welsh on the following day. At 05.40 on 9 May 1915, the 2nd Welsh took part in an offensive known as the Battle of Aubers Ridge but became held up by a flooded ditch and suffered heavy casualties from machine-gun fire. The 1st SWB was ordered forward to take over the original front-line trenches but began suffering heavy casualties as the men advanced. Alan had survived this move, but at 17.00 the battalion launched an assault against the German lines, and he was shot dead as he came out of the trench. The remains of the 19-year-old were recovered from the battlefield, and he was buried in St. Vaast Post Military Cemetery, Richebourg L’Avoue, France. His stepfather, Major Charles Harold Longfield Beatty, DSO, died of wounds in 1917, whilst an uncle, Second Lieutenant Noel Pryce James Turner, of the 2nd Welsh, had sadly been killed in the same action as Alan.
William Lloyd, Private, 291605, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was born in Guilsfield in 1888, the son of John Lloyd and Margaret Lloyd (nee Caswell). His father died in 1898 and in 1901 Margaret remarried Arthur William Lewis, of London House, Welshpool, who raised William and his siblings as his own. William enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool soon after the outbreak of war, and was posted to the 3/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Park Hall Camp, Oswestry for training. William was drafted to Egypt early in 1916, joining the 1/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had been evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915, moving to Egypt to join the EEF, and helped guard the Suez Canal before taking part in operations to drive the Turks out of the Sinai. The EEF then turned its attention onto driving the Turks out of Palestine, and on 26 March 1917 launched its first offensive against the coastal city of Gaza, which guarded the road to Jerusalem. Initial gains during the day were lost when the assaulting divisions lost touch with each other, and communication broke down when a thick fog cloaked the battlefield. William was killed in action during the assault that day. The 29-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Welshpool War Memorial (Trewern)
William John Bebb, Private, 39145, Lancashire Fusiliers. William was born in Buttington in 1884, the son of Maurice Bebb and Elizabeth Bebb (nee Ford), of The Pheasant Inn. His father died when he was six years old, and by the age of 16, William was residing at 47, High Street, Welshpool, where he worked as a Grocer’s Apprentice. William was living in Liverpool when war broke out and enlisted there into the Lancashire Fusiliers on 6 December 1915. He married Isabella Mabel Hamlet at St. Dunstan’s, Edge Hill whilst on leave on 20 March 1917. During the summer of 1917 William embarked for France, joining the 2/7th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers. The battalion was attached to 197 Brigade, 66th (East Lancs) Division, and had landed in France on 28 February 1917, moving to the Flanders Coast, to prepare for a potential assault. At the end of September 1917, the Passchendaele offensive had become bogged down in the mud, so the Division was moved to Ypres, taking part in the Battle of Poelcapelle. The Division then moved south to the Somme, and on 21 March 1918 was hit hard when the German’s launched the first phase of their Spring Offensive and saw heavy casualties as it was forced to withdraw over the coming days. The Division suffered so badly, that it was reduced to a training cadre. William had survived the fighting, but his health had broken down, and he was discharged from the army as medically unfit on 29 October 1918, returning to his wife in Liverpool. He died just four months later, on 10 February 1919. The 34-year-old was buried in Toxteth Park Cemetery, Liverpool four days later. William is not commemorated by the CWGC.
William Davies, Private, 39991, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was born at Buttington on 20 February 1885, the son of David and Ann Davies. The family later owned Cwmbychan Farm, Leighton, and William worked for his father there prior to gaining work as a Labour Master at the Union Workhouse in Stafford prior to the war. William enlisted into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Stafford on 12 February 1916 and was initially placed on the Army Reserve. He was mobilised on 18 April, joining the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Litherland Camp, Liverpool. William embarked for France at Southampton on 11 May 1917, and joined the 5th Infantry Base Depot at Rouen, before being posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, joining the battalion at Bailleulval on 3 June 1917. The battalion was attached to 19 Brigade, 33rd Division, and had just been relieved from the Arras sector, where it had spent several months fighting on the Hindenburg Line. On 19 June the 2nd RWF moved into the Moyenville sector, to begin a routine spell in the trenches, but at the end of the month, the entire Division was relieved, before moving to the Airaines area by 5 July, where it carried out a training scheme before the Division transferred to the Channel coast, near Bray Dunes, to prepare for a possible offensive along the coast. At the end of the month, on 31 July 1917, the Allies launched the Passchendaele offensive, intending to break out of the Ypres Salient, but after initial gains, the offensive bogged down in the Flanders mud, and the coastal operation was called off. The 33rd Division was transferred to the Ypres Salient, reaching Kenora Camp by 20 September, and on 23 September the 2nd RWF sent 300 men into the front lines to carry out trench construction and consolidation work, before the battalion took over the line facing Polygon Wood on 25 September. On the following morning, 26 September 1917, the battalion attacked Polygon Wood, moving off from its positions at Stirling Castle at 10.00, passing Glencorse Wood and proceeded to Black Watch Corner before forming up ready to attack by 11.45. Over 200 casualties were suffered by the battalion during the assault, amongst which was William, who had been killed in action during the day. The 32-year-old was originally buried on the battlefield, but his grave was exhumed in 1927, and his remains identified by his service number on his boots and army spoon, before he was re-interred in Sanctuary Wood Cemetery, Belgium on 19 April 1927.
David C. Evans. David cannot presently be identified.
Thomas George France, Private, 43997, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was the son of Thomas France and Jane France (nee Salter), of Green Lane Cottage, Trewern. He worked as a Cowman prior to enlisting into the 12th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool on 22 February 1916, and after completing his training, embarked for France at Southampton on 4 January 1917, joining the 5th Infantry Base Depot at Rouen. Thomas was posted to the 19th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 119 Brigade, 40th (Bantam) Division, but within weeks he had been hospitalised back to England, aboard the Hospital Ship Dunluce Castle. He returned to France on 11 May 1917, initially to join the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but on 2 June 1917 was posted back to the 19th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. By now the 40th Division was on the Hindenburg Line, and on 23 November launched its famous assault on Bourlon Wood, suffering terrible casualties before being withdrawn. The Division remained in the area over the coming months but became caught up in heavy fighting during the first phase of the German Spring Offensive of 21 March 1918. Due to the terrible casualties suffered by the Division, it was sent north to Flanders to rest and rebuild, but on 9 April the Germans launched the second phase of their offensive in Flanders, and the 40th Division was caught up in the thick of it again. Due to excessive losses, the Division was reduced to a training cadre, and on 24 May 1918 Thomas was transferred to the 24th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which had recently arrived in France from service in Palestine, attached to 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division, and 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 June 1918 the 24th RWF transferred to 94 Brigade, 31st Division, joining the Division near Morbecque. After a relatively uneventful next few weeks, by the beginning of September the battalion was at Bailleul, and on 5 September 1918 moved into the front line at Hill 63, near Ypres. Thomas was killed in action by artillery fire that day. The 29-year-old was buried in Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Richard Thomas Griffiths, Able Seaman, SS/3432, Royal Navy. Richard was born on 30 December 1899, the son of Thomas and Ann Griffiths, of Hill Cottage, Trewern. He enlisted into the Royal Navy 24 November 1910 and was posted to HMS Victory I at Portsmouth for training. Richard had three postings during the coming years, aboard HMS Prince George, back to HMS Victory I and then aboard HMS Hercules. He married Dorothy Georgina Hustings at Dorchester in the summer of 1915 prior to being posted aboard HMS Excellent, and on 1 April 1916 was transferred to the newly launched destroyer HMS Opal. His wife Dorothy then moved to Hill Cottage, Moelygolfa, Buttington. After her commissioning, Opal joined the 12th Destroyer Flotilla, based at Scapa Flow as part of the Grand Fleet, and on 31 May 1916 took part in the Battle of Jutland. Opal survived the battle unscathed, and over the coming months was kept busy participating in minesweeping, convoy protection and anti-submarine patrols in the North Sea. On 12 January 1918, Opal joined her sister ship Narborough and the light cruiser Boadicea in a night patrol to hunt German auxiliary warships. The weather soon turned, and the three ships began to struggle in the heavy seas, so Boadicea ordered Opal and Narborough back to Scapa Flow. At some time after 21.00 Opal ran aground in the heavy seas and broke apart in the swell. Her wreck was discovered along that of Narborough, which had suffered a similar fate, two days later. Only one man had survived the sinking of the two ships. Richard was 30 years old when he drowned that night, and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire.
Stanley Richard Jarvis, Private, 290291, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Stanley was the son of William and Mary Elizabeth Jarvis, of Bank House, Trewern. He enlisted into the 7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool on 28 August 1914. 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. In December the Division moved to Cambridge and then in May 1915 to Bedford, where the Division was numbered and the formation became 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. On 19 July 1915 the entire Division sailed from Devonport for Imbros and on 9 August 1915 landed at Suvla Bay. The infantry moved off the beaches into the bush, but due to a lack of maps and no knowledge of the terrain, many of the units became disorientated, and the situation became chaotic. The Division was eventually evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915, moving to Egypt to join the EEF, and helped guard the Suez Canal before taking part in operations to drive the Turks out of the Sinai. The EEF then turned its attention onto driving the Turks out of Palestine, and on 26 March 1917 launched its first offensive against the coastal city of Gaza, which guarded the road to Jerusalem. Initial gains during the day were lost when the assaulting divisions lost touch with each other, and communication broke down when a thick fog cloaked the battlefield. Stanley was killed in action during the fighting that day. The 22-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Leonard Thomas Manley, Private, 203660, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Leonard was the son of John and Alice Manley, of Stone House, Trewern. He worked as a Roadman prior to enlisting into the 4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Welshpool on 25 February 1916. On 11 July 1917 Leonard embarked for Egypt, via Taranto, and disembarked at Alexandria on 29 July, joining the Egyptian Base Depot. On 31 July 1917 Leonard was posted to the 1/6th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division had recently taken part in the failed Second Battle of Gaza, which had been launched on 17 April, and the EEF had suffered a change in leadership, with Sir Edmund Allenby assuming command, before being re-organised, and a third offensive was launched against a wider front from Beersheba to Gaza on 31 October 1917. This time the Turkish defences were breached, and the road to Jerusalem now lay open and the EEF began to advance north. On 6 November 1917, 158 Brigade launched an attack on the Khuweilfeh Heights. Leonard was posted as missing following the fighting that day and was reported by his Company Commander to have been killed in action and buried. Leonard was later found to have been taken prisoner by the Turks, and sent to a POW camp at Gelebek, Turkey. He died of dysentery whilst a POW at Paradise Hospital in Smyrna, Mesopotamia on 16 October 1918. The 23-year-old was buried in Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery, Iraq.
George Morris, Private, 31109, South Lancashire Regiment. George was born at Berriew in 1899, the son of Joseph and Jane Morris. He lived with his uncle and aunt, George and Mary Rogers, at Cefn, Buttington prior to the war. George enlisted into the 4th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (Territorials) at Shrewsbury, and after completing his training was posted to France in the Summer of 1916, and transferred to the 2nd Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. He possibly joined the battalion in the Écoivres area, where it was attached to 7 Brigade, 25th Division, which had held that sector since arriving in France the previous September. On 1 June the 2nd South Lancs moved out of the area, and the entire Division moved to Bethencourt, to train before moving to the Somme sector at the end of the month, reaching Hedauville by 30 June. On the following morning, 1 July 1916, the Allies launched the Battle of the Somme, and two days later the 25th Division moved into the line to continue the attack on Thiepval Ridge. The Division fought throughout the Battle of the Somme, and then moved to Ploegsteert, where it held the line for the months leading up the Battle of Messines in June 1917. After fighting at Messines, the Division moved to the Railway Wood sector and took part in the Battle of the Pilckem Ridge, before relieved in the middle of September, and moved to Sains en Gohelle before taking over positions on the La Bassée Canal. By the beginning of December, the Division had moved further south, to the Somme sector, before taking over positions facing the Hindenburg Line near Bullecourt. The Germans launched the opening phase of their Spring Offensive here on 21 March 1918, along the section of front running south from Croisilles to La Fère and broke through the Allied lines. The 25th Division received orders to Stand-To and prepare to move forward and in the afternoon moved into the Vaulx-Morchies Line. The Division was hit hard by the Germans on the following day, and furious fighting ensued, before the Division was forced to withdraw under the ferocious onslaught. George was killed in action during this terrible day, 22 March 1918. The 18-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial, France.
John Morris, Private, 8804, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. John was the son of William Field Morris and Jane Morris (nee Horley), of Cefn, Buttington. He had enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers as a young man, and by 1911 was in India with the battalion. The battalion had returned to England prior to the war, and was at Portland when war was declared, embarking for France on 13 August 1914. The battalion was initially placed on Lines of Communication at Rouen, before joining 19 Brigade at Valenciennes, taking part in the retreat to the Marne with the BEF. Following the Battles of the Marne and the Aisne, 19 Brigade moved to Flanders with the BEF, and eventually took over the La Boutillerie sector after becoming attached to the 6th Division. The Division then spent several months at Bois-Grenier, then on 31 May 1915, 19 Brigade transferred to the 27th Division. The Brigade was then temporarily attached to the 2nd Division on 19 August, taking part in the Battle of Loos, and subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt, before joining the newly arrived 33rd Division on 25 November 1915. The Division endured a hard time during its first few months in the line, holding such notorious sectors as Cambrin and Cuinchy, where underground warfare was prevalent. On 22 June 1916 the Germans exploded a massive mine beneath the position held by B Company, 2nd RWF, which killed 54 men of the battalion, as well as trapping a number of British tunnellers underground. During the attempted rescue of one tunneller, a soldier of the 14th Welsh, Sapper Hackett was awarded the VC. At the beginning of July, the 33rd Division moved out of the sector and began to move into the Somme area. By 16 July the 2nd RWF were bivouacked in the newly captured Mametz Wood and moved to Bazentin-le-Petit two days later, to take part in the assault on High Wood. John was killed in action when the 2nd RWF came under heavy artillery fire here on 18 July 1916, on the morning before the assault on High Wood. The 28-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
George Ernest Pritchard, Gunner, 37040, Royal Field Artillery. George was born at Buttington in 1887, the son of William and Elizabeth Pritchard. His father died in 1903, and George went to Live in Manchester, gaining work as a labourer soon afterwards. He enlisted at Manchester into the Royal Field Artillery on 30 March 1905, signing up for three years’ service, and after completing his service joined the Army Reserve, moved initially to Lunesdale, Lancashire, where he had gained work as a postman, and married Emily Pilling in the summer of 1909. By 1911 the couple were residing at Bolton Row, Brookhouse, Caton, Lunesdale, then in 1913 the couple moved to Keighley, where George had been transferred, and their only son, William Haughton Pritchard, was born there on 5 November 1913. Following the outbreak of war, George was mobilised from the Army Reserve, and embarked for France on 13 September 1914, joining the 114th Battery, 25th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 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. George joined the Brigade on the Aisne, at Moulins. On 16 October the Brigade entrained for Northern France, reaching St. Omer on the night of 18-19 October and marched to Cassel. Within two days the Brigade had set up its guns at Boesinghe. The Division then fought at the First Battle of Ypres, where it helped stem the German drive towards the Channel coast, before wintering in Flanders. The following year saw the Division in action again at the Battle of Aubers, before moving South to Loos, taking part in the Battle of Loos, and the action at the Hohenzollern redoubt. During the first week of July 1916 the Division moved south to the Somme, to join the great Somme offensive, and the Brigade reached Becordel-Becourt by 14 July, setting up its guns to support the attacking infantry on Bazentin Ridge. As the front-line inched forwards, the Brigade also moved slowly forwards, taking up positions east of Mametz Wood the following day, and then moved to Shelter Wood, to support the assault on High Wood. By 23 July the Brigade had moved to Caterpillar Wood, where it continued its work over the coming days. On 27 July 1916 the Brigade was in action at Caterpillar Valley, firing on targets at the junction of Munster Alley and OG1, when George and another man were killed by German counter-battery fire. The 30-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. His brother John had died just three months earlier.
John Pritchard, Private, 20393, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry. John was born at Cefn, Buttington in 1889, the son of William and Elizabeth Pritchard. He was working in South Wales at the outbreak of war, and enlisted at Porth, Rhondda into the 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry. He was then posted to France on 14 May 1915, and was transferred to the 2nd Battalion, Duke of Cornwall’s Light Infantry, which was attached to 82 Brigade, 27th Division. John joined the battalion at Ypres, where the Division was holding the line at Sanctuary Wood. The Division had seen heavy fighting during the Actions of the St. Eloi craters over the preceding months, and then during the Second Battle of Ypres, which was still raging when John arrived. The 2nd DCLI was relieved from the front line on 23 May and moved to a camp near Poperinghe to rest and rebuild before moving south to the Armentieres, taking over the front-line east of the town at Le Bizet by 27 May. The Division then enjoyed a relatively uneventful few months, before being transferred to Salonika in November 1915, entraining for Marseilles before sailing for this new theatre of war, and arrived on 5 December. The British and French had sent a number of Divisions to Salonika following the invasion of Serbia by a combined Austrian and Bulgarian offensive, which had forced the Serbian Army to retreat into Greece. John took ill within months of landing in Salonika, and was evacuated aboard the Hospital Ship Carisbrook Castle, where he died on 27 April 1916. The 26-year-old was buried at sea, and so is commemorated on the Doiran Memorial, Greece. His brother, George, was killed just three months later.
Charles Edward Thomas, Private, 65269, Welsh Regiment. Charles was the son of John and Margaret Thomas of Old Shop, Trewern. He worked as a farm labourer at Trewern House Farm prior to enlisting into the 62nd Training Reserve Battalion at Welshpool on 5 May 1917 and was posted to Kinmel Park for training. On 30 March 1918 Charles embarked for France, initially destined for the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment, but instead he was posted to the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division, and had suffered heavy casualties during the fighting which followed the launching of the first phase of the German Spring offensive on 21 March 1918. The 9th Welsh had been almost annihilated during a gallant stand at the village of Beugny, which allowed the remainder of the Division to withdraw, in the face of a ferocious German onslaught. Charles joined up with the 9th Welsh on 7 April, by which time the 19th Division had been evacuated from the Somme to the Messines sector, and was in positions near Neuve Eglise, resting, rebuilding and training. Unfortunately, the Germans launched the second phase of their offensive along the Lys Valley on 9 April and broke through in the section held by the Portuguese, so the 19th Division was ordered forwards to attempt to plug the gap, taking over positions near Onraet Wood by 10 April, where it awaited the German onslaught once again. The Germans bombarded the Divisions lines throughout the day, before launching an infantry assault, and over the coming days the Division was once again plunged into severe fighting. On 21 April the battered Division was withdrawn and moved to Proven, before taking up positions in the Vlamertinghe-Hallebast Line, then on 17 May the Division entrained for the Aisne sector to rest and rebuild. Unfortunately for the 19th Division, the Germans launched the third, and final, phase of their offensive in this sector on 27 May, so the 19th Division was moved forwards again to meet the onslaught, reaching Bligny by 29 May. The 9th Welsh initially remained in reserve, but on the following morning, 30 May 1918, the front-line troops, the 9th RWF and 8th Gloucester’s, were forced to withdraw through the 9th Welsh after suffering heavy casualties again, and the 9th Welsh then came under attack. Charles was posted as missing during the terrible fighting that day but was later found to have been killed. The 19-year-old is buried in Chambrecy British Cemetery, France.
Bertram George Turner, Corporal, 11449, Leicestershire Regiment. Bertram was the son of William and Caroline Jane Turner (nee Kearn), of Laburnum Cottage, Trewern. He worked as a farm servant at Peckleton Manor, Leicestershire prior to the war. Bertram enlisted into the 3rd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment at Hinckley on 11 August 1914, having already served for a period with the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry prior to the war. He embarked for France on 18 January 1915, and joined the 2nd Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, which had landed in Marseilles on 12 October 1914 after being recalled from India, and was attached to the Garhwal Brigade, 7th Meerut Division. Bertram joined the battalion at Calonne-Sur-La-Lys, where it was preparing to move into the front line at Rue Du Bois, taking over the line there on 25 January. The Meerut Division held the line here over the coming weeks and saw its first major action during the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, which was launched on 10 March 1915. The battle saw the Garhwal Brigade’s Indian battalions held up by uncut wire, but the 2nd Leicester’s drove through the German defences on the right flank, capturing the village, and saw Private William Buckingham, of the battalion, awarded the Victoria Cross. The Leicester’s were relieved on 14 March and went into reserve billets. The Division’s next major action was during the Battle of Aubers Ridge on 9 May, but this attack was a failure, due to inadequate artillery support. The Division remained in the same sector over the summer, and during the first weeks of September, the 2nd Leicester’s were billeted around Port Arthur, spending their nights digging trenches. On 24 September the battalion moved into assembly positions from Pont du Hem, and at dawn on 25 September 1915 launched a diversionary attack, to attempt to draw enemy attention away from the main Battle of Loos, just to the south. Bertram was killed in action during the attack that day. The 31-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France. A younger brother, Richard Edward Turner, had been shot in the leg at Neuve-Chapelle, which resulted in its amputation, while their foster-brother, Christopher John Russell, was killed during World War Two.