Haverfordwest is the County Town of Pembrokeshire and serves as the main Market Town for the County. Sitting on the tidal limited of the Western Cleddau, Haverfordwest has an ancient History, with its Norman Castle dating from the 1100’s. Most of the town, comprising the old parishes of St Mary, St Martin and St Thomas, lies on the west bank of the river. On the left bank are the suburbs of Prendergast and Cartlett. The Town is the site of the Pembroke County War Memorial but also has several other war memorials scattered throughout its Churches, Chapels, Schools and of course the War Memorial Hospital.
This page commemorates the fallen of the old Haverfordwest Grammar School for Boys, which later merged with Tasker’s School for Girls to become known as Tasker Milward School. The school later merged with Sir Thomas Picton School to form a new School, Haverfordwest High VC School, using the Tasker site (now known as the Portfield Campus) for lower School and the Sir Thomas Picton site (now known as the Prendergast campus) for upper school and Sixth form use. The former pupils of Haverfordwest Grammar School who fell during both World Wars were commemorated on two memorial plaques within the school. The memorials are currently located in the Portfield building of the current Haverfordwest High VC School.
The Great War, 1914-1918
Edward Trevor Akrill-Jones, Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Edward was born at Pontypridd in 1898, the son of the Reverend Canon David Akrill-Jones and Ellen May Akrill-Jones (nee Tolfree). By 1901 his father had become Vicar of Prendergast in Haverfordwest. Edward was raised in the town before joining his elder brother, Robert Rowland Akrill-Jones at Christ College in 1911. Edward was a renowned athlete whilst at Brecon and played for the school cricket, rugby and hockey teams, as well as being a gifted steeplechaser. He was hoping to attend Oxford University but following the outbreak of war his ambitions changed and in May 1915, he left school together with his best friend, Evan Arnott, to enlist into the Inns of Court Officers Training Corps, before being granted a commission as Second Lieutenant into the 4th (Reserve) Battalion, Sherwood Foresters. He was drafted to France in the summer of 1916 to join one of the Service battalions of the regiment but was wounded in the calf by a machine-gun bullet during an attack on Thiepval Ridge on 3 September and returned home, recovering at Park Wern Red Cross Hospital, Swansea. He returned to duty in March 1917, then decided to volunteer for the Royal Flying Corps. Edward was posted to Reading, where he gained his pilots wings, before being posted as Flying Officer to 88 Squadron on 7 January 1918. The squadron was training in Norfolk in preparation to move to France on fighter-reconnaissance duties. On 18 March 1918 Edward took off from Harling Road Aerodrome on a routine training flight aboard an SE5a, Serial B604. The aircraft stalled on take-off and caught fire, crashing into the airfield and killing Edward on impact. The 19-year-old was buried in St. Mary’s Old Churchyard, Bolsover, where his parents now resided. His best friend, Evan Arnott, and his elder brother, Robert also fell during the war.
Robert Rowland Akrill-Jones, Second Lieutenant, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Robert was born at Pontypridd in 1894, the son of the Reverend Canon David Akrill-Jones and Ellen May Akrill-Jones (nee Tolfree). By 1901 his father had become Vicar of Prendergast in Haverfordwest. Robert joined Christ College in 1909 and was joined by his younger brother Edward Trevor Akrill-Jones two terms later. Robert left Brecon in 1910 and joined an engineering firm. In April 1914 he emigrated to Canada, intending to begin farming. Unfortunately, war was declared soon after his arrival, so Robert decided to forego his dreams and enlisted into the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He returned to Britain with the Canadians, but then joined the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps, before being granted a commission as Second Lieutenant into the 4th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Upon being drafted to France, Robert was posted to the 9th Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, which was attached to 64 Brigade, 21st Division. The Division had been on the Western Front since September 1915 and had suffered severe casualties at Loos soon afterwards. It then rebuilt before moving to the Somme in 1916, and fought throughout the Somme offensive, before capturing Gueudecourt later in the year and soon afterwards moved north, taking over positions in the Cambrin Sector. At the end of January 1917, the 9th KOYLI withdrew from the line and entrained for Esquelbecq, before marching to Ledringhem where its units underwent a training scheme over the coming days. On 13 February the battalion moved back to Annequin before re-joining the 21st Division in the trenches at Cambrin. In the middle of March, the Division moved south to the Arras sector, to prepare for the forthcoming Battle of Arras, taking over positions near Boisleux-au-Mont. The 9th KOYLI moved into the front line there on 8 April, ready to take part in the opening assault on the following morning. At dawn on 9 April 1917 a massive artillery barrage opened along the Arras front, intended to smash the German front-line defences. The men of the 9th KOYLI rose from their trenches at zero hour and began to advance upon the Hindenburg Line, only to find the German defences intact, and suffered heavy casualties. Robert was among over 200 casualties suffered by his battalion that day. The 22-year-old is buried in Cojeul British Cemetery, St. Martin-sur-Cojeul, France.
Henry Owen Dabridgecourt Becher, Captain, The Cameronians. Henry was born at the Curate’s House, Houghton-Le-Spring, Co. Durham on 15 August 1889, the son of Reverend Harry Becher and Zoe Louisa Becher (nee Hudson). He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Marlborough and at Sandhurst prior to being commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 1st Battalion, Cameronians on 20 April 1910. When war broke out in August 1914, the battalion was in Maryhill Barracks in Glasgow. It mobilised and entrained for Southampton late on 13 August 1914, before embarking aboard the SS Caledonia on the following day, sailing for Le Havre where the battalion disembarked. The battalion then worked on Lines of Communication for a week 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, a horrific sector, in waterlogged ground which was so bad that the trenches became permanently flooded. On 10 March 1915 the battalion moved back into the Bois Grenier trenches, following a brief rest and on the following day became subjected to a German artillery bombardment. During the morning of 13 March 1915, Henry was walking in the trench when he was shot in the head by a German sniper and was killed instantly. The body of the 25-year-old officer was carried back behind the lines and he was buried in Brewery Orchard Cemetery, Bois Grenier, France.
Robert Frederick Bishop, Private, 17141, Coldstream Guards. Robert was the son of John Henry Bishop and Emma Bishop (nee Walker), of 74, Dew Street, Haverfordwest. He enlisted there into the 1st Battalion, Coldstream Guards, which was stationed at Aldershot at the outbreak of war, attached to the 1st (Guards) Brigade, 1st Division. In August 1914 the Battalion moved to France and saw their first action at the Battle of Mons, and 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. Here they fought at the First Battle of Ypres, where they again stopped the German Offensive, before wintering in Flanders. The following year saw them in action again at the Battle of Aubers, before moving South to Loos, where they joined the 2nd Guards Brigade, Guards Division, on 25 August 1915. This Division has the distinction of being formed in France in August 1915, of the various Guards units that had been with other Divisions. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915, remaining in the area during the coming months, where they also fought in the subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. In July 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs Village. Robert was killed in action here on 29 September 1916. He was 26 years old, and is buried at Guard’s Cemetery, Lesboeufs, France.
Stanley Thomas Bowen, Sergeant, 11, Welsh Regiment. Stanley was born in 1884, the only son of Alfred Henry Bowen and Hannah Bowen (nee Griffiths), of Prendergast, Haverfordwest. He married Gertrude Mary Clarke on 8 January 1905 and set up home with his new wife at 70, Prendergast, Haverfordwest, where their three children were born. His father died later that year, and his mother moved to Hakin, to work at the Bridge Hotel. Stanley enlisted at Haverfordwest into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Division moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July 1915 arriving at Mudros by 5 August 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on 8 August 1915. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counterattack. Stanley was killed in action here on 10 August 1915, aged 29. He has no known grave, and so is commemorated on the Helles Memorial, Gallipoli. Gertrude later remarried, and emigrated to Erindale, Ontario, Canada.
Austin Pugh Cook, Lieutenant, Royal Marine Light Infantry. Austin was born in 1893, the son of Charles Pugh Cook and Mary Ann Cook (nee Phillips), of 21, Bridge Street, Haverfordwest. He entered St. David’s College from Haverfordwest Grammar School in October 1912, and graduated B.A. before being commissioned into the Royal Marine Light Infantry in 1915. Austin served with the 2nd Royal Marine Battalion, Royal Naval Division. The Naval Brigades were originally sent to Antwerp and Dunkirk in September and October 1914 to guard against invasion by the Germans. However, Antwerp fell to the Germans soon after, and so many of the RND units were withdrawn to England. After a lengthy period of refit and training the Division moved to Egypt preparatory to the Gallipoli campaign. Landing on 25 April 1915 the Division fought throughout the Campaign on Gallipoli. They were transferred from the authority of the Admiralty to the War Office on 29 April 1916 and was redesignated the 63rd (Royal Naval) Division on 19 July 1916. The Division moved to France, arriving at Marseilles between 12 and 23 May 1916 and moved to positions on the Somme, where it took part in the Battle of the Ancre, and the resulting Operations on the Ancre. In April 1917 the Division was at Arras, and fought at the Second Battle of the Scarpe, where they captured Gavrelle. They then fought at the Battle of Arleux. Austin was killed in action near Gavrelle on 26 July 1917. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Naval Trench Cemetery, Gavrelle, France.
Francis Newton Allen Cromie, CB, DSO, Captain, Royal Navy. Francis was born in Duncannon Fort, Wexford, Ireland on 30 January 1882, the son of Captain Charles Francis Cromie, Hampshire Regiment, and of Mary Grace Josephine Cromie (nee Webb-Bowen), daughter of Thomas Ince Webb-Bowen, of Haverfordwest. Following the divorce of his parents in 1891, Francis and his mother returned to Pembrokeshire, settling initially at High Street, Fishguard, and Francis was educated at Fishguard National School, before winning a scholarship to Haverfordwest Grammar School. He left school in 1897 to join the Royal Navy and after passing out from HMS Britannia joined the crew of HMS Repulse, before becoming a midshipman aboard HMS Barfleur, taking part in the Seymour Expedition to China, for which he received the China War Medal with Peking clasp. Over the coming years he was promoted to Acting Sub-Lieutenant, then Lieutenant and in 1903 volunteered to join the Royal Navy Submarine Service, becoming one of the first officers to command a submarine. In 1906 he was awarded the bronze Royal Humane Society medal, after attempting to save one of his sailors who was swept overboard. He married a cousin, Gladys Catherine Josephine Cromie, in 1906, whilst on leave from the Royal Navy. Over the coming years he commanded the depot ship HMS Onyx and a flotilla of submarines at Devonport, before assuming command of the Hong Kong submarine flotilla. In August 1915 he commissioned the submarine HMS E19, forcing a passage into the Baltic to support the Russian Baltic Fleet, where he had great success, leading to his promotion to Commander. On 31 May 1916 he received the Distinguished Service Order (DSO), followed by a succession of imperial Russian orders; Order of St. Anna (2nd Class with Swords), Order of St. Vladimir (4th Class with Swords), Order of St. George (4th Class), as well as the French National Order of the Legion of Honour (Chevalier). He was then promoted Captain and appointed as naval attaché to the British Embassy in Petrograd (later Saint Petersburg), Russia, where he played a vital role following the outbreak of the Russian Revolution. He was attacked and killed in the Embassy by Bolsheviks on 31 August 1918. The36-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Archangel Memorial in St. Petersburg. He was posthumously awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath ‘In recognition of his distinguished service in the Allied cause in Russia, and of the devotion to duty which he displayed in remaining at his post as British Naval Attaché in Russia, when the British Embassy was withdrawn. This devotion to duty cost him his life.’
Charles John Randle Dawkins, Second Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Charles was born on 16 June 1891, the only son of Thomas Dawkins and Clara Randle Dawkins (nee Bennett), of Redhill, Haverfordwest. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School and at Clifton College, before gaining a place at Peterhouse, Cambridge, taking a First in Law and a second in the Historical Tripos. Charles then joined Mr. C.M.W. Price, of Lincoln’s Hill, but with the outbreak of war applied for a commission into the Welsh Regiment, being gazetted Second Lieutenant into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment on 4 November 1914. On 8 May 1915 he married Enid Myfanwy Evans, of Haverfordwest, at Camberley, Surrey. The 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment was a service battalion, formed at Cardiff in September 1914, and moved to Salisbury Plain to join 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The battalion embarked for France with the division on 18 July 1915, and the division moved to positions north of Loos in the Givenchy area, to begin trench initiation and training. The division then took part in a very costly diversionary attack here on 25 September 1915, intending to draw German attention away from the main assault at Loos. Charles was killed in action, during the attack of 25 September 1915, which saw the 9th Welsh suffer terrible casualties. The 24-year-old is buried in Brown’s Road Military Cemetery, Festubert, France.
Gerald Alexander Dutton, Second Lieutenant, South Staffordshire Regiment. Gerald was born in 1898, the second son of Samuel Dutton and Alice Gertrude Dutton (nee Reid), of Montrose, Merlin’s Hill, Haverfordwest. He was still at Haverfordwest Grammar School when war broke out, but his parents moved to Bramcote, Hampton in Arden, so he completed his studies at Solihull Grammar School, where he served with the Solihull Officers Training Corps. Upon leaving school, Gerald gained a commission as Second Lieutenant into the 4th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment. The battalion was an Extra Reserve, and upon mobilisation at Lichfield in August 1914 moved to Jersey, and did not go to France until October 1917. On 5 May 1916, Gerald was taking a platoon on rifle grenade training on Jersey when he was killed by a premature bomb explosion. The 18-year-old was buried with full military honours in St. Peter Churchyard, Jersey.
James Edwards, Sergeant, 8276, Welsh Regiment. James was born on 20 December 1885, the son of Charles Henry Edwards and Elizabeth Edwards (nee Lewis), of 43, Merlin’s Hill, Haverfordwest. He was educated at Haverfordwest National School and at Haverfordwest Grammar School prior to becoming a grocer with Messer J & JP Reynolds High Street. In May 1904 he enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment and on 20 December that year sailed for India with the battalion, where he spent three years. The 2nd Welsh then transferred to Bloemfontein, and it was almost another three years before the battalion came home and moved to Pembroke Dock. At the outbreak of war, the 2nd Battalion, Welsh Regiment embarked for France as part of 3 Brigade, 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 Battle of the Aisne, and at Chivy Ridge, which is where James was killed in action on 14 September 1914, aged 29. He was originally buried on the battlefield near Chivy, but his grave was never identified after the war, and so James is commemorated on the La Ferté-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, France.
Kenneth Frost, Second Lieutenant, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Kenneth was born on 28 April 1892, the son of Ralph Frost and Sarah Frost (nee Bolton), of 13, Wandle Road, Wandsworth Common, London. He was educated at Reading and at Haverfordwest Grammar School prior to becoming a wholesale stationer in London. He enlisted into the 28th Battalion, London Regiment, Artist’s Rifles, on 22 June 1909. The battalion was a Territorial Army battalion, which became a renowned Officer Training unit and upon mobilisation in August 1914 moved to the St. Albans area, attached to the 2nd London Division. On 28 October 1914 the Artists Rifles left the Division and moved to France, becoming established as an Officers Training Corps at Bailleul. Kenneth was soon afterwards appointed Temporary Second Lieutenant and posted to the 1st Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment, joining it on 17 November 1914. After about six weeks with the battalion, Kenneth attended a machine-gun course at St. Omer, before being posted to the 1st Battalion, Queen’s Own (Royal West Kent Regiment), which was attached to 13 Brigade, 5th Division, joining the battalion at Bailleul on 16 February 1915. On the following day the battalion received orders to prepare to move out from its billets in Bailleul to take up positions in the line at Zillebeke, then on 19 February, together with the rest of 13 Brigade, marched to huts at Vlamertinghe before taking over the line at Zillebeke the following day. Tragically Kenneth was killed in action here by enemy trench mortar fire soon afterwards, on 22 February 1915. No trace of the body of the 23-year-old was ever recovered, so he is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres. His elder brother, Captain Alan Frost, also of the Artists’ Rifles, was killed in action in East Africa on 17 October 1917, whilst attached to the 259th Company, Machine Gun Corps.
David Harries George, Trooper, 1900, Royal Horse Guards. David was born in 1894, the son of George Protheroe George and Elizabeth Anne George (nee Harries), of Great Nash Farm, Haverfordwest. After completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, David worked on his parents’ farm until enlisting into the Household Cavalry, attesting into the Royal Horse Guards (The Blues), on 16 October 1914. The Royal Horse Guards had been stationed at Windsor when war erupted and upon mobilization despatched one squadron to the Household Cavalry Composite Regiment, before joining 7 Cavalry Brigade. 3rd Cavalry Division at Ludgershall. On 7 October 1914 the division had landed at Zeebrugge, where it was forced to evacuate the city before heading south to Ypres, taking part in the First Battle of Ypres soon afterwards. On 21 November 1914 the Royal Horse Guards transferred to 8 Cavalry Brigade, 3rd Cavalry Division and saw its next major action during the Second Battle of Ypres, where it suffered heavily. David completed his training before embarking for the Western Front on 18 May 1915, joining the Blues in Flanders, and took part in the battalions next major action during the Battle of Loos. The 3rd Cavalry Division saw no notable action throughout 1916, then at the end of January 1917 David took ill and was diagnosed as suffering from appendicitis. He was evacuated via the 8th Cavalry Field Ambulance to the base hospital at Étaples before returning to England and eventually died of an appendix abscess at the 3rd London General Hospital, St. James Infirmary, Wandsworth on 8 September 1917. The remains of the 23-year-old were conveyed home, and he was buried in Pill Park Cemetery, Llangwm.
George Frederick Gibbon, Private, G/18198, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. George was born in 1894, the son of Willie Gibbon and Martha Gibbon (nee Thomas), of 2, Horns Lane Haverfordwest. After completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, George found work as a clerk. He enlisted on 15 November 1915 into the Royal Fusiliers, with the Regimental Number PS/9328, and served in France from 29 August 1916 until being wounded and returning home just over a month later. On 12 September 1917 he returned to France, and was posted to the 7th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, which was attached to 53 Brigade, 18th (Eastern) Division. George joined the battalion at Ypres, where it took part in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, taking part in the capture of Westhoek. The division then fought at the Battle of Langemarck, and at the First Battle of Passchendaele, followed by the Second Battle of Passchendaele. In 1918 the Division was stationed south of the Somme and became one of the Divisions hit hard by the German Spring Offensive, which was launched on 21 March 1918. The division fought at the Battle of St Quentin, suffering terrible casualties as it withdrew west, and saw further heavy fighting during the Battle of the Avre and the Actions of Villers-Bretonneux. George was taken prisoner of war during this tumultuous period, at some time between 21 and 28 March, but became ill whilst in captivity and died in the field hospital at Cagny on 5 May 1918, aged 23. He is buried in Grand-Seraucourt British Cemetery, France.
William Deacon Hayman, Second Lieutenant, Hampshire Regiment. William was born in 1897, the son of Henry James Hayman and Elizabeth Hobling Hayman (nee Sheers), of Stapleton, Bristol. Following the death of his father in 1912, William went to live with his elder brother Frank, a dentist, at 11, Victoria Place, Haverfordwest and was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School. William was commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the Hampshire Regiment on 29 November 1915 and upon disembarking in France on 12 July 1916 was posted to the 11th Battalion, Hampshire Regiment, a Pioneer Battalion, which was attached to the 16th (Irish) Division. William joined up with the battalion near Loos, where it was at work digging tunnels and listening galleries beneath the German lines. Soon afterwards the 16th Division moved south to the Somme, to take part in the great offensive there and played an important part in capturing the towns of Guillemont and Ginchy, suffering terrible casualties. After a lengthy period out of the line rebuilding, the division moved north to the Ypres Salient and played a major role in the Battle of Messines alongside the 36th (Ulster) Division. In June 1916 William assumed the duties of Officer in Command of Burial Party for the battalion and would have come across many terrible scenes whilst carrying out this work on Messines Ridge. During the early days of August, the battalion carried out a lot of work on the Menin Road, erecting screens to hide troop movements and in repairing and maintaining the road. William was killed in action whilst supervising such work on 13 August 1917. The 20-year-old is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium. His nephew, William Peter Hayman, died whilst operating off Malta with the RAF in WW2.
Archibald Bellairs Higgon, MID, Major, Royal Field Artillery. Archibald was born on 19 April 1880, the son of Captain John Donald George Higgon, and of Edith Emily Higgon (nee Thompson), of Scolton Hall, Spittal. He married Isobel Jane Denroche-Smith, of Balhary, Meigle, Perthshire at St. Ninian’s Episcopal Church, Balhary in 1913. Archibald was commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the Royal Field Artillery in 1899 and took part in the Anglo-Boer War of 1899-1901. He remained in the Royal Field Artillery during the inter-war period, then following the outbreak of the Great War embarked for France with the BEF, taking part in the Battles of Mons and Le Cateau in August 1914, being Mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the French Legion of Honour after taking command of his battery after all his senior officers had been killed. He was later invalided home, suffering from rheumatism, but after recovering, took up duty at a training camp in England. In June 1915 Archibald embarked for the Dardanelles with ‘D’ Battery, 69th Howitzer Brigade, Royal Field Artillery and became attached to the Australian Division. Archibald was killed in action at Gallipoli on 9 September 1915, when he was shot in the head by a sniper whilst carrying out observation work in the trenches. The 35-year-old was originally buried in New Zealand No. 2 Outpost Cemetery, Gallipoli, however the exact location of his grave could not be found after the war, so Archibald is commemorated in the cemetery by a Special Memorial. His brother John also fell.
John Elliott James, Private, 31589, South Wales Borderers. John was born in 1899, the son of Thomas James and Emily James (nee Jenkins), of Merlin’s Hill, Haverfordwest. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he enlisted at Haverfordwest into the army and upon being drafted to France was posted to the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers, which was attached to the 25th Division as Pioneers. The Division had landed in France on 26 September 1915, and was posted to the Vimy area, where it defended Vimy Ridge against a German attack in May 1916. They then moved to the Warloy area and attacked on the 3rd of July near Thiepval. They fought throughout the Battle of the Somme, and then moved to Ploegsteert, where they held the line for the months leading up the Battle of Messines in June 1917. After fighting at Messines, the Division moved north, and fought at Pilckem, before moving south again, where it took up positions around Bullecourt in reserve. Here the Division was used to reinforce the badly depleted British units that were hit in the area by the German Spring Offensive. John was wounded here, and died of wounds on 28 March 1918, aged 19. He is buried at St. Hilaire Cemetery, Frevent, France.
Charles Jenkins, Second Lieutenant, Royal Flying Corps. Charles was born on 2 January 1897, the second son of John Lewis Jenkins and Bessie Jenkins (nee Mitchell), of Cleddau Lodge, Haverfordwest. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Charles then attended the London Wireless College, and from there he enlisted into the Signal Section of the Royal Engineers on 11 November 1914. Charles then served on the Western Front from January 1916 and returned to England in July 1917 to train at Winchester and Oxford. In November 1917 Charles was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Flying Corps and gained his Wings in January 1918. Charles was sadly killed whilst training aboard a Sopwith Camel, B7370, from the Central Flying School at Upavon, Wiltshire, when the aircraft failed to pull out of a dive and crashed on 21 March 1918. The remains of the 21-year-old were recovered from the wreckage, and he was conveyed back to Pembrokeshire for burial in St. Mary’s Church Cemetery, Haverfordwest. His Commanding Officer wrote in a letter to John and Bessie; ‘Your son was a fine and fearless Pilot, very popular, and we feel his loss keenly’. His brother, Harold Rhys Jenkins, served during WW2 with the Merchant Navy. He survived the sinking of his ship in 1942 but spent the rest of the war in captivity and died in 1948.
Thomas Jones, Second Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. Thomas was born in 1896, the only son of Walter Jones and Sarah Anne Jones (nee Evans), of Corner Farm, Wiston. After being educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School he gained a position with the London and Provincial Bank at Port Talbot. In January 1916 he left his role to enlist into the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps and after finishing his officer training at Berkhamsted attended an army cadet school prior to becoming commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery. He was then drafted to the Western Front just before Easter 1917 to join D Battery, 161st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. The Battery had just relieved from the Somme Sector and was Headquartered in Savy when Thomas arrived on 8 April, so he saw his first action immediately, during the opening phases of the Battle of Arras. On 23 May, after a furious few weeks in the line, the 161st Brigade withdrew and entrained for Flanders, initially camping in the Bailleul area before taking up positions in the rear of Messines Ridge, where it took part in the Battle of Messines soon afterwards. Within a week the battle had ended, so the battery moved again, to the Nieuport Sector, to prepare for a possible offensive along the coast. The battery found this sector to be very hostile yet again and began suffering casualties daily. Thomas was killed in action by German counter-battery artillery fire on 31 July 1917. The 20-year-old was buried in Coxyde Military Cemetery, Belgium. Thomas is also commemorated on an individual plaque within St. Mary’s Church, Clarbeston Road.
John Austin Llewhellin, Private, 320266, Welsh Regiment. John was born in 1895, the only son of George Davies Llewhellin and Mary Sarah Llewhellin (nee Morgan), of Stephens Green, Milton, Pembroke. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School before enlisting into the Pembrokeshire Yeomanry. During March 1916 the 1/1st Pembroke Yeomanry moved to Egypt, where it merged with the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade and formed the 4th Dismounted Brigade. On 2 February 1917 it merged with the 1/1st Glamorgan Yeomanry to form the 24th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, and became attached to 231 Brigade, 74th (Yeomanry) Division. The Division assembled in Egypt as part of the EEF, before crossing the Suez Canal into the Sinai, and saw its first major action during the Second Battle of Gaza. The battle was a failure, and the EEF was re-organised under a new commander, Sir Edmund Allenby, before launching the Third Battle of Gaza on the night of 31 October 1917. This assault was launched along a winder front, running from Gaza to Beersheba, and this time the EEF prevailed, opening the door to Jerusalem. John was wounded during the Third Battle of Gaza and died of his wounds on 2 November 1917. The 22-year-old was buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel.
William Howard Martin, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. William was born in 1887, the son of Thomas Henry Martin and Martha Martin (nee Harries), of 14, Kensington Terrace, Barn Street, Haverfordwest. After completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, William enlisted into the Artists Rifles, before being commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 8 September 1916. Upon being drafted to France on 19 October 1916, William was posted to the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The Battalion had been on the Western Front since the outbreak of war, and by early 1916 was attached to 19 Brigade, 33rd Division. The Division moved to positions on the Southern end of the Somme sector, and fought through the Battles of the Somme, from July 1916 onwards. The Division then saw terrible fighting at Arras the following Spring, taking part in the Battle of the Scarpe and then at Bullecourt, before heading to the Flanders Coast near De Panne, in preparation for a possible assault along the coast. William by then had become attached to D Company of the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers which was attached to the 38th (Welsh) Division. He was killed in action at Ypres on 31 July 1917, during the opening assault on the Pilckem Ridge The 29-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Charles Henry Morgan, Private, 126129, Machine Gun Corps. Charles was born in 1888, the son of Thomas Henry Morgan and Janet Morgan (nee Thomas), of 34, Dew Street, Haverfordwest. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School and worked as an accountant prior to enlisting at Haverfordwest into the 4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, with the Regimental Number 203538. After training as a Lewis Gun Specialist, Charles was transferred into the 38th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps, which was attached to the 38th (Welsh) Division. The Division had landed in France during December 1915 and had spent their first winter in the trenches near Armentieres. In June they marched south to the Somme, where they were tasked with the capture of Mametz Wood. The attack on the wood began on 7 July, but met with fierce resistance, and it took until 14 July to clear the wood. The Division suffered terrible casualties at Mametz, and were taken out of the line, and moved to Ypres to rebuild. Here they fought at the Battle of Pilckem Ridge, and the Battle of Langemarck. They then moved to Armentieres, where they remained from September 1917 until March 1918 when the German Spring Offensive was launched. The British had been over-run on the Somme, and so in April the Division was moved south, taking up positions North of Albert, from where they weathered the storm of the coming months, until the war turned during the Battle of Amiens, on 8 August 1918. The Germans had now lost the upper hand, and the British regained the lost ground on the Somme after an attack which began on 21 August, with the 38th Welsh during the attack during the Battle of Albert, and then moving east, where they fought at the Battle of Bapaume. Charles was wounded during the Battle of Albert, and died at the 61st Casualty Clearing Station, Daours on 24 August 1918. He is buried at Daours Communal Cemetery Extension, France. His brother Frederick had died at Malta due to illness contracted at Gallipoli in November 1915.
Francis Leonard Owen, Private, 10021, Royal Fusiliers. Francis was born in 1894, the son of William Henry Owen and Eliza Owen (nee Johns), of 3, Gloucester Terrace, Haverfordwest. After completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Francis worked as a grocer’s assistant with Rees Brothers, at Haverfordwest. He enlisted at Haverfordwest into the army in November 1916 and upon being drafted to France was posted to the 12th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, which was attached to 17 Brigade, 24th Division. The Division had moved to France during August 1915 and had seen its first major action soon afterwards during the Battle of Loos, being sent into action on 26 September 1915, but suffered terrible casualties due to not being properly trained, so was withdrawn from the line until the following year. Francis joined the battalion on the Somme, after it had seen heavy fighting at Delville Wood and Guillemont, before the entire Division moved to positions near Mazingarbe, north of Arras, in early 1917. At dawn on 26 January 1917 the 12th Royal Fusiliers carried out a daylight trench raid against the German lines facing their positions at the Village Lines, successfully killing dozens of Germans, capturing 16 prisoners, and bombed several dugouts. Francis was killed in action during the raid that day, on 26 January 1917. The 22-year-old is buried in Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe. His nephew, Leonard George Phillips Owen, was killed in WW2, whilst serving with the Parachute Regiment.
Alfred Ernest Howard Palmer, Private, TF/3065, Middlesex Regiment. Alfred was born in Cardiff on 18 July 1883, the son of Charles Escott Palmer and Emily Eliza Palmer (nee Stannard). Following the death of his mother in 1885, Alfred went to live with an aunt, Elvira Stannard, at Picton Place, Prendergast and he was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School. Upon leaving school he found work as an Insurance Clerk and by the time war erupted was residing at 66, Hampton Road, Forest Gate, Essex. Alfred enlisted at Stamford Brook, Middlesex on 13 November 1914 into the 2/10th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment. On 24 April 1915 the Battalion moved to 160 (Welsh Border) Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and on 18 July 1915 sailed from Devonport, and landed at Suvla Bay on 9 August 1915. The Division was almost immediately thrown into some desperate fighting over the ensuing weeks, in terrible conditions. Alfred contracted dysentery on Gallipoli, and was evacuated to Egypt for treatment, but died of jaundice in hospital at Port Said on 24 October 1915. The 31-year-old was buried in Port Said War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. He is also commemorated on his Aunt Elvira’s grave at Canford Cemetery, Bristol.
Arthur Owen Philipps, Sergeant, 117043, Canadian Mounted Rifles. Arthur was born on 26 June 1879, the son of the Reverend James Joseph Philipps and Emma Philipps (nee Hutchinson), of Windrath, Manorbier. After leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School, he enlisted into the Imperial Yeomanry and had then served with the 102nd Company, Imperial Yeomanry during the Anglo-Boer War. He later emigrated to Canada where he worked as a rancher. Arthur enlisted into the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles (Saskatchewan Regiment), at Calgary on 4 January 1915. The Canadian Mounted Rifles had formed on 15 March 1915 at Bordon, converting to Infantry on 1 January 1916 being attached to 8th Brigade, 3rd Canadian Division. Upon arriving in France, the Division was sent to the Western Front, taking over positions in the Southern part of the Ypres Salient. On 2 June 1916 the 3rd Canadian Division, holding the front line in the Mount Sorrel area, became subjected to an intensive artillery bombardment, which devasted their front-line positions, causing horrific casualties, including the division commander, Major-General Malcolm Mercer. German infantry then swept forward, capturing Canadian positions at Mount Sorrel and on two surrounding hills. Arthur was Killed in Action that same day, on 2 June 1916. The 38-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres. At least four of his brothers had also emigrated to Canada, and another had emigrated to Australia, all of whom served during the war with their respective Colonial forces.
S. Rees, Private. This man cannot presently be identified.
William Alban Rogers, Rifleman, 653437, London Regiment. William was born on 5 January 1882, the son of Richard Rogers and Mary Anne Rogers (nee Owens), of Broad Haven, Pembrokeshire. Upon leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School he gained a position as a Commercial traveller for a varnish and paint manufacturer. He married Nellie Adelaide Cooper at West Bromwich in 1905, then the couple moved to 9, Cintra Park, Upper Norwood, London. William enlisted at Camberwell into the London Regiment and was posted to the 21st Battalion (1st Surrey Rifles), London Regiment, which was attached to 142 Brigade, 47th (2nd London) Division. The Division moved to France between 9 and 22 March 1915, taking part in the Battle of Aubers, and the Battle of Festubert during May 1915 and in September fought at the Battle of Loos, and subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. The Division was north of Arras when the Germans attacked Vimy Ridge early in 1916 and saw heavy fighting before moving south to the Somme, where it took part in the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Le Transloy, where the Division captured Eaucourt l’Abbe. Towards the end of the Somme offensive the Division took part in Attacks on the Butte de Warlencourt. Early in 1917 the Division moved north to Belgium, and took up positions facing Messines Ridge, in preparation to take part in the forthcoming Battle of Messines Ridge. At dawn on 7 June 1917, William’s battalion moved into position and, following the blowing of a series of vast underground mines, attacked the remnants of the German front line trenches. The initial assault was successful, but upon advancing further the battalion was hit by heavy German machine-gun fire from Battle Wood and suffered many casualties, with some 244 men killed, wounded or missing. William was killed in action at some time during the fighting that day, on 7 June 1917. The 35-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres, Belgium. His widow, Nellie, sadly died in 1924, leaving their three young children orphaned.
James Gwynne Vaughan Rowlands, Rifleman, 393080, London Regiment. James was the son of William Gwynne Rowlands and Mary Rowlands (nee Vaughan), of 1, Castle Terrace, Haverfordwest. Upon completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School he found work in London, then upon the outbreak of war enlisting at London into the 28th Battalion (Artists Rifles), London Regiment. He was subsequently posted to the 2/9th (County of London) Battalion (Queen Victoria’s Rifles), London Regiment, which was at Ipswich attached to 175 Brigade, 58th (2/1st London) Division. The division began embarking for France on 20 January 1917 and had concentrated by 8 February, with the 2/9th Battalion landing at Le Havre on 4 February 1917. The Division then followed the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line, before taking part in the Battle of Arras, seeing heavy fighting during the 2nd Battle of Bullecourt in May 1917, alongside the Australians. The division then saw further fighting on the Hindenburg Line before being transferred to the Ypres Salient, taking part in the Battle of the Menin Road Ridge from 20–25 September. After a brief rest the division was thrown into action again during the Battle of Polygon Wood on 26 September, attacking from positions on the Canal Bank. James was killed in action on the following day, 27 September 1917, following a German counterattack. The 22-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
George Thomas Sydney Rumball, MC, Lieutenant, Royal Fusiliers. George, known as Sydney, was born in Colchester on 18 February 1896, the son of George Rumball and Clara Rumball (nee Blake). Sydney was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, then worked as a clerk for the General Post Office’s telephone engineering and manufacturing facility at the Mount Pleasant factory. He joined the Civil Service Army Cadets in March, but left in July due to a lack of time, and re-enlisted in March 1915, as a Private in the RAMC, serving in France from August 1915 based at the 33rd Casualty Clearing Station. In August 1916 George applied for a regular army commission and was gazetted as a temporary 2nd Lieutenant on 2 April 1917, being posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers, who were at Arras, attached to 86 Brigade, 29th Division. The Division had suffered heavy casualties during the Battle of Arras over the preceding weeks, and George was probably a reinforcement. In August 1917 the 29th Division relieved the 38th Welsh Division at Boesinghe, and George was awarded the Military Cross here, “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led patrols on four consecutive nights, returning on each occasion with valuable and accurate information. The consistent example of courage and determination which he set inspired all his men to exert themselves to the utmost. Boesinghe sector (Belgium) 7 to 10 August 1917”. Over the coming months George took part in the Battle of Langemarck, the Battle of Poelcapelle, and the Battle of Cambrai, where he was seconded to brigade HQ. On 11 April 1918 the Division was in the Lys Valley, when the German offensive hit them. Over the coming days, they fought a desperate rearguard action, and it was here that George was killed on 13 April 1918. The 22-year-old was buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France. George’s father won the Military Cross whilst serving with the 24th Welsh in Palestine in 1917.
Arthur Llewellyn Thomas, Sapper, 43178, Royal Engineers. Arthur was born in 1894, the only son of William Thomas and Martha Thomas (nee Charles), of 26, Dew Street, Haverfordwest. After leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School he enlisted in the town into the Royal Engineers, and was posted to the 75th Field Company, Royal Engineers, which was attached to the Guards Division. The Division was formed in France in August 1915, from the various Guards units that had been with other Divisions. It remained on the Western Front throughout the war and saw its first major action during the Battle of Loos on 25 September 1915, remaining in the area during the coming months, where they also fought in the subsequent Action of Hohenzollern Redoubt. In July 1916 the Division moved to the Somme, where they fought at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette, and then at the Battle of Morval, capturing Lesboeufs Village. They remained here for the winter, and in March 1917 took part in the advance caused by the German Retreat to the Hindenburg Line. Later that year they moved north to Ypres, taking up positions north of Boesinghe, on the Yser Canal. Arthur was killed during a trench raid on 3 July 1917, aged 23. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.
Frederick Spriggs Thomas, Captain, Welsh Regiment. Frederick was born in 1891, the son of James Spriggs Thomas and Frances Elizabeth Thomas (nee Hutton), of 31, East Side, Prendergast, Haverfordwest, where he gained a scholarship to Worcester College, Oxford where he trained as a teacher. He then taught at King Charles I School, Kidderminster prior to the war. Frederick was commissioned into the 1/4th Battalion, Welsh Regiment on 9 November 1914. The battalion was a Territorial battalion, attached to 159 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The 53rd Division moved to the Mediterranean, sailing from Devonport in July 1915 arriving at Mudros by 5 August 1915. From here they moved to Gallipoli, landing on 8 August 1915. Here they immediately faced the chaotic leadership that was to lead to the ultimate failure of the campaign, and spent the next few days in isolated pockets, fighting against a Turkish counterattack during the Battle of Sari Bair, and then at the Attack on Scimitar Hill. The Division remained here throughout the coming months and suffered severe losses in manpower strength during the great November 1915 blizzard on Gallipoli, when its total strength was reduced to less than that of a full-strength Brigade. On 11 December 1915 the Division was evacuated to Mudros, and by 23 December 1915 were moved to Egypt. They remained on the Suez Canal Defences for the next twelve months, and in early 1917 moved into Palestine, where they remained for the duration of the war, fighting at the Battles of Gaza, and successfully capturing Jerusalem. Frederick was wounded on 17 April, during the move into Palestine, and died at the 54th Casualty Clearing Station on 21 April 1917, aged 25. He is buried in Deir El Belah War Cemetery, Israel.
James Douglas Tombs, Second Lieutenant, Border Regiment. James was born on 9 May 1890, the second son of James Tombs, M.A., and Mary Sanderson Tombs (nee Patterson), of Greenwood House, Fishguard. He was the grandson of Prebendary Joseph Tombs, Rector of Burton, Pembs, and of the late Thomas Patterson of Rock Ferry, Cheshire. James’ father was Headmaster of Haverfordwest Grammar School. James was educated at Haverfordwest, before entering Keble College, Oxford. He played for the 1st Rugby Football XV for three seasons and was also a member of the University Contingent of the Officers’ Training Corps. Graduating B.A. in 1914, James became Assistant Master at Greenfield Preparatory School, Seaford. On 28 December 1914 he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the 7th Battalion, Border Regiment. The Battalion was part of 51 Brigade, 17th Division, and landed in France in July 1915. The Division spent the first few months in France holding the line South of Ypres, near Sanctuary Wood, and it was here that it had to withstand several German diversionary attacks, which were aimed at preventing the British reinforcing the besieged French Army at Verdun. James was wounded here on 13 January 1916 and treated at the 51st Field Ambulance before being evacuated to No. 2 General Hospital at St. Omer, where he sadly died of his wounds on 18 February 1916. The 25-year-old was buried in Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. His elder brother Joseph Tombs also fell.
Joseph Simpson McKenzie Tombs, Second Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery. Joseph was born on 18 November 1888, the eldest son of James Tombs, M.A., and Mary Sanderson Tombs (nee Patterson), of Greenwood House, Fishguard. He was the grandson of Prebendary Joseph Tombs, Rector of Burton, Pembs, and of the late Thomas Patterson of Rock Ferry, Cheshire. His father was Headmaster of Haverfordwest Grammar School. Joseph was educated at Haverfordwest and at Loretto, where he became a well-regarded athlete, playing for the cricket XI and the rugby XV. He then worked at Hale and Patterson, Liverpool, where he began a career as a journalist, being a regular contributor to Punch. At the outbreak of war Joseph enlisted into the ranks of the Liverpool Scottish but was quickly commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the 148th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, which was attached to the 30th Division. The Division moved to Larkhill in September 1915, then to Belgium, with Joseph being seriously wounded almost as soon as he got to the Front. He Died of Wounds on 11 September 1915, aged 26, and is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. His Commanding Officer wrote: ‘Universally popular with all ranks, very keen and very efficient, a man to be trusted at all times and in all places’. His younger brother James also fell.
Hugh Ince Webb-Bowen, Captain, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Hugh was born on 12 February 1878, the eldest son of Thomas Ince Webb-Bowen, late Chief Constable of Pembrokeshire, and Ellen Webb-Bowen (nee Brenchley), of Tenby. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, before studying law and was admitted to the Bar in 1889. Hugh played rugby for London Welsh as a young man, before enlisting into the army, gaining a commission as Second Lieutenant into the Royal Welch Fusiliers and was drafted to South Africa in 1900 to join the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, taking part in the Anglo-Boer War, where he gained a reputation for his gallantry. Hugh remained in the army after the war but was seconded to the South African Constabulary for three years before re-joining his regiment in India. Soon after his arrival he was made Adjutant. He was then transferred to the Head Quarter’s Staff of the Egyptian Army and was stationed at Khartoum, but in July 1914 returned to England and married Evelyn Flora Abercromby McDougal in Kensington on 18 July 1914. The couple were still on honeymoon when war broke out and Hugh was recalled to Khartoum. Evelyn joined him there soon afterwards, but by then the war on the Western Front had stagnated into static trench warfare, so the Allies, at the behest of Winston Churchill, came up with the idea of opening another front in an attempt to take Turkey out of the war. The initial plan was to force the Dardanelles Straits by use of a combined Anglo-French fleet, but severe losses were suffered from mines, so on 25 April 1915 the Allied landed on the Gallipoli Peninsula, intending on crossing over the land and capturing Constantinople. As part of the build up to this invasion, Hugh was despatched to the Mediterranean to join the Head Quarters Staff, landing after the initial infantry assault. He was sadly wounded on Gallipoli during the early stages of the campaign there and died of wounds on 24 May 1915. The 37-year-old is buried in Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Gallipoli. He is also commemorated on the St. Martin of Tours war memorial at Haverfordwest.
John Lloyd Williams, Private, 2841, Kings Liverpool Regiment. John was born in 1888, the son of George Williams and Jane Williams (nee Allen), of 2, Castle Square, Haverfordwest. Upon leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School he trained as a schoolteacher at Carmarthen Training College and was teaching at Liverpool Sailors Orphanage when war broke out. John enlisted at Liverpool into the 6th Battalion, Kings Liverpool Regiment on 9 November 1914. The battalion landed in France on 25 February 1915, and joined 15 Brigade, 5th Division at Bailleul. On 18 November 1915 the Battalion moved to Third Army Troops, and on 26 January 1916 moved to 165 Brigade, 55th (West Lancashire) Division. The Division relieved the French 88th Division south of Arras, where it took part in many raids and minor operations. Relieved by the 11th (Northern) Division on 25 July, the Division moved south and took up a place in the front line at Maltzhorn Farm, opposite the village of Guillemont, taking part in the Battle of Guillemont and the Battle of Ginchy. On 8 August 1916 John’s battalion launched an assault against the German lines facing Maltzhorn Farm, advancing the front line some 200 yards. John was wounded here, and died of his wounds on the following day, 9 August 1916. The 27-year-old is buried in Guillemont Road Cemetery, Guillemont, France.
Douglas Jonathan Rogers Wilson, Second Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Douglas was born in 1893, the son of James Wilson and Constance Ann Wilson (nee Powell), of 36, High Street, Haverfordwest. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School before being commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the Welsh Regiment soon after the outbreak of war, and was posted to the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. The battalion had formed at Cardiff in September 1914, moving to Salisbury Plain to join 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. The battalion embarked for France with the division on 18 July 1915, and the division moved to positions north of Loos in the Givenchy area, to begin trench initiation and training. The division then took part in a very costly diversionary attack here on 25 September 1915, intending to draw German attention away from the main assault at Loos. Douglas was killed in action during this disastrous assault on 25 September 1915. The 22-year-old has no known grave, and so is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.
Lewis Wilson, Captain, Essex Regiment. Lewis was born on 4 March 1884, the son of William Phillips Wilson, and of Margaret Elizabeth Wilson (nee Lewis), of Langdon Farm, Begelly. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School prior to enlisting into the Royal Navy, but had emigrated to Canada prior to the war, after marrying Jessie Winifred Forrester on 7 June 1911. Lewis enlisted at Valcartier, Canada on 23 September 1914 into the 7th Battalion, Canadian Infantry. His next of kin was given as being his wife, who was living at Bank House, Milford Haven. Lewis was immediately promoted to Corporal, as he had six years prior service with the Kashar Light Horse and Royal Navy. Upon arriving in France in 1915, Lewis was commissioned Second Lieutenant into the Essex Regiment, and was posted to 9th Battalion, Essex Regiment, which was attached to 35 Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division. The Division had landed at Boulogne on 31 May 1915, and took over the line at Ploegsteert Wood. They then moved south and fought in the Battle of Loos, and the subsequent actions of the Hohenzollern Redoubt, and remained there until March 1916. Lewis served as Adjutant from 15 July 1916. Sadly, Lewis was wounded, and was evacuated to the 2nd London General Hospital, where he died on 27 November 1916. Lewis was buried in Kensal Green (All Souls) Cemetery, London. His brother, William Clement Wilson, also fell during the war.
William Clement Wilson, Lieutenant, Worcestershire Regiment. William was born on 16 February 1887, the son of William Phillips Wilson and of Margaret Elizabeth Wilson (nee Lewis), of Langdon Farm, Begelly. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, before becoming an Insurance Clerk in London and resided at 50 Samos Road, Anerley, London prior to the war. William enlisted into the 28th Battalion, London Regiment (Artists Rifles), soon after the outbreak of war. The battalion was a Territorial Army battalion, which became a renowned Officer Training unit and upon mobilisation in August 1914 moved to the St. Albans area, attached to the 2nd London Division. On 28 October 1914 the Artists Rifles left the Division and moved to France, becoming established as an Officers Training Corps at Bailleul. William was then commissioned Second Lieutenant into the 1st Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment on 3 March 1915. The battalion was attached to 24 Brigade, 8th Division and had landed at Le Havre on 6 November 1914, seeing its first major action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle, and then at the Battle of Aubers Ridge in the spring of 1915. The battalion then saw further fighting at the Action of Bois Grenier. William was in command of a Platoon of Grenadiers, which were sent in to support the assault on the German trenches on 25 September 1915. The Germans counter-attacked, and the last that was known of William is that he was caught up in a bomb blast. He is officially recorded as missing presumed killed here on 25 September 1915, aged 26. However, a newspaper clipping of the time recorded that a German nurse had written to William’s parents, informing them that their son had been badly wounded and taken prisoner, and that he died in Hospital in Switzerland sometime after. If true, then the official details of his death were never corrected, and so today, William is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Belgium. His brother Lewis also fell.
Hugh Talbot Wynter, MiD, Major, Royal Field Artillery. Hugh was born on 26 September 1872, the son of Hugh Bold Wynter, Surgeon, and Christain Frances Annie Wynter (nee Talbot), of Kenilworth, Warwickshire. He was educated at the United Services College and at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, prior to being commissioned as Second Lieutenant into the Royal Field Artillery on 1 February 1893. He married Eva Mary Florence Incledon-Webber in Chelsea, London on 3 November 1898 and the couple lived at Syrencot, Heavitree, Exeter. By the time the Anglo-Boer War erupted, Hugh had risen to the rank of Captain. When the Great War broke out, he had been promoted to Major and embarked for France with the 22nd Battery, 34th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, as part of the 2nd Division, in August 1914. By 21 August the division had fully arrived in France and had assembled on the Belgian border along with the rest of the BEF and on the next day, the BEF advanced into Belgium with the French Fifth Army. The BEF then made contact with German forces on 23 August 1914 on the outskirts of Mons and after heavy fighting began to withdraw south, seeing heavy fighting again several rearguard actions at Landrecies, on 25 August and at Le Grand Fayt the following day, whilst retreating south towards the River Marne. After a 236-mile retreat, the division arrived at Fontenay, near Paris, on 5 September and here the BEF was ordered to counter-attack, during the First Battle of the Marne. It then fought in the First Battle of the Aisne, which saw the beginning of the huge network of trenches, which became known as the Western Front, begin. Hugh was killed in action here, during heavy fighting, on 15 September 1914. The 41-year-old was originally buried near Soissons, but after the war the scattered burials in the area were exhumed and Hugh was re-interred in Vendresse British Cemetery, France.
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World War Two, 1939-1945
John Henry Adams, Sergeant, 1412902, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was born on 24 February 1921, the son of George Thomas Adams and Mary Eliza Adams (nee John), of Brawdy. The family moved to 63, Prendergast, Haverfordwest when John was young. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, prior to taking up work with his father in the family butchers. Johne enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner before being posted to 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force, a bomber squadron which had been posted to the Middle East in 1940. After seeing much service in the Greek, Palestinian and North African campaigns, the squadron moved to Italy in December 1943, settling at RAF Tortorella. On 27 January 1944 John took off from Tortorella aboard a Vickers Wellington X, Serial HE898, on a raid on the Arezzo Marshalling Yards, about 25 miles northeast of Siena. John was posted as missing, believed killed, when the aircraft was lost during the raid. The 22-year-old has no known grave and is commemorated on the Malta Memorial, Valetta.
Robert Charles Bishop, Sergeant, 653306, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Robert was born in 1919, the son of Albert Philip Bishop and Emmie Bishop (nee Walters), of Rhyll Park, Merlin’s Crest, Haverfordwest. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School before enlisting into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve soon after the outbreak of war and after training as a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner was posted to 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force. At the outbreak of the war, 214 squadron was designated as a training unit, and moved to RAF Methwold, whilst in the process of re-equipping with the Vickers Wellington. In February 1940 the squadron moved from Methwold to RAF Stradishall. On 23 November 1940, Robert took off from Stradishall aboard a Vickers Wellington IC, Serial T2471, which joined a large bomber force despatched to strike Berlin. Robert was killed, together with all his fellow crewmen, when the Wellington was lost over the North Sea that night, probably shot down by enemy night fighters. The 21-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
Richard Job Thomas Brown, Flying Officer, 120912, Royal Air Force. Richard was born in 1916, the son of Joseph Harold Brown and Lucy Elizabeth Brown (nee Thomas) of Haroldson, St. Issells. Upon leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School, he married Ethel Brown, of Chiswick, Middlesex, in 1939. Richard had by then enlisted into the Royal Air Force and had trained as an Observer. He was posted to 39 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was equipped with the Bristol Beaufort, and was employed in an anti-shipping role, flying from RAF Luqa, in Malta. On 30 November 1942, Richard took off from RAF Luqa aboard a Bristol Beaufort II, Serial AW284, on a mine laying sortie to Bizerta Harbour, Tunisia. He was posted as missing, believed killed, when the Beaufort failed to return that day, presumed lost in the Mediterranean. The body of the 26-year-old was later recovered, and he was buried in Catania War Cemetery, Sicily.
Brynmor Edgar Davies, Cadet, Merchant Navy. Brynmor was born in Swansea in 1924, the son of Jean Davies (nee Jenkins). His mother was then widowed and moved back home to Uzmaston soon after Brynmor’s birth, before marrying William Henry Thompson, of 9, Bridgend Square, Haverfordwest, in 1932. Brynmor was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School before enlisting into the Merchant Navy as a Cadet and was posted aboard the SS Hartington, a London registered cargo vessel. Hartington left Great Britain on 18 September 1942, joining Convoy ONS 134, bound for Halifax Nova Scotia, and arrived in Halifax on 7 October. Twenty days later, Hartington left Halifax in Convoy SC 107, laden with urgent supplies, destined for the United Kingdom. On the night of 2 November 1942, Hartington was the fourth ship of the Convoy to be torpedoed by enemy submarines. Brynmor was lost that night. He was 18 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
George Devereux Davies, Sergeant, 924555, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. George was born in 1914, the son of Austin George Davies and Mary Ann Davies (nee Williams), of 2, Prendergast, Haverfordwest. Upon leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School, he enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was posted to RAF Bicester, in Oxfordshire, to join 13 Operational Training Unit, for training as an Observer. On 17 July 1941, George took off from RAF Bicester aboard a Bristol Blenheim IV, Serial R3805, on a Navigation Exercise. The Blenheim lost both engines whilst circling the airfield and crashed at Shelswell Park, near Cottisford, killing all but one of her crew. George was 27 years old when he died that day. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was brought home for burial in Haverfordwest (Prendergast) Cemetery.
Vaughan Ninian Startin Davies, DSC, Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve. Vaughan was born at Solva in 1917, the son of Edward Vaughan Davies and Ruth Davies. After completing his studied at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he later married Joan Frances Gwendoline MacIntosh, of Levens, Westmoreland, and the couple had two children. Vaughan followed in his father’s footsteps and volunteered to serve with the Royal Navy from 1935 onwards. Vaughan served aboard HMS Rodney, HMS Cossack and HMS Aurora, until volunteering to become a pilot with the Royal Naval Air Service in October 1940. He trained at HMS Daedalus, the RN Air Station at Lee-on-Solent, prior to becoming a pilot with 815 Squadron Fleet Air Arm, which was based at HMS Grebe, at Dekheila, near Alexandria, Egypt. Vaughan was then posted to 828 Squadron FAA. On 24 January 1942, Vaughan was flying a Fairey Albacore of 828 Squadron, when it went missing off Benghazi, during a flight from Benghazi to Malta. No more is known of his fate. Vaughan was 24 when he went missing that day, and he is commemorated on the Lee-on-Solent Memorial, Hampshire. He was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Cross ‘For sustained courage, skill and enterprise in many air operations by night and day, against the enemy in the Mediterranean’, which was presented to his widow.
Gwyn Edwards, Lieutenant, 292744, Monmouthshire Regiment. Gwyn was born on 7 March 1909, the son of David Edwards, and of Asenath Mary Edwards (nee Grier), of Henllan-Amgoed, Whitland. The family later moved to Johnston, Haverfordwest. Upon completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he trained as a refrigeration engineer and was working at Swansea prior to the war. Gwyn then left his job to enlist into the army and was commissioned into the 2nd Battalion, the Monmouthshire Regiment, which was a Territorial Battalion that had been mobilised at the outbreak of war. The Battalion were trained in Northern Ireland for the first two years of war, and returned to England in 1941, where it remained until June 1944, when it was moved to France as part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. The Battalion moved into battle positions near the River Odon and prepared to launch an offensive against the enemy. Gwyn was killed in action here, on 30 June 1944. The 35-year-old was originally buried at Vigor-le-Grand, but in March 1945 his grave was exhumed, and he was re-interred in Bayeux War Cemetery, France.
Charles Henry Evans, MBE, Warrant Ordnance Officer, Royal Navy. Charles was born on 8 March 1900, the son of Joseph George Evans and Lily Evans (nee James), of 16, Merlin’s Terrace, Haverfordwest. After completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Charles enlisted into the Royal Navy on 8 March 1918, seeing service during the latter months of the Great War. He continued to serve in the Royal Navy during the inter-war period and was Mentioned in Despatches for his gallantry whilst serving aboard the battleship HMS Rodney when it was bombed early in the war, being promoted to Warrant Ordnance Officer soon afterwards and also gained the award of the MBE. Charles was then posted aboard the Hecla-class Destroyer Depot Ship HMS Tyne. He died at Haverfordwest on 29 October 1944, aged 44, and was buried at Haverfordwest (St. Thomas A Becket) Churchyard.
George Harris Evans, Trooper, 7958106, Royal Armoured Corps. George was born on 5 May 1923, the son of John Llewellyn Evans and Elsie Phyllis Evans (nee Harris), of Elm Cottage, Haverfordwest. Upon completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, George began an apprenticeship with the D.C.L. Yeast Company and lodged at Wolfscastle. He left his job to enlist into the army soon after the outbreak of war and was posted to the 17th/21st Lancers. In November 1940 the regiment joined the 6th Armoured Division, and in November 1942 was deployed to Tunisia for Operation Torch, equipped with Valentine Mk III and Crusader Mk III tanks. The regiment then took part in the Tunisian Campaign, where it suffered heavy losses. The regiment then re-equipped with Shermans, taking part in the final campaigns in Tunisia before the Afrika Korps surrendered. The 6th Armoured Division was then deployed to the Italian Front in March 1944, and fought to breach the Gustav Line, taking part in Operation Diadem, the fourth and final Battle of Monte Cassino. George was killed here on 29 May 1944. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Caserta War Cemetery, Italy.
Owen Patrick Faraday, Flight Lieutenant, 128067, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Owen was born in 1913, the son of James Faraday, Master, Merchant Navy, and of Florence Emily Faraday (nee Harries), of Cairniehill, Goodwick. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School. Owen originally served with the 102nd (Pembroke and Cardigan) Brigade, Royal Artillery, and was commissioned Second Lieutenant on 5 November 1938. He then joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer reserve following the death of his Father and Brother aboard the SS St. Patrick, and qualified as a Pilot on 20 August 1942, joining 501 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was a fighter squadron, which had fought during the Battle of Britain with the Hawker Hurricane, before converting to the Supermarine Spitfire in 1941. In July 1944 the Squadron was equipped with Hawker Tempests and took the role of catching flying bombs over south-eastern England. Owen was killed in action when his Hawker Tempest V, Serial EJ626, suffered an engine failure whilst on a night patrol and crashed near St. Osyth, three miles southeast of Brightlingsea, Essex on 29 September 1944. The 31-year-old was buried in Burnham-on-Crouch Cemetery, Essex. His father was killed together with his brother, John Michael Faraday, whilst serving aboard the Hospital Ship SS St. Patrick in 1941.
Peter Flanagan, Sergeant, 903094, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Peter was born in Hendon on 8 September 1920, the son of John Charles Flanagan and Winifred May Flanagan (nee Potter). His father worked as a Telegraphist for the GPO and moved the family to west Wales by 1922, first to Hakin, then to Haverfordwest. Peter was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, before enlisting into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after completing his training as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner was posted to 49 Squadron, Royal Air Force at RAF Scampton. The Squadron had been used for minelaying, but in May 1940 began raids on Germany. At 16.00 on the afternoon of 16 October 1940, orders were received detailing 12 aircraft for bombing, the main target being to lay mines in the Gironde Estuary, near Bordeaux, to hamper the submarines based there. Take-off from Scampton began at 19.00 at 5-minute intervals until all 12 aeroplanes were airborne. Peter was amongst the crew of Handley Page Hampden I, Serial P2143. Four crews managed to complete successful sorties, despite some considerable resistance, but Peter was to lose his life on the return leg of the mission, when, desperately short of fuel, Hampden P2143, commanded by Flying Officer Charles Pitman, crashed near Andover, and all the crew were sadly killed. Peter was amongst the dead that morning, on 17 October 1940. The body of the 20-year-old was brought home for burial in Hubberston (St. David) Churchyard.
Geoffrey Garrett, Corporal, 2136922, Royal Engineers. Geoffrey was born on 11 May 1913, the son of Richard Garrett and Annie Garrett (nee Rose), of 1, Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven. After completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Geoffrey trained as an architect and worked in London for the Civil Service prior to the war. Upon enlisting into the Royal Engineers, he was posted to Persia. Geoffrey died on active service in Persia on 14 August 1942. The 29-year-old is buried in Basra War Cemetery, Iraq.
Leonard Edward Frank Green, Warrant Officer, 1317497, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Leonard was born on 16 October 1919, the son of Frank Green and Mary Green (nee Griffiths), of Johnston, Pembrokeshire. Upon completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he was accepted into Durham University, but instead enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after training as a pilot in Canada and the USA was posted to 12 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a heavy bomber squadron, based at RAF Wickenby, in Lincolnshire. On the night of 31 August 1943, Leonard took off from Wickenby, as pilot of Avro Lancaster III, Serial DV241, which joined a large bomber group despatched to strike targets in Berlin. Leonard was killed when his Lancaster was shot down by a German night-fighter in the target area and crashed on the following morning, of 1 September 1943, with the loss of all seven of her crew. Leonard was 23 years old when he was killed that morning. He has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, England.
David Domett Hall, Flight Lieutenant, 124676, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. David was born on 2 January 1920, the son of Arthur Domett Hall and Emilie Hall (nee Prosser), of 22, Grove Place, Haverfordwest. Once David had completed his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, the family moved to Denmark Hill, London. David enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve soon after the outbreak of war and after training as a pilot was posted to 107 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was based at RAF Lasham, in Hampshire. Just before midnight on 1 September 1944 David took off from RAF Lasham, flying a De Havilland Mosquito LBVI, Serial NS912, on a sortie to the Bastogne-Malmedy-Trier Area. At around 0050 on the following morning, 2 September 1944, David spotted a German troop train which he attacked, but the Mosquito was hit by anti-aircraft fire and crashed at Mertert, Luxembourg, killing David and his Navigator, Brian Robert Dwyer. David was 24 years old when he was killed during the crash, and is buried besides Dwyer in Mertert Communal Cemetery, Luxembourg.
Michael Francis Headley, Pilot Officer, J/86267, Royal Canadian Air Force. Michael was born in Oliver, British Columbia, Canada on 19 August 1923, the son of Harold Ind Headley and Esme Violet Headley (nee Curwen). His father had emigrated to Canada from Haverfordwest, but after Michael’s birth had returned to his hometown with the family, settling at The Castle Hotel, Haverfordwest. Michael was educated at Milford Haven County School and then at Haverfordwest Grammar School, before leaving Wales to take up a position as a ledger keeper for the Bank of Commerce, Salmon Arm, British Columbia in June 1940. He enlisted into the Royal Canadian Air Force on 8 October 1941 and after completing his training embarked from New York on 22 November 1942 for England, where he carried out further training as a Pilot, before joining 102 Squadron, Royal Air Force at RAF Pocklington on 2 December 1943. On the night of 21 January 1944, Michael took off from Pocklington at the controls of a Handley Page Halifax II, Serial JN952, as part of a large bomber force despatched to destroy targets in Magdeburg. Michael, together with four other crewmen, were killed when their Halifax was shot down and then blew up near Eindhoven, Holland on the following morning, 22 January 1944. Two of the crewmen managed to bale out and survived. Michael was 20 years old when he was killed that morning and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
George Alexander Brockhurst Higgins, Sapper, 2121087, Royal Engineers. George was born on 25 July 1919, the son of John Higgins and Edith Rosina Higgins (nee Brockhurst), of 13, Canada Road, Llandaff, Cardiff. By 1939 the family was residing at 11, Scolton Villas, Haverfordwest and George was studying at Haverfordwest Grammar School. He enlisted into the Royal Engineers and was posted to 688 Artisan Works Company, Royal Engineers. Little else is known of him, but he died as a result of an accident whilst on active service in Newport, Monmouthshire on 15 January 1941. The remains of the 21-year-old were brought home, and he was buried in Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.
T. J. Hughes, Pilot Officer, Royal Air Force. This man cannot presently be identified.
L. John, Corporal, Welch Regiment. This man cannot presently be identified, as no man of that name fell whilst serving with the Welch during the war.
Richard William Graham John, Corporal, 226331V, South African Forces. Richard was born in 1913, the son of William Bryan Walter John, JP and Gladys John (nee Morgan), of 18, Hill Lane, Haverfordwest. After completing his studies at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Richard had emigrated to South Africa. At the outbreak of war as he enlisted into the Prince Alfred’s Guard, South African Forces. The battalion was initially used as a feeder unit for the 2nd Brigade, South African Infantry in North Africa, before being converted into an armoured unit and was posted to Italy with the 11th South African Armoured Brigade, South African 6th Armoured Division and landed at Taranto on 20 April 1944 equipped with Sherman and Stuart Tanks. Richard was killed in Italy on 13 June 1944. The 29-year-old is buried in Bolsena War Cemetery, Italy.
David Rhys Geraint Jones, MID, Lieutenant, 247467, The Monmouthshire Regiment. David was born on 18 April 1922, the son of William Emlyn David Jones and Mary Ceinwen Jones, of Gwynfa, 14, Merlin’s Hill, Haverfordwest. He was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Cheltenham College, Shrewsbury and Trinity Hall, Cambridge. In 1942 he passed through Sandhurst and received a commission to the Royal Armoured Corps, before being posted to the 3rd Battalion, Monmouthshire Regiment, which was attached to 159th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. The entire Brigade was transferred to the 11th Armoured Division in 1943 and converted to armoured battalions. The Division landed in Normandy in June 1944 and took part in the breakout from the beach head. David was killed near the village of Mouen when his Company was attacked by the 12th S.S. Panzer Division, during Operation Epsom on 28 June 1944. He was 22 years old, and is buried in St. Manvieu War Cemetery, Cheux, France. He had been Mentioned in Despatches during his brief time in France and was a well-known Poet.
Melville Hugh Jones, Serjeant, 13012017, Pioneer Corps. Melville was born on 17 February 1908, the son of Master Mariner Thomas Jones and Margaretta Ellinora Jones (nee Davies), of The Post Office, Llanrhian. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Melville married Violetta Ethel Francks in 1936, before the couple moved to 133, Holme Lacy Road, Hereford, where Melville had gained work as a Retail and Wholesale Grain Salesman, and was also a qualified Pharmaceutical Dispenser. He enlisted into the Pioneer Corps soon after the outbreak of war. Melville died on active service at Haverfordwest on 29 July 1941. The 33-year-old was buried in Llanrhian (St. Rhian) Church Cemetery.
Thomas John Jones, Private, 37302, New Zealand Infantry. Thomas was born on 20 October 1913, the son of Thomas Frederick Jones and Ada Jane Jones (nee Griffiths), of 7, Commercial Row, Pembroke Dock. The family later resided at Glen Cottage, Merlin’s Bridge. Thomas was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School prior to emigrating to New Zealand and found work as a Storeman at Hawkes Bay. He enlisted there into the 25th Battalion, New Zealand Infantry, which was attached to the 2nd New Zealand Division, and moved to North Africa with the Division in 1940. Thomas survived the Divisions desperate fighting during the defence of Crete and was one of the men evacuated to North Africa. He was killed during the Battle of El Alamein on 22 July 1942. The 28-year-old was originally buried on the battlefield, but after the fall of the Afrika Korps the war graves in the area were exhumed and concentrated into El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.
Eric Thomas Gibbon Lewis, Leading Airman, FAA/FX. 76789, Royal Navy. Eric was born on 22 December 1917, the son of Sidney Elvet Lewis and Martha Harries Lewis (nee Gibbon), of Castle Ceulas, Mathry. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Eric lived at Cross Square, St. David’s, prior to the war. He enlisted into the Royal Navy and after training as a Naval Aviator was posted to 814 Squadron, Royal Naval Air Service. The Squadron was first formed in 1938 with twelve Swordfish on board HMS Hermes, and war service included protection for convoys around South Africa, in Dakar and in the Far East, and in 1942, was based at HMS Lanka, the Royal Naval Base at China Bay, Ceylon. Eric was killed whilst on operations aboard a Fairey Swordfish torpedo bomber when it was shot down and crashed whilst on patrol on 6 June 1942. The 24-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on Panel 2 of the Lee-On-Solent Memorial, Hampshire.
Thomas George Lewis, Sergeant, 1653157, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was born on 6 February 1924, the son of William George Lewis and Florence Harriet Lewis (nee Bishop), of 31, Dew Stret, Haverfordwest. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in August 1942 and after training as a Flight Engineer was posted to 214 Squadron, RAF, which was based at RAF Chedburgh, in Suffolk. On the night of 30 July 1943, Thomas took off from Chedburgh aboard a Short Stirling III, Serial EF407, as part of a large bomber group despatched to destroy targets in Hamburg. He was killed, together with his six fellow crewmen, when the Stirling was lost that night, believed to have been shot down Into the North Sea by a German night fighter. Thomas was 19 years old when he died that night. He has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
Edgar Pincombe Locke, Fourth Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. Edgar was born on 31 May 1917, the son of Archibald Robert Locke and Sarah Ann Locke (nee Mackeen), of 3, Picton Road, Hakin, Milford Haven. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he trained as a Marine Engineer and worked at Milford Haven prior to enlisting into the Merchant Navy. He was then posted aboard the S.S. Ocean Courage, a Liverpool registered liberty ship, and had been part of the crew which brought the ship over to England from its shipyard in America in 1942. On 15 January 1943, Ocean Courage was sailing from Pepel to Britain with a cargo of iron ore, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U 182, with the loss of 46 lives. Edgar was 25 years old when he died that day, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
John Percival Mathias, Captain, 177652, Parachute Regiment. John was born on 14 February 1913, the son of Thomas Henry Mathias and Maggie Mathias (nee Williams), of Middle Hoaten, Little Haven. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he worked as a Bank Clerk and upon marrying Gladys Emma Edwards at Cardiff in 1937, the couple moved to Pine Croft, Pill Green, Milford Haven. John was commissioned Second Lieutenant into the Royal Welch Fusiliers in March 1941 and was posted to the 10th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion was originally an infantry unit, but was converted to the 6th Battalion, The Parachute Regiment in 1942, joining the 2nd Parachute Brigade. The battalion’s first combat action was on 9 September 1943, when it participated in an amphibious landing, Operation Slapstick, at the port of Taranto in Italy. John was killed here on 10 September 1943, whilst still aboard HMS Abdiel, when it was bombed and sank in Taranto Harbour. The 30-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Cassino Memorial, Italy.
Robert Reginald Mathias, Gunner, 910931, Royal Artillery. Robert was born in 1920, the son of Alfred Mathias and Rose Ellen Mathias (nee Rowlands), of 24, Kensington Road, Neyland. Educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he married Florence Doris Holford at Haverfordwest in 1943 and the couple set up home at 3, Church Cottages, Prendergast. Robert by then was already serving with the 102 (The Pembroke Yeomanry) Medium Regiment, Royal Artillery, which was the local Territorial unit. The unit left England and landed at Algiers in February 1943, joining the First Army for the Allied invasion of North Africa (Operation Torch), operating as an Army Field Regiment. It landed at Algiers in February 1942, with one of the first self-propelled 25-pounder (Bishop) batteries to see action. In February 1943 the battery took part in desperate fighting when the 46th Infantry Division was overrun by the Germans, helping force the Germans to withdraw. Following the surrender of the Afrika Korps, the regiment remained in North Africa and was reorganised before moving to Italy in December 1943, to take part in the bloody advance northwards. Robert was killed in Italy on 24 April 1945. During the Allied Spring offensive. The 25-year-old is buried in Argenta Gap War Cemetery, Italy.
Thomas Gwyn Matthias, Sub Lieutenant (A), Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was born on 26 June 1921, the son of William Thomas Matthias and Margaret Elizabeth Matthias (nee James), of 37, Prescelly Place, Haverfordwest. He enlisted into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and trained as a pilot, before being posted aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious. The carrier had an exciting war, playing a major part in the hunt for the Bismarck in 1941, it was her aircraft which damaged the steering gear of the German battleship, enabling the Royal Navy to complete her destruction and avenge the sinking of HMS Hood. She then took part in convoy escort duties on the Arctic Convoys before being deployed to hunt for the Tirpitz. On 23 February 1942, Thomas took off from RAF Hatston, in the Orkneys, flying an Albacore I. He was killed when his Albacore collided with another Albacore of 817 Squadron some 30 Miles east of the Shetlands during a night search. The 20-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Lee-On-Solent Memorial, Hampshire.
William Ronald Mathias, Flight Sergeant, 552542, Royal Air Force. William was born at Carmarthen in 1921, the son of Lewis Mathias and of Elizabeth Mathias (nee Thomas). He was educated at Carmarthen Grammar School and then at Haverfordwest Grammar School prior to enlisting into the Royal Air Force, then after training as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner was posted to 226 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was based at Rheims in France, equipped with the Fairey battle. After the fall of France, the squadron spent several months in Northern Ireland, before moving to RAF Wattisham, Suffolk, in May 1941, and converting to Bristol Blenheim’s. It then carried out anti-shipping operations and strikes against small targets. William was killed when his Blenheim IV, Serial V6365 was shot down near Dunkirk during a raid on a chemical plant at Choques, during Circus 32, on 4 July 1941. The 20-year-old is buried in Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France.
Thomas Leonard Morgan, Second Lieutenant, 307384, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). Thomas was born in 1920, the son of William Charles Morgan and Edith Morgan (nee Harvey), of 9, Cambryn Place, Haverfordwest. After completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Thomas enlisted into the army and was posted to the 4th Battalion, East Kent Regiment (The Buffs). In October 1940 the battalion sailed for the Mediterranean, remaining in Malta until September 1943 when it moved to Alexandria. In October the battalion was sent to the Greek Island of Leros, to defend the Island from German attack, but the battalion was wiped out within weeks. Thomas was killed in action on 23 November 1943. The 23-year-old is buried in Leros War Cemetery, Greece.
Lloyd George Morris, Flight Sergeant, 628708, Royal Air Force. Lloyd was born in 1914, the son of Dan Morris and Sarah Ann Morris, of Scolock East, Clarbeston Road. After completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Lloyd enlisted into the Royal Air Force, and trained as a Wireless Operator, before being posted to 1419 (Special Duties) Flight at RAF Pocklington, in Yorkshire. Lloyd married Elsie Irene Aylett at Pocklington in 1941. On 10 April 1941, Lloyd took off from England aboard an Armstrong Whitworth Whitley, Serial T4165, which was on a secret mission to drop a team of Polish saboteurs in occupied Europe. The aircraft developed problems whilst flying over France and turned back. It crashed at Tangmere early in the morning of 11 April 1941, killing Lloyd and two other crewmen. The 28-year-old is buried in Middleton-on-the-Wolds Church Cemetery. He is also commemorated on his parent’s grave at Wolfscastle.
Gwilym Nicholls, Sergeant (Flight Engineer), 951248, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Gwilym was born in 1921, the son of Horace William Nicholls and Margaret Nicholls (nee Weburn), of Haverfordwest. Upon completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, he enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and after completing his training as a Flight Engineer was posted to 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a heavy bomber unit, based at RAF Elsham Wolds, Norfolk, equipped with the Avro Lancaster. On the night of 21 December 1942, Gwilym took off from Elsham Wolds aboard an Avro Lancaster I, Serial W4820, joining a large bomber group despatched to strike targets in Munich. He was killed, together with most of his fellow crewmen, when the Lancaster was intercepted and shot down by a German night fighter and crashed near Vavincourt, some 4 Miles Northeast of Bar-Le-Duc. The 21-year-old is buried at Vavincourt Communal Cemetery, France, alongside five of his fellow crewmen.
Leonard George Phillips Owen, Private, 6108354, Parachute Regiment. Leonard was born on 19 June 1924, the son of William Douglas Owen and Violet Yvonne Owen (nee Phillips), of 2, Gloucester Terrace, Haverfordwest. Upon completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Leonard enlisted into the army and was posted to the 13th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Early in 1943 the battalion was converted into the 8th Battalion, Parachute Regiment, which became attached to the 3rd Parachute Brigade, 6th Airborne Division. The brigade first went into action on 5 June 1944 during Operation Tonga, part of the Normandy landings, its objective being to destroy the Merville Gun Battery and the bridges over the River Dives. The brigade defended the left flank of the invasion zone until mid-August, when it joined the advance before being relieved and returned to England to refit. The brigade was moved to Belgium in December 1944, to counter the German attack in the Ardennes, and remained on the Belgian/Dutch border for three months until taking part in Operation Varsity, the crossing of the River Rhine in Germany. Leonard was killed during this major operation, during the crossing of the River Rhine on 28 March 1945. He was 20 years old, and is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.
Ronald Palmer, Sergeant, 1651825, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Ronald was born in 1923, the son of Trevor Palmer, and of Lena Palmer (nee Jones), of 5, Chapel Row, Llangwm. Upon completing his studied at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Ronald enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as a pilot before being posted to 127 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a fighter Squadron, equipped at first with the Hawker Hurricane, then with the Supermarine Spitfire. On 6 April 1945, Ronald took off from Schindel, in Holland, flying a Supermarine Spitfire, Serial RR212, when the aircraft stalled, and spun into the ground. The 22-year0old is buried in Bergen-op-Zoom War Cemetery, Netherlands.
Alwyn Thomas John Phillips, Pilot Officer, 137542, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Alwyn was born in 1910, the son of John Howell Phillips, Congregational Minister, and Martha Elizabeth Phillips (nee Richards), of The Retreat, Amroth. The family later moved to Tiers Cross and Alwyn was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School. He married Stella Adrienne Pugh, a Nurse, in Somerset in 1941. Alwyn had by then enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and over twelve months later was posted to No. 9 Observers Advanced Flying Unit at RAF Penrhos, in Caernarvonshire, to train as an Air Bomber. On 1 March 1943 Alwyn took off from Penrhos aboard an Avro Anson I, Serial EG129, on a night navigation exercise. Soon afterwards the aircraft crashed into the Afon Llyfni Valley near Pen-Y-Groes, probably due to an engine failure, killing Alwyn and his four fellow crewmen. Alwyn was 33 years old when he was killed that night. His remains were recovered from the crash site, and he was brought home for burial in Tiers Cross Congregational Cemetery.
Eilir Rees, Able Seaman, D/JX 392995, Royal Navy. Eilir was born on 25 October 1923, the son of Griffith Thomas Rees and Elizabeth Hannah Rees (nee Lewis), of Maesycoed, Bwlch-Y-Groes, Pembrokeshire. His father was headmaster of Bwlch-y-Groes School, Llanfyrnach, and sent Eilir to be educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School. Upon leaving school, Eilir enlisted into the Royal Navy and was posted to HMS President III, the Royal Naval Accounting Base, which trained men to serve aboard defensively armed merchant ships (DEMS). Eilir was then posted aboard the SS Madoera, a Dutch Steamship. In February 1943, Madoera left Cardiff for New York as part of Convoy ON-166. During the early hours of 24 February 1943, Madoera was hit in the bow by a torpedo which had been fired by the German submarine U-653. The crew abandoned ship in her lifeboats, but at dawn the ships master decided to reboard the ship, to assess the damage. The fifteen men who reboarded the stricken ship managed to stem the water which was coming into the bow section and the ship managed to limp to safety at St. John’s over the coming days. Unfortunately, Eilir was among some sixty men killed because of the initial abandoning of the ship. The 19-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.
Gwynne Perkins Rees, Lieutenant-Colonel, United States Army. Gwynne was born on 12 November 1906, the son of David Thomas Rees and Annie Davies Rees, of Springfield, Prendergast. Upon leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School, he emigrated to the United States. Gwynne then officially became a US Citizen in August 1930, settling at San Francisco, but following the outbreak of war enlisted into the US Army and became a Lieutenant-Colonel with the Coast Artillery Corps, in Honolulu, Hawaii. He died at Honolulu on 9 January 1945. The 38-year-old was buried in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, Honolulu.
Cecil Charles Reidmuller, Sergeant, 979560, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Cecil was born on 9 February 1918, the son of Auguste Charles Reidmuller and Emma Mary Elizabeth Reidmuller (nee Cecil), of Camden, London. He lodged with his aunt, Miss Gladys Agatha Cecil, at 4, High Street, Haverfordwest for several years whilst being educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School. Cecil enlisted into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve after leaving school and trained as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner before being posted to 149 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a bomber squadron, equipped with the Vickers Wellington and based at RAF Mildenhall. On the night of 1 July 1941, Cecil took off from Mildenhall aboard a Vickers Wellington IC, Serial R1343, which joined a large bomber force despatched to strike targets in Brest. Cecil was killed when his Wellington was brought down over France on the following morning, 2 July 1941. The 23-year-old is buried at Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery, France.
George Sheffield, Signalman, D/JX 274545, Royal Navy. George was born in Marlborough on 23 August 1921, the son of George Sheffield, and of Anne Camellia Sheffield (nee Willis). The family moved to 16, Cromie Avenue, Haverfordwest when George was young and he was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School. He enlisted into the Royal Navy soon after leaving school and was posted aboard HM Trawler Ullswater. George was killed when Ullswater was torpedoed and sunk by a German motor torpedo boat near the Eddystone Lighthouse whilst escorting a night patrol in the English Channel on 19 November 1942. The 21-year-old has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. His brother, Harold John Sheffield, was also killed at sea during the war.
Charles Owen Thomas, Fourth Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. Charles was the son of Charles Albert Thomas and Mary Dorothy Thomas (nee Phillips), of 12, Wellington Terrace, Haverfordwest. Upon completing his studied at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Charles trained as a Marine Engineer before enlisting into the Merchant Navy and was posted aboard the SS Tregarthen, a London registered vessel. On 24 May 1941 Tregarthen left Cardiff carrying 7,800 tons of coal bound for Kingston, Jamaica. Steaming off Milford Haven she joined Convoy OB 327, which took her out into the Atlantic, before dispersing on 1 June. Just before midnight on 6 June 1941, Tregarthen was in mid-Atlantic when she was hit in the stern by two torpedoes which had been fired by the German submarine U-48, and within three minutes capsized and sank, with the loss of all 45 men aboard. Charles was 22 years old when he was killed that night, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Wilfred Martin Thomas, Flight Sergeant, 1336180, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Wilfred was born on 3 September 1920, the son of William Thomas and Mary Jane Thomas (nee Martin), of Lower Quay Road, Hook. Upon completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Wilfred worked for the Air Ministry at Esher before enlisting into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as a Pilot. Wilfred was posted to 226 Squadron, which was equipped with the Mitchell Mark II bomber. On 25 November 1943, Wilfred was piloting Mitchell II, Serial FL196 J during a raid on a section of the Atlantic Wall at Audinghen, near Calais, France, when it was hit by flak. He managed to get the stricken aircraft back over the channel, but it crashed near Dover, killing Wilfred and the three other crewmen. Wilfred was 23 years old when he died that night. His remains were recovered from the wreckage, and he was brought home to be buried in Hook Gospel Mission Burial Ground.
Robert Eric Thompson, Petty Officer, D/JX 152250, Royal Navy. Robert was born on 6 January 1917, the son of Robert Thompson and Emily Robina Thompson (nee Wolfe) of 11, St. Peter’s Road, Milford Haven. Upon completing his education at Haverfordwest Grammar School, Robert enlisted into the Royal Navy. He married Phyllis Joan Medland of Paignton, Devon in 1942. Shortly afterwards Robert was posted overseas, to HMS Assegai, a shore base in South Africa. Robert was one of several men posted from Assegai aboard the SS Khedive Ismail, a turbine steamship which had been converted for use as a troop carrier. On 5 February 1944 Khedive Ismail left Mombasa for Colombo, carrying 1,324 passengers, including troops and nurses. On the afternoon of 12 February 1944, she was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese submarine I-27. The submarine dived beneath the survivors to attempt to escape a depth charge attack, but the Royal Navy destroyers that had been escorting Khedive Ismail continued the attack, sinking the I-27. During the sinking of the ship and the ensuing action, 1,220 men and 77 women were killed. Robert was 27 years old when he was killed that day and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
Frederick Albert Waite, Fireman and Trimmer, Merchant Navy. Frederick was born at Brecon on 28 March 1924, the son of William Edward Waite and Margaret Ann Waite (nee Francis). By 1929 the family had moved to Crundale Hall, Haverfordwest and then later to Lansdowne House, 8, Dew Street, Haverfordwest. Frederick was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School but enlisted into the Merchant Navy soon after the outbreak of war. He was posted aboard the SS Fort Babine, a London registered cargo vessel. On 6 February 1943, Fort Babine was in the Mediterranean, steaming from Newport for Algiers, when she was attacked by German aircraft and damaged by an aerial torpedo. The stricken ship was towed to Oran and temporarily repaired at Gibraltar. Frederick was killed by enemy action during that attack, on 6 February 1943. The 18-year-old is buried in Le Petit Lac Cemetery, Algeria.
Evan Atterbury Morice Williams, Master, Merchant Navy. Evan was born at Newport, Pembs in 1900, the son of William Morice Williams and Charlotte Elizabeth Williams (nee Jones). The family later moved to 14, Merlin’s Terrace, Haverfordwest and Evan was educated at Haverfordwest Grammar School, prior to leaving home to enlist into the Merchant Navy, becoming promoted to First Mate in 1925, and then to Master of an ocean-going vessel. He married Olive Grace Laura Warlow, of Hakin, in 1925, and the couple set up their marital home firstly at 110, the Grove, Ealing, Middlesex, then at Worcester. Evan continued to serve at sea over the coming years and by the time war had erupted was Master of the London registered MV Stork. In August 1941 Stork left Preston for Gibraltar, as part of Convoy OG-71, carrying a cargo of cased aviation fuel. During the early hours of 23 August 1941, the convoy was northwest of Lisbon, when it was attacked by the German submarine U-201, which fired a spread of four torpedoes at the convoy. The torpedoes sunk Stork and MV Aldergrove, Stork going down with the loss of her Master, Evan, and eighteen other men. Evan was 40 years old when he died that night. He has no known grave, so is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
Gordon Thomas Garfield Williams, Aircraftman 2nd Class, 932450, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Gordon was born at Llanstadwell on 4 May 1910, the son of Thomas Stanley Garfield Williams and Annie Jane Williams (nee Warren). He was educated at Haverfordwest grammar School, before becoming Head Gardener at Amroth Castle, and had married Edna Mary Roberts at St. Martin’s Church, Laugharne on 17 August 1936. Gordon had moved to Cardiff with his wife and their two children prior to the war, before enlisting into the Royal Air Force. He was transferred overseas with the Royal Air Force and was stationed in Malaya with 307 AMES at the early part of the war. Simultaneously with their attack on Pearl Harbour, Hawaii, on 7 December 1941, the Japanese landed at Kota Bharu, Malaya, and crossed the border into Mainland Hong Kong. Hong Kong fell on 25 December 1941 when 100 RAF men were captured. As the Japanese advanced down Malaya, one by one, the twenty-two airfields in Malaya were evacuated and by 16 January 1942 all Air Force Squadrons, Units and Station Staff had been driven back to Singapore Island. A few RAF men did manage to board the few boats and reach Australia safely, but approximately 4,600 men went into captivity. About 100 men of the RAF and the various Commonwealth Air Forces were captured after being shot down in Burma. Less than 30 were shot down elsewhere. Little is known of how Gordon met his fate, but he died on 6 March 1942, aged 33, and is remembered on the Singapore Memorial, Kranji.
John Philpin Williams, Sergeant, 983072, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was born on 27 November 1915, the son of Ambrose John Williams and Elizabeth Lettice Williams (nee Rees), of Gate House, Narberth Road, Haverfordwest. Upon leaving Haverfordwest Grammar School he gained work as a labourer, prior to enlisting into the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, and trained as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner before being posted to No 3 Group Training Flight, which was based at RAF Newmarket, in Suffolk. On 6 January 1942, John was one of the crew of Vickers Wellington IC, Serial L7863, which took off from Newmarket Heath in Suffolk for a gunnery detail training flight. As the Wellington climbed, the port engine stopped and the Wellington lost height and crashed onto a railway embankment, skidded into a building and burst into flames, killing all bar two of her crew. John was 26 years old when he was killed in the crash. His remains were salvaged from the wreckage, and he was brought home for burial in St. Ismael’s Churchyard, Uzmaston. His elder brother, Frederick Ambrose Williams, had died on active service a year earlier.
