Haverfordwest WW2 War Memorial

The men of the town of Haverfordwest who fell during the Second World War are commemorated on two bronze panels, set into the gateposts of the War Memorial gates, which are situated outside the District Council Offices. These men are commemorated on this page. Many thanks to Les Nixon for the photograph of the gates, and of the photos of the memorial panels. Also commemorated on this page are men who are buried at Haverfordwest who fell during WW2 while serving locally with the armed forces, but are not commemorated on this memorial. Just a few feet further from the gates is another bronze plaque, in memory of the only Pembrokeshire man to have served at the Battle of Rorkes Drift on 22/23 January 1879. Private Thomas Collins was from Camrose, and survived the Zulu onslaught. He served with B Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Foot.

World War Two, 1939-1945

John Henry Adams, Sergeant, 1412902, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the son of George Thomas Adams and Mary Eliza Adams, of Haverfordwest. He served with 37 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was equipped with the Vickers Wellington, and operated in the Middle East in support of the ground offensive in North Africa. John was killed during the invasion of Italy on 27 January 1944. He is commemorated on the Malta Memorial, Malta.

John Ashwood, Warrant Officer Class II, R/129078, Royal Canadian Air Force. John was the son of William and Sarah Ashwood, of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. John had volunteered to serve with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and was posted to RAF Haverfordwest as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with No 3 O.T.U., which was a Coastal Command unit. On 7 November 1943 John was a crewmember aboard Wellington MP615, which was taxying ready for take-off, when it was hit by Wellington from 304 Polish Squadron, which was making an emergency landing. The Polish crew all escaped, but John and two of his fellow crewmen were killed in the crash. John was 20 years old and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. John is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Albert Leslie George Badham, Fireman, Fishing Fleet. Albert was the son of Thomas and Emily Badham and the husband of Ellen Badham, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Fishing Fleet, aboard the Fishing Vessel John Baptish, based at Milford Haven. She was a Castle Class steel sided trawler, with coal boilers, which had been built in 1918. In 1938, she was transferred and registered at Milford Haven. The John Baptish was on a fishing trip when she disappeared, presumed mined, South of Coningbeg Light Vessel, and lost with all hands on 7 September 1940. Albert was 35 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his crew-members.

Harry Brown Barr, Chief Engineer, Fishing Fleet. Harry lived at 33, Church Street, Haverfordwest. He served aboard the Fishing Vessel Respondo, which was registered at Hartlepool. Harry died when Respondo was lost with all hands while fishing off the Irish Coast on 10 September 1940. He was 39 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

William Ronald Bennett, Ordinary Telegraphist, LT/JX 405153, Royal Naval Patrol Service. William was the son of William Robert and Marian Bennett, of Appeldore, Devon. He served aboard HM Trawler Birdlip, which had been converted to an anti submarine role. On 13 June 1944, the German submarine U-547 attacked a small convoy, consisting of the Saint Basile and the three trawlers HMS Birdlip, HMS Turcoman and HMS Inkpen off Greenville, Libera and sank HMS Birdlip. William was just 19 years old when he died during the loss, and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk.

James Bird, Second Engineer, Fishing Fleet. James was born in Ystradfodwg in 1890, the son of Thomas and Eliza Bird. He lived at 2, Winch Crescent, Haverfordwest prior to the war and served as the Second Engineer aboard the Milford based trawler MV Loch Awe. On 24 February 1943 Loch Awe left Milford, under the command of Robert Goldspink, with her crew of eleven men. She was spotted off Morecambe Bay and Chicken Rock, Isle of Man, before going missing and was reported as overdue on 28 February 1943. Nothing is known of the circumstances of her loss, but the wreck of Loch Awe lies off Chicken Rock. James was 52 years old when he died during the loss of Loch Awe, but none of her crew are listed as official war casualties by the CWGC.

Robert Charles Bishop, Sergeant, 653306, Royal Air Force. Robert was the son of Albert Philip and Emmie Bishop, of Haverfordwest, and served with 214 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a bomber squadron, equipped with the Vickers Wellington, based at RAF Stradishall. Robert died when his Wellington was lost on 23 November 1940. He was 21 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

John Duncan Boyd, Flight Sergeant, R/167068, Royal Canadian Air Force. John was the son of Samuel and Annie Maude Boyd, of Mimico, Ontario Canada. John volunteered to serve with the Royal Canadian Air Force, and sailed for Britain where he became a Navigator/ Bomber with 547 (R.A.F.) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. John was one of five crewmen killed when their aircraft, Consolidated Liberator, Serial EV881, crashed on the Preseli Hills on 19 September 1944. John was 27 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. John is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

John Michael Bracher, Leading Aircraftman, 552258, Royal Air Force. John was the son of Harold Edward Bracher and Helen Charlotte Bracher (nee Vick), of Rhos, Slebech. John enlisted into the Royal Air Force, and was posted to No. 2 Air Observers School for training. On 17 October 1941, John was flying aboard an Avro Anson I, Serial L9148, when it crashed into the sea off Fishguard, killing John and fellow Aircraftman Thomas Xavier Bradbury. John’s body was recovered from the sea, and the 20-year-old was buried in Slebech (St. John The Baptist) Churchyard on 21 October. His comrades body was never recovered. John is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Ladislav Brecka, Sergeant, 788186, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Ladislav was a Czechoslovakian who had escaped when the Germans invaded his home country. He was posted to 311 (Czech) Squadron, Royal Air Force, and was based at RAF Haverfordwest. On 8 October 1942, Vladislav was servicing a machine gun, when he accidentally shot and killed himself. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. Ladislav is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Frederick Ian Brooks, Company Quartermaster Serjeant, 7014506, Royal Ulster Rifles. Frederick was the son of Stanley and Ella Brooks, of Preston. He was based at Haverfordwest at the beginning of the war and married Madge Winifred Morgan, of Haverfordwest, in 1940. Frederick served with the 2nd Battalion, The London Irish Rifles.The battalion moved to North Africa with the Irish Brigade, and took part in the campaign against Rommel’s Afrika Korps. On 26 February 1943 the battalion was holding positions along the Goubellat to Bou Arada road when it came under attack my elite German paratroopers of the Hermann Goering Division. Frederick was killed in the ferocious fighting that followed. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Medjez-el-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. His widow Madge married Arthur Pettit in 1948, and died at Haverfordwest in 2000. Frederick is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Frederick Rodney Albert Chalk, Sergeant (Air Gunner), 534048, Royal Air Force. Frederick was the son of Joseph Hiram and Alice Louisa Chalk, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Doreen Mildred Chalk. He served with 240 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a seaplane squadron. In August 1939 it moved to Invergordon and began patrolling the North Sea, and in May 1940 it moved to Pembroke Dock, its area shifting to the Western Approaches, having converted to Short Stranraers in June.  Having moved back to Scotland in July 1940, the squadron re-equipped with Consolidated Catalinas in March 1941. Frederick was one of eight men who died when their Catalina, Serial AM265, crashed into a mountain on 21 March 1941. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Irvinestown Church of Ireland Cemetery, Ireland.

Leslie John Clark, Able Seaman, C/JX 163300, Royal Navy. Leslie was the son of Ernest and Emily Clark. Leslie served with the Royal Navy as a submariner. He married Jean Maxwell Corson, of Haverfordwest, at Gosport in 1943, prior to leaving Britain aboard HM Submarine Stonehenge. She had been launched on 23 March 1943, and after trials at Holy Loch sailed for the Pacific. Stonehenge sunk two Japanese vessels, the Koryo Maru and the Choko Maru soon after arriving in the Pacific. She left Trincomalee on patrol to the Malacca Straits on 25 February 1944, but was reported missing after failing to arrive at Ceylon on 20 March. No trace of her has ever been found. Leslie was 25 years old when he was posted as dead on 20 March 1944, and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. Leslie is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Phillip John William Cole, Seaman, LT/X 19979A, Royal Naval Patrol Service. Phillip served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service aboard HM Trawler Loch Inver. She was a trawler, which had been requisitioned by the Admiralty in October 1939 and converted to an auxiliary patrol vessel, based at Harwich. Phillip lost his life when Loch Inver was sunk by a mine off Harwich on 22 September 1940, with the loss of fourteen men. All her crew are commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, England.

Felix Creaney, Rifleman, 7011620, Royal Ulster Rifles. Felix was the son of John and Mary J. Creaney, of Lurgan, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, and the husband of Dilys E. Creaney, of Haverfordwest. He served with the 2nd Battalion, The London Irish Rifles. The battalion fought in North Africa, before taking part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy in 1943. Felix was killed in Sicily on 12 August 1943. He was 29 years old, and is buried at Catania War Cemetery, Sicily.

Arthur Hall Davies, Fireman and Trimmer, Merchant Navy. Arthur was born at Haverfordwest in September 1894. He served with the Merchant Navy as Fireman aboard the SS Trewellard, a London registered steamer. On 5 November 1940, Trewellard was part of Convoy HX-84 when it was discovered by the mighty German pocket battleship Admiral Scheer. Scheer sank the convoys only escort, HMS Jervis Bay, and the convoy scattered. Scheer pursued Trewellard, and the outmatched steamship was soon overtaken and sunk by the Scheer, going down with the loss of 14 men. Arthur was one of the dead. He was 46 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Admiral Scheer sank seven of the 38 ships in the convoy, including their escort, HMS Jervis Bay: SS Maiden, SS Trewellard, SS Kenbame Head, SS Beaverford and SS Fresno were sunk and the tanker SS San Demetrio, was damaged.

Brynmor Edgar Davies, Cadet, Merchant Navy. Brynmor was the son of Jean Davies, and stepson of W. H. Thompson, of Haverfordwest. He served in the Merchant Navy 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.

C. T. Davies. This man cannot presently be identified.

Charles James Davies, Gunner, 747878, Royal Artillery. Charles was born at Haverfordwest, and served with the 3rd Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. The regiment served during the North African campaign, before taking part in the invasion of Sicily and Italy in 1943. Charles was killed in Italy on 21 August 1944. He is buried at Caserta War Cemetery, Italy.

John Edwin Devonald, Engineman, LT/KX 99905, Royal Naval Patrol Service. John was the son of Edwin and Martha Elizabeth Devonald, and served as an Engineman aboard H.M. Drifter Reed. She had been Requisitioned in September 1939 as a minesweeper, and converted to an auxiliary patrol vessel in August 1940. She was sunk by a mine in Thames Estuary on 7 November 1940, killing John who went down with the boat. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk.

Cecil Percival Dorsett, MID, Lance Corporal, 6098255, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Cecil was the son of Percival and Gladys Clara Dorsett, of Wolverhampton. He married Evelyn Pearl Phillips, of Haverfordwest in 1941. Cecil served with 6th Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. The battalion had taken part in the retreat to Dunkirk, before embarking for North Africa. Cecil was killed during Operation Vulcan, the final offensive against the Afrika Korps. He was 26 years old, and is buried at Oued Zarga War Cemetery, Tunisia. Cecil is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Frederick John Driver, Private, 6347671, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Frederick was the son of Frederick and Charlotte Driver, of Woolwich. He married Elsie Doreen Robbins, of Haverfordwest in 1942, before embarking for North Africa with the 6th Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Frederick was killed during Operation Torch, on 17 November 1942, aged 24. He is buried at Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery, Tunisia. His widow Elsie married James Sinnett in 1955, and died at Haverfordwest in 1988. Frederick is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Alfred Henry Edleston, Serjeant, 6337876, Royal Army Medical Corps. Alfred was the son of Alfred Edward and Amy Florence Edleston, of London. He married Margaret Elizabeth Walters, of Haverfordwest in 1939. Alfred was a regular soldier, and at the outbreak of war was in France attached to 11 General Hospital, Royal Army Medical Corps, based at Le Havre. He died in France on 26 February 1940, aged 35, and is buried at Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre, France. Alfred is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Charles Henry Evans, MBE, Warrant Ordnance Officer, Royal Navy. Charles was the son of Joseph George Evans and Lily Evans, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Tyne, a Destroyer Depot Ship. Charles died on 29 October 1944, aged 44, and is buried at Haverfordwest (St. Thomas A Becket) Churchyard. Charles is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

George Harris Evans, Trooper, 7958106, Royal Armoured Corps. George was the son of John Llewellyn Evans and Elsie Phyllis Evans, of Haverfordwest, and the grandson of Mrs. A. E. Harris, of Haverfordwest. He served with the 17th/21st Lancers, which were attached to the Royal Armoured Corps. In November 1942, the regiment moved to Tunisia after Operation Torch, equipped with Valentine tanks, and saw a lot of action. It was then equipped with M4 Sherman tanks, and joined the 6th Armoured Division when it deployed to Italy in March 1944, and fought to breach the Gustav Line. George was killed here on 29 May 1944. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Caserta War Cemetery, Italy.

Henry Morris Evans, Fusilier, 4502633, The Royal Welch Fusiliers. Henry was born at Haverfordwest, and served with the 6th Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion formed part of 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division, and landed in Normandy in June 1944. After breaking out from Normandy, the Division fought through France and Belgium into Holland. Henry was killed in Holland, during the Battle of s’Hertogenbosch, on 24 October 1944. He was 31 years old, and is buried at Uden War Cemetery, Netherlands.

William James Evans, Fusilier, 4198817, The Royal Welch Fusiliers. William was the son of J. S. and Frances Evans, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers. The battalion fought in the Far East during the war. William was killed in Burma on 18 March 1943. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar.

James John Everson, Able Seaman, D/JX 284334, Royal Navy. James served with the Royal Navy, aboard HMS Hurworth, a Hunt Class Destroyer. She had been commissioned in 1941, and saw service with the Atlantic Convoys before moving to the Mediterranean. James died when Hurworth was lost off Kalymnos, one of the Greek Dodecanese islands, on 22 October 1943, with the loss of 133 lives. He was 21 years old and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

James Wynford Eynon, Fireman, Fishing Fleet. James was the son of Mr. and Mrs. William H. Eynon, of Picton and served aboard the Fishing Vessel John Baptish, based at Milford Haven. She was a Castle Class steel sided trawler, with coal boilers, which had been built in 1918. In 1938, she was transferred and registered at Milford Haven. The John Baptish was on a fishing trip when she disappeared, presumed mined, South of Coningbeg Light Vessel, and lost with all hands on 7 September 1940. James was 26 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his crew-members.

Dennis George Finn, Gunner, 89033, Royal Artillery. Dennis was born at Reading, Berkshire in 1925, and served with the local Territorial unit, the 102 (The Pembroke Yeomanry) Field Regiment, Royal Artillery. Dennis died on home service on 24 January 1942. He is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

William Kenneth Fuller, Craftsman, 3961543, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. William was the son of John and Mary Fuller, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 2nd Infantry Brigade Workshop, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. William served in North Africa, and was killed during the invasion of Italy on 18 February 1944. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Anzio War Cemetery, Italy.

Geoffrey Garrett, Corporal, 2136922, Royal Engineers. Geoffrey was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Garrett, of Hakin, Milford Haven, and served in the Middle East with the Royal Engineers. He was killed in Iraq on 14 August 1942, aged 29, and is buried at Basra War Cemetery, Iraq.

George Arthur Gordon, Seaman, LT/JX 221383, Royal Naval Patrol Service. George was the son of Ernest Edward and Eva Mabel Gordon, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Royal Naval Patrol Service, aboard HM Trawler Ellesmere. She had been requisitioned by the Royal Navy in 1939 and converted for anti submarine use. George was killed when Ellesmere was sunk by the German submarine U-1203 on 24 February 1945. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Naval Memorial, Suffolk.

Hugh Thomas Griffiths, Sapper, 14585940, Royal Engineers. Hugh was the son of Edward Gwilym Celestine Griffiths and Dorothy Margaret Escott Griffiths, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Engineers as part of the British Army of the Rhine after the end of the war. Hugh died in Germany on 9 February 1947. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery, Germany.

Frank Harper, Stoker 1st Class, D/K 58683, Royal Navy. Frank was the son of Francis Alexander Blair Harper, and Alice Harper (nee Warlow), of 94, City Road, Haverfordwest. His father had died just after the end of the Great War, and Frank followed into his footsteps, joining the Royal Navy. He served aboard HMS Neptune, a Leander Class Light Cruiser. On 19 December 1941, Neptune was in the Mediterranean, in pursuit of a convoy bound for Tripoli, when she steamed into an Italian minefield, string two mines. Her Captain ordered the cruiser to reverse, but Neptune struck a third mine which blew off her propellers. Almost 750 men died when she sank that day. Frank was among them. He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Frank is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Albert Joseph Harries, MM, Private, 4032405, The King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. Albert was the son of David John and Elizabeth Harries, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 2nd Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. The battalion had served at the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940, then in North Africa, and during the invasion of Italy, before returning home, where it took part in the invasion of Normandy on D-Day, 6 June 1944. Albert was awarded the Military Medal for his bravery during the Normandy campaign, and then fought with the battalion during the drive through Holland. He was killed in Holland on 17 October 1944, and is buried at Venray War Cemetery, Netherlands.

William Frederick Harries, Donkeyman/ Greaser, Merchant Navy. William was born at Haverfordwest in 1901. He served with the Merchant Navy aboard the S.S. Watson Ferris. William died of heart failure on 1 September 1945 aged 44. He was not a war casualty, so is not commemorated by the CWGC.

Harry Edwin Hastings, Flying Officer, 189139, Royal Air Force. Harry was the son of Edwin and Emily Clara Hastings of Highnam’s Park, Essex. He served with 36 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a Coastal Command unit, equipped with the Vickers Wellington, which flew from RAF Chivenor in an anti-submarine role. Harry had served with the squadron in the Middle East before it moved to Chivenor in 1944, and he had got engaged to Marie Lloyd, of Bush Row, Haverfordwest. On 24 January 1945 Harry was on patrol in his Wellington when it was lost at sea. He was 23 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey. Harry is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

George Matthew Headley, Flight Sergeant, 2206703, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. George was the son of Ernest and Rose Headley, of Hull, and he served with 156 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was an elite pathfinder unit, equipped with the Avro Lancaster, and was based at RAF Warboys. George was killed when his Lancaster III, Serial JA925, was shot down by German night fighters while returning from a raid on Berlin on 2 January 1944. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

George Alexander Brockhurst Higgins, Sapper, 2121087, Royal Engineers. George was the son of John and Edith Rosina Higgins, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Engineers. Little else is known of him, but he died on active service on 15 January 1941, aged 21, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

T. Howell. This man cannot presently be identified.

James John Hughes, MID, Pilot Officer, 131806, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. James was the son of Abel and Florence Hughes, of Haverfordwest, and served with 405 Squadron, Royal Air Force. The squadron was a heavy bomber unit, equipped with the Avro Lancaster, based at RAF Topcliffe in 1942. James died when his Lancaster was lost during a raid on 28 June 1942. He was 31 years old, and is commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

William Henry Hughes, Chief Engineer, Fishing Fleet. William was the son of William Walter and Elizabeth Hughes, of Hill Crescent, Merlins Bridge. He served with the Fishing Fleet, aboard the Fishing Vessel John Baptish, based at Milford Haven. She was a Castle Class steel sided trawler, with coal boilers, which had been built in 1918. In 1938, she was transferred and registered at Milford Haven. The John Baptish was on a fishing trip when she disappeared, presumed mined, South of Coningbeg Light Vessel, and lost with all hands on 7 September 1940. William was 41 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his crew-members.

Arthur Thomas Hunt, Rifleman, 7014596, Royal Ulster Rifles. Arthur was the son of George and Kate Hunt, of London. He married Mary Jane Harries, of Haverfordwest, in 1941. Arthur served with the 2nd Battalion, The London Irish Rifles. The battalion had taken part in the North African campaign, and in the subsequent invasion of Sicily in 1943. Arthur was killed in Sicily on 5 August 1943, aged 22, and is buried at Catania War Cemetery, Sicily, Italy. Arthur is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Wilfred Hunter, Sapper, 2020350, Royal Engineers. Wilfred was the son of William Sydney and Nellie Hunter, and the husband of Irene Hunter, of Haverfordwest. He served with 74 Field Company, Royal Engineers. Wilfred was killed during the allied attack which followed the Battle of the Bulge, on 24 February 1945. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Jonkerbos War Cemetery, Netherlands.

Gladys Maud Jenkins, Civilian. Gladys was the daughter of Mr and Mrs Thomas Jenkins, of Bridge Street, Haverfordwest. Gladys worked at Bristol for the Post Office. She was lodging at 15, Berkeley Square, Bristol, and was killed there when Bristol was attacked by German bombers on 3 January 1941, at the height of the Bristol Blitz. Gladys was 45 years old. Gladys is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Garrod Henry John, Petty Officer Stoker, C/K 66365, Royal Navy. Garrod was the son of Samuel Charles and Alice John, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Ivy Georgina John, of Gravesend, Kent. He served with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Wryneck, which was an old Great War built W-Class Destroyer. By 1938 she was laid up at Gibraltar, and was then converted to a fast escort destroyer. Upon being commissioned she remained in the Mediterranean, but was sunk while rescuing troops from Greece on 27 April 1941. Garrod was killed in the sinking off Suda Bay. He was 34 years old, and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent.

Peter Stanley John, Signalman, 3971731, Royal Corps of Signals. Peter was the son of Peter and Elizabeth John, and the husband of Minnie Anne John, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Corps of Signals, and was posted to India where he became attached to the Indian Signal Corps. Peter died in India on 4 July 1914. He was 27 years old, and is buried at Kirkee War Cemetery, India.

Richard William John, Deck Hand, Fishing Fleet. Richard served aboard the Fishing Vessel Charmouth, which based at Milford Haven. She had had an adventurous war, being attacked by German fighters off Milford Haven in November 1940, she survived, and fished throughout the rest of the war. Sadly Charmouth was lost in the Irish Sea with all hands when she struck a German mine on 14 November 1946. Richard is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial along with his fellow crewmen.

Richard William Graham John, Corporal, 226331V, South African Forces. Richard was the son of William Bryan Walter John, JP and Gladys John (nee Morgan), of Haverfordwest. He must have been living in 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 Shermans and Stuarts. Richard was killed in Italy on 13 June 1944, aged 29. He is buried in Bolsena War Cemetery, Italy.

W. Johns. This man cannot presently be identified.

James Johnstone, Captain, 200848, Border Regiment. James was the son of James and S. J. Johnstone, and the husband of Margaret Joyce Johnstone, of Haverfordwest. He was a Schoolmaster prior to the war, before being commissioned into the Border Regiment, and was posted to their 9th Battalion, which was in the Far East, after sailing from Britain in May 1942. James was killed during the Battle of Kohima on 14 May 1944. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Imphal War Cemetery, India. The photograph below is courtesy of Tony Beck.

A. Jones. This man cannot presently be identified.

Frederick Joselyn Jones, Private, 6097273, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. Frederick was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. C. Jones, of Swansea, and the husband of Elvira Kathleen Jones, of Haverfordwest. He served with the 6th Battalion, Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment. The battalion moved to North Africa, and took part in Operation Torch. Frederick was killed during the advance towards Tripoli on 31 December 1942. He was 30 years old and is buried at Tabarka Ras Rajel War Cemetery, Tunisia. Frederick is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Iorwerth Jones, Private, 3969349, Durham Light Infantry. Iorwerth was born at Clydach Vale in 1913, the son of John Jones and Martha Ann Jones (nee Griffiths). His parents were from Pembrokeshire, but had moved to Merthyr Vale for work in the years leading up to the Great War. Prior to the war he resided at 26b, North Crescent, Haverfordwest. He served with the 16th Battalion, Durham Light Infantry. The battalion formed in Edinburgh in July 1940, and sailed from Liverpool on Christmas Day 1942 aboard the MV Staffordshire, as part of 139 Brigade, 46th Infantry Division, for Tunisia. After the fall of the Axis troops in North Africa, the battalion took part in the Salerno Landings of September 1943, and the subsequent campaign in Italy. Iorwerth was killed in Italy on 13 September 1944, aged 31. He is buried in Coriano Ridge War Cemetery, Italy. A brother, William David Jones, had been killed in Palestine in 1939.

Reverend Harold Samuel Jones, Chaplain 4th Class, 104052, Royal Army Chaplains’ Department. Harold was the son of John and Mary Jane Jones, and the husband of Lilian Louisa Jones, of Haverfordwest. He served as a Chaplain in the Army, and was based in Greece during the German invasion in 1941. Harold was killed during the evacuation of Greece on 24 April 1941. He was 39 years old, and is commemorated on the Athens Memorial, Greece.

Thomas John Jones, Private, 37302, New Zealand Infantry. Thomas was the son of Thomas Frederick and Ada Jane Jones, of Haverfordwest, and had emigrated to New Zealand before the war. He served with the 25th Battalion, New Zealand Infantry, which was attached to the 2nd New Zealand Division, and moved to North Africa 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. Thomas was 28 years old, and is buried at El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt.

William David Jones, Corporal, 3956533, Welch Regiment. William was born at Clydach Vale in 1909, the son of John Jones and Martha Ann Jones (nee Griffiths). His parents were from Pembrokeshire, but had moved to Merthyr Vale for work in the years leading up to the Great War. William married Marjorie Violet Croucher at Gosport, Hampshire in 1932 and the couple had four children born over the coming years. He was a regular soldier, having enlisted at sometime prior to the war, and served with the 1st Battalion, Welch Regiment. In April 1939 the battalion left Southampton for Palestine aboard the troopship Somersetshire, together with the 1st Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, and at Gibraltar picked up the 1st Welsh Guards. The three battalions then disembarked in Palestine for peacekeeping duties, following the Arab Revolt of 1936, as part of the 6th Division. On the day after they disembarked, the 1st Welch became involved in several skirmishes against Arabs near Safad, before seizing the village of Safsaf, near the northern border. William survived several of these skirmishes against the Arabs over the coming months, but sadly drowned at Nathanya on 22 October 1939, in unknown circumstances. The 30-year-old was buried in Ramleh War Cemetery, Israel. One of his brothers, Iorwerth, was killed in Italy in 1943, whilst his widow, Marjorie, lost a brother, George Robert Frederick Croucher, who was killed with the loss of HMS Panther in 1943.

Albert Gordon Laugharne, B.A., Sub-Lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Albert was the son of Albert and Rose Laughame, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Rosamond Mair Laughame, of Ammanford. He was a policeman at Ammanford prior to the war then served in the RNVR aboard H.M.S. Blackwood, which was an American Lend-Lease Destroyer that had been taken over by the Royal Navy on 27 March 1943. After over a year spent carrying out escort duties with the Atlantic Convoys Blackwood was torpedoed by U-764 off Portland Bill on 15 June 1944, and sank the next day under tow. Albert was killed in the initial torpedo strike and was 27 year old. He is remembered on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Cyril Thomas William Leman, Leading Aircraftman, 951530, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Cyril was the son of Montagu William and Ethel Maude Leman, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Cyril was listed as Died on Active Service on 31 August 1940. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

Gershon Levy, Gunner, 1713407, Royal Artillery. Gershon was born in 1907, the son of Mark and Mary Levy, and was the husband of Dorothy Levy (nee Armstrong). He was based in Pembrokeshire with 381 Battery, 120 H.A.A. Regiment, Royal Artillery. Gershon died in Pembrokeshire on 20 June 1941, aged 35, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. Gershon is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Albert William Lewis, Private, 3383149, The Leicestershire Regiment. Albert was the son of Frank and Rose Eleanor Lewis, of Haverfordwest. He had served with the East Lancashire Regiment, before transferring to the 1st Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment. The battalion was in the Far East, and suffered heavy losses when the Japanese invaded Malaya in December 1941. Albert was taken POW at some time, and died in captivity on 26 June 1943, aged 35. He is commemorated on the Singapore Memorial, Singapore. Albert is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Daphne Mary Lewis, Leading Aircraftman, 444211, Women’s Auxiliary Air Force. Daphne was the daughter of Hugh Morlais Lewis and Constance Eva Lewis of Catford, and the niece of Reverend William H Williams, of Hill Park, Haverfordwest. She served with the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force, based at Dover Castle. Daphne was on duty at Dover on 31 January 1944 when she was killed in an air raid on 31 January 1944. Daphne was 25 years old and is buried at Lewisham (Hither Green) Cemetery. Her father’s family lived at Saundersfoot. Daphne is not commemorated in West Wales.

Henry Victor Lewis, Serjeant, 7598283, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Henry was the son of David Henry and Edith Lewis of Cartlett, Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers during the war. Henry died on 4 January 1944. He was 38 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

T. G. Lewis. This man cannot presently be identified.

Thomas Gwyn Mathias, Sub Lieutenant (A), Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Thomas was the son of William T. and Margaret E. Mathias, of Haverfordwest. He served as a pilot with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, based 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. Thomas was killed when his aircraft was lost at sea on 23 February 1942. He was 20 years old and is commemorated on the Lee-On-Solent Memorial, Hampshire.

William Ronald Mathias, Flight Sergeant, 552542, Royal Air Force. William was the son of Lewis Mathias and of Elizabeth Mathias (nee Thomas), of Haverfordwest. He served as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with 226 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was based at Rheims in France after the outbreak of war, 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 Blenheims. It then carried out anti-shipping operations, and strikes against small targets. William was killed when his Blenheim was shot down over France on 4 July 1941. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Dunkirk Town Cemetery, France.

Albert Edward Mills, Private, 4692344, King’s Own Yorkshire  Light Infantry. Albert was the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Mills, of Haverfordwest, and the husband of E. E. Mills, of Rochdale, Lancashire. He served with the 1st Battalion, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. The battalion had fought during the retreat to Dunkirk in 1940, and sailed for India in 1942, before moving to North Africa, and joining the Eighth Army. Albert was killed in North Africa on 1 April 1943. He was 24 years old, and is buried at Fayid War Cemetery, Egypt.

William George Luigi Mills, Flying Officer (Flt Engr.), 56090, Royal Air Force. William was the son of William Charles and Emma Mills, and the husband of Rhoda Mills, of Inverness. He served with 53 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a Coastal Command unit, based at RAF St David’s, and equipped with the Consolidated Liberator. On 8 July 1945 William was Flight Engineer aboard Liberator Serial KH183, which had taken off from St David’s. Within minutes of taking off, one engine blew apart, causing the aircraft to swing and crash near Emlych Farm, bursting into flames. William and three other crewmen were killed in the crash. William was 29 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. William is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

William Hubert Ernest Mills, Fireman, Fishing Fleet. William was the son of Mary Annie Mills, of Haverfordwest, and lived at 12, Corporation Road. He was a fisherman, and worked aboard the Fishing Vessel Bass Rock. On 24 September 1940 Bass Rock was fishing off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland, when it was attacked and sunk by a German aircraft. William was one of four men killed in the attack. He was 32 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. William is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Thomas Leonard Morgan, Second Lieutenant, 307384, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). Thomas was the son of William Charles and Edith Morgan, of Oxford. He served with the 4th Battalion, The Buffs. In October 1940 the battalion sailed for the Mediterranean, remaining at Malta until September 1943 when they 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 being killed on 23 November 1943. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Leros War Cemetery, Greece.

Harold Morris, Fusilier, 7045482, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Harold was from London, and was stationed in Singapore with the 1st Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when war was declared. His wife and children had been evacuated to Haverfordwest, and lived at a small cottage at 7, Holloway. Harold’s battalion moved to Wellington Station, in India, before moving into Burma in an attempt to stem the Japanese invasion of the country. Harold was killed in the Arakan on 7 January 1943. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar. Harold is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Mabel Burgess Nicholas, C.S.M.M.G. (T.M.M.G., T.M.E.), Civilian. Mabel was the daughter of John and Minnie Nicholas, of Highclere, Haverfordwest. She was a qualified masseuse, and had decided to sail with her friend Phyllis Mathias for South Africa. On 23 November 1942 the two women boarded the White Star Liner SS Ceramic, which was bound for Durban. On the night of 6 December 1942, Ceramic was attacked and torpedoed by the German Submarine U-515, with the loss of 655 lives. Mabel was 35 years old when she died that night, and is commemorated upon the S.S. Ceramic Memorial. Mabel is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Gwilym Nicholls, Sergeant (Flight Engineer), 951248, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Gwilym was the son of Horace William and Margaret Nicholls, of Haverfordwest. He served with 103 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a heavy bomber unit, equipped with the Avro Lancaster. Gwilym was killed when his Lancaster was shot down over France on 21 December 1942. He was 21 years old, and is buried at Vavincourt Communal Cemetery, France.

Robert Edward Hamilton Northridge, BA, Ll.B., Flight Lieutenant (Pilot), 113764, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Robert was the son of The Reverend Robert Northridge, M.A. and Frances Charlotte Ellerker Northridge, of Blackrock, Co. Dublin. He served as a Pilot with No 3 O.T.U., Royal Air Force, a Coastal Command unit based at RAF Haverfordwest. On 7 November 1943, Robert was taxiing across the airfield at Haverfordwest aboard Vickers Wellington MP615, when it was struck by a Wellington from 304 Polish Squadron which was landing, and burst into flames. The Polish crew all survived, but Robert and two other crewmembers of his Wellington were killed. Robert was 30 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. Robert is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

William John Orchard, Skipper, Royal Naval Reserve. William was born at Milford in 1901, the son of William and Dorothy Orchard. He married Henrietta Florence Peterson, of Haverfordwest, in 1925, and served with the Royal Navy. William must have been pensioned from the Royal Navy, and when war broke out served with the Royal Naval Reserve at HMS St Angelo, which was the Royal Naval base at Malta. William died at Malta on 14 April 1942. He was 41 years old, and is buried at Malta (Capuccini) Naval Cemetery, Malta. His widow Henrietta  remarried Anthony Farrelly within months, and died at Haverfordwest in 1976.

Leonard George Phillips Owen, Private, 6108354, Parachute Regiment. Leonard was born at Haverfordwest, and served with the 8th Battalion, Parachute Regiment. The formed in early 1943 from the 13th Battalion, Warwickshire Regiment. On |D-Day the battalion dropped behind German lines at Ranville, tasked with destroying bridges and roads, and harassing German units trying to reach the beaches. After a tough campaign in Normandy, the battalion saw its next action during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 to January 1945. Leonard was killed during the battalions next major action, during the crossing of the River Rhine on 28 March 1945. He was 20 years old, and is buried at Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Germany.

Percival Parkinson, Deck Hand, Fishing Fleet. Percival was the son of James and Agnes Parkinson, of Northern Ireland, and the husband of Charlotte Parkinson (nee Whelton), of 10, Cromie Terrace, Haverfordwest. He was a fisherman, and worked aboard the Fishing Vessel Craigewan, which was based at Milford Haven. Craigewan went missing on 12 October 1945 while fishing off the south of Ireland, with twelve local men aboard her. Percival was 21 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. His widow gave birth to their son Michael two days after Craigewan had sailed, on 5 October. Percival is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Walter James Pearce, Ordinary Seaman, P/SSX 35226, Royal Navy. Walter served with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Puckeridge, a Hunt Class Destroyer. Walter died at Haverfordwest on 21 December 1941, aged 20, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. Walter is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Francis Henry Perrins, Craftsman, 7597122, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Francis was the son of Jack and May Perrins, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was stationed at Windsor when he died on active service on 5 December 1943. Francis was 19 years old, and is buried at Windsor Cemetery, Berkshire.

Donald Charles Perry, Corporal, 1873120, Royal Engineers. Donald was born at Haverfordwest. He served with 40 Fortress Company, Royal Engineers, which was stationed at Hong Kong at the outbreak of war. Donald was taken prisoner when Hong Kong fell to the Japanese on 25 December 1941. Donald was one of over 1,800 POWs who were loaded onto the Japanese ‘Hell Ship’ SS Lisbon Maru, when she was struck by an American torpedo on 1 October 1942. With the ship grinding to a halt, the Japanese guards closed all the hatches to the holds containing the POWs, making the already atrocious conditions even worse. Hundreds of men died of dysentery during the next 48 hours, while more were machine gunned by the Japanese while trying to escape the hold to get fresh air. Donald is recorded as having died aboard Lisbon Maru between 1 and 2 October 1942. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Sai Wan Memorial, Hong Kong. The photograph below is courtesy of Tony Beck.

Alwyn Thomas John Phillips, Pilot Officer (Air Bomber), 137542, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Alwyn was the son of John Howell Phillips and Martha Elizabeth Phillips, of Tiers Cross, and the husband of Stella Adrienne Phillips, of Hatch End, Pinner, Middlesex. He was training as an Air Bomber with the Royal Air Force when he was killed during an aeroplane crash on 1 March 1943. Alwyn was 33 years old, and is buried at Tiers Cross Congregational Cemetery.

Daniel Phillips, Gunner, 1737835, Royal Artillery. Daniel was the son of Jack and Anna Phillips, and the husband of Gladys Phillips, of Haverfordwest. He served with 130 Battery, 23 Light Anti Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery. Daniel must have been stationed at Southampton, and served with the air defences at the busy port. He was killed there on 22 June 1941, aged 34, and is buried at Southampton (Hollybrook) Cemetery, Hampshire.

Herbert Charles Phillips, Sapper, 1881743, Royal Engineers. Herbert was the son of Charles Henry and Martha Anne Phillips, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 2nd Field Squadron, Royal Engineers. Herbert served with his unit in North Africa, and was killed there on 3 December 1942, during the Second Battle of El Alamein. He was 28 years old, and is buried at Benghazi War Cemetery, Libya.

J. T. Pugh. This man cannot presently be identified.

Aerwyn Thomas Rees, Driver, 225227, Royal Army Service Corps. Aerwyn was the son of William Thomas Rees and Margaret Rees, of Croesgoch, and served with the Royal Army Service Corps. He was stationed at Singapore Island at the outbreak of war, and was taken prisoner when the Island surrendered to the Japanese on 15 February 1942. Aerwyn was sent to Thailand with ‘H’ Force in May 1943. He was 29 years old when he died of cholera at Malay Hamlet Camp, Kannyu on 27 June 1943, and was buried in Kannyu Jungle Cemetery. His grave has since been relocated to Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand. Many thanks to Rod Beattie for the photograph, and for the extra information on Aerwyn.

Dewi Rees, First Radio Officer, Merchant Navy. Dewi was the son of Mrs. P. E. Rees, of Ewell, Epsom, Surrey, and the husband of Elizabeth Rees, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Merchant Navy, aboard the MV Fort Richepanse, a Belfast registered requisitioned French ship. Dewi was killed when Fort Richepanse was bombed by German aircraft, then torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-567 on 3 September 1941. He was 29 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Cecil Charles Reidmuller, Sergeant (Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner), 979560, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Cecil was the son of Auguste and Emma Mary Elizabeth Reidmuller, and the nephew of Miss G. Cecil, of Haverfordwest. He served as Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with 149 Squadron, Royal Air Force, which was a bomber squadron, equipped with the Vickers Wellington. Cecil was killed when his Wellington was brought down over France on 2 July 1941. He was 23 years old, and is buried at Brest (Kerfautras) Cemetery, France.

James Melbourne Reynolds, Corporal, 14238237, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. James was the son of Archibald and Alice Reynolds, of Haverfordwest. He married Dorothy Violet Beuglas, of Waterstone in 1936, and the couple lived at Haverfordwest. James served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He died on 1 September 1945, aged 31, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. James is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Walter Richardson, Sapper, 5498521, Royal Engineers. Walter was the husband of Dorothy Beatrice Richardson, of Masbrough, Rotherham, Yorkshire. Walter served with 283 Field Company, Royal Engineers, which was a home service unit, attached to the 38th (Welsh) Division. Walter died at Haverfordwest on 12 November 1945, aged 25, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. Walter is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Harold John Sheffield, Stoker 1st Class, D/KX 179052, Royal Navy. Harold was the son of George Sheffield, and of Anne Camellia Sheffield, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Royal Navy at HMS Northney, which was a Royal Marine training establishment, based on Hayling Island. Harold was killed at sea on 6 June 1944, so must have been involved in the D-Day landings on Normandy. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. His brother George also fell.

Robert John Smith, Trooper, 7899889, Royal Armoured Corps. Robert was the son of Charles Edward and Beatrice Mabel Smith, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 8th Royal Tank Regiment, Royal Armoured Corps. The regiment was part of the famous Desert Rats, and fought in the North African campaign before taking part in the invasion of Italy in 1943. Robert was killed in Italy on 8 June 1944. He was 25 years old, and is buried at Sangro River War Cemetery, Italy.

Billy William Soroski, Warrant Officer Class I, R/115731, Royal Canadian Air Force. Billy was the son of Fred and Mary Soroski, of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. He served as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with 547 (R.A.F.) Squadron, Royal Canadian Air Force. Billy was one of five crewmen killed when their aircraft, Consolidated Liberator, Serial EV881, crashed on the Preseli Hills on 19 September 1944. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. Billy is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Donald Marvin Thew, Flying Officer, J/22086, Royal Canadian Air Force. Donald was born in America on 5 March 1922, and travelled to Canada to enlist into the Royal Canadian Air Force. He was serving as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner at RAF Haverfordwest when he died on 7 November 1943, aged 21. He is buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. Donald is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Charles Thomas, Fourth Engineer Officer, Merchant Navy. Charles was the son of Charles Albert and Mary Dorothy Thomas, of Haverfordwest, and served with the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Tregarthen, a London registered vessel. Charles was killed when Tregarthen was torpedoed and sank by the German submarine U-48 on 6 June 1941. He was 22 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.

Ivor George Thomas, Private, 4202154, The Gloucestershire Regiment. Ivor was the son of Charles and Lucy Thomas, and the husband of Lilian Lydia Thomas, of Prendergast. He initially enlisted into the Royal Welch Fusiliers, then served with the 1st Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, which saw active service in Burma against the invading Japanese forces. Ivor was killed in Burma on 1 May 1942. He was 28 years old, and is commemorated on the Rangoon Memorial, Myanmar.

James Edward Thomas, Second Engineer Officer, Fishing Fleet. James was the son of Job and Mary Thomas, and the husband of Margaret Elizabeth Thomas, of 39, Portfield, Haverfordwest. He served aboard the Fishing Vessel John Baptish, based at Milford Haven. She was a Castle Class steel sided trawler, with coal boilers, which had been built in 1918. In 1938, she was transferred and registered at Milford Haven. The John Baptish was on a fishing trip when she disappeared, presumed mined, South of Coningbeg Light Vessel, and lost with all hands on 7 September 1940. James was 46 years old, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, alongside his crew-members.

Joseph James Thomas, Stoker 1st Class, D/KX 94318, Royal Navy. Joseph was the son of Joseph and Ethel Thomas, of Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Navy aboard HMS Gloucester, a Town Class Light Cruiser. Gloucester was deployed to the Indian Ocean at the outbreak of war, before moving to South Africa. In 1940 she joined the Mediterranean fleet. She was sunk by German dive bombers during the Battle of Crete on 22 May 1941, with the loss of 722 men. Joseph was 22 years old when he died that day, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon. Joseph is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Frederick Richard Waite, Sergeant, A/36, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Frederick was the son of Thomas and Mary Waite of Haverfordwest, and the husband of Mary Isabelle Waite, of Barrie, Ontario, Canada. He served with the 1st Hussars, 6th Armoured Regiment, Royal Canadian Armoured Corps. Frederick was among the first troops to land on the Normandy beaches on D-Day, 6 June 1944, aboard his Sherman Duplex Drive tank. After five days of tough fighting, Frederick was killed when his Sherman was destroyed during the Battle of Le Mesnil-Patry on 11 June 1944. He was 38 years old, and is commemorated on the Bayeux Memorial, France. Many thanks to the Cadets of No.3 Welsh Wing Air Cadets for the photograph.

Hanvar Walters, Sapper, 1881335, Royal Engineers. Hanvar was the son of Thomas Arthur and Emma Walters, of 13, Edward Street, Tenby. He married Violet Theresa Dando, of Pembroke, in 1934, and the couple lived at Haverfordwest. Hanvar served with 930 Port Construction Company, Royal Engineers. Little else is known of him, but he died on 27 August 1941, aged 28, and is buried at Tenby (St. Mary) Church Cemetery.

John George Watts, Assistant Steward, Merchant Navy. John was the son of John Benjamin and Margaret Emma May Watts, of Haverfordwest, and served in the Merchant Navy aboard the SS Empress of Britain. She was a luxury passenger liner, which had been built in 1928, and was requisitioned by the Admiralty as a troop transport. On the morning of 26 October 1940, Empress of Britain was travelling around the west coast of Ireland, after returning from a trip to Suez, with over 600 people on board, when she was attacked by German fighter aircraft and badly damaged. Later that day the German submarine U-32 torpedoed her, sending her to the bottom of the sea. John was killed in the sinking. He was 20 years old, and his body was returned to Haverfordwest, to be buried at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery.

Edward Norman Webb, Marine, EX/1221, Royal Marines. Edward was the son of Alfred and Lilian Webb, of Castleford. He married Mary Elizabeth Lewis, of Haverfordwest in 1943. Edward served with No. 43 Royal Marine Commando, and had served in Dakar, Italy and Crete. 43 Commando then took part in the invasion of Italy, and Edward was killed while fighting near Argenta on 18 April 1945. He was 24 years old and is buried at Ravenna War Cemetery, Italy. Edward is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

Richard Wigham, Warrant Officer Class IIII (P.S.M.), 4184565, Royal Welch Fusiliers. Richard was born at Maryport, Cumbria on 4 May 1905, the son of Thomas and Catherine Wigham. He married Margaret Alice Richards, of Haverfordwest on 11 December 1925. He served with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers, and had probably been in France with the BEF, before being evacuated from Dunkirk in May 1940. Richard died at Horsham, Sussex on 7 December 1940, aged 35, and was brought home for burial at Haverfordwest (City Road) Cemetery. Richard is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.

B. Williams. This man cannot presently be identified.

F. Williams. This man cannot presently be identified.

Frederick Ambrose Williams, Warrant Officer, Royal Air Force. Frederick was born in 1902, the son of Ambrose John and Elizabeth Lettice Williams, of Gate House (near Bethany Row), Haverfordwest. He enlisted into the Royal Air Force towards the end of the Great War, and by the outbreak of the Second World War had risen to the rank of Warrant Officer. Frederick was serving with a detachment of the RAF Rhodesia when he became ill and died on 1 March 1941. He was 39 years old, and is buried at Bulawayo (Athlone) Cemetery, Zimbabwe. His brother John Philpin Williams also fell. Many thanks to David Williams for helping to identify Frederick.

James Thomas George Williams, Guardsman, 2614943, Grenadier Guards. James was the son of Thomas George and Rose Williams, of Prendergast, Haverfordwest. He served with the 3rd Battalion, Grenadier Guards. James was killed during the withdrawal to Dunkirk on 31 May 1940, probably while attached to the 1st or 2nd Grenadier Guards. He was 25 years old, and is commemorated on the Dunkirk Memorial, France.

John Philpin Williams, Sergeant (W.Op./Air Gnr.), 983072, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. John was the son of Ambrose John and Elizabeth Lettice Williams, of Haverfordwest. He served as a Wireless Operator/ Air Gunner with the Royal Air Force, and was attached to No 3 Group Training Flight. On 6 January 1942, John was one of the crew of Vickers Wellington 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, and is buried at Uzmaston (St. Ismael) Churchyard. His elder brother, Frederick Ambrose Williams, had died on active service a year earlier.

Laurence Bain Williams, Private, 19109253, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Laurence was the son of William and Margaret Jean Williams, of Prendergast, Haverfordwest. He served with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Laurence probably didn’t see service in WW2, but died soon after, on 18 March 1947. He was 18 years old, and is buried at Haverfordwest (Prendergast) Cemetery.

V. Williams. This man cannot presently be identified.

William Bernard Williams, Private, 5575773, The Wiltshire Regt (Duke of Edinburgh’s). William was the son of David and Jane Williams, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment. The battalion fought in India during the war, and helped in the evacuation of Burma. William was 30 years old when he died in India on 8 May 1942. He is buried at Delhi War Cemetery, India.

William Ernest Williams, Able Seaman, D/SSX 16110, Royal Navy. William was the son of David and Maud Williams, of Prendergast, and served with the Royal Navy aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious. Glorious had been one of the first aircraft carriers in the world, after being converted from a Great War cruiser, and had seen service in the Mediterranean by the outbreak of World War 2. She was recalled to home waters to support the British during the German invasion of Norway in 1940, but was attacked and sank by the German battleships Scharnhorst and Gneisenau while returning to Scapa Flow on 8 June 1940, after Norway had fallen. William was among 1,500 men of Glorious who either died in the sinking. He was 24 years old, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon.

Frank George Wood, Private, 925736, The South Wales Borderers. Frank was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Wood, of Haverfordwest, and served with the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. The battalion was raised in July 1940 and sailed for Bombay in October 1942. They fought during the Burma campaign for the remainder of the war. Frank died in Burma on 19 December 1944. He was 22 years old, and is buried at Digboi War Cemetery, India.

George Stanley Wright, Skipper, Royal Naval Reserve. George was the son of John and Ethel Wright, of Lowestoft. He married Medora Whiley at Lowestoft in 1929 and following the outbreak of war the couple moved to Haverfordwest. George served with the Royal Navy as Skipper of H.M. Trawler Dorothy Lambert. George died on active service at Lowestoft on 22 April 1941, aged 35, and is buried at Lowestoft (Beccles Road) Cemetery, Suffolk. His widow Medora married Thomas Devonald at Haverfordwest in 1944 and died in 1994. George is not commemorated at Haverfordwest.