HEDDLU DE CYMRU • SOUTH WALES POLICE THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY 19 14-19 18 201 4-2018 1916

LED BY IWM LEST WE FORGET REMEMBERED WITH PRIDE IN 2 01 6 THOSE WHO DIED IN 191 6

LEARN • ENGAG1 E • REMEMBER THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

First World War silk postcard THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

INTRODUCTION

This is the third of the booklets The heroic assault by the 38th which we have produced annually (Welsh Division) on the Wood has, since 2014 to remember those fittingly, been the subject of many police officers from our commemoration events during predecessor forces of Glamorgan, the year. Cardiff, Swansea and Merthyr who It is, however, easy to forget died during the First World War. that the Battle of the Somme was 2016 is, of course, of particular not just fought during the summer importance since we commemorate of 1916. It went on in various the centenary of the Battle of the phases until November when the Somme. If there is one aspect of the mud and the awful conditions so War which is well known to most often associated with it became an people in Britain and, indeed, which additional burden for the soldiers to defines it for them, it is what bear. It was during the later stages happened in the area near the river in September that thirteen of our Somme in northern France one police officers died: ten from hundred years ago. The huge loss of Glamorgan and one each from life for the British Army on the first Merthyr, Swansea and Cardiff. day alone, when nearly 20,000 men died, is, despite the passage of the There are too those who died years, still difficult to comprehend. elsewhere and whose stories are The police officers from the told in this booklet. forces mentioned bore many losses. We remember all those who Five from the Glamorgan served, their endeavours and their Constabulary lost their lives at sacrifices and hope that this Mametz Wood at the beginning booklet will stand as a worthy of July. tribute to them.

WE REMEMBER THEM ALL WITH PRIDE. YN ANGOF NI CHANT FOD.

Peter Vaughan QPM Chief Constable, South Wales Police

1 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

FIRST WORLD WAR PROJECT GROUP

The work of the Group during the Museum Partnership Day at past year has largely been Aberystwyth University in concentrated on the research January which provided an which has been required to opportunity to learn about the produce this booklet. It contains commemoration activities more biographies than the being undertaken throughout booklets for 1914 and 1915 put Wales. together. This is, of course, a sad • The creation of electronic reflection, in particular, of the scale versions of our booklets which of the loss of life in the British are now available on the South Army during the various phases of Wales Police Museum website: the Battle of the Somme between www.south-wales.police.uk/ July and November 1916. en/about-us/museum/first- It is pleasing to note, despite world-war-centenary/ the passage of the years, how much information we are, and the Welsh Government’s generally, able to gather and, in community history portal, the particular, how many photographs Peoples’ Collection: we come across of the individuals www.peoplescollection.wales/ we are remembering. users/9665. Another aspect of the work of (Indeed due to the amount of the Group, which is particularly material which we have for this rewarding, is the contact we have year we have not been able to been able to establish with the include it all in the hard copy of relatives of some of those who this booklet. There is, died and with others who are therefore, a longer electronic interested in researching this version available on the period. This shared history is websites referred to). proving to be a valuable point of • Attendance by members of the contact with our communities. Group at the Welsh National Some other highlights of our Service of Commemoration work are: and associated events at • Attendance at the Welsh Mametz Wood on the Somme Government and Imperial War in July.

2 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

I was also pleased, with the graphic designer Peter Williams, Chief Constable’s support, to for their expert assistance. accept an invitation to join the We hope that our efforts will Welsh Government’s Centenary be regarded as a worthwhile Programme Board chaired by contribution to remembering Professor Sir Deian Hopkin, the those within the pages of this First Minister’s Expert Adviser on booklet who have gone before us the First World War. and made the ultimate sacrifice. I would like to take the Gareth Madge OBE opportunity not only to thank the Chair, First World War Project Group other members of the Project Group, whose names appear on the rear cover of this booklet, for their unstinting support during the past year, but also others who have assisted us, notably: the South Wales Branch of the Western Front Association, Dr. Jonathan Hicks, Mr. Gwyn Prescott, Mrs. Rhian Diggins, Senior Archivist at Glamorgan Archives, Police Sergeant Sara Tomkinson and her mother for information and material regarding PC 68 Thomas Voyle Morgan, Mr. Peter Pope for information relating to his great uncle PC 225 William James Williams and the Welsh Guards through their Regimental Adjutant, Colonel (Ret’d) Tom Bonas and Mr. Christopher Mooney. As in past years, particular thanks go to Ian Oakley and his The Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of staff in the South Wales Police the Somme where 15 police officers who Printing Department and especially died in 1916 are commemorated

3 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

1916 A SUMMARY

6TH JANUARY 7TH MARCH PC 61 Walter Archibald Stubbs of PC 270 Joseph Patrick Deehan of the Merthyr Borough Police dies the Glamorgan Constabulary dies of wounds in France. of tuberculosis contracted whilst on active service with the Royal 8TH JANUARY Marines Artillery. The evacuation of Allied forces 13TH MARCH from the Gallipoli Peninsula is completed successfully bringing PC 533 John Alfred Griffiths of the an end to the campaign there. Glamorgan Constabulary is killed in action in France. 27TH JANUARY 25TH MARCH The Military Service Act receives Institution of the Military Medal the Royal Assent to come into for NCO’s and other ranks for force on 2nd March acts of bravery. The first awards implementing compulsory are announced on 5th April 1916 military service for all unmarried and one of the first two recipients men between the ages of 18 and is PC 187 41 subject to some exemptions. Frederick A further Act in May 1916 William Mallin extends conscription to married of the men. Glamorgan 20TH FEBRUARY Constabulary for bravery PC 760 David Taffinder of the whilst serving Glamorgan Constabulary dies of with the Royal Garrison Artillery wounds in France. during the bombardment of 21ST FEBRUARY Hartlepool by the German Navy in December 1914. The start of the Battle of Verdun when German forces attack 11TH APRIL French defences. In the ten German spy, Ludovic Hurwitz, a months of the battle, total French Peruvian by birth, is executed by and German casualties amount to firing squad at the Tower of over a million men. London.

4 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

24TH APRIL commences. By 1st June the German High Seas Fleet has The Easter Rising by Irish inflicted substantial damage and nationalist forces in Dublin losses on the Royal Navy’s Grand attempts to overthrow British rule Fleet but in doing so suffers in Ireland. It leads to hundreds of deaths and injuries. Subsequently considerably itself with the result leaders of the uprising are that it does not put to sea again executed. during the war. 29TH APRIL 5TH JUNE The besieged Allied garrison at The British Secretary of State for Kut-el-Amara in Mesopotamia War, Lord Kitchener, is drowned (Iraq) surrenders after 143 days. when the ship which was taking 13,000 British and Indian troops him to Russia, HMS Hampshire, are captured by Turkish forces hits a mine off the Orkney Islands. most of whom die of disease and 643 others also lose their lives. starvation in prison camps. 8TH MAY PC 62 Edward John Taylor of the Glamorgan Constabulary is killed in action in Belgium. 21ST MAY British Summer Time is implemented for the first time. 25TH MAY PC 68 Thomas Voyle Morgan of the Merthyr Borough Police dies of wounds in France. 31ST MAY

The biggest naval action of the Recruiting poster featuring Lord Kitchener war, the Battle of Jutland, © IWM (Art.IWM PST 2734)

5 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

1ST JULY 7TH JULY The start of the Battle of the The Battle for Mametz Wood (the Somme. 750,000 Allied soldiers largest wood in the Somme are involved and by the end of the region), commences. The 38th day there are nearly 60,000 British (Welsh) Division sustains 4000 casualties of whom nearly 20,000 casualties before the wood is are dead. The Battle is to continue captured from German forces on 12th July. through several phases to November 1916. PC 122 Robert John Harris, PS 200 Richard Thomas and PC 89 PC George Henry Lock of the William Edward Trinder, all of the Cardiff City Police and PC 225 Glamorgan Constabulary, are William James Williams of the killed in action at Mametz Wood. Glamorgan Constabulary, are 10TH JULY killed in action in Belgium. PC 205 Edward Beresford and PC 4TH JULY 766 William Henry Loud, of the David Lloyd George is appointed Glamorgan Constabulary, are Secretary of State for War. killed in action at Mametz Wood. 12TH JULY PC 363 Richard Hamer, of the Glamorgan Constabulary, dies of wounds in France. 18TH JULY PC 138 Ernest Robert Helson, of the Swansea Borough Police, dies of wounds in Belgium. 3RD AUGUST Irish nationalist, Sir Roger Casement, is hanged at Pentonville Prison, London, for treason after inciting Irish support David Lloyd George © IWM (Q 41927) for the German war effort.

6 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

A German Zeppelin (This one was shot down in France in February 1916) © IWM (Q 58481) 3RD SEPTEMBER Alfred Smale, of the Swansea Borough Police, die of wounds. The first German Zeppelin airship is shot down over Britain by the 14TH SEPTEMBER Royal Flying Corps. PC 634 Frederick Charles Lord, of 10TH SEPTEMBER the Glamorgan Constabulary, dies During the Battle of the Somme, of wounds during the Battle of the PC 576 Edward John Edwards, PC Somme. 117 Henry Morgan Jones, and PC 15TH SEPTEMBER 77 Arthur Richmond Perkins, of The first ever use of tanks in the Glamorgan Constabulary, and action takes place during the PC 57 Reginald Lovis of the Battle of the Somme. Merthyr Borough Police are all killed in action. PC 684 William PC 629 George Robert Guy, of Jones, of the Glamorgan the Glamorgan Constabulary, is Constabulary, and PC 26 Aubrey killed in action during the Battle.

7 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

16TH SEPTEMBER 18TH NOVEMBER PC 270 John Farley and PC 526 The end of the Battle of the Augustus Harris, of the Glamorgan Somme. The British have suffered Constabulary, and PC Herbert over 400,000 casualties in the James Fisher, of the Cardiff City Battle. Police, are all killed in action during the Battle of the Somme. 7TH DECEMBER 22ND SEPTEMBER David Lloyd George becomes Prime Minister and forms a PC 292 Arthur Pugh, of the coalition government. Glamorgan Constabulary, dies of wounds during the Somme Battle. 8TH DECEMBER 25TH SEPTEMBER PC 132 Jack Randall Birch, of the Swansea Borough Police, is killed PC 730 Sidney Ambrose Phelps, in action in France. of the Glamorgan Constabulary, is killed in action on the Somme.

Horse, soldier and mud: Beaumont Hamel, Somme, November 1916 © IWM (Q 1565)

8 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

ROLL OF HONOU R INTRODUCTION

The Roll of Honour which follows the South Staffordshire Regiment; remembers those police officers the remaining thirteen, all from from our predecessor forces who the Welsh Guards or the died during 1916. As in previous Grenadier Guards, died during a years we have sought to provide later phase of the Battle in as much information regarding September. them as we have been able to In order to avoid repetition in obtain through our researches. the individual biographies, we 1916 was, of course, the year provide in this Introduction a brief of the Battle of the Somme which summary of the background to lasted from July to November. the Battle and the fighting. It Eighteen of the total of twenty should also be mentioned that nine policemen fuller who died during information the year, lost regarding their lives in the Mametz Battle. Five of Wood is them died at or contained in near Mametz our booklet Wood at the “Richard beginning of July, Thomas: four from the Policeman, Welsh Regiment Sportsman, and one from Soldier.”

9 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

THE BATTLE OF THE SOMME

It began at 7.30am on 1st July but which attacked suffered heavy had been preceded by a massive, losses on the first day: nearly week long, artillery bombardment 20,000 killed out of total casualties of German positions. The of nearly 60,000. intention of the Allied offensive Whilst there were some was to break the stalemate which successes, the battle ebbed and had developed in the trench flowed over the next four months warfare of the Western Front and until November by which time it also to relieve pressure on French had reached stalemate in the forces at the Battle of Verdun. winter mud and was brought to an The bombardment was less end. By then total British and successful than anticipated with Commonwealth casualties were the result that the British infantry over 400,000.

British artillery Fricourt-Mametz, August 1916 © IWM (Q5817)

10 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

THE BATTLE FOR MAMETZ WOOD

Mametz Wood was the largest Lieutenant Colonel Fred Smith, wood in the Somme area. The formerly a Glamorgan Police 38th (Welsh) Division, was Inspector, the 14th Battalion, (the ordered to take it from the “Swansea Pals”), and the 10th (1st occupying German forces. Rhondda) and 13th (2nd Rhondda) Battalions. The Division was made up mainly of soldiers who had The main attacks were made volunteered from across Wales in on 7th July in which the Cardiff response to the recruitment City Battalion suffered many campaign by Lord Kitchener, casualties and 10th July when the Secretary of State for War, for Swansea and Rhondda Battalions “New Armies” to meet the were involved. demands of the war. Eventually after much heavy Included in the Division were fighting, the Wood was captured Battalions of the Welsh Regiment on 12th July. Nearly 4000 men of in which there were many the Welsh Division had been policemen from our predecessor killed, wounded or were missing forces: the 16th (Cardiff City) as a result of the battle. Battalion, commanded by

British officers in Mametz Wood, July 1916 © IWM (Q 868)

11 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

GINCHY AND LESBOEUFS

During early July the Welsh Guards been taken, it had not been were in positions near Ypres. On completely secured. At dawn the 1st July, as part of the increased following day the Germans counter action in the sector to divert attacked and there followed fierce attention from what was happening hand to hand fighting which in the Somme area, the 1st ultimately led to success but Battalion launched an attack on the inevitably at a cost as the Battalion ruins of an estaminet or cafe at sustained 205 casualties. Mortaldje which was being used by Then on 15th September the the Germans as a machine gun Guards Division received orders to post. Although successful the raid capture the village of Lesboeufs, did have its cost with 96 Welsh near Ginchy. The attack that day Guardsmen killed or wounded. was held up and had to be The History of the Regiment in the renewed the following day. It was First World War stated: raining heavily and again there was “It would not be such a wild great loss for the little ground stretch of the imagination to say which had been gained, the Welsh that the Guards Division first Guards suffering 144 killed, took part in the Battle of the wounded or missing. Somme while they were at Ypres. After a brief interlude the They were, at least, preventing attack on Lesboeufs was taken up troops and guns from taking part again on 25th September and was in that battle.” more successful. By mid afternoon Soon the Battalion was to be the Battalion had achieved all its involved in the Somme area itself objectives other than one enemy and took part in critical actions position which was subdued after during September as part of the being attacked by a lone tank. Guards Division. (Tanks had been used in battle for the first time in the British attack The small village of Ginchy had on 15th September). been the scene of bitter fighting and on 9th September the The Welsh Guards had, Battalion supported an attack to therefore, played their part in the capture it. Confusion arose as, capture of both Ginchy and although part of the village had Lesboeufs.

12 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

British troops waiting to attack near Ginchy, 25th September 1916 © IWM (Q 4290)

13 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

1916 ROLL OF HONOUR

6TH JANUARY Police. At the census of 1911 he PC 61 WALTER was living in the Borough police station in Treharris as a lodger, ARCHIBALD STUBBS along with another constable and MERTHYR BOROUGH POLICE the station’s sergeant and his PRIVATE 9463 2ND BATTALION, family. Whilst with the force GRENADIER GUARDS Walter played for its football Walter was born in team.Walter married Elizabeth Monmouth in 1879, Doe of Ton Pentre at Pontypridd the second son of in 1912 and on 14th May 1913 Henry and Mary their son, Albert Ernest Walter, Stubbs both of was born. whom were from As a reservist Walter was Herefordshire. recalled to the army on the At the time of the census of outbreak of war in August 1914 1891 the family was living in re-joining his old regiment, the Redruth in Cornwall where Grenadier Guards. It appears that Walter’s father worked in a hotel. he then served as an instructor at In addition to Walter and his the Guards Depot before going to parents also there were his sisters France on 6th November 1915 Alice, Annie and Charlotte and his and joining the 2nd Battalion of brothers Alfred, Harry and the Grenadiers. Frederick. The Battalion’s war diary Walter was educated at a indicates that on 6th January private school in Ross in 1916 the Battalion was in Herefordshire where his father trenches at Riez Bailleul came from. By the time of the in Northern France census of 1901 he had joined the when it suffered two Grenadier Guards since he was casualties, both then at the Guards Depot at wounded. Caterham in Surrey. He served for seven years as a Walter in his regular soldier and then left the footballing army to join the Merthyr Borough days

14 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

One of those was Walter who 20TH FEBRUARY died of his wounds later that day PC 760 DAVID at the 9th Field Ambulance TAFFINDER Dressing Station. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY Walter is buried nearby at LANCE SERGEANT 23117 Estaires in the Communal 16TH BATTALION, WELSH Cemetery and Extension. It REGIMENT contains 875 casualties of the First David was World War. born in 1894 Walter is also remembered on in Ely, Cardiff. the Merthyr Police Memorial He was the Panel at the Police Station in son of William Merthyr. and Sarah Jane At a meeting of the Merthyr Taffinder both Borough Watch Committee held of whom were on 15th September 1916, it was originally from Somerset. agreed to make a payment to At the time of the census of 1901 Walter’s dependants from the William and Sarah were living with police fund which the Chief their children in Bowens Row, Ely. Constable, Mr J.A. Wilson, stated As well as David also there were would be about £30. David’s brothers, William and Albert, and his sister Ethel who were all older than him, together with his younger brother, Ivor John. By the census of 1911 David was living with his parents and Ivor John, in Britway Terrace, Cowbridge Road in Ely. His father’s occupation was given as caretaker whilst David and Ivor were both labourers.

Estaires Communal Cemetery and Extension In 1913 David joined the

15 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Glamorgan Constabulary and at Defendant repeated this the time of the outbreak of the declaration in Court, but he was war in August 1914 he was sent to gaol for a month.” stationed in Maesteg. The Following the outbreak of war, Glamorgan Gazette of the 7th of David enlisted in the 16th (Cardiff that month contained a report of City) Battalion of the Welsh a case involving a man who was Regiment at Bridgend. He went to accused of breaking into the France with the Battalion, as part stores of the Bell Inn, Aberkenfig. of the 38th (Welsh) Division in The licensee, it was reported: December 1915. In due course he “..stated that he saw the was promoted to Lance Sergeant. defendant with other men go On 19th February 1916 the towards the stores where beer Battalion took up position in the was stored and try to open the front line trenches at Locon near door, which was locked. In a few Festubert. In a letter to David’s minutes they went away, and parents, Sergeant Stevens of the later he saw defendant with his Battalion described what boots off, go towards the stores happened to him: again. Other men were with him, and they forced the door “Our battalion was in the open. He went after them, and trenches at the time, and about said something to the effect that 5am, your son was sent on he had a ‘good mind’ to blow patrol duty. Whilst thus engaged their brains out. They then ran he received two wounds from away. snipers’ bullets. His cry for help was heard by the lads of his P.C. Taffender, 760G, stated that section, and immediately two of he found the frame-work above them went to his assistance and the lock of the door very much brought him in under heavy damaged, and not far from the machine gun fire. stores he discovered a pair of boots which fitted defendant. In The news of his death came as a reply to the charge defendant great shock to us all, as he said, ‘I know nothing at all made so light of his wounds that about it.’ we thought they were slight.

16 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

‘Taff’ as we called him, was On 16th February 1917, the loved by all the lads, and they following notice appeared in the would have followed him Glamorgan Gazette : anywhere. He was my pal...and “In Loving Memory of David right-hand man. We were Taffinder, who died of wounds always together in dug-out or received in action on February barn.” 20th, 1916 David died of his wounds on 20th Though death divides, February 1916 and is buried at Le Touret Military Cemetery, Fond memories cling Richebourg-L’Avoue. There are - from Lizzie Davies” over 900 other First World War David is commemorated on the casualties buried there. In Glamorgan Police War Memorial addition, there is a memorial to at Police Headquarters, Bridgend. over 13,000 servicemen who died in the area before September His brothers, Albert and John also 1915 and who have no known served in the army during the war. grave. Both survived.

Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-L’Avoue

17 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

7TH MARCH HMS Hannibal : another pre PC 270 JOSEPH Dreadnought battleship, she was built at Pembroke Dock and PATRICK DEEHAN launched in 1896. Of 16,000 GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY tons she had a crew of over 600 GUNNER 10001 men. Joseph served on her ROYAL MARINES ARTILLERY between February and August According to naval service 1905 when the ship formed part records, Joseph was born in of the Channel Fleet. Later Mungret near Limerick in Ireland during the First World War she on 17th March 1884. (His police saw service as a troopship during records differ and give his date of the Gallipoli campaign. After the birth as 9th March 1885). He war she was sold as scrap and enlisted in the Royal Marines at broken up. Londonderry on 3rd April 1902 HMS Trafalgar : a battleship of prior to which he had worked as a over 12,000 tons built in farm labourer. Portsmouth and launched in He served for 12 years before 1887. She had a crew of nearly being discharged on 2nd April 600 men. Joseph served on her 1914 whereupon he became a between February 1906 and reservist in the Royal Fleet January 1907 when she was in Reserve. During his regular reserve and used at various service he saw service on the times as a guardship and for following ships: drills. She was sold for scrap in HMS Empress of India : this 1912. was a battleship of 14,000 tons HMS Indefatigable : built at which was built at Pembroke Devonport and launched in Dock in 1889 and launched in 1909, this was a battlecruiser of 1891. She had a crew of over over 18,000 tons. Joseph served 700. Joseph served on it from on her between February 1911, February 1904 to February when she was first 1905. She and other battleships commissioned into the Royal of her class were superseded by Navy, and December 1913. the Dreadnought battleships Indefatigable was sunk on 31st and she was sunk as a target May 1916 by shells from a ship in 1913. German ship during the Battle of

18 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Jutland, the largest naval battle tuberculosis which led to him of the First World War. Only two being discharged from the Royal of her crew of 1,019 survived. Marines at Londonderry Hospital on 26th January 1916. He died After his discharge from the from the disease at 55 Dungavin Royal Marines in 1914 Joseph Road, Londonderry, on 7th March joined the Glamorgan 1916. It appears that he left a Constabulary but served for only a sister, Winifred, and a brother, short period as he resigned from John. the Force on 2nd August 1914 when he was recalled to naval Joseph’s place of burial is not service shortly before the formal known but he is commemorated declaration of war by Britain. At on the Commonwealth War that time Joseph was stationed at Graves Commission’s 1914-1918 Llanishen, Cardiff as a constable. Memorial at Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey which records He served with the Royal the names of those who died Naval Air Service Armoured Car during the First World War and Squadron in France in September who are not commemorated and October 1914 and with the elsewhere. Joseph’s details were Royal Marines Artillery at Ostend accepted by the Commission for in October 1914. Between August commemoration in 2005. Joseph’s and October 1915 he was with name also appears on the the Royal Marines Artillery Anti Glamorgan Police War Memorial Aircraft Brigade in France. It and on the Memorial at St Isan’s appears he then contracted Church in Llanishen, Cardiff.

The 1914-18 Memorial at Brookwood Cemetery

19 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

13TH MARCH the Glamorgan Constabulary and PC 533 JOHN at the outbreak of war in 1914 he ALFRED GRIFFITHS was stationed at Mumbles, near GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY Swansea. On 20th November SERGEANT 17945 1914 he resigned from the police 14TH BATTALION force in order that he could, three WELSH REGIMENT days later, enlist in the 14th John was a Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, Pembroke- the “Swansea Pals”. They formed shire man part of the 38th (Welsh Division) having been and, after training in North Wales born at and southern England, went to Walwyn’s France on 2nd December 1915. Castle near Haverford- west in February 1889. He had an older brother, Joseph Stephen Griffiths, who subsequently lived in Aberaman, Aberdare. Their mother was Mary who later married a George Richards who had been born in Deptford, London. At the time of the census of 1911, John, his mother and his step father lived at 5 Fleet Street, Pennar, Pembroke Dock where George Richards was employed in the Naval Dockyard as a shipwright. Also living at home were John’s half brothers Alfred, Thomas, Frederick, Walter, George and Ivor along with his John seated left with Glamorgan Police half sister, Lucy. At that time John colleagues from Mumbles, PC Roberts was employed as a labourer. On (standing) and PC Hamens (seated), 29th November 1913, John joined who also joined the Swansea Battalion

20 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

John’s leadership qualities Williams and subsequently quoted were clearly recognised early on in the South Wales Daily Post : because he had a succession of “I assure you that you have the promotions: Lance Corporal on heartfelt sympathy of every 9th December 1914, Corporal on officer and man in our company. 13th February 1915, Lance I, personally, shall miss your son Sergeant on 18th May 1915 and very much, and I feel as if I had finally to Sergeant on 27th lost one of my best friends. He November 1915. was a splendid soldier, and in In France, after a period of your great sorrow you have the training in trench warfare, the consolation of knowing that he Swansea Battalion was in the front fell bravely fighting for King and line at Givenchy by March 1916. Country and his loved ones at On the 13th of the month the home.” Battalion’s War Diary records that John is buried in the Guards it suffered 12 casualties: 1 killed Cemetery, Windy Corner, and 11 wounded. John was the Cuinchy near Bethune in man killed in action. Northern France. It contains When he died he was 27 years 3,445 burials and of age and single. He was clearly commemorations of the First highly regarded in the Battalion, as World War. evidenced by a letter written to John’s name also appears on the his father by Lieutenant H. Jones Glamorgan Police War Memorial.

Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy near Bethune

21 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

8TH MAY France on 16th September 1915 PC 62 EDWARD and joined the 1st Battalion on JOHN TAYLOR 29th September. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY By May 1916 the Battalion was LANCE CORPORAL 1385 at Potijze near Ypres in Belgium. 1ST BATTALION On the 7th the Battalion came WELSH GUARDS under heavy fire from German artillery and trench mortars and Edward was born at Llanvihangel suffered 5 casualties, 1 killed and 4 Gobion near Abergavenny in wounded. Patrols were sent out 1890, the son of George and into No Man’s Land and gathered Susan Taylor. He had several what the Battalion’s War Diary brothers and sisters. His father described as “useful information.” was a farm labourer who was originally from Herefordshire and The history of the regiment in his mother was from Breconshire. the First World War contains the following description of what it At the census of 1911, Edward was like on 7th May: was living with his brother William and his wife and children at “We went back to Ypres by train Llanddewi Rhydderch, another on the 7th and found the Huns village near Abergavenny. William were shelling hard-the roads, the worked for the Great Western railway and the town. When we Railway Company whilst Edward’s marched into the town we found the roads blocked with traffic-a occupation is described as mass of transport wagons and “waggoner on farm.” artillery limbers. The Hun was Edward joined the Glamorgan pumping shells into the Square Constabulary in 1914 and was and the Menin Gate. Every now stationed at Maesteg at the and then an artillery limber outbreak of war. He enlisted in would disentangle itself and go the army on 10th May 1915 at galloping across, making a Bridgend, joining the Welsh fiendish noise on the cobbles. Guards. After a period of training Finally we got across the Square, at the Guards Depot at Caterham, and when we reached the Menin he sailed from Southampton to Gate found the Hun was shelling

22 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

the road like mad. I don’t know of the Welsh Guards who was why we were not caught. Our aged 21 and the son of Howell luck was that most of the shells and Annie Price of 156 Jubilee fell by the side, and those that Road, New Tredegar. fell on the road did not fall on The Abergavenny Chronicle of us. This went on till the early 2nd June 1916 reported that hours of the morning, and started again at midday. They Edward had been killed and confined themselves mostly to referred to a letter to his mother the roads, but it was a heavy from the Battalion’s Chaplain who affair.” wrote: On the 8th there was wind “His loss is much felt by the and rain all day and the German battalion. He was a first-rate bombardment did reduce. soldier and had been lately Nevertheless there were 7 recommended for promotion to casualties during the day including full corporal. He was buried at two killed, one of whom was dawn in a cemetery reserved for Edward. Also killed that day was soldiers, and everything was Private 864 Percy Larkham Price done as reverently as possible:

Potijze Burial Ground Cemetery, near Ypres

23 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

I was able to take the funeral 25TH MAY service without undue hurry. It PC 68 THOMAS was very solemn and quiet. His VOYLE MORGAN grave will be cared for as much MERTHYR BOROUGH POLICE as possible, and the battalion PRIVATE 951 will have it marked with a white 1ST BATTALION, cross bearing his name.” WELSH GUARDS The newspaper report went Thomas Voyle on to state: Morgan (“Tom” or “TV” as he was “Corporal Taylor was a fine known) was soldier, physically strong, tall and originally from active. Always cheerful, he Carmarthenshire. would keep a company in the He was born at best of spirits, and we are not Glancothi Lodge, surprised to hear that he was Cothi Bridge very popular with the battalion. (“Pontargothi”) in The greatest sympathy is felt the Parish of with his mother, sister and Llanegwad near family in their loss.” Carmarthen on 26th December Edward was 26 when he died 1888. He was baptised at and was, as indicated above, Llanegwad on 5th May 1889. survived by his mother, his father having, by then, died. Tom was the son of John Morgan, a policeman, and his wife, Edward and Private Price are Elizabeth Alma. His father had buried near each other at Potijze been born in Llanpumpsaint and Burial Ground Cemetery, near his mother had been born in Ypres, in Belgium. There are 584 Pembrey. Elizabeth’s father, burials from the First World War George Voyle, had also been a in the cemetery. policeman. Edward is also At the time of the census of commemorated on the 1891 the family lived in the village Glamorgan Police War Memorial. of Llansteffan in Carmarthenshire.

24 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

In addition to Tom, also at home By 1901 and that year’s at that time were his brothers, census, the family still lived in George Osman and Garnet and Llansteffan but by then Tom’s his sisters Sarah Rosanna and father had retired from the police Mary Alma, all of whom were older than Tom. Also there was and his occupation was given as Tom’s widowed grandmother, postman. There was also another Roseanna Voyle. child, Emily May.

The Morgan family at Llansteffan in about 1896. Left to right at rear: George Osman, Sarah Rosanna, and John (father); front: Mary Alma, Emily May, Elizabeth Alma (mother), Thomas Voyle and Garnet

25 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

In 1908 Merthyr Tydfil was it recovered from the severe granted borough status and as a fighting it had been involved in at result formed its own police force, the Battle of Loos. the town having previously been At Christmas time 1915 the policed by the Glamorgan Battalion was in the line at Constabulary. Tom became one of Laventie in France. In a letter to its first constables and during his service was stationed at his family, Tom said: Troedyrhiw and Dowlais. “I guess you all enjoyed yourself At the time of the census of over the Xmas holidays. I spent 1911, Tom was living as a lodger mine in the trenches so it was with Sergeant William Lewis, also not very pleasant. I received of the Merthyr Police, and his parcel safe but in a broken wife, Mary, at 43 Taldwyn Terrace, condition. Cake all Troedyrhiw. Sergeant Lewis came smashed up....” from Clydach in the Swansea By May 1915 the Battalion was Valley whilst his wife was from the in reserve at Poperinghe in nearby village of Glais. Also Belgium. On the 12th they were lodging in the house was Tom’s billeted to the south of the town. Merthyr Police colleague, PC 57 During the day there was some Reginald Lovis who was also to die German shelling in the area. whilst serving with the Welsh Records indicate that Tom Guards (see later). suffered serious wounds to the Tom enlisted in the army on head resulting in a fractured skull 8th April 1915, joining the 1st possibly as a consequence of the Battalion of the newly formed shell fire. He was treated initially Welsh Guards. He underwent a at the 3rd Canadian Casualty period of initial training and before Clearing Station and then the 10th leaving for the front he married Casualty Clearing Station both at Mary Jane James of Troedyrhiw at Remy near Lijssenthoek, Belgium, Ebenezer Chapel, Merthyr, on before being moved to the 15th August 1915. Number 6 British Red Cross Tom sailed from Southampton Hospital at Etaples on the French for France on 16th September and coast. It was there that he died on joined the Battalion on the 29th as 25th May 1916 aged 27.

26 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

The Carmarthen Journal for 41, Taldwyn Terrace, Troedyrhiw, 9th June 1916 carried the who today mourns his loss. His following report: mother also is grief stricken at the loss of her son, as are also “Another native of Llanstephan the remaining two brothers and has given his life for his country three sisters. During the period in the person of Pte. Tom Voyle of his youth spent at Morgan, of the Welsh Llanstephan, “T.V” as he was Guards...... He was taken to the fondly known, was a general Red Cross Hospital at Etaples favourite, being a quiet, willing France, where he died on 25th and respectful lad, and the news ult. He bore his pain bravely to of his early death will be the end. Pte. Morgan was a son received by his many friends of the late ex P.C. John Morgan with sincere sorrow. The deepest and Mrs. Morgan, formerly sympathy of the district is residing at Ty-mawr, and a extended to the sorrowing grandson of the late ex P.C. widow and mother, and relatives, George Voyle, Llanddarog, and who are well known in several the late Mr. Thomas Morgan, districts of Carmarthenshire, Llanpumpsaint Mill. In 1908 where the late Pte. Morgan’s deceased joined the new father, ex P.C. John Morgan, was Borough Police Force at Merthyr stationed while in the County Tydfil; he had been stationed at Police Force.” Troedyrhiw and Dowlais, from where he joined the Welsh Tom is buried at the Etaples Guards in April, 1915; and was Military Cemetery which is about drafted to France in September 27km south of Boulogne. This is last, having seen some severe the largest Commonwealth War fighting since that period. He Graves Commission cemetery in volunteered to go tunnelling France and contains the graves of about three weeks ago, and was 10,771 casualties of the First only at this work for a couple of World War. During the war the days ere receiving the fatal area around Etaples contained a wound. In August last he great concentration of military married Miss May James, facilities. At one stage there were daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James, eleven general hospitals, one

27 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

stationary hospital, four Red Cross Tom is commemorated on the hospitals and a convalescent depot Merthyr Borough Police First which could deal with a total of World War Panel and also on the 22,000 patients. Llansteffan War Memorial.

Also buried at Etaples is In Etaples, the headstone to Tom’s grave has on it an Private 103 Albert Hollyman of inscription chosen by his wife. the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards They were married for less than a who died on 21st October 1918. year before his death. It sums up Before the war he was a constable her sense of loss, and that of in the Cardiff City Police. countless others during the war: “In life I loved you dearly. In death I do the same .”

Etaples Military Cemetery

28 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

1ST JULY George also subsequently PC GEORGE joined the Cardiff City Police and HENRY LOCK served with them before the war CARDIFF CITY POLICE including a period of service at the PRIVATE 1347 1ST BATTALION force’s headquarters. WELSH GUARDS Newspaper reports referring George was to George state that he was an born in Cardiff accomplished athlete and took in 1890, the part in several sports. Indeed, the son of George Western Mail of 23rd January 1914 Henry Lock, reported that in the three all the chief drawn football match between the Inspector of Cardiff Press and City Police Cardiff played at Ninian Park, it was Corporation Public Works George who, in the last few Department who originated from minutes of the match, scored the Devon. equalising goal. His team was not so fortunate, however, in March of At the time of the census of that year when George played 1911, George, then aged 20 was against the Merthyr Police who living at 3 Trade Street, ran out winners by four goals to Grangetown in Cardiff. Also living two, in the presence of Cardiff’s in the household were his father and his father’s mother, Hannah, a Chief Constable, David Williams. widow aged 78, together with George enlisted in the army at George’s married sister, Gertrude Cardiff on 29th April 1915 and Alice Hopgood, aged 24, and her joined the 1st Battalion of the husband, Ernest Hopgood, aged Welsh Guards. He went with the 25. At that time George was Battalion to France in August employed as a bricklayer. George 1915, landing at Le Havre on the appears to have also had two 18th. Ahead lay the severe test other sisters: Grace Evelyn, and that the Battalion faced during the Emma Kate, who was married to heavy fighting at the Battle of Loos a Detective Sergeant John Pugsley in September and October of that of the Cardiff City Police. year.

29 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

By the end of June 1916 the Guards to attack Mortaldje on the Battalion was in the front line near night of 1st/2nd July. It was to be Ypres in Belgium. As preparations undertaken by Number 4 were then under way for the Company and it was during the Allied offensive on the Somme to ensuing fighting that George was commence on 1st July every effort killed in action. The History of the was to be made to keep the Welsh Guards in the First World Germans occupied around Ypres. War gives the following description: At one point in the German line there were the ruins of an “2nd July - we took the position estaminet (cafe) at Mortaldje last night, but all is not yet well. which the Germans used as a site When we filed into our places in for machine guns to attack the the trench all was deathly quiet- British positions. Orders were, much too quiet - and lights were therefore, given to the Welsh going up in a jumpy manner, or

The Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres where George Henry Lock is commemorated

30 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

so it seemed to me, from the The history of the Regiment estaminet. I think Evan Thomas referred to Crawford-Wood’s started to get out slightly ahead death: of time, which was to be one “Crawford-Wood was a great minute before the artillery. At all loss. He was a good looking, events, they were seen most gallant and active immediately, and the Huns youngster, and feared nothing in opened fire on them. I heard the way of a German or any of Sergt. Mathias yell out ‘Come their weapons.” on’, and then our guns started with a swish and a roar, and I George was 25 years of age don’t quite know what when he died. He has no known happened. I heard afterwards grave but is commemorated on that Evan Thomas, Sergt. the Menin Gate Memorial at Mathias, Sergt. Jellyman, and a Ypres. He is also remembered on man named Lock, who used to the Cardiff City Police Memorial be the C.O’s servant, arrived far at the Cardiff Bay Police Station. ahead of the rest. The Germans fled, though one stayed to fire 1ST JULY point blank at Lock, who was PC 225 WILLIAM killed.” JAMES WILLIAMS In addition to George, four GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY others from the Welsh Guards LANCE CORPORAL 1101 died on 1st July. They were: 1ST BATTALION Second Lieutenant Guy Crawford- WELSH GUARDS Wood aged 21, the son of James William was born in Llantrisant in Crawford-Wood JP of Banbury, 1888, the son of Richard and Corporal S. Kiernan from Catherine Williams. His father was Flintshire, Lance Corporal William originally from Menai Bridge on James Williams of the Glamorgan Anglesey whilst his mother was Constabulary (see next section) from Llantrisant. and Private William Henry Viggers, aged 24, the son of At the time of the census of George and Martha Jane Viggers 1901 when William was 13, the of 59 Cecil Street, Roath, Cardiff. family lived in High Street,

31 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

On 21st November 1908 William joined the Glamorgan Constabulary and on 26th August 1912 he married Emily Stephens at Whitchurch in Cardiff. At the outbreak of war William was stationed at Heolycyw near Bridgend but resigned from the police on 27th November 1914 so that he could enlist in the army which he did at Bridgend on 30th November. He was initially Private 5873 in the Dragoon Guards but transferred to the Welsh Guards on 16th April 1915 and was soon promoted to Lance Corporal on 23rd June 1915. The Welsh Guards had been formed in February 1915 and went to France in August that year. It was soon thrust into the bitter fighting during the Battle of Loos which claimed the lives of PC 225 William James Williams several of William’s colleagues from the Glamorgan Llantrisant. William’s father’s Constabulary. William himself occupation is given as carpenter arrived in France on 16th joiner whilst William is described September just before the as a coal miner/hewer commencement of the Battle on underground. Also in the the 25th. household were William’s mother, his sisters Ann and Gwendoline As has been described in the and his brothers Thomas, John entry concerning George Henry and Baden all of whom were Lock, William was killed in action younger than him. on 1st July 1916 during the

32 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Battalion’s attack at Mortadlje. Guy Crawford-Wood and The Western Mail of 8th July Corporal Kiernan of the Welsh reported his death: Guards who also died on 1st July. There are a total of 669 First “Private William Williams, of World War burials in the the Welsh Guards, has been cemetery. killed in action. He was a constable in the Glamorgan William left a widow, Emily of Force, and was a magnificently Glancynon Terrace, Abercynon. built man, standing 6ft 1in. On the headstone to his grave is Formerly he was stationed at the inscription: Whitchurch, but latterly at Heolycyw. He was a nephew of “Though lost to sight, Councillor James Taylor, Cardiff.” to memory ever dear” William is buried at Brandhoek William is also remembered on Military Cemetery which lies the Glamorgan Police War between Ypres and Poperinghe. Memorial. There too lie Second Lieutenant

Brandhoek Military Cemetry

33 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

7TH JULY Station and he later served at PC 122 ROBERT Aberkenfig. JOHN HARRIS After the outbreak of war he GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY joined the Welsh Regiment and SERGEANT 23140 served with the 16th (Cardiff City) 16TH BATTALION Battalion which as part of the 38th WELSH REGIMENT (Welsh) Division landed in France in December 1915. Robert or “Bob”, as he The Battalion took part in the seems to have attack on Mametz Wood on 7th been known, July 1916 and suffered heavy was born on casualties, Bob being one of those 20th January killed in action on that day. A 1887 at subsequent newspaper report of Ynysybwl, his death describes him as being Pontypridd. He was the son of “exceedingly popular among the John Harris, originally from officers and men of the Breconshire, and his wife, Martha, Glamorgan Constabulary.” who had been born in Ynysybwl. Also killed on the same day At the census of 1901 the was his police colleague from family lived at Brynteg, Ynysybwl. Bridgend, Richard “Dick” Thomas Also in the household at this time, of the 16th Battalion. along with Bob and his parents, Bob was 29 when he died and were Bob’s six brothers and two was survived by his parents who, sisters. Bob, then aged 14, was according to Commonwealth War employed as a coal miner as Graves Commission records, then was his father and two of his lived at Llechwen Farm, Ynysybwl. brothers. Bob has no known grave and is In due course, Bob left the commemorated on the Thiepval mining industry and, on 31st Memorial, the Glamorgan Police October, 1908, he joined the War Memorial and the War Glamorgan Constabulary. At the Memorial at Ynysybwl. time of the census of 1911 he was lodging at Nantymoel Police

34 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

7TH JULY He played rugby for several PS 200 RICHARD clubs-Ferndale, Penygraig, Cardiff, THOMAS Mountain Ash, Llwynypia, and Bridgend-as well as for the GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY Glamorgan Police team which had COMPANY SERGEANT been established in 1897. Whilst MAJOR 24093 16TH BATTALION playing for Mountain Ash he won WELSH REGIMENT four international caps for Wales Richard (or “Dick” as the first being against South Africa he was popularly in 1906. In the following season of known) Thomas 1907-8 he played against France was a notable (the first time the two countries figure in the had played each other) and then communities of against Ireland when Wales South Wales completed the Grand Slam for the through his service as first time. His final international a police officer and also his appearance was against Scotland sporting prowess particularly as a in 1909. He also played for the Welsh international rugby player. Glamorgan Police team in its last He was born at 41 Long Row, game before the First World War Ferndale on 14th October 1880 when it beat his home town team the son of Joseph Jones Thomas, a of Ferndale. coal miner, and his wife, Mary Ann Thomas. Dick joined the Glamorgan Constabulary on 4th November 1904 having previously worked as a coal miner. He served as a policeman in the Aberdare, Ystrad Mynach and Bridgend Divisions of the Force. On 16th August 1913, he was promoted to sergeant and was stationed at Bridgend at the commencement of the First World War.

35 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Whilst Dick was highly regarded previous month, February 1914, in rugby circles as a hard playing when he had contested the final of and skilful forward, he was also a the heavy weight championship notable boxer winning the with a W.H. Bradley of Cardiff Glamorgan Police heavyweight after Dick had, in the words of the championship on three occasions. Western Mail report of 16th In addition he won the Glamorgan February, “knocked out W. Scott and Monmouthshire (St James’s Newport) with two Constabularies assault at arms punches” in the semi final. It was, competition in 1909. however, another story in the final as the report continues: The Western Mail of 4th March 1914 carried a report of an “Dick Thomas had to face a assault at arms competition held redoubtable opponent in W. H. at the Park Hall, Cardiff in which Bradley (of Cardiff) in the final. Dick fought against a Constable Bradley…. looked very little Oliver Williams of the Newport troubled when Thomas started Police in the semi final with the shooting punches at him with referee stopping the fight in the right and left. When the old first round in favour of Dick. He international tired perceptibly had been due to fight against a Bradley opened out in really fellow Glamorgan Police officer, classy style. A shower of upper PC Charles Hutchings of cuts and straight lefts soon sent Whitchurch, in the final but Thomas to the boards. Before Hutchings had been injured during the end of the round Bradley his semi final contest and became the first heavy weight withdrew. Dick was, therefore, amateur of Wales.” declared the winner and Along with many other presented with what the report Glamorgan policemen Dick described as “ a valuable silver Thomas joined the 16th Battalion cup.” of the Welsh Regiment after the Dick had, however, been less outbreak of the war. Among those successful at the fifth Welsh who also did so were Inspector Amateur Boxing Championships F.W. (“Fred”) Smith and Sergeant held at the Park Hall, Cardiff, the J.R. Angus both of whom had

36 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

been members of the Glamorgan saw in an interview with the BBC Police rugby team. Dick joined as re-broadcast in August 2014: a private soldier but his qualities of “I remember one man, he was leadership were soon recognised an old Welsh rugby international and he was in due course forward. CSM Dick Thomas from promoted to be company Mountain Ash. He was CSM in sergeant major. the Cardiff City Battalion. He He landed in France with the was a big, huge man. Lying down 16th Battalion as part of 115th in front of me, not far in front of Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division on me and he got up on his knees 4th December 1915. During its and two hands you know, knees early days on the Western Front on the ground. Went down head the Battalion suffered casualties to the ground. Killed like that. including its then Commanding Just in front of me. And I hid Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Frank behind him all day.” Gaskell who was shot by a sniper Dick’s Glamorgan Police and died of his wounds on 17th colleague and Commanding May 1916. He was buried the Officer of his Battalion, Fred following day and the Battalion Smith, wrote to his widow on War Diary records that Fred 15th July 1916: Smith and Dick were among those “I am deeply grieved to tell you who attended. that your husband, my old friend On 7th July 1916 the 16th Dick, was killed in action on the Battalion attacked Mametz Wood 7th July whilst attacking a wood. in an attempt to clear it of He died at once and did not German troops. It was the largest suffer. I had already wood on the Somme and it was recommended him for the defended tenaciously. The Military Cross for his gallantry Battalion came under heavy fire and splendid example to his and Dick was one of nearly 300 men. Poor Sergeant Harris (late casualties the Battalion suffered of our force) was killed at the that day. Many years later a same time, and of course many surviving veteran of the attack, others in the Battalion. We all William Davies, described what he miss Dick’s smiling face, and

37 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Dick Thomas with his wife and daughter

38 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

wish he could return to us, and who was his fellow police we all extend to you our sincere sergeant at Bridgend. In a letter sympathy on this your great loss, to his wife, written on July 10th yours, Fred Smith, Lieutenant- and received on Saturday colonel, O.C..” afternoon, Company Sergeant Major John Thomas said:-“Just a The Glamorgan Gazette for line to let you know I am all 21st July 1916 carried the right. Wish I could say the same following report under the about all the other boys. Poor heading “Local Constabulary Dick Thomas was killed Heroes-International Footballer yesterday morning where the big Killed”: fighting that you read about in “The terribleness of the war is the newspapers is going on. being brought home to us lately Captain Herdman and he were in Bridgend.” Thus said the leading the company into action, Rector of Coity (Rev. T.P. Price), and Dick was about the first to writing from Cardiganshire, in a be knocked over. The captain sympathetic letter to the was wounded. Bob Harris was bereaved widow of Company- also killed near the same spot. Sergeant-Major Richard Trinder was wounded and is now Thomas, of Bridgend, formerly a in hospital. No doubt it will be a member of the Glamorgan terrible shock to Mrs. Thomas. Constabulary; and the truth of Colonel Smith is all right, but we this remark is almost daily are very much upset over the insistently being brought home loss of Dick. He used to keep to us, as one family after the lot of us alive with his another is plunged into grief, and jokes.” the community, knowing the The “Bob Harris” referred to families and the circumstances, (also exceedingly popular is called upon to mourn with the amongst the officers and men of mourners. The first the Glamorgan Constabulary) announcement of the death of was formerly Sergt. R. J. Harris, Company-Srgt-Major Richard who was stationed at Thomas came from Regimental Aberkenfig, and for a time at Sergeant Major John Thomas, Nantymoel, and whose home

39 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

was at Llechwaun Farm, Aberdare wrote a poem as a Ynysybwl. Both were in the same tribute to the members of the battalion of the Welsh Glamorgan Constabulary who had Regiment, joining with Inspector served during the war. One verse Fred Smith. “Trinder” is PC is dedicated to Dick: William Trinder who was stationed at Caerau, Maesteg. “Another hero, strong His home is in Gloucestershire. and tall, Captain Herdman, who was A master with the gloves wounded in the abdomen and and ball, both arms, is a Bridgend boy, A football player, lithe and a son of the late Mr. J. and bold, Herdman, mining engineer to An International of old. the Dunraven Estate, a position He won his cap for to which a few years ago Capt. strength and dash- Herdman succeeded on the death of his father.” I mean Dick Thomas, Mountain Ash; The report concluded with A Sergeant Major at the these remarks about Dick: Front “Only a few weeks ago he spent Was in the van, as e’er a brief furlough with his family his wont. at Bridgend. He was of a genial Poor Dick is numbered disposition, and was extremely with the slain, popular not only as a football And buried on a foreign player, but as a police officer in plain...... ” every place where he had been stationed. He was 36 years of Like so many others Dick has age, and leaves a widow and two no known grave and is children to mourn the loss of one commemorated on the Thiepval who was well beloved by all his Memorial to the Missing of the comrades, and by all the people Somme. who knew him in the sphere in Dick is also remembered on which he moved.” the Glamorgan Police War A Sergeant Caleb Morris of Memorial.

40 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

7TH JULY a sergeant and five other PC 89 WILLIAM constables from the Glamorgan EDWARD TRINDER Constabulary. They were GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY presumably billeted there in LANCE CORPORAL 32681 connection with the policing of 16TH BATTALION the industrial unrest in the area at WELSH REGIMENT that time. During his police service William was born in Winstone, William was stationed at Caerau, near Cirencester on 21st May near Maesteg, and the local 1886. He was the son of John newspaper reported on several James Trinder and his wife, Joanna, both of whom were from cases in which William had been Gloucestershire, John having been involved: born in North Cerney and Joanna • In January 1914 William and in Winchcombe. another police officer had At the census of 1901 William attended at a house in Caerau and his parents and his younger to serve a warrant on the man sisters, Amy and Annie, were living there. He attempted to living in the village of Syde near make his escape and the police Cirencester. It appears from the officers were attacked by the earlier census of 1891 that William man’s wife and daughters. The also had two older sisters, Emily Glamorgan Gazette for 27th and Clara. February 1914 reported what In 1901 William’s father was happened (William is the employed on a farm as a cattle “witness” in the report): man whilst William, then aged 14, “His wife ....then came out and was also working on a farm as a caught hold of prisoner and tried carter. to pull him away and shouted for William joined the Glamorgan help. Her two daughters came Constabulary on 5th December out with bottles in their hands 1908. At the time of the census of and struck witness and PC 1911 he is shown as being a Richards on the back and on the boarder at the Miskin Hotel, back of the neck with them and Trealaw in the Rhondda along with also caught hold of their father

41 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

and tried to pull him away. They on fire by the police at 4.30am tore all the man’s clothes off on Sunday. Sergt. Davies and P. him in the scuffle and it was C. Trinder, with several other with great difficulty that witness constables, were on the scene in got the man into the lane at the a few minutes, and found the back. The two girls followed, fire had got a firm hold, and that throwing stones and bottles. the interior was in a mass of Ultimately they got the man flames. Valuable time was lost in away. For several days witness obtaining fire appliances owing could not move his head owing to the fact that the key of the to the effect of the blows on his fire shed was kept at a neck.” neighbouring farm, and was not available until the farmer was Sadly it seems that a baby had awakened. The stand-pipe and died and was in the house at the hose were attached to a hydrant time of the incident although in Caerau road, and after about William and his colleague were ten minutes’ work the officers unaware of that until later. A succeeded in getting the fire Superintendent Davies told the under control. Had it not been court that because of that and the for the splendid work of the fact the money owed under the police, and many willing helpers, warrant had been paid the including P.C. Culleton (works arrested man had been released. constable), the adjacent As for his wife and daughters, as buildings would have been they had not previously been involved. The cause of the fire is before a court, they were fined unknown. The damage was not 10s each. very great. Mrs. Williams stated • Under the heading of “GOOD that she left the premises about WORK BY POLICE”, the midnight after securing them.” Glamorgan Gazette for • In a case reported by the 15th May 1914 reported: Glamorgan Gazette on 9th “The lock up shop premises of April 1915, William had Mr. Albert Williams, investigated thefts of several greengrocer, of Caerau Road, items from two pubs in Caerau, were discovered to be Caerau including money, a

42 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

wrist watch and false teeth 10TH JULY which had been taken from a PC 205 EDWARD barmaid’s bedroom in one of BERESFORD the pubs. The man charged GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY with stealing the property had SERGEANT 14215 sent them to himself in a 8TH BATTALION, SOUTH registered parcel. It was at STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT Cardiff Post Office that William later recovered the Edward was wrist watch together with the born on 15th false teeth! The Defendant May 1888. His place of birth was sent to prison for four is described months on each charge. differently in During 1915 William left the different police and enlisted in the army at records. For Bridgend, joining the 16th (Cardiff example, the census of 1891 gives City) Battalion of the Welsh it as Oldbury in Worcestershire Regiment with whom he went to whilst the census of 1911 states France in December 1915. that he was born in Netherton, He took part in his Battalion’s Worcestershire. attack on Mametz Wood on 7th In any event, in 1891 the family July 1916 and was killed in action. was living in Albert Street East in He has no known grave and is Oldbury. Edward’s father, also commemorated on the Thiepval called Edward, was from Rowley Memorial and the Glamorgan Regis in Staffordshire and was Police War Memorial. employed as a coal miner, whilst Edward’s mother was Elizabeth who had been born in Oldbury. Also there were Edward’s older brothers, William and Ernest, and his older sister Adelaide. Edward joined the Glamorgan Constabulary on 20th August 1910 and police records show

43 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

that he had previously been terrible toll. I do not know a more employed, like his father, as a coal profitable way of spending an miner. evening during the winter At the time of the Census of months than in organising classes 1911 Edward was lodging with amongst yourselves, and another Glamorgan policeman, practising bandaging and Charles Harrison, at 44 High Street, rendering first-aid.” Barry. These words may well have had Shortly before the start of the greater significance than Dr. Rees First World War Edward was may have imagined when he spoke stationed as a constable in Penarth them. Within a matter of weeks the and at this time he became qualified First World War commenced and, in first aid. The Barry Dock News of no doubt, Edward, and many like 10th July 1914 carried a report him, would be called upon to bring regarding the presentation, at Barry their first aid skills to bear on the Police Court, of certificates to him field of battle. and a number of other policemen In September 1914, Edward left who had been successful in the Glamorgan Police and enlisted “ambulance examinations”. The in the army at Penarth joining the Chairman of the court, Dr. Howell South Staffordshire Regiment. He Rees, had this to say to them: served with its 8th Battalion, “I am very pleased to have the eventually attaining the rank of opportunity of presenting the sergeant. certificates..... I have no doubt The Battalion landed in France you will have many opportunities on 14th July 1915 and on 9th July on your rounds of rendering first- 1916 it was ordered to attack aid, more especially on account of Quadrangle Support Trench on the the increasing danger of the Somme in order to assist the traffic on our streets and roads attacks being made by the 38th caused by excessive speeds. We (Welsh) Division on nearby Mametz have very sad examples of the Wood. At first the Battalion’s attack danger in the London streets by was successful and part of the traffic, 400 being killed on trench was captured but German average, and 10,000 injured in counter attacks later forced the the course of the year. It is a very Battalion to fall back. It was during

44 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

the fighting on 10th July that 10TH JULY Edward was killed in action. PC 766 WILLIAM The Western Mail of 31st July HENRY LOUD 1916 reported: GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY “ Killed: Sergeant Beresford, SERGEANT 23311 South Staffordshire Light 10TH BATTALION Infantry, who prior to the war WELSH REGIMENT was a police constable stationed William was at Penarth. According to a letter born in Worle, received at Cardiff the gallant near Weston- non-com died whilst leading his super-Mare, men forward in a night attack, Somerset, in which was ultimately successful. 1894 but The letter was from an officer of subsequently his battalion, who gives him a moved with splendid name for valuable his family to live in South Wales. assistance rendered both in and out of the trenches. Deceased At the census of 1901 they was a single man, and had been were living at 40 Tallis Street in in the county constabulary for Cwmparc in the Rhondda. His four years. He volunteered for father was Robert who had also military service on September 7, been born in Worle, as had his 1914.” mother Helen (in the subsequent Another contemporary census of 1911 described as newspaper report states that he “Ellen”). Robert was employed in was the son of Edward Beresford coal mining. Other members of of Pentre, Rhondda and that he the family in the household at this had three brothers also serving in time were William’s older sister, the army. Helen, and his younger sisters Sarah and Annie. Edward has no known grave and is commemorated on the By the census of 1911 the Thiepval Memorial and the family had moved a few houses Glamorgan Police and Penarth along Tallis Street to number 28. War Memorials. By that time Robert was still

45 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

employed in coalmining, now as a 12TH JULY “sinker”, that is to say he would PC 363 RICHARD assist in sinking new shafts in HAMER order to extract coal. By this time GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY sister Helen (also described as LANCE CORPORAL 1672 “Ellen”) had become married with 1ST BATTALION the surname Trott. William was WELSH GUARDS now 16 years of age and also employed in coal mining as a Richard was the son of Hugh collier/hewer. Also in the Morgan Price Hamer and Margaret Hamer and was born on household were four further 4th April 1892 at Llanddew near children who had been born since Brecon. His father was originally 1901 namely, Alice, Florance, from Builth Wells and his mother Joseph and Albert together with was from Aberdare. Robert’s brother, Charles, who was also employed as a sinker. At the time of the census of 1901 the family was living at 5 In 1914 William left coal Founders Row, Aberdare. Also in mining and joined the Glamorgan the household in addition to Constabulary. He was serving in Richard and his parents were his Maesteg at the outbreak of war, older brother “Calip” (as will be after which he enlisted in the seen later this should be “Caleb”) army at Bridgend joining the 10th and younger brother, Ernest. (1st Rhondda) Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. By 1911 when that year’s census was taken, the family had He went with them to France moved to 2 Tydraw Place, in December 1915 as part of the Abernant, Aberdare. Richard, then 38th (Welsh) Division and took 19, and Ernest, 11, were living part in his Battalion’s attack on there with their parents. Richard’s Mametz Wood on 10th July 1916 father was described as a colliery when he was killed in action. He worker and Richard was also has no known grave and is employed in the collieries as a coal commemorated on the Thiepval miner/hewer. Memorial and the Glamorgan Police War Memorial. Richard joined the Glamorgan

46 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Constabulary on 5th January 1914 Both lads denied the charge, and and served at Skewen, near Neath said...... they were only waiting and also at Aberavon. Two to go to chapel themselves at newspaper reports refer to his another place of worship. duties as a police officer. On 9th P.C. Hamer said that on Sunday October 1914 the Cambria Daily night he saw the defendants Leader referred to the case of a outside Wern Chapel. They were young man brought before the jumping over the rail, shouting local magistrates charged with and causing a disturbance. stealing a coat and a vest valued at When sent away they returned 3s 6d from outside a pawnshop in a second time. Cwmavon Road, Aberavon. It was stated that: Defendants were fined 10s each inclusive. “P.C. Hamer, a young constable, saw defendant in a suspicious The Mayor: there are a lot of attitude outside the shop, and complaints of these watched him take the coat and disturbances, and they have vest and put the coat on in place become a real nuisance. I hope this will be an example to of his own, then walk away. others, as any other cases will Witness arrested him. be severely dealt with.” Defendant was fined 20 shillings Richard resigned from the and costs, and the Bench police force on 11th June 1915 in complimented the young order to enlist in the army. He constable upon his smartness.” joined 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards Richard again featured in the and arrived in France on 4th Cambria Daily Leader on 13th November 1915. He was, in due November 1914 when, in another course, promoted to Lance case at Aberavon Police Court, Corporal in the Prince of Wales two young men were: Company of the Battalion. “.....charged with disturbing a On 1st July 1916 the Battalion place of worship, Wern Chapel, was in action at Mortaldje as by making a row outside during described in the entries relating to service. PC’s Lock and Williams. From a

47 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

subsequent newspaper report it On 11th November 1916, the appears that Richard suffered Aberdare Leader carried a report of serious wounds on that date. He the unveiling of a Roll of Honour died on 12th July, aged 24, at the in the town’s St. Elvan’s Church to 2nd Canadian General Hospital at those who had lost their lives up Outreau, and is buried at the to that point in the war. Richard Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. was one of those included on it. Richard’s grave is one of a total The report stated: of 5577 Commonwealth burials of “At the close of the service a the First World War in the “Roll of Honour” of the cemetery. Like the others the Churchmen of the Parish who headstone to Richard’s grave lies have died in active service was flat due to the sandy nature of the unveiled by Mr. T. Lloyd, soil. It bears the below inscription. Churchwarden. The dedication “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”

Boulogne Eastern Cemetery

48 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Jack Hamer

prayer was offered by the Vicar. as his surname. The “Last Post” was sounded by He served as a Bugler Ivor Irons, 5th Welsh regular soldier Regiment. Seats had been with the 2nd reserved for the relatives of the Battalion of the fallen. The offertories throughout South Wales the day were given to the Borderers. In “Kitchener National Memorial August 1914 they for Disabled Soldiers.” There supported Japanese forces in were over a thousand present at capturing the German port of the evening service.” Tsingtao. Subsequently the The loss of Richard was, Battalion returned to Britain however, not the only one to befall before being sent to Gallipoli in the family. He had an older April 1915. It was during the brother whose full names appear fighting there that Jack was killed to have been Caleb John Thomas in action in May 1915. Again, there Hamer. The Aberdare Leader of are discrepancies in the 12th June 1915 reported as documents as to the date of death follows: with some referring to it as 28th May. The Commonwealth War “Jack Hamer, who has been Graves Commission, however, killed in action, was the son of records it as 8th May. In any event, Hugh and Margaret Hamer, 2 Jack has no known grave and is Tydraw, Abernant, and was a commemorated on the Helles brother to P.C. Hamer, Port memorial at Gallipoli. Talbot. He met his death in the The Aberdare Leader of 27th Dardanelles on the 28th of May. May 1916 carried the following He had served with the colours notice: five years, and was present at the capture of Tsingtau in China. IN MEMORIAM The parents are very thankful to HAMER-In affectionate all for the great sympathy shown remembrance of Jack Hamer, to them in their troubles.” age 26 years, son of Mr. and It appears that official records Mrs. Hugh Hamer, No, 2 Tydraw, refer to Jack with the first names Aberdare, Private in 2nd South “Caleb John” and with “Thomas” Wales Borderers. Killed in the

49 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Dardanelles May 28th, 1915. Death cannot divide.” No mother’s care did him -Too dearly loved to be ever attend, forgotten by their sorrowing Nor over him did a father bend, mother and father, and only brother, Ernest. For God, King No sister by to shed a tear, and Country.” No brother by his words to hear; Richard is also remembered Sick, dying in a foreign land, on the Glamorgan Police War No father by to take a hand, Memorial. No mother near to close his eyes, Far from his native land he lies.” 18TH JULY On 13th July 1918 the Aberdare Leader again carried a PC 138 ERNEST poignant family notice: ROBERT HELSON SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE “HAMER-In proud and loving SERGEANT 283 memory of Pte. C. J. Thomas 1ST BATTALION Hamer, killed in action in the WELSH GUARDS Dardanelles, May 28, 1915, and also Corporal R. Hamer, Welsh Ernest was a Guards, died of wounds in Devonshire France, July 12th 1916; dearly man by origin. loved sons of Mr and Mrs Hugh He was born Hamer, 4 Abernant Road (late of on 19th Tydraw Place), Abernant. October 1887 Far away from their home, and at Bishop’s their loved ones, Tawton, near Barnstaple. His father, Robert, was Laid to rest in far-away lands; a farm labourer and his mother No more shall our eyes there was Eliza. At the time of the behold them, census of 1911 Ernest’s parents No more shall we clasp their and his younger sister, Minnie, and dear hands, younger brother, William, were But in my lonely hours of sorrow, living at 7 Warren Cottage, They stand by my side, Saunton, Braunton, near And whisper ‘Dear Mother, Barnstaple.

50 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

At some stage before the First After Britain declared war on World War Ernest moved to Germany on 4th August 1914 South Wales and became a there was a call up of reservists policeman in the Swansea but also many men came forward Borough Force. At the time of the to volunteer for the armed forces, census of 1911, he was based at policemen among them. The Uplands Police Station where he Swansea Borough Police Watch lived as a lodger. Also there were Committee, at a special meeting, Sergeant David Francis Price and considered the position of 13 his wife, daughter and two sons policemen from the Force who together with PC’s William John wished to join up. One of those Beynon and Frank Edwin Lemon was Ernest. who were also lodgers. The issue which had arisen The Cambria Daily Leader of which caused the Committee 12th May 1914 refers to Ernest in concern was that, whilst police a report dealing with the officers who were called up as appearance of five boys, aged reservists were entitled to from 11 to 15, before the allowances, re-instatement at the Swansea Juvenile Court for playing end of their service and payment football in Coedsaeson-crescent: of gratuities in the event of injury, “P.C. Helson said the defendants these terms did not apply to were playing football at nine volunteers. o’clock at night, to the danger The Committee Chairman, and annoyance of the public. was, however, in no doubt about According to the statement of the matter as reported by the one of the parents, the boys did Cambria Daily Leader for 3rd not play full time, as they were September 1914: only kicking the ball about for “...he thought that they ought to eight minutes. take their courage in their hands Chairman (Mr. J.W. Jones): They and treat the men generously. say a policeman is never there They would get the support of when he is wanted. This the Corporation and the town.” policeman appeared just at the It was, therefore, unanimously right time, you see-Each agreed that the officers from the defendant was fined 1 shilling.” Borough Force who had

51 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

volunteered should, in all duty for their country. respects, be treated as if they (Applause).” were reservists. Amongst the officers referred The Cambria Daily Leader went to at the meeting was P.C. 26 on to state: Aubrey Alfred Smale who was “The Chairman expressed to the also to serve with 1st Battalion, men the high opinion that the Welsh Guards. He was to die of Watch Committee had of them wounds on 10th September 1916 in being anxious to fight for their (see below). country. He was sure by the look After enlisting Ernest joined of them they would give a very the Grenadier Guards as Private good account of themselves, and 19277. He undertook initial the committee only hoped that training at the Guards Depot at if they accepted the position Caterham in Surrey from where they would return with honours. he sent a postcard dated 20th The committee was proud of September 1914 to Police them. (Applause). Sergeant Rees at Uplands Police The Mayor said the Watch Station, Swansea. The photograph Committee and the council on it shows the entrance to the generally appreciated very much Depot and on it Ernest has the men’s sense of duty in written coming forward as volunteers in “This is the place where we are the hour of their country’s need, staying and where we do sentry and he was quite sure they were go. Looks fine doesn’t it.” a body of men who would give a good account of themselves. He On the reverse of the card hoped they would be successful, Ernest wrote: and that the committee would “Dear Sergt. Just a Pc as see them back again after the promised to let you know that war was over, and they had all the boys up here are in the settled matters to their best of health and getting on satisfaction. allright. We are in a place called P.C. Griffiths thanked the Watch Caterham about 20 miles from Committee on behalf of the men London, where we will have to for enabling them to do their remain for about 2 months hard

52 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

training before we will have a Grenadier Guards but, like many chance of going to the front. other Grenadiers, he transferred When we get through our to the Welsh Guards on its training here we shall be fit for formation in February 1915. He anything. We shall all be drill went with the Regiment’s 1st instructors by the time we come Battalion to France on 17th back. We boys have been very August 1915. Indeed, the History lucky since we have been here. of the Regiment in the First World We are all in the same squad War lists Ernest, by then Lance and living in the same room Sergeant 283, as one of the together. We have seen Green NCO’s of Number 4 Company, and Bynon in London. Saw Trevor who, along with the remainder of Griffiths last night. They are all the Battalion sailed from looking up fine. We have met Southampton on the SS Petersburg Bill Francis brother in law from and landed at Le Havre on Swansea. Remember me to the 18th August. boys home there.” Ernest would have taken part It appears that Ernest did not, in all the Battalion’s actions after in fact, go to the front with the that including their part in the

Ernest’s postcard to Sergeant Rees

53 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

fierce fighting during the Battle of constable in the Swansea Police Loos between September and Force, and was for some time October 1915. He was promoted stationed at the Uplands, where to Sergeant on 26th October. he was very popular. He had In July 1916 the Battalion was been at the front for many occupying lines near the canal months and had participated in some hot fighting, some of which bank at Ypres in Belgium. It was he described in a very interesting here, on the 18th, that Ernest letter which Mr. and Mrs. Price died of wounds as a result of received from him a week or so enemy shelling. ago.” The Battalion’s War Diary The North Devon Journal for indicates that on 16th July it had 21st September carried the suffered casualties from being following report: shelled by British artillery guns. However, the following day it was “SAUNTON SOLDIER DIES German shelling which caused FROM WOUNDS losses: During the past week Mr. and “Today we did considerable Mrs. Robert Helson of 6 Warren gunning again and we got shells Cottage, Saunton have received back (Bosch this time)...... the sad news that their second Casualties 1 killed. 6 wounded son, Sergeant Ernest R. Helson (2 at duty). Sergt Helson (Welsh Guards), died on July included in wounded but died 17th from wounds received in next day. A loss.” action in France. In a touching letter the Chaplain who buried On 22nd July the Cambria Daily him states that Sergeant Helson Leader reported that: succumbed to wounds in the “Ex-Police Sergeant Price and abdomen and chest. He was Mrs. Price of Rhyddings-terrace, buried in a military cemetery, Brynmill, received news on and a cross marks the grave. Friday stating that Sergt. E.R. The letter concludes-‘May Jesus Helson of the Welsh Guards, Christ, who died for you, comfort had died from shrapnel wounds you in your sorrow.’ Sergeant in France. Before he joined the Helson who was 28 years of age, Army, Sergt. Helson was a was for five years a member of

54 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Swansea Police Force, enlisting will soften the sad blow for you.’ in the army on the outbreak of In the Braunton district much War. In a letter to his father, the sympathy is expressed for Mr. Chief Constable of Swansea and Mrs, Helson in their says:-‘I hasten to express my bereavement.” deepest sympathy in your Ernest is buried at bereavement. Your son was a Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery most promising officer, one of near Ypres which was the site of the smartest and most many casualty clearing stations intelligent of the many recruits during the war. With 9901 serving in my Constabulary in Commonwealth burials it is the recent years, and up to the time second largest Commonwealth of the War breaking out I had cemetery in Belgium. looked upon him as one likely to earn early advancement in the Ernest is also remembered on Police services. I consider his the Memorial Plaque in Swansea early death a distinct loss to my Central Police Station. Constabulary. I trust that the Sadly, Ernest’s older brother, knowledge that your son died Jack, also died during the war. He whilst serving King and Country was killed in action on 21st March

Lijssenthoek Cemetery

55 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

1918 whilst serving as a Lance Trecynon, his father having by Bombardier with either the Royal then died. Also in the household Field Artillery or the Royal Horse were Edward’s two brothers and Artillery (the records vary). He three sisters along with a nephew left a widow, Elizabeth, and seven of Edward’s aged five. Two of children who lived in Edward’s sisters and one of his Pontrhydyfen near Port Talbot. brothers were elementary school The Cambria Daily Leader for teachers. Edward himself was 14th May 1918 reported that Jack: employed as coalminer/hewer. “...was killed in action at his gun Edward joined the Glamorgan in France. In a sympathetic Constabulary on 12th December letter to his widow, who is left 1914 and served at Sketty in with seven children, Capt. Swansea. He was in the Force for George Aines states that only a short time, however, since deceased was a most excellent he resigned on 12th March 1915 soldier, and his death was keenly to enlist in the army in Swansea. felt by the whole battery.” He joined the Welsh Guards which was formed in February 10TH SEPTEMBER 1915 and went with the 1st PC 576 EDWARD Battalion to France on 17th JOHN EDWARDS August 1915 landing at Le Havre the following day. He served with GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY the Battalion in its time on the PRIVATE 801 1ST BATTALION Western Front after that including WELSH GUARDS the Battle of Loos. Edward was born on 27th Edward was killed in action on December 1893 in Aberdare. He 10th September 1916 during the was the son of David Edwards Battalion’s action at Ginchy, as who was from Cardiganshire and part of the Battle of the Somme. was a coal miner and Margaret Esther Edwards from He was 22 years of age when he Pembrokeshire. He was educated died. at the St Fagan’s National School He has no known grave and is in Trecynon, Aberdare. At the commemorated on the Thiepval census of 1911 Edward was living Memorial and on the Glamorgan with his mother at 6 Clive Place, Police War Memorial.

56 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

10TH SEPTEMBER It was there that he enlisted in PC 117 HENRY the army and joined 1st Battalion, MORGAN JONES Welsh Guards on 10th May 1915. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY He went with the Battalion to PRIVATE 1380 1ST BATTALION France , landing at Le Havre on WELSH GUARDS 18th August 1915. Henry was from Cardiganshire Henry was killed in action at having been born at Aberystwyth Ginchy on the Somme on 10th on 10th September 1890. September 1916, his twenty sixth birthday. He joined the Glamorgan Constabulary on 18th November He is buried at London 1911, police records indicating Cemetery and Extension at that he had previously worked as Longueval on the Somme. It lies a farm servant. By the outbreak of immediately next to High Wood war in August 1914 he was a which was fought over fiercely constable in Bridgend. during the Battle of the Somme.

London Cemetery and Extension, Longueval

57 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

There are 3,873 burials from the widowed mother. He worked on First World War in the cemetery, the farm until he joined the 3,114 of which are unidentified. Glamorgan Constabulary in 1914 and at the outbreak of war he was Records held by the stationed at Maesteg as Constable Commonwealth War Graves 684. Commission indicate that Henry’s remains were initially amongst He joined the Welsh Guards as those that could not be identified Private 1189 on 17th April 1915 at and it was only subsequently that Bridgend and went with them to the necessary procedures were France in August 1915. He served satisfied enabling his headstone to with the Battalion during be inscribed appropriately. The subsequent actions on the records indicate that he was Western Front in France and survived by his mother, Mrs. Mary Belgium. Hughes of Tancoed, Llanfarian, In 1916 William was awarded Aberystwyth. the Military Medal for bravery. The History of the Welsh Guards Henry is also remembered on in the First World War states that the Glamorgan Police War on 9th July 1916, William along Memorial and the War Memorial with Private 758 Anthony at Llanfarian. Augustus West (formerly of the Glamorgan Constabulary stationed at Port Talbot) were 10TH SEPTEMBER presented with their Military PC 684 Medal ribbons by Major General WILLIAM JONES Feilding, General Officer GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY Commanding the Guards Division. PRIVATE 1189 1ST BATTALION They were also members of a WELSH GUARDS party, which included Lance Corporal 1245 Trott (PC 324 William Jones was born in Glamorgan), which represented Llangeler near Newcastle Emlyn in the Division at a parade in Paris on Carmarthenshire in 1891. The 14th July. family moved to live at Pencastell Farm in Cymmer, near Maesteg, The Glamorgan Gazette for following the re-marriage of his 4th August 1916 reproduced a

58 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

letter from a police colleague of Mortaldje on 1st July. It is also William’s, Private W.J. Thomas, noteworthy that General Feilding Welsh Guards: in presenting the medal ribbons congratulated the Battalion on “Our boys-the Welsh Guards- “their good work done at went over the top and were very Mortaldje.” successful. They gained the lines of trenches, and are still holding Whether William won his them. Several were killed and Military Medal as described by the wounded. P. C. William Jones, of Police Review or at Mortaldje, of Maesteg, went with an officer one thing there is no doubt and into the German trenches and that was his bravery. brought back two prisoners. The Sadly, on 10th September officer took his name and 1916, aged 25, William died of recommended him, and he now wounds presumably sustained wears the Military Medal during the action at Ginchy on the ribbon.” Somme. He was survived by his On the other hand, the Police mother, Mrs. Hannah Anthony. Review for 22nd September 1916 William was obviously highly reported that he had received it in thought of both as a police officer the following circumstances: and a soldier. In another report “...for carrying Lance Corporal E. after he had received the Military J. Taylor, Welsh Guards, who Medal the Glamorgan Gazette on was mortally wounded, across a 18th August 1916 gave this fire-swept zone into a place of description of William as a safety. They were comrades in policeman: the Police Force previous to “He was a smart, conscientious joining the Army.” officer, an out-and-out The details of Lance Corporal Welshman, and very popular Taylor have appeared earlier in with his colleagues in the force.” this booklet. He died on 8th May The History of the Welsh 1916 whereas it is likely that Guards in the First World War, in Private Thomas in his letter is one of its concluding chapters, referring to the action at reflects upon the bravery of many

59 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

members of the Regiment during 10TH SEPTEMBER the war. It then goes on to say this PC 57 about William: REGINALD LOVIS “While writing of gallantry we MERTHYR BOROUGH POLICE have the deeds of some men at PRIVATE 2013 1ST BATTALION Mortaldje always in our mind. It WELSH GUARDS was easy on this occasion to Reginald was born at describe, we will say, 1189 Pte. Tavistock in Devon W. Jones advancing alone with on 4th January only the flickering, shadow- 1889, the son of raising flare from Verey lights John Lovis, who dispersing the dark of a was from Devon, moonless night. We can see him and his wife, Sarah, stumbling along the strange who originated from trench, we can see the walls of Somerset. Reginald had an older earth on either side of him, his brother, also called John. bayonet flashing, the sharp turn Reginald was baptised in the in the trench and the jumping Parish of All Saints, Plymouth, on light throwing a shadow like a 15th February 1889. black wall from the angle of the By 1891 the family had moved turn. We appreciate the courage to live at Ball Court Lane in which led him through the Merthyr. They were still living shadow and round the turn in there at the time of the census of the trench. We realise that he 1901. Reginald’s father was then knew he might meet the enemy employed as a brickyard labourer at any moment, and was whilst John was an errand boy for deliberately seeking him-he was a newspaper office. a determined man looking for his By the time of the census of enemy.” 1911, Reginald had joined the William has no known grave Merthyr Borough Police and was and is commemorated on the living as the lodger of Sergeant Thiepval Memorial to the Missing William Lewis, and his wife, Mary, of the Somme and on the at 43 Taldwyn Terrace, Glamorgan Police War Memorial. Troedyrhiw. As we have seen

60 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

earlier, also lodging in the same being beaten. After hearing house was Thomas Voyle Morgan, evidence the magistrates found PC 68 of the Merthyr Police. the men guilty and fined them. (Merthyr Pioneer 3rd January Reginald married Nellie Davies at Merthyr in 1911. Nellie was 1914) from Merthyr and she and • A woman was charged with Reginald had a son, Norman, who the malicious wounding of was born in 1912. Sadly, Nellie another woman with a poker died in 1914 aged 23. causing wounds to her nose Prior to joining the army, and above her eye. Reginald Reginald was stationed at gave evidence of the assault. Gellifaelog, Dowlais and there are The charge was reduced to several reports in the press of common assault and the cases involving him as a police defendant was sent to prison officer before the local for two months ( Western Mail magistrates. The following are 29th April 1914) some of them: • A man was charged with • Three men were charged with stealing a duck. The owner assaulting Reginald in the said that he had ten ducks execution of his duty. He had which he had locked up safely been to a local lodging house on the Saturday night but the to speak to the manager and following morning one of them when he came out he was set was missing. The manager of a upon by the three men. In local lodging house gave giving evidence Reginald said evidence that the defendant that they had pushed him “brought the duck and put it on down and kicked him “like a the fire after having cooked football.” He had had to use some sausages. He (the his truncheon on one of the manager) took it off the fire and men. He suffered bruising in told him that “that kind of thing several places and was would not do.” Later Reginald fortunate that the manager of arrested the defendant whose the lodging house came to his response was that he had aid when he saw Reginald bought the duck. He was

61 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

found guilty and sent to prison 10TH SEPTEMBER for one month. ( Merthyr PC 77 ARTHUR Pioneer 5th September 1914). RICHMOND PERKINS • Reginald was assaulted on GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY another occasion. In this case PRIVATE 1246 1ST BATTALION he had arrested a man for WELSH GUARDS being drunk and disorderly in Arthur was Dowlais and as he attempted born at to take him to the police Abercanaid, station the man struck him Merthyr Tydfil, two violent blows to the chest on 15th and chin. Reginald had September assistance from a PC Pugh to 1889. He was take the man into custody. He the son of was fined for being drunk and John Perkins and Frances Kezia disorderly and for the assault Perkins (nee Rodman). His father on Reginald and was ordered was a police officer in the to pay costs. ( Merthyr Pioneer Glamorgan Constabulary who at 30th January 1915) one time was stationed at St. Nicholas in the Vale of Glamorgan Reginald left the Merthyr whilst his mother was a nurse and Police and on 2nd October 1915 the daughter of a police officer enlisted in the army at Merthyr, who also served in the Glamorgan joining 1st Battalion, Welsh Force, Inspector Charles Rodman Guards. He left for France on 9th of Dowlais. July 1916 and served with the Battalion until he was killed in At the time of the census of 1911 Arthur’s mother and his action at Ginchy on the Somme sisters, Frances Lilly, who was on 10th September 1916. He was older than him and who was an survived by Norman, then aged assistant nurse, and Florence four. Maybell who was younger than Reginald has no known grave Arthur, were living at Gwern y and is commemorated on the Steeple, Peterston-super-Ely, near Thiepval Memorial and on the Cardiff, Arthur’s father having by Merthyr Police Memorial Panel. then died.

62 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Arthur was educated at Western Front which included the Peterston School and Cardiff Battle of Loos between Intermediate School (later re- September and October 1915 named Cardiff High School). As a when it suffered severe casualties. young man he took up Arthur was a signaller in the employment on the railways, Prince of Wales’ Company of the joining the Great Western Railway Battalion and was killed in action Company in 1906. He remained on 10th September 1916 during with them until 1908 when he heavy fighting at Ginchy on the resigned. On 1st May 1909 he Somme when the Battalion again followed in the footsteps of his sustained heavy casualties. father and grandfather and became a police officer, joining the One of Arthur’s comrades Glamorgan Constabulary. At the wrote: time of the census of 1911 he was “The last time we were in action stationed at Port Talbot and also we caught it pretty hot, and lost served at Ton Pentre and all our officers, and five Maesteg. sergeants in my company were Arthur resigned from the killed; the rest of the company Glamorgan Constabulary on got a terrible knocking about. 11th December Perkins was with me 1914 and later when he met his became a clerk death; he was a in the Bradford brave man and one City Police. It who faced danger was in Bradford that he with a smile on his face. He enlisted in the army on 24th joined my platoon when we April 1915 and became marched into action, and on the Private 1246 in the 1st way he was smoking and Battalion of the Welsh laughing, and didn’t care a hang Guards, with whom he went about the shells that were flying to France on 17th August around; it was a treat to have 1915. such a man with me. When we got to our position we had to He served with the start digging a trench under Battalion in its actions on the machine-gun fire, and it was

63 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

while I was getting my platoon 10TH SEPTEMBER extended that Perkins got killed, PC 26 AUBREY five minutes after we took the ALFRED SMALE line.” SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE Arthur’s sergeant stated: SERGEANT 242 “He has been in my section 1ST BATTALION throughout the war and was WELSH GUARDS most respected by all who knew Aubrey was him. We feel that we have lost a from Swansea good comrade and a thoroughly having been good signaller, and he will always born at be remembered by us as a man Cockett in who could be relied upon to do 1888. He was his bit .” the son of Arthur was 26 when he was James Smale killed. He has no known grave and who originally came from Devon. is commemorated on the Thiepval His mother was called Emily and Memorial. The Commonwealth she was from Somerset. War Graves Commission records Aubrey was baptised at the him as the “only son of Frances Parish Church in Sketty, Swansea, Perkins of Peterston-super-Ely, on 4th March 1888. Cardiff....and the late Serjt Perkins.” In 1891 the family lived at the Arthur is not commemorated The Bryn in Sketty. As well as on the Glamorgan Police War James, Emily and Aubrey, also at Memorial presumably because he home were eight other children had left the Force to join the all of whom were older than Bradford City Police. It is, Aubrey: Richard, Emily, William, nevertheless, considered Mary, Arthur, Ada, Harold and appropriate that his sacrifice Beatrice. Aubrey’s father’s should be remembered and occupation was given as “Foreman included in this booklet. in Iron Stores.” By 1901 the family had moved to Castle Villa , off Gower Road in

64 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Sketty. At the time of the census Between 1911 and the of 1911, Aubrey’s mother was a outbreak of war Aubrey joined widow and along with Aubrey and the Swansea Borough Police. The two of his sisters they lived at 7 Cambria Daily Leader for 3rd De La Beche Road in Sketty. August 1914, the day before Aubrey’s mother was then 71 years of age and her occupation Britain declared war on Germany, was described as “certificated reported that Aubrey had been midwife” whilst Aubrey was involved in an event of a more employed as a gardener. local nature:

65 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

“At 3.0 a.m. on Sunday morning, actions on the Somme which is P.C. Smale was called to No. 6, where he died of wounds on 10th Picton Place, the residence of September 1916 at Ginchy. The Miss Musgrave, which was in Cambria Daily Leader for 19th flames. Fortunately, the house September reoported: was unoccupied, Miss Musgrave “Information has come to hand and all the household being that Sergt. Aubrey Smale, has away. There was a good supply been killed in action in France. of water, and with a hose the The son of Mrs. Smale, widow, of fire was got under by about Kimberley Road, Sketty, and 4 a.m.” brother of Mr. Richard Smale, of Aubrey enlisted in the Messrs. Jones and Smale, iron Grenadier Guards at Swansea on merchants, Quay Parade, 3rd September 1914 and on 4th Swansea. He was a former December the Cambria Daily member of the Swansea Leader carried a photograph of a Constabulary. Upon the group of Grenadier Guardsmen formation of a Welsh regiment, which included Aubrey and two he was transferred, and though other Swansea policemen, PC the military authorities wished Charles Gubb and PC Ernest to retain his services he insisted Elston (presumably Helson). Also on taking the place of a married in the photograph was another comrade, who had a wife and man from Swamsea, David Du four children, and was permitted Pree. All four transferred to the to substitute. The news was Welsh Guards when it was formed conveyed to Sergt. Smale’s in February 1915 but only PC widowed mother by the Rev. H. Gubb survived the war and he J. Stewart, Vicar of Sketty, who was wounded. on Sunday delivered an appealing address to his Aubrey had been Private congregation from the text, 19279 in the Grenadier Guards “Greater Love hath no man.” and his qualities were recognised by promotion, becoming a The Swansea Borough Police sergeant in the Welsh Guards. He Watch Committee at its meeting served with the 1st Battalion in its on 16th October 1916 received

66 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

notification of Aubrey’s death, the to pay tribute to those from the Committee noting that he was relevant locality who were serving single and “a most efficient police in the armed forces and especially officer.” The Committee also those who had made the ultimate resolved to refund to Aubrey’s sacrifice. Such shrines became mother the contribution paid places for the family, friends and into the superannuation fund of neighbours of the men to visit, to £7 6s 10d. place flowers, to reflect and to mourn. A memorial serrvice was held On 19th November 1916, at the Parish Church of St. Paul’s in there was a procession through Sketty, on Sunday, 29th October Sketty led by the Vicar which when Aubrey’s name was read out visited each of the four shrines along with the names of fifteen other men who had died on active which had been erected at Dillwyn service. There was a large Road, Tycoch Road, Kimberley congregation present to hear the Road and Sketty Avenue. (A fifth Vicar’s sermon and the reading of shrine was to be erected outside a lesson and the playing of St. Paul’s Church at a later date). appropriate music. The Cambria The shrines consisted of a Daily Leader reported that at the simple cross seven feet high, with a conclusion of the service: shelf for floral tributes and lists of “Two buglers sounded the “Last the names of the men who had Post” which was followed by two fallen and those who were serving minutes silent meditation, or had served their country. followed by the rendering of the Despite poor weather it was National Anthem. said that there were more than After the service the bells rang a 500 people present at the muffled peal.” dedications of the shrines with many more lining the route of the The following month a further procession. impressive act of remembrance took place in Sketty. During the 373 names were recorded on First World War the custom the shrines (including a Miss Ethel developed in many towns and Hodgens who was said to be the villages throughout Britain of only woman from Sketty on active creating street or roadside shrines service in France). Nineteen of

67 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

those listed had died. Aubrey’s 14TH SEPTEMBER name was one of those on the PC 634 FREDERICK Kimberley Road shrine. CHARLES LORD The South Wales Weekly Post GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY reported that during the LANCE CORPORAL 20673 proceedings: 4TH BATTALION “...... the Vicar stated they had GRENADIER GUARDS come together as a parish to Frederick was born in the dedicate those crosses or shrines Norfolk village of Brooke, for the use of Sketty as a whole. near Norwich on 10th July The cross was the emblem of 1891. His father, Henry their faith, and also indicated John Lord, was a that sacrifice had been made policeman in the Norfolk for someone. They had Constabulary and his placed the names of the mother was Maria. men in each district on Henry was from the cross, so as to have Hickling in Norfolk before their minds always whilst Maria had been the fact that a large number born in Fressingfield in of men had gone forth from Suffolk. the parish of Sketty to sacrifice all they loved best, Frederick was baptised even their lives, for the sake of at Brooke on 10th the men, women and children September 1893. living there. The shrines had In 1901, when that been placed in different year’s census was taken, the sections of the parish in order family lived in the police that they might never forget station in the Norfolk seaside them, and were dedicated town of Hunstanton where to the use of the parish Henry was serving as a until the war ended...” sergeant. In addition to Frederick Aubrey has no known grave and his parents, also in the and is commemorated on the household were Frederick’s older Thiepval Memorial and the brothers, Ebenezer and Ernest, Swansea Police Memorial Plaque. and his younger brother Alfred.

68 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

By the time of the census of September 1916. He was 25 years 1911, the family had moved to the of age and single. market town of Loddon, some 12 Frederick is buried at the miles from Norwich, where they Communal Cemetery Extension again lived in the police station. at Corbie near Amiens in Henry had by then achieved Northern France. There are 918 promotion to the rank of burials from the First World War superintendent. Also at home in the Extension, the majority were Ernest who was described arising from the Battle of the as an elementary teacher with Somme. Frederick is also Norfolk County Council, Alfred, remembered on the Glamorgan employed as a tailor’s apprentice, Police War Memorial and the and Frederick who was a Cowbridge War Memorial. gardener. Later in 1911, Frederick moved to South Wales and joined the Glamorgan Constabulary with whom he served until November 1914 when he left and enlisted in the army at Cardiff. Prior to doing so he had been stationed as a constable at Cowbridge. Frederick joined the Grenadier Guards and spent nearly a year on home service until he went to France on 5th October 1915. By this time he was a Lance Corporal having been promoted in April 1915. He served with the 4th Battalion of the regiment and it was whilst he was with them on the Somme that he died of wounds at the 5th Casualty Clearing Station on 14th The cemetery at Corbie where Frederick is buried

69 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

15TH SEPTEMBER the family was then living at 24 PC 629 GEORGE Plassey Street in Penarth by which ROBERT GUY time George had obtained GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY employment as an undertaker’s assistant whilst William was a PRIVATE 22592 butcher’s assistant and Beatrice 2ND BATTALION was working as a domestic servant. GRENADIER GUARDS Later that year George joined the George was Glamorgan Constabulary and was born in Penarth stationed at Tonypandy before he in 1890. His left the Force and enlisted in the father was also army at Cardiff on 30th January called George 1915. and his mother He served with the 2nd was Sarah Ann, Battalion, Grenadier Guards and both of whom joined the British Expeditionary had been born in Cardiff. Force in France on 6th November At the time of the census of 1915. On 15th September 1916 1891 the family lived at Salop Place during the Battle of the Somme, in Penarth. Along with George and the Guards Division, which his parents also in the household included 2nd Battalion, Grenadier were George’s older brothers Guards, advanced towards the David and William. George’s town of Lesbouefs. Due to heavy father’s occupation was described resistance by German forces the as “mariner.” attack faltered and the town was By 1901 and that year’s census not captured until 25th September. the family had moved to 24 Glebe It would appear that it was during Place in Penarth by which time it the fighting on 15th September had grown with the addition of that George was killed in action. George’s sisters, Beatrice and George was 26 years of age Agnes, then eight and four years of when he died and was single. He age respectively. David was now in has no known grave but is employment as a general haulier commemorated on the Thiepval whilst father George was Memorial, the Glamorgan Police employed as a boatman. War Memorial and the War 1911’s census recorded that Memorial at Penarth.

70 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

16TH SEPTEMBER August 1914. He was stationed at PC 270 JOHN FARLEY Penrhiwceiber. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY The Aberdare Leader of 19th LANCE CORPORAL 719 December 1914 reported that, in 1ST BATTALION proceedings before the local WELSH GUARDS magistrates, John had given evidence in cases of drunk and John, who was born on 1st disorderly and of illegal Sunday January 1893, trading. was an John resigned from the police Irishman from on 5th March 1915 in order that Kinsale in he could enlist in the army which County Cork. he did at Aberdare. He joined 1st His father, Battalion, Welsh Guards as Private Cornelius, was a fisherman whilst 719 and was subsequently his mother was Kate. Both were promoted to Lance Corporal. born in County Cork. He went with the Battalion to At the time of the census of France in August 1915 and was 1901 the family, which included serving with them during the John’s older sisters, Lizzie and Battle of the Somme when he was Annie and his youner brothers, killed in action on 16th September Bartholomew, Cornelius and 1916. Timothy, lived In Cork Street in Kinsale. He was 23 years of age and was single. The census of 1911 records the family as still living in Cork He has no known grave and is Street and there was another son, commemorated on the Thiepval William, then aged nine. John’s Memorial and the Glamorgan father had, however, by then died. Police War Memorial. Lizzie and Annie were both employed as lace makers, whilst John was a general labourer. John joined the Glamorgan Constabulary in the early days of the First World War, on 29th

71 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

16TH SEPTEMBER By 1901 and that year’s census PC HERBERT Herbert’s father had died and the JAMES FISHER family lived at 1 Cyfarthfa Street in CARDIFF CITY POLICE Roath, Cardiff. LANCE CORPORAL 1343 In February 1911 Herbert 1ST BATTALION joined the Cardiff City Police. The WELSH GUARDS census of that year shows him as Herbert was as living at the police station at from Cardiff Janet Street in Splott. Also living where he was there were Inspector William born in Price and his wife, who helped to November look after the station, their 1890. He was daughter and, in addition to the son of Herbert, PC’s Rees Davies, George Fisher William Keen, John Weeks and and his wife, Elizabeth. They came Frank Willis. The latter was to be from Poole in Dorset and Bath killed in action on 15th November respectively. 1914. At the time of the census of Herbert enlisted in the army at 1891 the family lived in the Cardiff on 29th April 1915 and Cathays area of Cardiff. Also there joined 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards in addition to Herbert and his and was subsequently promoted parents were Herbert’s brothers, to Lance Corporal. He went with Henry, George and Reginald and the Battalion to France in August his sisters Ada and Elizabeth all of 1915 and took part in the whom were older than Herbert. Regiment’s actions during the Herbert was baptised in St Battle of Loos the following Andrew’s Church in Cardiff in month a description of which is March 1892 when his father’s contained in a report in the South ocupation was recorded as Wales Echo : coachman. Subsequently Herbert “Letters from the front describe attended Marlborough Road how Lieut. E. G. Mawby, senior Primary School in the city. lieutenant of the Prince of Wales’ Company, 1st Welsh

72 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Guards, fell, and also mentions carry out the attack the Welsh Lance Corporal Herbert James Guards were there awaiting Fisher (Welsh Guards), who, for orders. five years, was in the Cardiff City Police, stationed at Canton. October 2nd: General French came round this morning, and it An officer writes under date is reported that he was very September 30th: ‘The Welsh pleased with the whole advance. Guards did spendidly. One artillery officer said he had never Col. W. Murray Threipland (O.C. before seen a regiment cross 1st Welsh Guards) writes that open ground under such a hail of ‘Lieut. Mawby and Lance shells, as if they were on parade, Corporal H.J. Fisher went and every German gun was forward in advance of the turned on us. The Grenadiers, platoon, and Lieut. Mawby Scots Guards, and ourselves caught his leg in a wire. There crossed the open ridge and down were two shots and Lieut. into the town, which was worst Mawby fell. After remaining with of all, as it was gassed and being his officer ten minutes and blown inside out. When we got through the village below the hill making certain life had gone, the we were ordered to do the corporal crawled back to the attack at once. The Battalion line.” did awfully well, but we lost five In September 1916 the officers killed. Battalion was in action during the October 1st: The General came Battle of the Somme and it round today and complimented appears that it was during its each company on what they had attack near Lesboeufs that done. He said the chief artillery Herbert was killed on the 16th. officers had spoken with He was 25 years of age and single. admiration of the way we had come down the slope into Loos. He has no known grave and is Just when the General was commemorated on the Thiepval getting anxious about having a Memorial and the Cardiff Police complete regiment together to War Memorial.

73 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

16TH SEPTEMBER August 1914 and served for only PC 526 eight months before resigning on AUGUSTUS HARRIS 9th April 1915 so that he could GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY enlist in the army. Prior to doing LANCE CORPORAL 1184 so he had been stationed in Barry 1ST BATTALION Dock. WELSH GUARDS In his short time as a Augustus was policeman he featured in reports born at Blaina in the Barry Dock News in cases in Monmouth- before the local magistrates. shire on 25th In its edition on 16th October November 1914 it described the case of a 1893, the son Territorial soldier who was of Thomas charged with being drunk and Harris and his wife, Elizabeth. disorderly and assaulting the Both his parents were from police: Monmouthshire, his father having “On the previous Saturday night, been born in Machen and his said Inspector R.H. Thomas, he, mother in Blaina. together with P.C. Augustus In 1911 the family was living in Harris, saw the prisoner in the village of Rudry near Merthyr Street, Barry Docks. He Caerphilly. Augustus and his father was under the influence of drink, were both employed in the and was quarreling with a tinplate industry, Augustus as a tin woman. The defendant refused plate catcher and his father as a to go away when requested, and tinplate roller. Also living at home had to be taken into custody. On were Augustus’ older sister the way to the police station he Beatrice who was employed as a bit witness on the hand and leg, dressmaker, and his younger sister and kicked the constable. ‘He and brother, May and Gwyn, both was like a madman,’ added of whom were at school. Inspector Thomas,’and was Augustus joined the kicking and biting all the way.’ Glamorgan Constabulary on 17th Defendant, who had been before

74 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

the Court on ten previous to go because he was inclined to occasions, said he was under the be a Russian. influence of drink at the time, Defendant was remanded in and could not remember custody...” anything about the offence”. Then in its edition for 2nd The magistrate, in passing April 1915, shortly before sentence, addressed the soldier: Augustus left the police to join the “ We are sorry to see you here. I army, it reported on a case of should have thought the uniform illegal street betting involving a you were wearing would have man named Phillips: made you respect youself. The “P.C. Frank Hall said he and P.C. assault was quite unprovoked. It Augustus Harris kept the is a great pity that the public defendant under observation in give drink to you soldiers. You Thompson Street, Barry Docks, will go to prison for a month on each charge, the sentences to on the previous Wednesday, run concurrently.” from 12.30 until 1.10 p.m., during which time he saw six In a case headlined “Inclined to men approach defendant, and be Russian” , the paper reported on hand slips of paper and what 26th March 1915: appeared to be money. Phillips “Carl Harleman, an Austrian, entered a telephone box in a was charged with landing at tobacconists’s shop, and it was Barry Docks from the steamship there that he was arrested. The St. Elmo. slips were found on the floor near him, and one in the P.C. Augustus Harris spoke to telephone box. When searched arresting defendant outside the at the police station, £3 18s, Shipping Office in Dock View was found in Phillips’ possession. Road that morning at 10.30. When charged, he made no P.C. Augustus Harris reply. corroborated. Accused said he had been The defendant said he was at previously arrested in France, one time in the employ of a local but in that country was allowed bookmaker, but was now

75 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

working regularly as a plater’s It was during the Battle of the helper at the docks. He denied Somme that Augustus was killed in the charge, stating that the slips action on 16th September 1916. which were found in his Initially he was posted as missing possession were his own but it was then accepted that he property, and contained the had died. He was 22 years of age names of horses which he when he died. intended ‘backing’ for himself He has no known grave and is and friends. commemorated on the Thiepval Defendant had made two Memorial and the Glamorgan previous visits to the court on Police War Memorial. similar charges, and he was now fined £10 including costs, or one 22ND SEPTEMBER months’ imprisonment.” PC 292 For Augustus such matters ARTHUR PUGH were soon to be overtaken by the GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY enormity of events in France. He PRIVATE 2528 enlisted on 10th April 1915, the 1ST BATTALION day after he resigned from the WELSH GUARDS police. He was posted to the 1st Arthur was Battalion of the recently formed from Brithdir, Welsh Guards and went initially to near the Guards Depot at Caterham. Dolgellau, in He then landed in France with North Wales. his Battalion in August 1915 and He was served with it during its born on 25th March 1894, the son subsequent actions on the of Hugh Pugh, who had also been Western Front until December born in Brithdir, and his wife, 1915 when he returned to Britain Ellen, who was originally from where he remained until July 1916 Llanarth in Cardiganshire. when he again went to France.The following month he In 1901 the family was living in was promoted to Lance Corporal. Llwyn yr Helm, Brithdir. At home

76 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

at the time of that year’s census, Welsh Guards joining them at the in addition to Arthur and his Guards Depot at Caterham in parents, were Arthur’s sister Surrey. He then remained on Blodwen and brother Llewelyn, home service until 9th August both of whom were older than 1916 when he went to France and Arthur, and his sister Morfudd, joined the Regiment’s 1st Battalion. who was yoinger than him. It was during the fighting at the At the census of 1911 the Battle of the Somme on 16th family was still living at Llwyn yr September 1916 that Arthur Helm. However, it appears that by received wounds to his head and then Arthur’s mother had died abdomen from which he died on and his father had married 22nd September at the Number 3 Catherine who came from Stationary Hospital at Rouen, Llanymawddwy, Merionethshire. Northern France . He had been in Arthur’s father’s occupation is France for a mere 45 days. given as farmer and stone mason whilst Arthur was employed as a A Dolgellau Welsh language farm labourer. newspaper Y Dydd (The Day) , carried the following report of Arthur left North Wales and Arthur’s death in its edition for apparently worked for a time at 13th October 1916: Blaenclydach in the Rhondda. On 20th February 1915 he joined the “....Ymunodd a’r fyddin ddiwedd Glamorgan Constabulary and was Ionawr 1916, a bu farw o’i stationed at Mountain Ash before glwyfau mewn ysbytty yn Ffrainc, Medi 22ain, ac efe yn he left for the army. It seems from 22 mlwydd oed. Cyn ymuno a’r records that he enlisted at fyddin yr oedd yn aelod o Heddlu Mountain Ash on 9th December Sir Forganwg, yn Mountain Ash, 1915 but did not resign from the lle yr oedd yn fawr ei barch gan police force until 21st January ei gyd swyddogion. Cyn ymuno 1916 with his enlistment in the a’r Heddlu gweithiai yn army becoming effective on 27th Blaenclydach, ac mae ei dad January. wedi derbyn lliaws o lythyrau Arthur was posted to the cydymdeimlad ag ef, ac yn talu

77 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

teyrnged o barch i’w fab fel dyn received numerous letters of ieuanc o gymeriad rhagorol. sympathy and paying tribute to Cynhaliwyd cyfarfod coffa his son as a young man of amdano yn nghapel yr excellent character. A memorial Annibynnwyr yn y Brithdir, nos service for him was held in the Fawrth”. Independent chapel at Brithdir “...He joined the army at the on Tuesday evening.” end of January 1916, and died of The same newspaper his wounds in hospital in France, contained the following 22nd September, at 22 years of appreciation for sympathy on age. Before joining the army he 20th October 1916: was a member of the Glamorgan Constabulary, in Mountain Ash, “Dymuna Mr. Hugh Pugh, where he was held in high regard Tynymyndd, Brithdir, a’r teulu by his fellow officers. Before gydnabod eu diolchgarwch i’r joining the police he worked in cyhoedd am y llu llythyrau, a’r Blaenclydach, and his father has geiriau caredig y mae wedi eu

St. Sever Cemetery

78 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

derbyn, yr hyn sydd wedi bod yn 25TH SEPTEMBER gymorth anrhaethol iddo i ddal PC 730 SIDNEY dan y brofedigaeth o golli ei fab AMBROSE PHELPS Arthur ym maes y frwydr yn GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY Ffrainc.” CORPORAL 1888 “Mr. Hugh Pugh, Tynymynydd, 1ST BATTALION Brithdir, and family would like to WELSH GUARDS convey their thanks to the public Sidney was for the many letters and kind born in words they have received, which Grangetown, have been of great support to Cardiff in him in his tribulation in losing 1892. He was his son Arthur on the battlefield the son of in France.” Charles Arthur is buried at the St. Morgan Phelps Sever Cemetery in Rouen. During who had been born in Newport, the First World War there were Monmouthshire. He was a Police fifteen hospitals in the area and Constable in the Cardiff City the majority of those who died in Police. Sidney’s mother was them are buried in this cemetey Elizabeth who had also been born which contains 3,082 in Newport. Commonwealth burials from the Sidney was part of a large War. family, being one of fourteen Arthur is also commemorated children. According to the on the War Memorial at Dolgellau censuses of 1891, 1901 and 1911 and on the Glamorgan Police War the family had lived at various Memorial. addresses in the Canton/Grangetown areas of Cardiff: Allerton Street in 1891, Clare Road in 1901 and King’s Road in 1911. Sidney, along with his brothers, Percy and Harry, and his sister, Getrude, were baptised on 12th

79 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

January 1899 at St. Barnabas’ “PHELPS:-S. A. Phelps, Welsh Church in Grangeown. Guards, aged 23, dearly-loved In 1911 Sidney was working as son of the late C. M Phelps, City a shop assistant, according to the Police, and Mrs. E. Phelps, 153, census of that year. In November King’s Road, Canton, Cardiff. 1912, however, he joined the Could we have raised his dying Glamorgan Constabulary and in head, the period before the First World Or heard his last farewell” War he was stationed at Gorseinon and Gowerton near Swansea. Sidney has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval After the outbreak of war Sidney enlisted in the army at Memorial and the Glamorgan Swansea on 5th August 1915 and Police War Memorial. joined 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards Sadly, Mrs. Phelps’ grief was to and was susequently promoted to be renewed before the war’s end. Corporal. It was whilst serving Sidney’s brother, Harry, was killed with them during the Battle of the in action on 22nd April 1918 whilst Somme that he was killed in action serving as Private 54497 with the on 25th September 1916. 16th Battalion of the Royal Welsh He was 23 years of age and Fusiliers during renewed fighting in single when he died. A newspaper the Somme area at that time. He report of his death stated: was 22 years of age. He is buried “He has four brothers in the at Bouzincourt Communal Army, two others who have Cemetery Extension, near Albert. attested, another employed in During 1918 it was used largely for munition works, and a sister who the burial of men from the 38th is a nurse. His brothers in the (Welsh) Division. There are a total Army are: Sapper W.H. Phelps, of 589 First R.E., Private James Phelps, Welsh World War Regiment, Corporal Henry casualties Phelps, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, buried in the and Private J. Phelps, R.A.M.C” cemetery. The Western Mail of 13th October 1916 carried the Private following notice: Harry Phelps

80 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

8TH DECEMBER Those in employment at that PC 132 JACK time were William (father), coal RANDALL BIRCH miner/hewer below ground, SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE William (brother), coal LANCE SERGEANT 243, miner/loader below ground, 1ST BATTALION Harry, coal miner labourer/below WELSH GUARDS ground, Joseph, coal miner/driver below ground and Jacob, at 14 Jack was years of age, a coal miner/belt boy originally from above ground. Staffordshire having been By 1911 Jack had moved to born in Ogley Swansea and joined the Borough’s Hay in Police Force since the census of Brownhills that year records him as being at which lies near the Central Police Station along Walsall and Lichfield, in 1890. with a number of other police (“Soldiers Died in the Great War” officers including Frank Coffey and gives his place of birth as Patrick Shea, both of whom were “Swansea”. However, the census to die as a result of the War, and of 1911-referred to below-gives it Charles Gubb who was also to as “Staffs Ogleyhay”). serve with Jack in the army in due course. At the census of 1901 the family lived in Silver Street in Jack enlisted in the army at Brownhills. In the household, in Swansea on 4th September 1914, addition to Jack, were his father, initially joining the Grenadier William, who had been born in Guards as Private 19282, but then Oldbury, Staffordshire, and his transferred to the 1st Battalion, mother, Priscilla, who was Welsh Guards after the formation originally from Bilston in of that regiment in February 1915. Staffordshire. Also there were He was eventually promoted, Jack’s older sister, Elizabeth, and becoming a Lance Sergeant. his older brothers, William, Harry, By December 1916 the Joseph, and Jacob and his younger Battalion was near Montauban on brother, James. the Somme in the area of

81 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

Maltzhorn Camp and Bronfay like in the area. It encapsulates the Camp, the troops spending three image which has remained over days and nights at a time in the the years of what the Somme front line. The History of the battlefront was like : Welsh Guards in the war “The French had started to describes what conditions were make a good line, with deep

Standing: Jack Birch (left) and Ernest Helson (right) Seated: Aubrey Smale (left) and Charles Gubb (right)

82 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

trenches and good kitchen was established by communication, and when first Sidney Jones, the padre, at taken over in frosty weather it Combles, and another at the was easy to get about; but railway siding, and they were before anything in the way of great blessings. But the men revetting could be done a thaw arrived at Bromfay Camp wet to set in and rain. The trenches fell the skin.” to pieces, subsided within an And so it was in such hour. The whole country became conditions that Jack was serving a swamp, and from Haie Wood, with the Prince of Wales between Combles and Morval, Company of the Battalion when to the line, a distance of two he died. The records show that and a half miles, each step this occurred on 8th December forward was an effort. 1916 when he was killed in action. Everything possible was done to However it is possible that it was limit the traffic to the line- on the night of the 7th and into rations for the whole period the 8th since the Battalion’s War were carried in by the relieving Diary in its entry for 7th troops-but the absolutely December refers to the Prince of necessary traffic cut the soft Wales Company as follows: muddy ground until men sank up to their knees in the puddled “PoW got 2 shells coming stuff. There was only one line up...into the line. Killed Sergt along which anyone could move, Birch and wounding several and the track became wider and others” wider; but to leave the track On 8th January 1917 the altogether, especially as relief Cambria Daily Leader reported on could only be done at night, Jack’s death together with a meant a danger of getting lost in photograph of him and his that bare, treeless country, with colleages from the Swansea the even skyline. The march “in” Borough Police who had joined was exhausting; much more so the army and served in the Welsh the march “out”, after three Guards. They were Ernest days in the mud without shelter Helson,who died of wounds, of any sort or kind. A soup Aubrey Smale, who also died of

83 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

wounds, and Charles Gubb who their country. Sergt. Birch was a was wounded and was the only well known and popular member one of the four to survive the War. of the force, and was much admired for his athletic abilities. In relation to Jack the report News of the death was officially stated: received by his brother, Hy. “ Sergt. Jack Birch, who was Birch, of the Newport Police killed in December, had been for Force, who says that of five six years a constable in the brothers, all are in the Swansea Police Force, and had Constabulary of this country.” been stationed at St. Thomas for Jack was 26 years of age when almost three years. The he died and single. He is buried at photograph is one taken before Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery , the four ‘pals’ (all members of Bray-sur-Somme. It contains 537 the Swansea Police Force) left burials and commemorations of for France with the Welsh the First World War. Jack is also Guards. By this time three out of commemorated on the Swansea the four have given their lives for Police War Memorial Plaque.

Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery

84 THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 6

100 years on : The Memorial at Mametz Wood following the Welsh National Service of Remembrance held on 7th July 2016

85 HEDDLU DE CYMRU • SOUTH WALES POLICE THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY 19 14-19 18 201 4-2018

South Wales Police is including photographs, currently gathering letters and newspaper information about the coverage from that time many police officers from will be shared online and our predecessor forces of on Facebook. Glamorgan, Swansea, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath and To make a contribution Cardiff who served in the please email: armed forces during the policemuseum@ First World War. south-wales.pnn.police.uk

We want to ensure we 6

FIRST WORLD WAR 1 9 1

uncover as much / 4

PROJECT GROUP 3 0 2

information as possible : f

Gareth Madge (Chair), e R about our proud t n i

Danny Richards, Robin r P

history, and the many . t n men who served both Mellor, Peter Wright, e m t r Paul Wood, Daryl Fahey, a the force and their country p e D

to ensure they Allison Tennant, Coral t n i r P

are never forgotten. Cole, Alan Fry together e c i l o P

All the stories and with Philip Davies of the s e l a

information collected, Western Front Association. W

h t u o S

y b

d e t n i r P

d n a

d e n

www.south-wales.police.uk g i s

www.southwalespolicemuseum.org.uk e D LED BY IWM

LEARN • ENGA8G6 E • REMEMBER