HEDDLU DE CYMRU • SOUTH WALES POLICE THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY 1914-1918 2014-2018 1918

LED BY IWM LEST WE FORGET REMEMBERED WITH PRIDE IN 2018 THOSE WHO DIED IN 1918 & 1919

LEARN • ENGAGE1 • REMEMBER THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 1918

First World War embroidered silk postcards THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 1918

INTRODUCTION

This year marks the centenary of There are twenty of them in all. the Armistice between the Allies The inclusion of those from 1919 and Germany which brought the reminds us that the suffering didn’t First World War to an end. end with the signing of the It was a terrible war which cost Armistice on 11th November 1918. the lives of millions of people. It tore Men were still dying of the effects of Europe apart and left a legacy which the war long after its conclusion. led to another world war just over However, we also pay tribute to twenty years later. Its effect can still those recognised for their bravery be seen in the Middle East today. during the same period-nine of Hundreds of policemen from our them are recorded in this booklet. predecessor forces of Glamorgan, We note, in particular, the actions of Cardiff, Swansea, Merthyr and Ernest Rollings whose raid on a Neath served in the armed forces German Corps Headquarters at during the war. Ninety three of Framerville in France when he them died. Many more were recovered secret German wounded, some of them seriously. documents led, it was later said, to South Wales Police’s the war concluding earlier than it contribution to the commemoration would otherwise have done, thus of the centenary of the war was to potentially saving hundreds of establish a project to research the thousands of lives. lives of those who died and those Ernest’s exploits won him fame who were recognised for their and fortune in the 1930’s but we gallantry. Each year since 2014 we are equally proud of the endeavours have produced a booklet with the of all those who served. We hope results of that research. very much that our project and the This year’s booklet, the last in booklets which have been produced our series, gives details of those are a fitting and lasting record of the who died during 1918 and 1919. sacrifices they made. WE REMEMBER THEM ALL WITH PRIDE. YN ANGOF NI CHANT FOD.

Matt Jukes QPM Chief Constable, South Wales Police

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REFLECTIONS

As the Chief Constable has Mametz Wood on the Somme and indicated in his introduction, we at the Third Battle of Ypres. A have now reached the concluding number of Glamorgan policemen booklet in our series were with it from the outset and commemorating the First World we remember Fred Smith, a War. It is, therefore, an Glamorgan Police inspector who appropriate time for reflection. became the Battalion’s The war posed tremendous commanding officer prior to challenges for the police service. It Mametz Wood, and the Welsh was the first time that the country rugby international, Dick Thomas, had been mobilised for armed who was killed in action there on conflict on such a scale. The police 7th July 1916. forces of Glamorgan, Cardiff, Policemen were also Swansea, Merthyr and Neath, prominent in the Welsh Guards small by today’s standards, had to from the time of its formation in cope with carrying out a host of 1915 through to the end of the additional duties to ensure the war. Many of them displayed security of the home front whilst leadership qualities and became at the same time their resources non-commissioned officers. were severely depleted as Others received medals for their policemen left to join the armed bravery. forces. Our project has, since 2014, There is no doubt that they sought to tell the stories of those who died and those recognised for formed an important element in their gallantry. Ninety three recruiting as they came from policemen died-sixty one from disciplined organisations and many Glamorgan, sixteen from Cardiff, of them were, of course, pre-war ten from Swansea and six from reservists who were called up on Merthyr. Most of them are the outbreak of war. remembered on the Glamorgan Their contribution to the army Police War Memorial at Police in Wales can be seen, for example, Headquarters in Bridgend and on in the 16th (Cardiff City) Battalion memorials at the Cardiff Bay, which fought with distinction on Swansea Central and Merthyr the Western Front including at Police Stations. During our

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research we identified a further of this booklet, Dr. Jonathan Hicks, three former policemen who are Mr. Gwyn Prescott, Mrs Rhian not recorded on the Glamorgan Diggins of Glamorgan Archives, the Memorial but who we have, South Wales Police Printing nevertheless, remembered. Eighty Department (especially Mr. Ian eight of those who died have also Oakley and Mr. Peter Williams) and now been commemorated by the many relatives of those policemen placing of wreaths on memorials, referred to in our booklets. It’s or crosses on graves, in Wales, been a privilege to meet and England, France and Belgium. correspond with them. We are There were those as well who particularly grateful for their were wounded and survived the assistance in providing photographs and other material. We have war, sometimes, despite their acknowledged their contribution in injuries, returning to police duties. previous booklets and this year we In this respect it is worth are particularly grateful to Mr. Len remembering PC Richard Shurey for material in relation to Lawrence of the Glamorgan Edward Shurey. Constabulary. He had served in the Grenadier Guards before the war For me, being involved in this project has been a most rewarding and was recalled to the army as a experience. Each year at the South reservist in August 1914. He was Wales Police Remembrance severely wounded in the head Service I have read out the names during the early battles of the war of those who died during the resulting in the loss of an eye. relevant year of the war. It is a very Nevertheless, in February 1915, poignant moment. The visits made with the support of the Chief to the battlefields of the Western Constable and the Police Front and to other places to Committee, he re-joined the force remember the fallen have also and resumed his policing duties. been most memorable. My thanks As we bring our project to a for their support go to those who close it’s appropriate to thank a have accompanied me: Paul Wood, number of people for their David Francis, Michael Lewis, John support. They include the Knight, and Alan Fry. Without them members of the Project Group the visits would not have been whose names appear on the cover accomplished so successfully.

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As in previous years two version, in printed form, both of versions of this booklet are being which are also available in Welsh. produced: one as an electronic We hope that the work we copy accessible via the following have undertaken throughout the links: www.peoplescollection.wales/ project will provide a lasting users/9665 and www.south- legacy which will be of interest for wales.police.uk/en/about- many years to come. us/heritage-centre/great-war- Gareth Madge OBE centenary/, and another, shorter Chair, First World War Project Group

13th April 2018, St Edeyrn’s Church, Llanedeyrn, Cardiff: South Wales Police and the Welsh Guards remember PC 319 William Jones Thomas of the Glamorgan Constabulary (Private 1333 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards) who died on 13th April 1917 following active service on the Western Front.

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1918 -1919 A SUMMARY 1918 1ST APRIL 6TH FEBRUARY The Royal Flying Corps and Royal Naval Air Service are The Representation brought together to of the People Act form the Royal Air Force. grants the vote to women over the age of 30 who 18TH APRIL meet a property Military conscription in Britain qualification. The Act also gives is extended to cover most men the vote to all men over 21. aged between 18 and 51. 3RD MARCH 10TH MAY Russia signs a peace treaty with PC 530 Charles Llewellyn James Germany. of the Glamorgan Constabulary is 21ST MARCH killed in action during an attack on Aveluy Wood in the Somme area. Germany launches its Spring Offensive. 25TH MAY 25TH MARCH PC 558 Edward Findlay of the Glamorgan Constabulary is killed PC 51 John Pope of the in action near Forceville on the Glamorgan Constabulary is killed Somme. in action near St. Quentin in France. 11TH JUNE 26TH MARCH PC 223 George Wilfred Lloyd of the Glamorgan Constabulary is PC 732 William Henry Radbourne killed in action near Bethune in of the Glamorgan Constabulary France. dies of wounds sustained in action near St. Quentin. 15TH JUNE 28TH MARCH In Italy the Second Battle of the Piave River begins and ultimately Ex PC 118 Thomas Churches of leads to the destruction of the the Glamorgan Constabulary is Austro-Hungarian army and the killed in action near Arras in collapse of their empire. France.

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4TH JULY following an accident during bombing practice in Ireland. PC 257 Albert John Channing of the Glamorgan Constabulary dies 21ST JULY of pneumonia whilst on active PC 696 Sidney Walter Williams of service in France. the Glamorgan Constabulary dies 15TH JULY of wounds whilst on active service in France. The Second Battle of the Marne begins with a German offensive 8TH AUGUST which is resisted by Allied forces The start of the Battle of Amiens. and by its end the German army Thousands of German troops suffers huge losses. surrender as Allied forces make substantial gains in territory. It is 18TH JULY the beginning of the end for PC 616 Edward Shurey of the German forces-the final “Hundred Glamorgan Constabulary dies Days” of the War.

British armoured cars near Amiens, 8th August 1918

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Striking London policemen

30TH AUGUST 19TH SEPTEMBER Police in London go on strike PC 692 Frederick George Smith of because of poor pay and the Glamorgan Constabulary is conditions. The dispute is resolved killed in action during the Battle of the following day following the Doiran in Greece. personal intervention of Prime 20TH SEPTEMBER Minister David Lloyd George. PC 617 Ernest Thomas Jones of 4TH SEPTEMBER the Glamorgan Constabulary is PC 52 Richard William Brown of killed in action near Ronssoy in the Glamorgan Constabulary is France. killed in action near the Canal du 27TH SEPTEMBER Nord in France. An Allied offensive leads to the 15TH SEPTEMBER breaching of the German defensive PC 150 Joseph Inman of the structure, the Hindenburg Line, Swansea Borough Police is killed in along the Canal du Nord and the action near the Canal du Nord. St Quentin Canal.

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PC 80 Edwin Samuel Brown of 21ST OCTOBER the Cardiff City Police is killed in PC 46 Albert Hollyman of the action during the Battle of the Cardiff City Police dies of Canal du Nord. pneumonia at Etaples in France 1ST OCTOBER whilst on active service British and Arab forces take 30TH OCTOBER Damascus. Turkish forces in Mesopotamia 4TH OCTOBER surrender to the British. Turkey signs an armistice with the Allies. German and Austrian peace proposals are sent to the 3RD NOVEMBER Americans. Austria-Hungary signs an armistice 8TH OCTOBER with the Allies. The German army is driven back 9TH NOVEMBER by the Allies along a twenty mile The German Kaiser, Wilhelm II, front between St. Quentin and abdicates and flees to Holland. Cambrai. The latter is captured along with Le Cateau. 10,000 11TH NOVEMBER German troops are taken Germany signs an armistice with prisoner. the Allies. All fighting is to cease at 14TH OCTOBER 11am that day. PC 144 William James Rapsey of PC 324 Frank Trott of the the Swansea Borough Police is Glamorgan Constabulary dies of killed in action near Ypres in pneumonia at Porthcawl following Belgium. active service in France. 17TH OCTOBER 14TH DECEMBER Lille and Douai are liberated by British General Election in which the British. Ostend is retaken by the Coaltion Government is Belgian forces as is Zeebrugge the returned to power with David following day. The whole of the Lloyd George continuing as Prime Channel coast in the west of Minister. Flanders is liberated.

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1919 10TH MAY 6TH JANUARY PC 121 Patrick Shea of the Swansea Borough Police dies at PC Henry James Porter of the Swansea of tuberculosis Cardiff City Police dies of contracted during his war service. pneumonia at Brighton following 28TH JUNE active service in France. The Peace Treaty between the 12TH JANUARY Allied Powers and Germany is The Paris Peace Conference signed at the Palace of Versailles, begins. near Paris. 10TH MARCH 19TH JULY PC 679 Henry George Evans of Peace Day: celebrations are held the Glamorgan Constabulary dies throughout Britain to mark the of pneumonia at Southampton end of the war including a Victory following active service in France. Parade in London.

The Peace Treaty is signed at the Palace of Versailles

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1918 -1919 GALLANTRY AWARDS

In our booklet for 1917, we These are the ones for which, remembered those who, in that generally, the most information is year, had been recognised for their available although it must be noted bravery and devotion to duty and that the awards of the Military we do the same in this booklet for Medal were usually simply listed in those recognised in 1918 and also the official Government those whose awards were not publications, The London Gazette made until the following year. and The Edinburgh Gazette, without Whilst there were several any detailed citations. categories of recognition for What follows is the best that bravery and service during the we have been able to achieve War, we have limited what appears through our researches but we below to the awards of the Military hope that it will be a useful Cross, the Distinguished Conduct contribution to remembering the Medal and the Military Medal. bravery of those referred to.

MILITARY CROSS DISTINGUISHED MILITARY MEDAL (MC) CONDUCT MEDAL (MM) This was instituted in (DCM) This was instituted in 1914 and awarded to This was instituted in March 1916 and was warrant officers and junior 1854 as a result of the awarded to non officer commissioned officers many acts of bravery ranks of the Army “for of the Army for during the Crimean War bravery in the field”. One “gallant and distinguished and was effectively the of the first two recipients service in action.” first British gallantry of the medal in April 1916 award. It was awarded (backdated to 1914) was to non officer ranks of PC Frederick William the Army. Mallin of the Glamorgan Constabulary (see the South Wales Police booklet for 1916).

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THE RECIPIENTS ERNEST JAMES The family moved, in due ROLLINGS course, to Knighton where Ernest PC 597 attended school. At the time of GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY the census of 1901 Ernest, his LIEUTENANT parents, and his younger sister, 17TH (ARMOURED CAR) Mabel Evelyn, were living in BATTALION, TANK CORPS Canton in Cardiff where Ernest’s father was a policeman with the MILITARY CROSS City Police. Later Ernest worked as a messenger boy in Knighton and at the time of the census of 1911 he was living in lodgings in Abertillery being then employed as a porter with the Great Western Railway. On 28th July 1913, aged 19, Ernest joined the Glamorgan Constabulary and was serving at Caerau, near Maesteg, at the outbreak of the war. Ernest was released from the police so that he could join the army and he enlisted on 11th November 1914. Ernest was born on 15th He was posted as a Trooper to September 1893 in Hereford. He the 2nd Reserve Cavalry Regiment was the son of Ernest Thomas for basic training before he was to Rollings, who was from Heyop join the 2nd Dragoon Guards (the near Knighton in Radnorshire, and Queen’s Bays). He later said that Emma Rollings (nee Gittings) who he wanted to be in the cavalry was also from Radnorshire having because he thought he might been born in Womaston, near become a mounted policeman Presteigne. after the war. In the event he did

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Glamorgan Policemen armed in readiness for wartime emergencies. Ernest is pictured third from the right in the second row. not go on active service with the 5th October 1916. 2nd Dragoon Guards, which had On 31st January 1917 he was been in France since the start of appointed to a temporary the war, but remained in England until 5th June 1915 when he commission as a Second transferred to the King’s Own Lieutenant in the Machine Gun Yorkshire Light Infantry. Corps (Heavy Branch) which became the Tank Corps in July Ernest went to France on 27th 1917. July 1915 with the 2nd Battalion of the regiment as Private 23336 and He served with its C (later was appointed Lance Corporal on called 3rd) Battalion and took part 25th September 1915. in the Third Battle of Ypres which In May 1916 Ernest began in July 1917. As referred to successfully applied for a in our booklet for 1917, Ernest commission and joined the was awarded the Military Cross Number 5 Officer Cadet Battalion for his actions in August during the at Trinity College, Cambridge on Battle. The citation for it was:

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“For conspicuous gallantry and duties, he went back to assist a devotion to duty. He commanded seriously wounded officer and his tanks in difficult ground and several men who were still under under heavy shell fire with the heavy shell fire.” greatest courage and In November 1917 he took perseverance, helping them out part in the massed tank action of many difficulties and keeping during the Battle of Cambrai. them in action by his splendid personal energy and fearlessness. In January 1918 Ernest After he had completed his returned to England to join the

Ernest the young cavalryman

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17th Battalion of the Tank Corps which was originally to be issued with tanks but in the event received Austin armoured cars. The Battalion moved to France and spent the month of May in training and then operated with French forces before it became part of General Sir Henry Rawlinson’s Fourth Army. Ernest was promoted to Lieutenant on 31st July 1918 and on 8th August led his section of armoured cars in raids in support of Australian forces on the first day of the Battle of Amiens. This was the battle which was the start of “The Hundred Days” which ultimately led to the defeat of the German army. “I entered the building revolver in hand, wondering what sort of One action during 8th August was, after the war, to bring Ernest greeting I would receive. To my great fame. During a raid on the relief there was no sign of life… village of Framerville, near Amiens, .On entering the room I saw lots Ernest entered a German Corps of papers, maps and office Headquarters and took possession equipment. I collected all I could of secret maps, plans and other in the way of documents and documents which he later took maps and handed them to the back and handed over to senior men in the car outside who officers. packed them in sandbags… After the war, Ernest described Before leaving I did fix the what happened: Australian flag over the

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headquarters….48 hours later killing many of them and the flag was still flying.” stampeding a quantity of transport. He sent back reports For his actions that day Ernest of great value, and finally was awarded a second Military extricated and brought back his Cross, the citation for which cars without a casualty.” appeared in the London Gazette on 2nd December 1918: However, Ernest was not to remain in France for much longer “For conspicuous gallantry in since at 9.30am on 21st August he command of a section of sustained serious wounds to his armoured cars during an attack. head and back in action at Achiet- He took his section across the Le-Petit. He was taken to number shelled area with skill and 3 Casualty Clearing Station and the courage, and penetrated a village Red Cross Hospital at Boulogne strongly held by the enemy, before being evacuated to England.

Ernest marching immediately in front of the tank on the left in front of the Cenotaph during the Victory Parade on 19th July 1919

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Ernest was treated at the 2nd On 8th November 1931 the Western General Hospital in Sunday Express revealed what had Manchester and later convalesced happened during the Framerville at the St John’s Auxiliary Hospital raid which it was said had at Llandaff in Cardiff. hastened the end of the war. An He spent several months appeal was made for information recovering from his injuries and in as to “The Man Who Ended the 1919 returned to the 17th War.” Battalion which was then in A week later, on 15th Ireland during the time of the November, the Sunday Express unrest there. revealed that Ernest had been Ernest had the honour of identified as the man after a taking part in the Victory Parade in former fellow officer, a Lieutenant London to mark the end of the Yeomans, had come forward with war which was held on 19th July the necessary information which 1919 when he led a column of was verified by the commanding tanks. officer of the 17th Battalion at the He was released from military time of the raid, Lieutenant service on 13th January 1920 and Colonel E.J. Carter. subsequently re-joined the Lady Houston, the wealthy Glamorgan Constabulary serving widow of a shipping magnate, at Ystalyfera and Gwaun-cae- announced that she was making a Gurwen in the Swansea Valley. gift of £5000 to Ernest. He was stationed at Briton A ceremony took place at the Ferry near Neath when, in Empire Cinema in Neath on 20th November 1922, it became part November when Ernest was of the Borough of Neath as a presented with the cheque for result of changes to local £5000. government boundaries and Ernest then transferred to the Further recognition followed Borough police force. He was on 20th January 1932 when Ernest promoted to sergeant and Chief was made an Honorary Freeman Clerk to the Chief Constable in of the Borough of Neath and was 1926. presented with a scroll and a silver

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Sunday Express 22nd November 1931

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casket. A dinner was also held in His bravery continues to be his honour by the Chief Constable recognised. South Wales Police of Neath and his police colleagues was proud to be able to mount an when an illuminated address was exhibition at the Firing Line presented to him. Ernest also had Museum in Cardiff Castle during further promotion in the Neath 2017 and 2018. In conjunction Police, becoming an Inspector in with the exhibition his story was October 1937. He was acting also featured by the Sunday Chief Constable of the Borough Express in its edition for when he retired in 1943. Remembrance Sunday 2017 and subsequently by the Western Mail. Following his retirement he became an investigator with the He has also formed part of the Board of Trade for six years coverage of ITV Wales of the before finally retiring in 1949. centenary of the First World War. After the Second World War The South Wales Police he was attached to the Glamorgan Heritage Centre is privileged to Home Guard when that hold many items relating to Ernest organisation was re-activated including his medal set and during the Cold War and held the Freedom casket and scroll. rank of Major when it was finally The policeman from Neath, stood down in 1957. who was described in a Ernest died at Neath on 3rd newspaper report following his February 1966 aged 72. His death as “always quiet and funeral was well attended unassuming, but respected by police officers and by all who knew him”, local dignitaries deserves to be and there was a remembered. police bearer party.

The casket containing the scroll for the Freedom of the Borough of Neath

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THOMAS BEALE sergeant instructor in the Welsh PC 82 Regiment at Kinmel Park, North GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY Wales, and was ultimately CAPTAIN, 1/6TH BATTALION, granted an officer’s cadetship. He NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE has now been gazetted to the REGIMENT North Staffordshire Regiment.” MILITARY CROSS As referred to in the above report, Thomas’s brother, David, Thomas was born on 21st March had died whilst serving with the 1st 1891 (or 1892, as the records Battalion, Welsh Guards on 25th vary). He was the son of David and July 1916. He is buried at the Martha Beale of Wick in the Vale of Brandhoek Military Cemetery in Glamorgan. Prior to the First Belgium. The Glamorgan Gazette World War he worked in farming for 16th August 1916 had given the before joining the Glamorgan following details of David’s death: Constabulary in 1911. “We regret to have to record the During the war he was death in action of Pte. David R. commissioned as an officer as the Beale, aged 21 years, Glamorgan Gazette reported on 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards. Pte. 27th April 1917: Beale was the son of Mr. and “Commission for Wick Man-On Mrs. David Beale, Wick. He the wall of Wick School is a list of joined the Welsh Guards on the thirty nine old scholars of Mr. formation of the regiment. He Kibblewhite who have joined had been very lucky up to the H.M. Forces. One of them (Pte. date of his death, which took David Beale, Welsh Guards) place on the 25th of last month. made the great sacrifice last July. ….In a letter to Mr. and Mrs. Five of them hold His Majesty’s Beale, his commanding officer Commission. The last to achieve says-He was a good boy, and a this distinction is Lieut. Thomas gallant, and one of the best Lewis Beale, son of Mr. and Mrs. David gun men we had. We can ill spare Beale, of Wick and brother of the such good fellows as him. He was above. Joining up shortly after the killed by a shell from a trench outbreak of war, he soon became mortar, and death was

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instantaneous, as was that of his nine prisoners. His example and friend standing near him.” hard work were responsible for getting his company into position It was whilst serving with 1/6th and enabling the right of the Battalion of the North Staffordshire battalion to push on.” Regiment in October 1918 that Thomas was awarded the Military The Glamorgan Gazette gave Cross. The citation for it, which did details of the award as well in not appear in the London Gazette its edition for 24th January until its’ Supplement of 4th 1919: October 1919 reads: “Capt. Thos. Beale, North “During the operation of the 14th Staffordshire Regiment, son of Mr. – 17th Oct. 1918 he showed and Mrs. David Beale, Wick, has himself to be a capable and gained the Military Cross for fearless leader of men. He was conspicuous gallantry at the responsible for capturing a farm forcing of the main Hindenburg on the east side of Riqueval Line on the Sambre Canal, and at Wood, east of Bohain, one field the capture of Bellinglise, which gun, two trench mortars, and events are stated by Sir H.S.

The medals of Thomas Beale now in the care of the South Wales Police Heritage Centre

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Rawlinson……commanding the William, mother, Mary Ann, and Fourth Army, to rank among the younger brothers, John and Joseph, finest and most dashing exploits were living at 47 Penfilia Road in of the war. Captain Beale, M.C., Brynhyfryd, Swansea. Evan’s father was educated at the Wick and worked as a steel smelter, whilst Monknash School, and previous Evan was described as a steel to enlistment was a member of worker/engine driver, John was a the Glamorgan Constabulary, tin works labourer and Joseph was stationed at Porth. His many in school. friends at Wick are very proud of After the outbreak of the war the honour he has gained, and Evan joined the 14th (Swansea) wish him long life to enjoy it.” Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, the “Swansea Pals”. It formed part After the war, Thomas returned of the 38th (Welsh Division) and to the Glamorgan Constabulary Evan went to France with it on 2nd becoming an Inspector before he December 1915. The list of next of retired in March 1946. He died on kin of members of the Battalion 31st August 1948. refers to Evan (with the initial “G”) as Private 17473 and his next of kin EVAN GREY as his mother, M.A. Grey, of 45 PC 20 / PS 6 Penfilia Road. NEATH BOROUGH POLICE It’s likely that Evan saw action LANCE SERGEANT 17473 with the Battalion at Mametz 14TH BATTALION Wood in 1916 and later during the WELSH REGIMENT Third Battle of Ypres in 1917. He SECOND LIEUTENANT was, in due course, promoted to ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS Lance Sergeant and the Supplement to the London Gazette DISTINGUISHED for 17th April 1918 contained the CONDUCT MEDAL citation for the award to him of the Evan Grey was born on 10th Distinguished Conduct Medal: February 1895 in Swansea. “17473 L/Sjt. E. Grey, Welsh R. Prior to the First World War he (Swansea)-For conspicuous worked in the steel industry. At the gallantry and devotion to duty. In census of 1911, he, his father, action he constantly patrolled his

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telephone wires to keep up George Ham who received the communication, often under Distinguished Conduct Medal and heavy fire” Military Medal. A brave trio indeed from a small force. In March 1919 Evan was commissioned as a Temporary Evan became Sergeant 921 in Second Lieutenant in the Royal the Glamorgan Constabulary after Welsh Fusiliers. the Neath Borough force amalgamated with it in 1947. Evan After the war Evan served with retired in July 1948 and died on the Swansea Harbour Police 20th March 1961. between April 1922 and June 1923 after which he joined the Neath Borough Police as Constable 20 later becoming Sergeant 6. It is of interest to note that Sergeant 3 of the Neath Force was Ernest James Rollings, who was awarded the Military Cross and Bar during the war, and Sergeant 5 was Arthur

The uniform tunic of Evan Grey as Police Sergeant 6, Neath Borough Police. Now in the care of the South Wales Police Heritage Centre.

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FRANCIS Barry Herald of 12th November, HOWELL HALL gives a vivid account of his CONSTABLE 82 AND 378 experiences during the battle: GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY “Private Frank Hall, of the Welsh LANCE SERGEANT 1185 Guards, formerly a police 1ST BATTALION constable stationed at Barry WELSH GUARDS Dock, in a letter to the ’Barry DISTINGUISHED Herald’, describes the recent CONDUCT MEDAL charge and the great part played by the Welsh Guards. ‘We came’ Francis Howell says Private Hall, ‘along a main Hall, or “Frank” road for about three miles. From as he seems to there we came into a blob have been (artillery) formation on some known, was waste ground. There was a village born in Cardiff in front of us, and we had to get in 1892. through this village to a hill He joined the beyond and hold it. As soon as we Glamorgan Constabulary in 1912 were on the waste ground we and before the war he was were under heavy shell fire. stationed at Barry Dock. Shrapnel and high explosive shells On 10th April 1915 Frank fell to right and left of us. No enlisted in the army and became writer in any paper or book can Private 1185 in the 1st Battalion, describe the experience of Welsh Guards. He went to France crossing the waste ground. We with the Battalion on 17th August crossed over all right, and started 1915 and served with it on the to advance through the village. Western Front for the whole of the This was bad, for they were remainder of the war. shelling every house, and ‘Jack Johnsons’ were coming by the Soon after its arrival in France dozens. A couple of my mates the Welsh Guards took part in the and I leant against the wall of a fierce fighting during the Battle of house for a ‘breather’ when a Loos in September 1915. high explosive shell hit the house Frank, in a letter quoted in the opposite. I did not know where I

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was for a minute, but I went on by all. If anyone in Barry wants again, and eventually reached to join the army tell them to our destination, which was held hurry up, as all the chaps out easily. Our scouts (of which I am here are doing their utmost, and one) had to take some picks and working really hard. If a lot more shovels to the first line of were to join, it would be a great trenches, for our chaps to dig thing, for it would assist the men themselves in, as the trenches in the trenches, give a rest to were of no use to them. We left the men who have been here a our headquarters, and started long time, and thus help to off. Suddenly the Germans shot swamp the beastly Germans. If up some star shells, and having there is anyone anxious to have spotted us opened machine gun a ‘go’ at the Germans join the fire on us. This was absolutely ‘WG’s’ and tell them they want ‘hellish’ and I made a run and to go to the firing line. If every fell behind a tump of grass. I fell eligible man was out here, and a bit heavily, and to my surprise saw what it meant for dear old I found I was not alone, for there England, they would flock here was another chap under cover. I in thousands.’” waited there for a while, to see Another letter from Frank was if he was going to make a move. quoted by the Barry Herald on As he did not move, I started 24th December 1915 under the pushing him and shouting. I put heading “Barry PC’s Narrow my hand out and felt his face: it Escape”: was cold. I need say no more. “Private Frank Hall, of the 1st Captain Osmond Williams, who Battalion, Welsh Guards, met his death in action on the fatal 27th September, was formerly a police constable at absolutely loved by every man in Barry Dock, writing from France, the battalion. He was a grand relates the circumstances of a man, and a gentleman. I know narrow escape which he had he was my superior, but he was recently. ‘I had my rifle to my a father to us all, and he is sadly shoulder’, he writes, ‘and had missed by everyone, and I know my sight dead on a German. I he will always be remembered fired and hit him, but I had no

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sooner fired than I had a bullet ARTHUR back. It hit the foresight of my GEORGE HAM rifle and burst the barrel, so I CONSTABLE 30 AND finished my work as a sniper for SERGEANT 5 that day, and I can assure you NEATH BOROUGH POLICE that I had such a scare that I SERGEANT 1663 was not sorry to finish. But ‘All’s 1ST BATTALION well that ends well,’ and I am WELSH GUARDS still in the land of the living.’” DISTINGUISHED CONDUCT MEDAL AND On 3rd September 1919, the MILITARY MEDAL Supplement to the London Gazette Arthur was born in East Brent in contained the citation for the Somerset in 1894. award to Frank of the During the First World War he Distinguished Conduct Medal: served with the 1st Battalion, “He had been in charge of the Welsh Guards, initially as Private battalion observers for the last 1663 but was, in due course, eighteen months, and has promoted to Sergeant. He joined the army on 11th June 1915 and continually displayed the went to France on 4th November greatest courage and devotion to 1915. duty. His services have been of Arthur was twice recognised the greatest use on many for his bravery. occasions, notably while the The Supplement to the London battalion was in the Boyelles Gazette of 28th March 1918 sector in April and May, 1918, contained the following citation when he was able to give for the award to him of the warning of the enemy massing, Distinguished Conduct Medal: which he observed under shell “For conspicuous gallantry and fire.” devotion to duty in an attack. He rushed his Lewis gun forward Frank returned to Britain in under heavy fire and engaged January 1919 prior to discharge some enemy machine guns from the army. He later resumed which were giving trouble. On his police duties. reaching the enemy’s trench he

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got a captured machine gun into from the Briton Ferry Ironworks: action against the enemy and “At the Police Court held at the was of the greatest assistance in Gwyn Hall on 2nd September … organising machine-gun teams …. the Chairman of the Bench and getting the guns into action. addressing PC Ham at the His cheerfulness and courage conclusion of the case stated on were a splendid example to all.” behalf of the Justices they In addition Arthur was desired to compliment him upon awarded the Military Medal for the very capable manner in bravery as confirmed by the which he had acted in the case Supplement to the London Gazette which resulted in the prisoner being brought before them.” of 25th April 1918 although nothing further is known of the Arthur died in Neath in 1974 action which gave rise to it. aged 80. According to Army records, Arthur was discharged on 17th HENRY JAMES September 1919 but immediately NORMAN re-enlisted on the following day PC 631 and continued to serve until 3rd GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY March 1921. LANCE SERGEANT 15111 After leaving the army Arthur 3RD BATTALION joined the police initially serving GRENADIER GUARDS with the Glamorgan Constabulary DISTINGUISHED from May 1921 to November CONDUCT MEDAL 1922. Presumably as a result of boundary changes, he then transferred to the Neath Borough Police as PC 30 later becoming Sergeant 5. The Chief Constable stated in his General Order of 30th September 1937, that the Borough Watch Committee had noted a case in which Arthur had been involved when a man had obtained money by deception

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Henry James, “Harry”, Norman It was on 4th November 1918, was born in 1895 in Cardiff. just a week before the Armistice, that the 3rd Battalion was He joined the Grenadier involved in the advance of the 2nd Guards in February 1911 and was Guards Brigade in the area of Le with them at the Guards Depot at Quesnoy near Valenciennes in Caterham in Surrey at the time of Northern France. The History of that year’s census. the Guards Division in the Great In February 1914 he left the War describes the scene: army and joined the Glamorgan “The 3rd Bn. Grenadier Guards, Constabulary. However, he served which had crossed the Rhonelle as a policeman for only a relatively by means of a single plank short time since, as a reservist, he bridge under heavy hostile shell was re-called to the colours on fire, then came up and, passing the outbreak of war on 4th August through the Coldstream, 1914. continued the advance in touch He went to war with the 1st with the 2nd Bn. Grenadier Battalion, Grenadier Guards, Guards on the front of the 1st which then formed part of the Guards Brigade. The area over 20th Infantry Brigade of the 7th which they were attacking was Division, and landed with them at much enclosed and the Zeebrugge in Belgium on 6th/7th Grenadiers were hampered in October 1914. The 1st Battalion their advance by the enemy’s transferred to the 3rd Guards machine gun defence for which Brigade in the Guards Division in the country was admirably August 1915 and served with it for adapted. They succeeded, the remainder of the war. however, in driving the Germans out of Preux-au-Sart, where At some stage Harry some prisoners were taken, and, transferred to the 3rd Battalion of by 4pm, their leading companies the Grenadier Guards which had had reached the vicinity of landed in France at Le Havre in Gommegnies. Here the progress July 1915 and in August of that of the battalion was temporarily year became part of 2nd Guards checked by the fire of hostile Brigade in the newly formed machine guns posted in the Guards Division. houses in the village; but touch

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was well maintained with the One of them is Constable Harry troops on either flank, and, as Norman, who served in the soon as it became dusk, more Grenadier Guards. He was ground was gained.” called up at the outbreak of war It was during this action that as a Reservist, and was one of Harry displayed the courage the first lot to go to France, which resulted in the award to arriving there in October 1914 him of the Distinguished Conduct with the famous 7th Division, Medal. The citation for it did not appear in the Supplement to the who set up such a remarkable London Gazette until 25th defence in the first battle of February1920 and reads as Ypres, thus preventing the follows: Germans reaching Calais. “For conspicuous gallantry at Norman was wounded on four Preux-au-Sart on 4th November, occasions, but was in at the 1918. Although wounded he finish. He has since been remained in command of his demobilised and has returned to platoon until the end of the day. take up duties at Penarth, which He led a strong patrol, which he left on joining up. PC Norman captured four field guns under heavy machine gun fire, and is a well-known footballer, subsequently manoeuvred his having played for Penarth and platoon up to a field gun, which Canton.” was shooting at short range, After his discharge from the killed some of the gunners and capturing the gun.” army Harry re-joined the Glamorgan Constabulary in The Penarth Times of 8th May January 1919 and, as mentioned in 1919 had already reported on the award: the newspaper report, he resumed duty at Penarth. He was “Inspector John Davies is no later promoted to sergeant and doubt proud, and pardonably so, served for several years in of the fact that he has two constables under his charge who Aberdare before retiring in August have been awarded the 1945. He died in November 1959 Distinguished Conduct Medal. aged 64.

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EDMUND FLAHERTY Wood in July 1916), when he was PC 118 hospitalised suffering from trench GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY fever which led to him being CORPORAL 17943 evacuated to England from 14TH BATTALION WELSH Boulogne on the hospital ship REGIMENT St. David in November. LANCE CORPORAL 29820 KING’S SHROPSHIRE LIGHT He returned to France in INFANTRY March 1917 and subsequently saw MILITARY MEDAL service on attachment to the Drake Battalion of the 63rd (Royal Edmund was Naval) Division before being born in 1885 transferred to the 10th Battalion in Penarth. He joined the of the King’s Shropshire Light Glamorgan Infantry in August 1918 as Private Constabulary 29820, later becoming a Lance in 1910 and at Corporal. the commencement of the First It was during his service with World War he was stationed at the 10th Battalion that Edmund Clydach in the Swansea Valley. was awarded the Military Medal Edmund enlisted in the army for bravery as confirmed in the on 23rd November 1914 as Supplement to the London Gazette Private 17943 and joined the 14th published on 20th October 1919. Battalion of the Welsh Regiment, the “Swansea Pals”. He went with He was demobilised from the the Battalion, as part of the 38th army in January 1919 and (Welsh) Division, to France in returned to police duties. December 1915, having by then The local newspaper for the been promoted to Corporal. Swansea Valley-Llais Llafur (Labour He served with the Battalion Voice) - referred to Edmund’s until October 1916 (and would wartime service, and that of other presumably have fought with it Clydach policemen, in its article of during the Battle of Mametz 22nd February 1919:

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“Clydach may feel justly proud of Military Medal for conspicuous the military record of its police service on the Somme in force. The six police constables September, 1918. Valley people stationed in the neighbourhood warmly congratulate him upon at the outbreak of war and this distinction. Enlisting in the during hostilities heard the call Swansea Battalion, October to arms, and volunteered for 1914, Corpl. Flaherty was in due active service. Police constables course drafted out to France, Edmund Flaherty and Lyons enlisted in the Swansea where he was transferred to the Battalion of the Welsh Drake battalion of the Royal Regiment; Police constables Naval Division and later was William Rees, G. Davies and transferred again to the David Griffiths soon followed by Shropshire Regiment. Of Irish joining the Welsh Guards, and extraction, he is a native of some time later Police constable Penarth, and it is interesting to William Morgan Davies enlisted understand that he was one of in the Royal Garrison Artillery. three brothers who served with They took part in some hard and the colours, two of whom were heavy fighting on the battlefields awarded the Military Medal of France and Flanders. Lance while the other was severely Corporal G. Davies and Ptes. W. Rees and D. Griffiths were either wounded. Since their discharge wounded or gassed, and were and demobilisation, Police subsequently discharged as unfit constables William Rees, Griffith for further military service, and Davies, David Griffiths and Gunner W.M. Davies was also Edmund Flaherty have all gassed. Pte Lyons has since resumed their police duties at attained to rank of Company Clydach, where they are very Sergt. Major, while Corpl. popular and held in warm regard Flaherty was demobilised a week by the people.” or two ago. The fine record of the force is further enhanced by In due course, Edmund retired the fact that Corpl. Edmund from the police and died in 1951 Flaherty was awarded the aged 65.

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EDWIN GEORGE PASK South West Africa before it was PC 208/762 disbanded in 1915. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY It seems that Edwin then SERGEANT 241490 returned to Britain and joined the LIEUTENANT, 5TH BATTALION Glamorgan Constabulary in 1915. WELSH REGIMENT At some stage he re-joined the MILITARY MEDAL army becoming in due course Edwin was sergeant 241490 in the 5th born in 1891 Battalion of the Welsh Regiment. in Treherbert The Battalion had been part of the in the pre-war Territorial Force and in Rhondda. He August 1915 landed at Gallipoli as had military part of the 53rd (Welsh) Division. experience It then continued to serve in the before the Gallipoli campaign until December First World War since he enlisted 1915 before serving in Egypt and in the South Wales Borderers in Palestine until the end of the war. January 1908 and was stationed as Whilst serving with the 5th a Lance Corporal with its 2nd Battalion, Edwin was awarded the Battalion at Artillery Barracks in Military Medal for bravery as Pretoria, South Africa, at the time confirmed by the list which of the census of 1911. appeared in the Supplement to In November of that year he the London Gazette for 19th bought himself out of the army March 1918. There is no further but obtained permission to information as to the background continue to live in South Africa. to the award. However, as Army records indicate that Edwin was After the outbreak of the First commissioned as an officer in the World War he saw service as 5th Battalion on 26th November Sergeant 286 with the Natal Light 1917, it may have been that it was Horse which had been formed in for his actions in Palestine. August 1914 and was engaged in countering a rebellion by Boers in Edwin returned to police support of Germany and in service after the war before actions against German Forces in retiring. He died in 1965 aged 74.

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1918 ROLL OF HONOUR

25TH MARCH mother had taken up employment PC 51 JOHN POPE as a “washer woman”. John, then 12, was employed as an GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY agricultural labourer whilst the SERGEANT 18097 only other member of the 13TH BATTALION household was his younger sister, GLOUCESTERSHIRE REGIMENT Bessy, who had been born in John was born 1894. on 22nd On 12th December 1908 John August 1888 joined the Glamorgan in the village Constabulary and was stationed at of Long Sutton various times at Senghenydd, in Somerset. Bargoed and Pontlottyn in the His father, also Rhymney Valley. called John, was an agricultural labourer whilst At the time of the census of his mother was Mary Ann. They 1911 he is shown, along with a too had been born in Long Sutton. large number of other policemen, John was baptised in the Parish as stationed in Barry Dock. This is Church of Holy Trinity on 2nd likely to have been in connection June 1890. with industrial unrest at the docks in the town at that time. The census of 1891 records the family as living in Sutton Street In January 1915 John left the in Long Sutton. In addition to John police force and enlisted with the and his parents, also there were 13th (Forest of Dean) Battalion of his brothers Francis, aged 19, a the Gloucestershire Regiment at general labourer, Arthur, aged 15, Cinderford. Not long afterwards, an agricultural labourer, and his on Saturday 29th May 1915, John sisters Alice, aged 13, a glove was married to Lily May Tucker of maker, and Louisa and Gertrude, Bethel House, Pontlottyn at the aged 10 and 3 respectively. Church of St Tyfaelog in the By the census of 1901, the village, the vicar, the Reverend family had moved to New Street Gilbert Williams, officiating. in Long Sutton. John’s father had The 13th Battalion was a by then died and his widowed pioneer battalion, that is to say its’

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role was to provide men in Sadly John has no known grave making and mending roads, but is remembered on the digging trenches, constructing Commonwealth War Graves strong points and so on and they Commission Memorial at Pozieres also acted as additional infantry if which is a village 6km north east the need arose. They often of the town of Albert. worked in conjunction with the The Memorial records the Royal Engineers. names of over 14,000 casualties of The Battalion had been raised the British and South African by a local MP shortly after the forces who died in the Somme outbreak of war and, after a area between 21st March and 7th period of training, it went to August 1918 and who, like John, France in March 1916 as the have no known grave. pioneer battalion attached to the 39th Division. During the John is also remembered on subsequent years of the war the the war memorial at Pontlottyn, Battalion saw a great deal of on a panel in the church in which action including the Battle of the he was married, St Tyfaelog, on Somme in 1916 and the Battle of the war memorial outside Holy Passchendaele in 1917. Trinity Church in Long Sutton In late March 1918 the where he was baptised, and on German Army launched its the Glamorgan Police War Spring Offensive which, initially, Memorial at Police Headquarters achieved great success in driving in Bridgend. back Allied forces. On 21st March the Germans attacked near the town of St Quentin where they were opposed by the British Fifth Army. Fighting was desperate and all available British troops, including the 13th Gloucesters were thrown into the Battle. It’s likely that it was during this fighting that, on 25th March, John was killed in action. He was 29 A South Wales Police cross at the years of age. Pozieres Memorial remembers John Pope

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26TH MARCH 9, and his sister, Elsie Emily, then PC 732 WILLIAM aged 5. William was by then 16 HENRY RADBOURNE years of age and employed as a GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY grocer’s assistant. LANCE CORPORAL 19601 In 1914 William joined the 3RD BATTALION Glamorgan Constabulary and was COLDSTREAM GUARDS stationed at Llandaff, Cardiff, William was before he enlisted in the army on originally from 9th December 1915. Surrey having He joined the Coldstream been born at Guards and, after a period of Outwood, a service in Britain, went to the village near Regiment’s 3rd Battalion in France Redhill, in on 24th May 1917. On 12th December 1894. His father, December that year he was Henry Thomas Radbourne, was a promoted to Lance Corporal. blacksmith and was from Baydon in Wiltshire whilst his mother, As has been mentioned earlier Emily, had been born in Chieveley, in relation to PC John Pope, Berkshire. March 1918 saw the launch of a major offensive by German forces. At the time of the census of At that time William’s battalion 1901, the family was living in was part of 4th Guards Brigade Outwood and the household within 31st Division and it’s likely included, along with William and that it was during the fierce his parents, his younger brother, fighting during that period when Ernest, and his cousin, Alfred the Division was in action in the Hamblin. area around Bapaume and St At the census of 1911 the Quentin, that William received family’s address is given as Beach wounds from which he died at the Cottage, Outwood and in addition 9th Field Ambulance on 26th to William, his parents, and March. He was 23 years of age. Ernest, it now included William’s A report on William’s death brother Brice Edward, then aged appeared in a local newspaper:

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“Much sympathy has been felt to William’s death appeared in the for Mr. and Mrs. Radbourne…. Western Mail which stated that he in the sad death of their eldest was “deeply mourned by his son, Lance-Corpl, W.H. sorrowing friends and fiancee, Laura Radbourne, Coldstream Guards, Greatrex.” who died on March 26th from In the same edition of the wounds received in action. Western Mail the notices column Lance-Corpl. Radbourne, before referred to the death of the Chief joing His Majesty’s Forces… Constable’s nephew, Major ..was a member of the Claude Frederick Thomas Lindsay. Glamorgan Constabulary, Fuller details were contained in stationed at Llandaff, where he was much respected, and where the following report in the same much sympathy has been newspaper under the heading expressed towards his bereaved “Glamorgan Family’s Heavy Loss”: parents, including the following “Widespread sympathy will be letter from the Chief Constable: extended to Col. H.E. Morgan ‘Dear Mrs. Radbourne. I am Lindsay, C.B., and Mrs. Lindsay, indeed grieved to hear of your of Ystradmynach,Glamorgan, in son’s death. On the day that the the heavy toll which the war has first contingent of wounded extracted from their family. The soldiers arrived at Llandaff loss of three officer-sons in the Hospital your boy stood course of the last nine months watching me as I spoke to them, has reduced the male issue in and at that moment he made up the family to one son, a boy of his mind that he too would go six years old. Following the news and fight for his country, and he on Tuesday that Lieut. Archibald left the force to do so the T.T. Lindsay, of the Royal following day. I could only wish Engineers, one of the sons, had him luck and God speed. been killed in action in France, Sympathising with you in your another telegram was received great misfortune- Believe me, on Thursday that his elder yours sincerely, Lionel Lindsay, brother, Major Claude Frederick Chief Constable.’” Thomas Lindsay, of the RFA, had On 6th April 1918 a notice as also made the supreme sacrifice.

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It was only in June of last year during the early days of the war that the eldest son, Capt. before it was destroyed by George Lindsay, of the Royal shellfire. It contains over 7,650 Flying Corps, was killed on active burials of the First World War, service. All three sons were very over half of which remain fine types of soldiers and unidentified. excellent athletes. They were William is also remembered on the nephews of Lord Tredegar the Outwood village war and of Capt. Lionel Lindsay, memorial and on the Glamorgan MVO, Chief Constable of Police War Memorial. Glamorgan.” As for William, he is buried at 28TH MARCH the Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery which lies just south of EX PC 118 THOMAS the town of Souchez, near Arras CHURCHES in Northern France. The GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY cemetery derives its name from a PRIVATE 4010 small red bricked and red tiled 1ST BATTALION café that stood close to this site WELSH GUARDS Thomas was born in Llanbradach, near Caerphilly on 14th February 1896. His father was also called Thomas and was from Meare near Glastonbury in Somerset. His mother, Mary, was born in the United States. At the time of the census of 1901 the family lived in Coedleddyn Row in Caerphilly. In the household, with Thomas and William’s grave

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his parents, were his older It was whilst serving with them brother Herbert, and his older that he was killed in action on sister Lilian, together with his 28th March 1918 in the area of younger brothers, Percy and Boyelles, near Arras. William George, and his younger German forces had launched a sister, Violet. major offensive in the spring of By the census of 1911 the 1918 and the history of the Welsh family had moved to Coedybrain Guards in the First World War Road in Llanbradach, near records: Caerphilly. Also in the family now were Thomas’ brothers Rufus, “On the night of the 27th the aged nine, and Kenneth, aged six, battalion relieved the 1st and sister Sybil, who was a year Battalion, Grenadier Guards on old. Sadly, Thomas’ brother, Percy, the right of the divisional front. had died in January of that year The battalion held a front of aged twelve. Thomas, his father, some 2,000 yards with their and his brother Herbert, were all right on Boyelles, and at 7am, coal miners/hewers. on the 28th the enemy Thomas joined the Glamorgan commenced to bombard the Constabulary on 20th February trenches, and continued doing so 1915 and became Constable 118. with increased violence until He was stationed at some stage at 11.30am. Companies on the Pentre in the Rhondda. right of the line reported the enemy massing in Boyelles, He resigned from the Force on which was partly concealed by a 23rd October 1915 and appears to have returned to coal mining rise in the ground. The since his occupation was stated to Commanding Officer put the be as a collier when he was called artillery on to him, and the up for military service on 25th attack did not develop in that May 1917 at which time be quarter. On the left, however, became Private 4010 in the 1st the enemy drove back the Battalion of the Welsh Guards. He division holding the hill north of landed in France on 3rd January Boiry Becquerelle on to the main 1918 and joined the battalion on Arras-Bapaume Road and the 27th of that month. proceeded to attack the flank of

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the Prince of Wales’s Kingdom, South Africa and New Company.....2/Lieut. E. J. Davies Zealand who died in the Arras was killed while repelling this sector between the spring of 1916 attack.” and August 1918. The adjacent cemetery contains some 2650 The Battalion’s war diary Commonwealth burials of the records that, in addition to First World War. Lieutenant Davies, 9 other ranks were killed that day, Thomas Thomas’s name does not being one of them, and 20 were appear on the Glamorgan wounded. Constabulary Roll of Honour or the War Memorial at Police Thomas has no known grave Headquarters in Bridgend and, along with others from the presumably because he had left Battalion, is commemorated in the police before joining the army France on the Arras Memorial to in 1917. Nevertheless, his the Missing which contains the inclusion in this booklet will names of almost 35,000 ensure that his sacrifice is not servicemen from the United forgotten.

The Arras Memorial and Cemetery

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10TH MAY Ferndale in the Rhondda since the PC 530 CHARLES family is shown as living in the police station there. By then the LLEWELLYN JAMES family had grown with the GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY addition of Charles’ brother, LIEUTENANT Daniel, then aged 9, and his sister, 15TH BATTALION Gladys, aged 6. Also lodging there WELSH REGIMENT were PC’s H.H. Headen, Reginald Charles was Fudge, Edward Ryan and George the son of Evans. There were also two William and prisoners in the cells. Barbara On 3rd January 1910, Charles James. His followed in his father’s footsteps father was and became a police officer in the from Whitland Glamorgan Constabulary. He was in Carmarthenshire whilst his employed as a haulier at the time mother was from Cowbridge. he joined. Charles was born in St. When the census was taken Nicholas in the Vale of Glamorgan the following year Charles was at on 17th January 1891. That year’s the Turberville Hotel in Penygraig census records that the family, in the Rhondda where he was which included Charles’ older presumably based, along with a brother, Thomas, then a year old, number of other police officers, in was living in the police station in connection with the policing of the village since Charles’ father the industrial disputes which were was a sergeant in the Glamorgan then taking place in the collieries Constabulary and based there. in the area. Two other police officers were At the outbreak of the First lodging in the station at the time-a World War, Charles was stationed PC David Jones who was from at Bridgend but resigned from the Cardiganshire and a PC Benjamin police on 6th November 1914 in James from Pembrokeshire. order to enlist in the army which By the census of 1901 Charles’ he did on 9th November. father had been posted to Initially he served with a

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cavalry regiment, 2nd Dragoon meant to support the attack, Guards (The Queen’s Bays) as falling short causing a large Private GS/5744. He went to number of casualties and France on 18th May 1915 aboard confusion amongst the attacking the SS St. Petersburg landing at troops. Rouen the following day and The 15th Battalion lost 20 men joining his regiment ten days later. killed that day, with three more It had been on the Western Front dying of their wounds. Over a since August 1914 and had taken hundred men were wounded and part in the early battles of the war two were missing. The Swansea such as Mons and Le Cateau. Battalion lost twelve men killed Charles returned to England in and thirty wounded. January 1917 having applied to Amongst those killed in action become an officer. His application was Charles, presumably as a was successful and he was posted result of the inaccurate firing by to Number 4 Officer Cadet the British artillery. He was Battalion at Oxford before being twenty seven years of age. commissioned as an officer on 26th June 1917. Charles was then The officer in overall transferred to the Welsh Regiment command of the artillery as a second Lieutenant. concerned, Brigadier General R.P. Benson, subsequently submitted a In May 1918 Charles was report in which he outlined the attached to 15th (Carmarthen) reasons for the mistaken Battalion of the Welsh Regiment calculations which had such a when, on the 10th, the Battalion tragic outcome for Charles and his together with elements of the comrades: 14th (Swansea) Battalion of the regiment were to attack Aveluy “One battery of 18 pdrs which Wood in the Somme area of was engaged in the creeping Northern France. barrage was undoubtedly Despite careful preparations shooting short. The reason was by the infantry commanders as under: involved, the attack failed due to Some batteries have been the artillery barrage which was supplied from Ordnance with

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arcs and rulers which are fixed error, ordered the preliminary on to the Battery boards with barrage line ‘So many degrees’ drawing pins. The arcs are left of the Zero point instead of graduated into 1/2 degrees ‘So many half degrees’. divisions, and there is no further The Battery therefore opened mark on the arc except that fire on a line well in rear of our ‘1/2’ degrees is marked on the front line and measurements edge. The Major of the battery shew that it would catch the in question had fixed the arc on third wave of the infantry at the the board with drawing pins with time when the advance to the handles and the handle of one of second objective was due.” the pins was folded down over And so it was that an the ‘1/2’. incorrectly placed drawing pin led On the 9th instant the Major of to so many deaths and injuries. the Battery was relieved by the The Brigadier General Captain, who worked out the expressed his regret at what had switches for the barrage and, in occurred:

Martinsart British Cemetery

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“Finally, may I, on behalf of the the headstones are of red whole of the Artillery of V Corps, sandstone rather than the more express my deep regret that usual Portland stone. mistakes on our part have Commonwealth War Graves caused so many casualties to Commission records show that the 114th Infantry Brigade, and Charles’ father’s address after the should have undoubtedly end of the war was “Llwyn yr Eos, prevented them from succeeding Pontnewydd, Monmouthshire” in the operation in which they and so Charles is remembered on were engaged. I can assure them Pontnewydd’s war memorial. He is also remembered on the that every step will be taken to Glamorgan Police War Memorial. prevent a recurrence of such mistakes and I trust that they will not lose that confidence in 25TH MAY the support of the Artillery PC 558 which these events must EDWARD FINDLAY naturally have shaken. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY I should be grateful if LANCE SERGEANT 43691 Commanding Officers could 4TH BATTALION, arrange for NCO’s and men of BEDFORDSHIRE REGIMENT the Brigade should have an Edward was opportunity of seeing this born in report.” Sevenoaks in Charles was originally buried Kent in June near Aveluy Wood, his grave being 1887 marked by a wooden cross. His according to body was exhumed in the police records following year and re-buried at but other the Martinsart British Cemetery records vary showing 1883, 1884 which is some 4km north of the and 1885. town of Albert. There are 488 It’s clear, however, that his casualties of the First World War father was Andrew Findlay who buried or commemorated there. was from Fordoun in The cemetery is unusual in that Kincardineshire in Scotland whilst

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his mother, Isabel Shand Findlay, Of heat the express-train drew up was also Scottish having been there born in Huntly, Aberdeenshire. Unwontedly. It was late June. Soldiers Died in the Great War is a little more specific as to The steam hissed. Someone Edward’s place of birth since it cleared his throat. states that it was at “Knole Park” No one left and no one came in Sevenoaks. As, according to the On the bare platform. What I saw census of 1901, Andrew Findlay Was Adlestrop-only the name appears at that time to have been employed as a gamekeeper, it may And willows, willow-herb, and be that when Edward was born he grass, was working as such on the large And meadowsweet, and haycocks Knole estate with its dry, accompanying historic manor house. No whit less still and lonely fair Than the high cloudlets in the sky. In 1901 the family was living in Adlestrop in Gloucestershire. And for that minute a blackbird Edward, then said to be seventeen sang years of age, was also employed as a gamekeeper, whilst his Close by, and round him, mistier, younger brother, George, who Farther and farther, all the birds was fourteen, was a farm Of Oxfordshire and labourer. Gloucestershire.” Adlestrop is a small village near Sadly, Edward Thomas died far Stow-in-the-Wold in from the tranquillity of the Gloucestershire. It has a Adlestrop of his poem as he was connection with the First World killed in action on the first day of War as the poet Edward Thomas the Battle of Arras in April 1917. wrote about it in his poem of that It appears that Edward Findlay name: moved from Gloucestershire at “Yes. I remember Adlestrop- some stage since the census of The name, because one afternoon 1911 shows that he was living as a

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lodger at the Post Office at Records indicate that he Scethrog, Bwlch, near Brecon. It served for a time with the Army appears that he was then Service Corps with the number employed as a night watchman on T/4/069991 and the South Wales a nearby estate. Borderers as a Corporal number 9/275540. Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Edward However, in May 1918 he was joined the Glamorgan serving as Lance Sergeant 43691 Constabulary on 11th August with the 4th Battalion of the 1914 and was later stationed at Bedfordshire Regiment which was Aberdare before resigning on 30th part of 190th Brigade which, in April 1915 to join the army along turn, was part of the 63rd (Royal with colleagues as the photograph Naval) Division. from the Aberdare Leader shows. The latter had been formed in August 1914 out of men who were surplus to the requirements of the Royal Navy for maritime purposes. It fought with distinction throughout the war and took part at Gallipoli and in major battles on the Western Front. In May 1918, Edward’s battalion was at Forceville in the area of the Somme. On 20th May another Glamorgan policeman joined the battalion when Lieutenant Colonel Frederick William (“Fred”) Smith, formerly an Inspector at Bridgend, assumed command of it. He had previously commanded the 16th (Cardiff City) Battalion of the Welsh Regiment and full details regarding

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him can be found in our booklet and one gassed. It’s assumed that for 1917. Edward was one of those killed or missing since records show that The Battalion’s War Diary he was killed in action on 25th records that on 24th May it May. carried out a raid on the enemy’s line. The entry for the following Edward has no known grave day, 25th, gives details of and, like his colleague from the casualties, possibly as a result of Glamorgan Police, PC John Pope, the raid. Several officers were he is commemorated on the killed, wounded or missing whilst Pozieres Memorial. Edward is also six other ranks were killed, eleven remembered on the Glamorgan were missing, thirty one wounded Police War Memorial.

The Pozieres Memorial

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11TH JUNE family, at Battle End near Brecon. PC 223 GEORGE George, then aged 16, was WILFRED LLOYD employed as a cowman on the farm. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY GUNNER 180347 George joined the Glamorgan ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY Constabulary on 21st August George was 1915, his employment at the time born on 26th being described in police records October 1894 as a haulier. He was serving at in the small Mountain Ash when on 31st Radnorshire August 1917, he left the police village of force to join the army. Glascwm, the George served with the Royal son of James Garrison Artillery, which operated Owen Lloyd and his wife, Mary the heavy guns in support of the (nee Jones), both of whom were army, but according to from Radnorshire his father having Commonwealth War Graves been born at Llanbister and his Commission records he was mother in Betws. attached to the Royal Field At the census of 1901 George Artillery when he was killed in was living in Cwmshepherd near action in France on 11th June Builth Wells. His father was a 1918. He was twenty three years farmer and in the household, of age and left a widow, Elizabeth. along with George and his parents, were his older brother, Local newspapers reported on John, then aged 13, and his his death. The Brecon and Radnor younger brother, Charles, then Express of 25th July 1918 said that less than a year old. His aunt, his he was: mother’s sister, Jane Jones, who “….the third son of Mrs. Lloyd, was a domestic waitress, was also Cilgarennydd, Pont Faen. with the family. Previous to enlistment he was By the census of 1911 George stationed as a constable at had left home and was living with Mountain Ash, where he leaves a farmer, David Griffiths, and his a young widow and a wide circle

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of relatives and friends to mourn is 5km south of Bethune in the loss of a most faithful Northern France. The cemetery husband and an upright and contains 700 Commonwealth trustworthy friend. Much burials of the First World War. heartfelt sympathy is expressed The inscription on George’s with the young Mrs. Lloyd, and grave reads: also the mother at Cilgarennydd in the loss of a good son.” “In Silent The Western Mail of 26th Loving Remembrance October 1918 reported that George had been killed We Deeply Mourn “…somewhere near Bethune, by a God’s Will Be Done” shell bursting on his dugout.” George is also remembered George is buried at the on the Glamorgan Police War Houchin British Cemetery which Memorial.

Houchin British Cemetery

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4TH JULY Street in the nearby town of Barry PC 257 ALBERT where Albert attended the Holton JOHN CHANNING Road School. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY By the census of 1911 the CORPORAL 82346 family had moved the short 124TH FIELD COMPANY distance from Cora Street to ROYAL ENGINEERS Morel Street in Barry. At that time Albert’s father was working for a Born in coal exporter whilst Albert Grangetown himself, then 15 years of age, had in Cardiff on obtained employment as an 4th June 1895, Albert was the apprentice gas fitter and plumber son of John in the Barry Docks. and Elizabeth However, on 15th August Channing. His 1914, just after Britain had father was from Upton Pyne in declared war on Germany, Albert Devon and his mother was from joined the Glamorgan Otterton in the same county. Constabulary and was later Albert was baptised at St Paul’s stationed at Penrhiwceiber in the Church in Grangetown on 18th Cynon Valley. Albert served as a July 1895 when the family was constable until he left the Force living in Llanmaes Street, on 5th March 1915 to enlist in the Grangetown. At that time his army. father was employed as a gas He joined the Royal Engineers, stoker. initially as a Sapper, and served By the time of the census of with 124th Field Company which 1901 the family had moved to live was attached to the 38th (Welsh) in Devon Place in Canton, Cardiff. Division. Albert went to France Albert’s father was then described with the Division in December as employed as a coal trimmer. In 1915. Albert’s unit remained with addition to Albert also at home the Division throughout the war was his sister, Eliza, then aged 8. providing it with engineering Sometime afterwards the support such as building defensive family moved to live in Cora positions, bridges and so on.

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Albert was promoted, eventually But the thing to make you becoming an Acting Sergeant. grouse, The soldiers who served on Is that aggravating louse. the front line during the First When you’re going off to sleep, World War faced many hardships and dangers. One aspect which They are forming up two deep, was a constant source of misery When you’re in the land of nod, and irritation was the infestations They are forming up in squad, of lice. However, they didn’t And you’ll find it most annoying, dampen the mens’ sense of When the section start humour as can be seen from a deploying. poem entitled “Pilgrims of the Night” which was published by the We don’t mind the German’s Barry Dock News on 13th April boasts, 1917. It had been written by men We don’t mind the German’s serving in the Royal Engineers and hosts, had been sent back home by We can always play our cards, Albert. Here are the first four When we meet the Prussian verses: Guards, “When you take King George’s But it’s fit to turn you barmy, shilling, Wiping out this lousy army.” And express yourself as willing, During June and July 1918 the To come out and fight the Hun, Welsh Division was in the Somme Then your troubles have begun, area to which the fighting had For you also have to fight, returned during the closing stages With the pilgrims of the night. of the War. It was around this time that Albert contracted pneumonia There are many things out here, from which he died at Number 3 Casualty Clearing Station on 4th That you don’t quite like, I fear, July 1918, aged 23. The Barry Against which you must Herald of 12th July reported that contend, he had been enagaged to be While your country you defend, maried to a woman from Barry.

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The Barry Dock News of 19th between April and September July 1918 carried the folowing 1918. There are 1374 servicemen notice: from the First World War buried or commemorated in the “CHANNING-Mr and Mrs J. cemetery. Channing and Daughter wish to thank all friends for their kind On Albert’s grave is the letters and expressions of inscription: sympathy shown them in the sad “His battle o’er loss of their son, Sergeant Channing, R.E., France.” and victory won. RIP. From Mam Albert is buried at the Bagneux British Cemetery at Gezaincourt and Dad.” near Doullens in Northern France. Albert is also commemorated Number 3 Casualty Clearing on the Glamorgan Police War Station was based in Gezaincourt Memorial.

Bagneux British Cemetery

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18TH JULY Edward and his parents, his PC 616 younger brother, Harry, then aged EDWARD SHUREY seven, and an Albert Stark who was a twenty six year old coal GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY hewer from Devon, who was LIEUTENANT lodging with the family. 16TH BATTALION WELSH REGIMENT By the census of 1911 the family had moved the short Edward was distance to 17 William Street, born on 16th Ystrad. Edward, now nineteen September years of age was, like his father 1891 at and his brother, Harry, employed Ystrad, in a local colliery as a coal Rhondda, the miner/hewer. The family also then son of Harry consisted of Edward’s brother, and Charlotte Herbert, then aged four, his sister, Shurey. His father, a coal miner, Ivy, a baby, and eleven year old was from Portsmouth whilst his Margaret Ann Foreman who had mother, nee Evans, was been adopted. originally from Cardiganshire. Later in 1911 Edward was Edward left coal baptised in the mining and joined Parish of the Glamorgan Ystradyfodwg, Constabulary. He Rhondda, on 17th was stationed at November 1892. Whitchurch in Cardiff and the At the census Cambria Daily of 1901 the Leader of 13th family was living April 1914 at 15 William referred to a case Street, Ystrad, involving him and when the another officer: household consisted of Harry and Charlotte Shurey with Edward as a baby

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Edward on the right as a young constable with his father in the centre

“Mr. Turnbull, of Heath House, near Cardiff, was aroused one morning by wild ringing of the bells at the front and rear of his residence, and by pebbles being thrown at the windows. Looking out he saw a man, who, it was evident by his action and demeanour, was beside himself. Consequently, Mr. Turnbull, telephoned to the City and County Police.

P.C. Hutchings and P.C. Shurey, When approached he seemed of Whitchurch, were the first on very wild and excited, and struck the scene, and after a search out at P.C. Shurey. Both they found the man on the constables closed with him, and Cardiff side of the Heath Wood, after a severe struggle accompanied by a black succeeded in handcuffing the retriever dog, which he had man. Ascertaining that the man loosened from the chain when at resided with his parents in the the Heath House. Cathays district, the City Police took him to his home, and summoned Dr. C.C. Sheppard, who, after an examination, pronounced the man to be of unsound mind. He is suffering from a mania of a religious character.”

Edward on the far left with police colleagues

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In uniform Captain Frank Gaskell, who was to be the first commanding officer of the Cardiff City Battalion, and Sergeant Davies of the Battalion, along with Glamorgan policemen from left to right: P.C.’s Gammon, Keyes, Shurey, Williams and Furlong

On 27th November 1914 It’s clear that Edward was Edward enlisted in the army at highly regarded since he was Cardiff joining the 16th (Cardiff quickly promoted to corporal on City) Battalion of the Welsh 1st December 1914 and then to Regiment as Private 23091. sergeant on 1st January 1915 before becoming a commissioned He was one of a number of officer with effect from 31st Glamorgan policemen who joined March 1915 as a Second the 16th Battalion and is included Lieutenant. He was subsequently in this photograph which promoted to Temporary appeared in the Western Mail of Lieutenant. 30th November 1914. It’s possible that it was taken outside the Edward joined the Cardiff City Cardiff Labour Exchange, which Battalion in France in April 1916 operated as a recruiting office, on and within a few weeks, on 5th the day that Edward went there May, he was seriously wounded in to join up. an accident when a rifle grenade

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exploded prematurely during a The history then lists two training exercise. Eight other officers and two men from the soldiers were also injured. The Regiment who lost their lives Battalion was at the time, as part during such practice and five of the 38th (Welsh) Division, in officers and sixteen men who the area of La Gorgue near were wounded at different times, Armentieres. the latter including Edward and The History of the Welsh Regiment in the First World War describes the hazardous nature of training with rifle grenades and bombs: “… at intervals when the Battalions were not in the front trenches, instruction in bombing and the use of rifle grenades was given, there being a Brigade bombing instructor, as well as one officer and two sergeants in each Battalion. The standard aimed at was that every man should throw two live bombs, that 128 men per Battalion should be expert bombers, while 384 men should have thrown at least ten live bombs. Due mainly to mechanical defects, and perhaps occasionally to carelesness, accidents were not Edward on the left as a infrequent...” sergeant after joining the army

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Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) instructing duties with the reserve Fred Smith of the Glamorgan or training battalion mentioned Constabulary who was to become above and was posted with it to commanding officer of the Cardiff Ireland. Inititially it was sent to City Battalion, after Lieutenant Galway but by 1918 it was based Colonel Frank Gaskell was fatally at the Curragh Military Camp near wounded by enemy action less Dublin. than two weeks after the incident involving Edward. On 17th July 1918 Edward was the officer responsible for giving Following the incident on 5th instruction to a group of soldiers May, Edward was evacuated to on the use of rifle grenades. England on the hospital ship During that morning several of the Asturias. He appears to have spent grenades had failed to detonate some time recuperating from his and had to be destroyed. Similarly wounds and didn’t return to active there were “duds” during the service on the Western Front. afternoon firing session. Instead, he was posted to Kinmel Park Camp in North Wales where After the training had he joined the 21st (Reserve) concluded Edward went forward Battalion, of the Welsh Regiment. to look for the unexploded This later underwent several grenades when suddenly one of changes of title becoming them exploded causing serious successively the 61st Training injuries to his hands and chest. A Reserve Battalion, the 221st medical orderly and an ambulance (Graduated) Infantry Battalion, were quickly on the scene and and finally the 52nd (Graduated) Edward was immediately taken to Battalion of the Cheshire the military hospital at the Regiment. Curragh Camp where, sadly, he In 1917 Edward married died of his injuries on the Florence Mary Pritchard at St. following day, 18th July. Asaph in Denbighshire and later Edward’s father received the that year, their son, Kenyon, was following letter of condolence born. from Captain Lionel Lindsay, Edward was engaged on Chief Constable of Glamorgan:

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Chief Constable’s Office Canton, Cardiff 22nd July 1918 My dear Mr Shurey I am indeed grieved to hear of your gallant boy’s death. He had often assured me that he would return to the “Force” after the war. If he had been spared to do this he would of course have risen to a good position and it is indeed a bitter disappointment to me not to have a chance of doing what little I could to show what we who stayed at home felt towards those brave hearts who were the first to go out and fight for their country. Your son was such a sportsman and a gentleman. At the boxing competition which he only entered for at the last moment, to fill a vacancy, every one said that his fight with our Sailor Policeman “Light” was the best event of the evening. Hard hitting whilst showing the best of feeling. This was the spirit that enabled our practically untrained boys to stand up to the finest army the world had ever seen and take down their record. Well Mr Shurey great as your grief is your intense pride in your dead boy will day by day more and more help you to bear it. Hoping to meet you before long and in deepest sympathy with you and yours.

Believe me

Yours faithfully Lionel Lindsay Chief Constable

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Edward is buried in the The same newspaper had the Curragh Military Cemetery which following notice in its edition for contains 103 Commonwealth 17th July 1925: burials of the First World War. “SHUREY-In sacred memory of The inscription on his grave reads: my beloved husband, Lieut. “In memory of Edward Shurey, who died of wounds July 17th (sic) 1918. Lieut E Shurey The choicest pearl from my The Welsh Regt string has gone. Loved by his who died 18th July dear wife, and son Kenyon.” 1918 This stone was erected by his 21ST JULY brother officers” PC 696 SIDNEY WALTER WILLIAMS He is also commemorated on GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY a number of memorials including GUNNER 180347 those at Whitchurch in Cardiff, St ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY Stephen’s Church, Ystrad Rhondda, the North Wales Sidney was born in Magor near Memorial at Bangor and on the Newport, Monmouthshire in Glamorgan Police War Memorial. 1895, the son of Thomas and Mary Williams. His father had also Edward’s widow and son lived been born in Magor whilst his in Leamington Spa after the war. mother was from Caldicot. The Leamington Spa Courier contained the following notice on At the time of the census of 1901 the family was living at 16th July 1920: Castle Coch Cottage in Magor. “SHUREY-In sacred and sweet The household consisted of memory to you my beloved Sidney, his parents, his sisters, husband, Lieut. Edward Shurey, Florence aged 16, and Emily aged died 18th July 1917 (sic). Never 10, together with his brothers forgotten. Always in my thoughts Reginald, aged 12, and Frank, aged my beloved. Loving wife Flo and 8. His father’s occupation is given little son.” as “haycutter”.

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Sidney joined the Glamorgan “THE CHORISTER’S Constabulary in 1915 and served at Ton Pentre in the Rhondda ‘LAST POST’ before leaving to enlist in the army (In memory of at Pentre becoming a gunner in Sidney Walter Williams. RGA, the Royal Garrison Artillery. Magor, August 4, 1918) It was whilst he was serving The sun poured light in from the with the 326th Siege Battery in flaming West France that he died of wounds on Upon the humble worshippers 21st July 1918 at the 73rd Field of God Ambulance. He was 22 years of Who came to bow before age. His chastening rod And render thanks for blessings On 8th August 1918 the manifest Western Mail published a poem in his memory an extract of which is And when the service done of given below: praise and prayer

Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension

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Ere yet the priest the Blessing 4TH SEPTEMBER did bestow PC 52 RICHARD The organ peeled forth chords, WILLIAM BROWN first sad and low. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY Of thrilling requiem with appeal SERGEANT 49106 so rare 17TH BATTALION A singer of this white robed ROYAL WELSH FUSILIERS country choir Richard was born in 1889 Had served his King ‘neath (although his police record gives friendly alien skies his date of birth as 26th And rendered up his soul on November 1888) in Newport, War’s grim pyre, Monmouthshire, the son of John Lit to serve one Monarch’s lust Brown and his wife, Ann (nee and lies Watkins). His father was a shoe Strange that a shot on France’s maker from London whilst his battle-plains mother had been born in Re-echoes here………….. Abersychan in Monmouthshire. LEWIS DAVIES” Richard was baptised at St. Woolos Church, Newport, on Sidney is buried in the Bully- 31st December 1889. Grenay Communal Cemetery, British Extension, some 20 km At the census of 1891, Richard north of Arras. It contains 803 and his parents were living in Commonwealth burials and Bristol Street in Newport along commemorations from the First with Richard’s brother, John, and World War. 141 of the burials are his sisters Harriet, Margaret, Rose unidentified. and Jessie all of whom were older than him. Sidney is also commemorated on the Magor War Memorial and By the next census of 1901, on the Glamorgan Police War Richard’s father had died and his Memorial. mother had taken up the occupation of laundress. The household, then living in Halstead Street, Newport, consisted, in

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addition to Richard, of his sister, Constabulary and became PC 52 Jessie, and another sister, Frances, and was later stationed at Barry. then eight years of age. The family In 1913 Richard married Lilian also had a lodger, David Harding, Bishop and they had two children, who was employed in the local Ronald, who was born in 1914, docks as a wharf labourer. and Doris who was born in 1916. Richard’s police records At some stage after the indicate that he had two spells of commencement of the war service with the Glamorgan Richard left the police and joined Constabulary. He appears to have the army, enlisting in the Royal joined initially in 1910 as PC 82 Welsh Fusiliers and becoming, in and served for just over a year. due course, acting sergeant 49106 When the census of 1911 was in the 17th (2nd North Wales) taken in April of that year, he Battalion of the Regiment. It was billeted in the Ogmore seems that Richard had had some Arms in Gilfach Goch along with military experience with the a number of other policemen South Wales Borderers from the Glamorgan Police before the War. in connection with the industrial disputes then The 17th Battalion taking place in the had been raised in Rhondda coalfield. North Wales in February 1915 and, In any event, on 18th subsequently, as part of May 1912 the 38th (Welsh) Division Richard re- saw action at Mametz joined the Wood on the Somme in July Glamorgan 1916, during the Third Battle of Ypres in 1917 and during the last battles of the war on the Western Front in 1918. In September 1918 the Welsh Division took part in a successful assault on the Canal du Nord in Northern France. It

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seems that it was during the Richard is commemorated as fighting in that area that Richard well on the Glamorgan Police War was killed in action on the 4th of Memorial. the month. He is buried in the Saillly- 15TH SEPTEMBER Saillisel British Cemetery which is situated 16km east of Albert and PC 150 10km south of Bapaume. JOSEPH INMAN SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE Sailly-Saillisel was captured PRIVATE 987 from German forces by the 1ST BATTALION French in October 1916 and WELSH GUARDS remained in Allied hands until March 1918 when it fell during the Joseph was from Hull where he German Spring Offensive of that was born in 1890. He was the son year. It was recaptured on 1st of Joseph Inman from Darton in September 1918 by British troops Yorkshire and including those from the 38th his wife, (Welsh) Division. Elizabeth, from Beverley, The cemetery has 771 burials also in and commemorations of the First World War. Yorkshire. At the census of 1901 the family was living in Campbell Street, Beanford Terrace, in Hull. Along with Joseph and his parents, the household included his younger sister, Elsie, and his younger brothers, Albert and Frank. Also there at the time was his mother’s brother, George, who was a naval seaman.

Richard’s grave at the Sailly-Saillisel By the census of 1911 it seems British Cemetery

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that Joseph may have left home in which a man was charged since he is not included on it. At with knowingly living off the that time his father together with immoral earnings of a woman. Albert, Frank and two further She had given him money on sons, George and Sidney, were several occasions but on one living at 11 Airedale Terrace, evening she had refused Staniforth Place, Hessle Road in resulting in him hitting her in Hull. Also living at the address the face and splitting her lip. were Beatrice Annie Joy, a The report went on to state housekeeper, and her daughter, that: Millicent. “PC Inman gave evidence of According to the census seeing complainant hand over records Joseph’s father was money to the defendant. He had employed as a dredgerman by the seen her in company with other North Eastern Railway Company men, and defendant was always which operated docks at Hull. in the vicinity. Defendant did Later, following Joseph’s death very little work, and was an during the war, there was associate of thieves.” reference, in a newspaper report, to him too having once been The defendant was convicted employed by the North Eastern and the report stated that: Railway Company in their goods “The Chairman in sentencing department at Hull. defendant to three months, At some stage Joseph left the warned him that next time he north east of England and moved would be whipped.” to Swansea since newspaper • On 7th November 1914 the reports in 1914 and 1915 refer to following appeared in the him as a police officer with the Herald of Wales in relation to a Swansea Borough Police. The haulier who was summoned following in which Joseph is for cruelty to a horse in Neath mentioned are of interest: Road on 20th October and for • The Herald of Wales on 23rd using obscene language on the May 1914 reported on a case same occasion:

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“PC Inman stated that he saw “PC Joseph Inman, of Landore, the defendant driving the mare who found the body, said that at near the Vivian’s Bridge. He was 10.15 on Monday morning he cruelly beating the animal. received information and went There was a very large load on to the canal near the Dillwyn the cart. Witness stopped the Spelter Works, Morriston. He defendant who used foul recovered the body, of which language. only the head was showing Inspector Lindsay of the RSPCA, above the water. It was taken to stated that the mare was not fit Swansea Mortuary. He to pull such a load…There were recognised the body by the weals beneath the mare’s description which had been shoulder. circulated, as he was being looked for. Nobody appeared to Defendant was fined 20s and have seen him alive after costs for the cruelty but December 30th. discharged him in the other case.” The jury returned a verdict of found drowned.” • The Herald of Wales of 30th January 1915 gave an account • There was also an occasion of an inquest hearing before when Joseph was assaulted on the Borough Coroner held at duty, as the Herald of Wales the Alexandra Chapel, reported on 13th February Swansea. The body of a 54 1915. In the case heard before year old collier had been found the magistrates a collier was drowned in a local canal a few charged with being drunk and days earlier and his wife gave disorderly in Llangyfelach evidence of a quarrel between Road, with breaking an oil them shortly after Christmas lamp valued at four shillings, when he had struck her to the the property of Messrs. head necessitating the calling Watson and Hayes, and also of a doctor. Her husband had with assaulting Joseph whilst in then run away and had not the execution of his duty. The been seen since. The inquest report stated that Joseph gave heard evidence from Joseph: evidence that the collier:

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“…came up to him and, evacuated to England where he although he was in uniform, remained until November 1916 asked him if he was a German. when he returned to his battalion Defendant then picked up a in France. lighted lamp which was round He also suffered from some repair works in the road neurasthenia (shell shock) in 1917 and threw it at witness, striking during the Third Battle of Ypres. him on the arm.” His army record contains an The defendant was fined £2 account of what happened. It with the alternative of one seems that at 1.30pm on 1st month’s imprisonment if he September at Langemarck he was failed to pay. taking mail to the front line when Not long after the above case, a shell burst, blowing him up and Joseph left the police to enlist in rendering him unconscious. On the army at Swansea on 12th April recovering he found himself in a 1915, joining the newly formed shell hole full of water but Welsh Guards as Private 987. At managed to crawl back to that time he was living at 1 White Company Headquarters. Street in Swansea whilst his In March 1918 Joseph suffered attestation papers show that his from gas poisoning and then on next of kin was his father whose 15th September he was killed in address was given as 8 Granville action. At that time the 1st Terrace, Bean Street, Hessle Road, Battalion, Welsh Guards was at in Hull. Moeuvres, near the Canal du Joseph went to France with Nord in Northern France. The the Battalion on 17th August Battalion’s war diary entry for 1915. During his service on the 15th September states: Western Front he suffered injury “The Bn relieved the 2nd Bn on more than one occasion, Scots Guards in the front line in In October 1915, during the the Moeuvres sector…..a shell fierce fighting at the Battle of hit a platoon of No 2 Coy during Loos, he was wounded in the right the relief and killed 1 corp and 4 thigh which resulted in him being men and wounded 9 men.”

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It’s likely that Joseph was one Joseph is also commemorated of those killed. He was 27 years of on the Swansea Borough Police age. War Memorial at Swansea Central News of his death would have Police Station. come as a great blow to his family. The South Wales Weekly Post But that was not all because less reported on 5th October 1918 on than a week later, on 21st the proceedings of the Borough’s September, his brother Frank, Watch Committee: aged 18, was also killed in action in France whilst serving as Private “In the case of ex PC Joseph 122605 with the 33rd Battalion of Inman, killed in action whilst the Machine Gun Corps. serving with the Welsh Guards, it was decided to grant the Joseph is buried at Lagnicourt father a refund of £2 3s 6d, paid Hedge Cemetery. This is in the by the deceased into the village of Lagnicourt-Marcel which Superannuation Fund.” is situated north of the Bapaume to Cambrai Road. The village was On 15th September 1919 the captured by German forces in loss of the two brothers was March 1918 but re-captured by remembered in a notice which the 2nd Guards Brigade on 3rd appeared in the Hull Daily Mail: September 1918. “INMAN-In loving memory of The cemetery is small and Pte. Joseph Inman, 1st Welsh contains 63 Commonwealth Guards, killed in action casualties of the First World War. September 15th, 1918; also Pte. Frank is buried less than 22km Frank Inman, MGC, killed in away at the Villers Hill British action September 21st, 1918, Cemetery. This is near the village beloved sons of Joseph and of Villers-Guislain 16km from Elizabeth Inman, Cambrai. It was the scene of No Mother kissed their brow heavy fighting during 1917 and that day, 1918. The cemetery contains 732 No home voice said ‘Good-bye’; Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First They fell in battle’s dread affray, World War. But God himself was nigh.”

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Just under three months later, appendicitis. Since his discharge on 10th December 1919, the Hull he had complained of pains in Daily Mail reported on the sudden the head, and had been death of Joseph and Frank’s father: attended by Dr Moir. On Sunday Inman retired to bed in the “Two sudden deaths have been usual way. His wife heard him reported to the Hull Coroner. breathing heavily during the One is of Joseph Inman (51), 16, night and spoke to him, but Florence Terrace, Villa Place, a could not get any answer. Dr. dock labourer, who was Moir was sent for. The man admitted to the Infirmary in remained unconscious until February this year suffering from Tuesday morning, when he died.”

Lagnicourt Hedge British Cemetery

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19TH SEPTEMBER described as a school teacher but PC 692 FREDERICK as he was then 16 it’s likely that this was as what was known as a GEORGE SMITH “pupil teacher”. Another daughter GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY had been added to the family in PRIVATE S/20038 Evelyn, whilst grandmother Sarah, 12TH BATTALION now widowed, was also there ARGYLL AND SUTHERLAND along with Frederick’s maternal HIGHLANDERS grandfather, Thomas Shepherd, a Frederick was born in Llandaff in retired saddler, and Frederick’s Cardiff in 1890. He was the son of cousin, Elizabeth Avery. John Sidney Smith, a brickworks The family had moved the manager, who had been born in short distance to number 125 Pontypridd, and his wife, Eliza Windsor Road by the time of the Ann, who was from Cardiff. census of 1911 and by then At the time of the census of Frederick’s father had died. 1891 the family was living in Thomas was now a certificated Plassey Street in Penarth. Also in school teacher, whilst Frederick the household, in addition to was a general labourer. His sisters, Frederick and his parents, were Gladys and Evelyn (or Eveline) his older brothers, Arthur and were both employed as shorthand Thomas, and his older sisters, and typist clerks whilst Gertrude Charlotte, Gladys and Gertrude. helped in the home. Also present were Frederick’s Frederick joined the grandfather, William Smith, a Glamorgan Constabulary in 1911 retired contractor, his and was, in due course, stationed grandmother, Sarah Smith, and at Taibach. After the Jane Griffiths who was a general commencement of the war he domestic servant. enlisted in the army at Port Talbot By the census of 1901 the becoming Private 68832 in the Royal Army Medical Corps. family had moved to 145 Windsor Road in Penarth. Arthur was now Subsequently Frederick employed as a carpenters’ transferred to the 12th Battalion apprentice, whilst Thomas was of the Argyll and Sutherland

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Men of the 12th Battalion, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Salonika 1916 (©IWM (Q31790)) Highlanders. The Battalion had Greece. However, despite fierce been formed in Stirling in fighting the attacks were September 1914 and, as part of unsuccessful and the British had to 77th Brigade of the 26th Division, withdraw. went first to France in September It was on 19th September that 1914 and then to Salonika in Greece in November 1915. Frederick was killed in action. He is buried at the Doiran Military Frederick’s Battalion took part Cemetery which is close to the in an assault on Bulgarian positions Macedonia border and near the as part of the Battle of Doiran in shore of Lake Doiran. northern Greece on 18th and 19th September 1918. The The cemetery was created in intention was to force the 1916 and the graves contained Bulgarians, who were allies of the within it are almost all of officers Germans, from that part of and men of the 22nd and 26th

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Divisions who fell during fighting 20TH SEPTEMBER in the area in 1917 and on 18th PC 617 ERNEST and 19th September 1918. There are 1338 Commonwealth burials THOMAS JONES GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY of the First World War in the PRIVATE 43723 cemetery. 8TH BATTALION The graves in the cemetery ROYAL BERKSHIRE REGIMENT are laid flat and on Frederick’s is Ernest was the inscription “Thy Will Be originally from Done”. Commonwealth War Breconshire Graves Commission records state having been that Frederick was “the son of born at Mrs E.A. Smith of 31 Beauchamp Glasbury near Street, Riverside, Cardiff and the Hay-on-Wye late J.S. Smith.” in 1889. He Buried in the grave next to was the son of Thomas and Frederick’s is Captain Norman Margaret Jones. His father was Alfred Hughes, aged 30, of the from Radnorshire whilst his 11th Battalion of the Welsh mother was born at Johnston in Regiment who was the son of the Pembrokeshire. Ernest was Bishop of Llandaff. baptised in St Peter’s Church in Frederick is also remembered Glasbury on 22nd December on the Glamorgan Police War 1889. Memorial. At the time of the census of 1891 the family was living in the nearby village of Aberllynfi (Three Cocks). Ernest’s father’s occupation was given as gardener. Also in the household were Ernest’s older brother, William Richard, and his older sister, Lilian Jane, together with a lodger, Henry Holloway, who was from Monmouthshire and was also a Doiran Military Cemetery gardener.

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The family was still living in Ernest joined the Glamorgan Aberllynfi in 1901. That year’s Constabulary in 1914 and was census records that the household stationed at Aberdare. consisted of Ernest and his Subsequently, on 8th May 1915 he parents, his younger brothers, left the police and enlisted in the Percy John, Johnstone and Victor, army in Aberdare, initially together with his younger sister, becoming a private in the Army Bertha. Service Corps. At some stage he transferred to the Royal Berkshire By 1911 the family had moved Regiment and served with its 8th from rural Breconshire to Battalion. industrial Glamorgan since that year’s census shows them living at The Battalion had seen service New Quarry House in on the Western Front since 1915 Penrhiwceiber. and by September 1918 it formed part of the 53rd Brigade of the Ernest’s father appears to have 18th (Eastern) Division with which made use of his knowledge of it saw much action during the working on the land since his Advance to Victory. occupation now involved looking after pit horses as he is described The Battalion took part in an as a “colliery ostler underground”. attack on enemy positions near Ronssoy in France on 19th In addition to Ernest’s parents September and during it suffered the household then consisted of casualties. The Battalion’s war Ernest who was also employed in diary refers to enemy artillery the coal mines as a coal being “very active”, that there was miner/hewer, his brothers Percy strong machine gun fire and that and Johnstone, also coal the enemy opposition at one point miners/hewers, Victor, aged 13, was “very severe.” employed underground as a “junior hewer” and Ernest’s sister, It is recorded that Ernest was Bertha, at 15 years of age, at killed in action on the 20th but as home helping her mother with the Battalion war diary makes no domestic matters. Also in the mention of action or casualties on household was a lodger, Ernest the 20th it may be that he was, in Warren, from Bristol who was a fact, killed during the events of the haulier in the colliery. 19th.

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Ernest has no known grave Ernest is also commemorated and is commemorated on the Vis- on the Glamorgan Police War en-Artois Memorial. This is Memorial. situated on the main road At the time of his death between Arras and Cambrai and Ernest’s parents were living at 20 bears the names of over 9000 Pentwyn Avenue in Penrhiwceiber soldiers from Great Britain, and a newspaper report of the Ireland, and South Africa who died death also referred to the fact that between 8th August 1918 and the Ernest’s brother, Victor, had been Armistice in November in the wounded on four occasions during area between the Somme and the war. Loos and who have no known grave.

The Vis-en-Artois Memorial with graves of the British Cemetery in the foreground

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27TH SEPTEMBER distance to live at number 1 PC 80 EDWIN Princes Street. Edwin was then 19 years of age and working as a SAMUEL BROWN domestic gardener. Sometime CARDIFF CITY POLICE later he moved to Cardiff and LANCE CORPORAL 1205 joined the City’s Police Force. 4TH BATTALION, GUARDS MACHINE GUN REGIMENT On 29th April 1915 Edwin enlisted in the army at Cardiff and Edwin was joined the Welsh Guards as originally from Private 1342. He went with them Somerset. He to France in August 1915 and was born in whilst serving with them he was Taunton in twice wounded in action. 1891, the son of Alfred The first occasion was during Brown and his the Battle of Loos on 27th wife, Mary Ann. His father had September 1915 when the Welsh also been born in Taunton and his Guards suffered many casualties mother was from Somerton in including several police officers Somerset. from South Wales. Edwin was treated for a wound to his left arm At the census of 1901 Edwin, at the Number 6 General Hospital his father and mother and his at Rouen before being evacuated older brother, William, were living to Britain. He received further at 4 Princes Street in Taunton. treatment, including a period at Edwin’s father was employed as a the Welsh Metropolitan War “navvy” as were two other men Hospital at Whitchurch in Cardiff, who lodged with the family, whilst before returning to his battalion William, at 13 years of age, was on the Western Front in February employed as an errand boy. 1916. Edwin’s mother was described as He was again wounded on being a laundress working from 22nd June 1916 when the the home. Battalion was near Ypres when he By the census of 1911 the received an injury to his left hand. family had moved the short He was evacuated to England on

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26th June on board the hospital were relatively few machine guns ship, St. Denis and received in use by infantry battalions of the treatment at the 2nd Eastern British Army. However, their General Hospital in Brighton. importance in modern warfare soon became apparent and Edwin subsequently qualified specialist sections of machine as a machine gunner and gunners were formed including transferred to the Guards companies of Machine Gun Machine Gun Battalion in Guards attached to the Guards February 1917 returning to France Division after its formation in in November that year. 1915. The men and resources At the start of the war there allocated to this form of fighting

The Canal du Nord on the day Edwin died, 27th September 1918 ( ©IWM (Q 9346)).

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grew as the war progressed and in offensives during the final hundred February 1918 the companies days of the war. The construction were brought together as a of the canal, near Cambrai in separate regiment when the Northern France, had Guards Machine Gun Regiment commenced in 1913 and it was was formed. In due course, Edwin only partly completed by the time served with the 4th Battalion of of the Battle. Nevertheless, it the Regiment. formed a formidable defensive During September 1918 the obstacle. It was eventually taken Guards Division took part in the and the Welsh Guards, amongst Battle of the Canal du Nord as others, distinguished themselves part of the series of Allied during the operations.

The Canal du Nord 9th July 2016

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The Guards Machine Gun village 10km south west of Regiment provided covering fire Cambrai. “Sanders Keep” was a during the Battle and it was on German fortification near the 27th September that Edwin was village which was captured by the killed in action. Scots Guards on 27th September After his death, Edwin’s 1918 and the Cemetery mother received letters of commemorates some 150 condolence from his Regiment. casualties of the War. They are reproduced in the next Edwin is also remembered on pages. a war memorial at the Holy Trinity Edwin is buried at the Sanders Church in Taunton and on the Keep Military Cemetery, Cardiff City Police War Memorial Graincourt-Les-Havrincourt, a in Cardiff Bay Police Station.

Sanders Keep Military Cemetery

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Letter received by Edwin’s mother notifying her of his death

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In the Field 29-09-18. Dear Mrs Brown It is with the very deepest regret that I write to inform you that your son Lance Corporal E. S. Brown No 1205 was killed during the attack on the 27th inst. The section came under very heavy shell fire and he and one of my men were both killed instantaneously by the same shell, so that they were spared any suffering. Your son was a very brave man, and had done very good work all the time he has been with this section. His death is a very great loss to us, and his place will be difficult to fill. An NCO of his ability and experience will be hard to find. No words of mine I know can comfort you in your great sorrow. God alone can do that. But you have the consolation of knowing that he died doing his duty in a good cause, as so many brave men have done, and we who knew them shall always remember them with pride. On behalf of all the NCO’s and men of the section I beg to offer you and all his family our very deepest and sincerest sympathy.

Yours sincerely, Lieut LH Barnes, Commanding No 1 Company 4th Battalion, Guards Machine Gun Regiment B-E-F

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Sept 29th 1918 Sergt A E Fox No 1 Section No 1 Company 4th Battalion Machine Gun Guards BEF France Dear Mrs Brown It is with sincere regret I now write these few lines to inform you of the death of your gallant son, who was killed in action on the 27th inst about 1.30pm. He suffered no pain. I don’t know how to offer my sympathy it is so great. For he was such a good man, and very quiet. He is mourned by all his section, and by all who knew him. He was brave to the last and very confident. My only wish is that God will give you strength to bear up against the great loss you have been called upon to bear. If there is anything you would like to know, I shall be only too pleased to tell you. In concluding, the sympathy of his section goes with this letter, so may God be with you and help you over this great bereavement. So now I will close. Believe me to be,

Yours sincerely A.E. Fox. Sergt

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14TH OCTOBER occupation at that time was as a PC 144 WILLIAM driller in a local engineering JAMES RAPSEY works. SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE In 1911 William’s parents were LANCE CORPORAL 7429 living at 89 Eaton Road in MILITARY FOOT POLICE Brynhyfryd in Swansea along with another sister of William’s, William was Beatrice Maud, then aged 15, and born in Angela, Jane, and Sidney. In Swansea in addition, by that date William had 1893. His another brother, Charles, who father, also was aged seven. The census called William, records that also in the household was from was Reuben Osborn Rapsey who Birmingham was stated to be the brother of whilst his mother, Frances, was William’s father. He was 19 years born in Swansea. of age and employed as a goods By the time of the census of porter on the Rhondda and Swansea Bay Railway. 1901 William’s parents had moved to live at Mabel Street in The records of the Great Motherwell, Lanarkshire, in Western Railway Company Scotland. William’s father was indicate that William, whose date then employed in the steel of birth is recorded as 3rd April industry. Also in the household, in 1893, was employed as a cleaner at Landore Station from 10th addition to William, were his December 1910 to 13th February younger sisters, Angela and Jane, 1911 when he is recorded as and his younger brother, Sidney. having “left”. On 10th December By 1911 and that year’s census 1911 he is shown as being it seems that William had left the employed by the Company, again family home and was lodging as a as a cleaner at Landore. It may, boarder, along with a number of therefore, be that he had taken up others, with a William and Mariah the employment shown in the Lacey at 12 Washington Place in census of 1911 in the intervening Landore in Swansea. William’s period.

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In 1914 William married Mabel serving in the army, said that his Alice Brown at Swansea and their wife, who kept a boarding house, daughter, Violet, was born the had been threatened by thieves following year. who had been to the house At some stage William joined stealing clothes. He felt that this the Swansea Borough Police. had played on her mind. There There are references to him in were three young children living in local newspapers concerning cases the family, another having died a in which he was involved. short time previously. William is referred to in the report as having On 4th December 1915, the recovered a razor from the South Wales Weekly Post contained deceased’s clothing and the report the following report: concludes by stating that “A verdict “At Swansea on Friday James of ‘suicide whilst of unsound mind’ Collins (48), labourer, was was returned, the jury expressing charged with drunkenness and sympathy with deceased’s being indecent in his behaviour relatives.” in High Street, on Thursday. PC During the war William left the (144) Rapsey, gave evidence, police force and joined the army, and defendant said he had been travelling from Ireland all night serving in France from 12th April and took a little too much. He 1917 with the Military Foot Police, had never been in this country as a Lance Corporal. before, and was going to work at The Military Foot Police (MFP) Pembrey: he had been sent over had been formed as a permanent by the Labour Exchange. organisation in 1885 and was Defendant was discharged, and linked with the Military Mounted told to get out of the town as Police. Together they formed the quickly as he could.” Corps of Military Police. The roles The Herald of Wales of 8th July of the MFP included the detection 1916 reported on the sad case of of crime amongst army personnel a mother who had committed and the arrest of offenders, suicide by taking carbolic acid. In controlling and dealing with evidence before the coroner’s stragglers and deserters during Inquest, her husband, who was the confusion of battle, traffic

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control and dealing with prisoners Shortly afterwards, on 14th of war. October 1918, William was killed in action. It is not known with The South Wales Weekly Post which unit of the MFP he was of 28th September 1918 published serving at the time of his death, the photograph of William which but it is assumed that it was in the accompanies this biography and area around Ypres in Flanders under which was the caption: since he is buried at the Ypres “Lce-Cpl Rapsey, 182, Grey Reservoir Cemetery. There are Street, Landore, an ex-Swansea 2613 casualties of the First World constable, who has won a War buried or commemorated in certificate for bravery.” the Cemetery.

Ypres Reservoir Cemetery

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William was 25 years of age 21ST OCTOBER when he died and the PC 46 ALBERT Commonwealth War Graves Commission records that he was HOLLYMAN CARDIFF CITY POLICE the “Son of Mr. and Mrs. Rapsey of PRIVATE 103 Landore; husband of Mabel Alice 1ST BATTALION Austin (formerly Rapsey), of 1 Ewart WELSH GUARDS Place, Brynhyfryd, Swansea” Albert was William is also remembered on from Cardiff, the Swansea Borough Police War where he was Memorial in the Central Police born in 1887, Station, Swansea. the son of Frederick and Ellen Hollyman. He was baptised in the city’s St. John the Baptist Church on 19th October that year. At the census of 1891 the family was living in Scott Street in Cardiff in an area then known as “Temperance Town” situated near the Central Railway Station and which is now part of the Central Square re-development. The houses there had been built in the nineteenth century on land acquired by Edward Wood who was a follower of the Temperance Movement. As a consequence there was a strict no alcohol Jointly remembered: William’s grave policy imposed on residents and with commemorative crosses from there was a prohibition on any South Wales Police and his nephew, Adrian Brown premises being used for the sale

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Temperance Town looking towards the railway station of alcohol. The condition of the father had died and his mother area declined in the period after had re-married to Charles the First World War and its Purnell, a stonemason from buildings were all demolished by Bristol. Albert now lived with his the end of the 1930’s. mother and step father in Court Road in Canton in Cardiff, along In 1891 the household with his step brother Herbert, consisted of Albert, his father, who who was employed as a bottle was from Somerset and worked as washer, and his step sisters, Annie a joiner, his mother (wrongly and Elsie, along with his brothers, referred to as Emily in the census) Frederick, a warehouseman in a who had been born in Cardiff, soda works, Ivor, a machinist, and Albert’s older brothers George, Ernest, a milk seller, his sister Frederick, Ivor and Ernest and his Nellie, and his youngest brother, younger sister, Nellie. William, who had been born in By the census of 1901 Albert’s 1893.

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On 9th May 1906 at Cardiff, re-joined his old regiment, the Albert enlisted in the army joining Grenadier Guards. However, on the Grenadier Guards as Private 27th February 1915 he 12702. At the time of his transferred to the newly formed attestation his occupation was Welsh Guards with whom he given as labourer. He served for went to France on 17th August three years with the regiment’s 1915 as Private 103. 3rd Battalion until May 1909 when He then served with the he was transferred to the reserve. regiment on the Western Front In 1911 Albert was, according and would likely have taken part to that years’ census, living in in the major battles in which it Craddock Street in Canton with was involved such as Loos in his brother George, a general 1915, the Somme in 1916, Ypres dealer, and George’s wife, Esther. in 1917 and those during the final Also there were George and year of the war. Esther’s sons, Frederick, George On 20th September 1918 and William and their daughter, Albert went home on leave and Ivy. Albert was recorded as being returned to his unit in France on their lodger and was then 4th October. On 10th October he employed as a coal trimmer. was admitted to hospital in Just before Christmas 1911, on Etaples where he died of 23rd December, Albert married pneumonia at the 26th General Gladys Lewis at the Register Hospital on the 21st, less than a Office in Cardiff. They were to month before the Armistice in have three children, Edna May, November. who was born on 11th April 1912, The Western Mail of 26th William Albert, born on 14th October carried the following November 1913 and Douglas notice of his death: Haig, born on 9th January 1917. “HOLLYMAN-October 22nd Albert joined the Cardiff City (sic), 1918, at the 26th General Police on 12th March 1913 but on Hospital, Etaples, France, the outbreak of war in August Private A. Hollyman, beloved 1914 he was recalled to the husband of Gladys Hollyman, colours as a reservist and initially 63 Treharris Street, Roath,

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Cardiff, formerly City police Cemetery in France and contains constable, C Division.” 10,771 burials from the First World War. It was opened by King In addition to his widow Albert George V and Field Marshal Haig also left his three young children, in May 1922. Edna, William and Douglas. The inscription on Albert’s Albert is buried at the Etaples grave reads: Military Cemetery which is about 27km south of Boulogne. During “Long as life and the First World War Etaples was memory last your the location for a huge wife and children concentration of military camps and hospitals. At its peak some remember thee” 100,000 troops were stationed Albert is also remembered on there. The Cemetery is the largest the Cardiff City Police War Commonwealth War Graves Memorial.

The Etaples Military Cemetery

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11TH NOVEMBER In 1911 Frank’s occupation PC 324 FRANK TROTT was that of a platelayer on the railways and that was his GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY employment when he joined the LANCE SERGEANT 1245 Glamorgan Constabulary on 18th 1ST BATTALION November 1912. WELSH GUARDS Frank died There are several newspaper on 11th reports which refer to Frank November when he performed duty as a 1918, the day police officer. One is of particular of the interest since it shows how proud Armistice local people were of the efforts of between the men from their communities who Allies and had fought during the early battles Germany. of the war such as that at Mons. This report, from the Glamorgan According to police records he Gazette of Friday, 16th October, was born on 6th October 1887 in 1914, paints a vivid picture of the Bristol. homecoming of a wounded At the census of 1911 Frank soldier and Frank clearly played a seems to have been living in part in the event: Tower Street in Pontypridd as a boarder with the family of Charles “Despite the rain falling when and Blanche Hunt and their six the 8.30pm train steamed into children. Nantymoel Station, a crowd of about 7000 welcomed the Also in the household was return home of Gunner C. Elizabeth Sherborne, who was then aged 60, and from Somerset. Thomas, who was wounded at She was stated to be Blanche’s Mons. …. Gunner Thomas was mother. Later, when Frank joined placed in a brake with Private the army, he gave details of Syd Powell, and a procession was Elizabeth, then living in Forest formed headed by the Boy Road, Treforest, near Pontypridd, Scouts, with their leader Mr. as his next of kin and described Wilcox and the chaplain, Rev. her as his aunt. Archibald Davies. Then followed

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the Temperance Band, under the died as a result of the war, whilst able conductorship of Mr. Sam the other two, PC’s Denis Hayes Gillard. Then a crowd of some and William Richardson, survived. thousands, who cheered loudly. Frank and other police officers Rev. M. Mollins spoke, and from South Wales made an thanked the band and important contribution to the Ambulance and Boy Scouts, and choir of the Welsh Guards as the everyone who had helped to Western Mail reported on 23rd make the procession a success. July 1915 under the heading Councillor Evan Griffiths also “Singing Welsh Guards”: spoke. Gunner Thomas replied, and was warmly cheered and “Owing to the unique character carried shoulder high from the of the occasion, the visit of a brake into the house, where he special contingent of Welsh was greeted by all his relatives Guards to Cardiff tomorrow and friends. Sergt. Lister and (Saturday) is being anticipated PC’s Turner, Trott and Hughes with an extraordinary amount of are to be complimented on the public interest, not only in the able way in which they city but throughout Glamorgan, with which county the Welsh controlled the crowd.” Guards Regiment is so closely Frank was serving as a police associated. As already stated officer at Porthcawl when, on the contingent will include a 23rd April 1915, he resigned from glee party, consisting of the best the police and enlisted in the army vocal talent in the regiment, on the following day at Bridgend. who will give a programme of Like many Glamorgan musical items at the Park Hall.” policemen, Frank joined the newly There then followed a list of formed Welsh Guards. He was 24 former policemen from the one of five Porthcawl policemen Glamorgan, Cardiff, Swansea, to enlist at that time. PC David Monmouthshire and Newport Charles Grant (see our booklet forces. Included in the Glamorgan for 1915) and PC William Jones contingent was Frank along with Thomas (whose biography others who were to die in the appears in our booklet for 1917) war: Augustus Harris (Barry

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Dock), William Jones Thomas, Edward John Edwards, Henry David Charles Grant, and William Morgan Jones, William Jones East (Llanbradach). The report (mentioned above), and Arthur also stated that by then 62 former Richmond Perkins, former Glamorgan policemen had joined Swansea Borough policeman the Welsh Guards. Aubrey Alfred Smale, and former Merthyr Borough policeman, Frank went to France with his Reginald Lovis, all of whom died. regiment on 17th August 1915 and it’s likely that he took part Frank was admitted to the with it in its baptism of fire during 10th General Hospital at Rouen the Battle of Loos later that year. on 12th September and, due to the seriousness of his injuries, was The History of the Welsh transferred to Britain on board Guards in the First World War and the hospital ship Lanfranc on the the Battalion’s war diary make 16th. A contemporary newspaper reference to Frank since he was report stated that he had suffered with others, including former bullet wounds to his lungs. Glamorgan policemen, Private 758 Anthony Augustus West and The Lanfranc, an ocean liner Private 1189 William Jones, that had been requisitioned as a chosen to represent the regiment hospital ship, was itself to become at a major parade in Paris on 14th a casualty the following year July 1916. As the History put it when, on the evening of 17th “they all got a few days holiday and April 1917, it was sunk by a amusement.” German submarine whilst transporting wounded soldiers On 10th September 1916 from Le Havre to Southampton. Frank was wounded in action Twenty two British soldiers lost when he received gunshot their lives together with 18 wounds to the chest. At this time German prisoners of war. the Welsh Guards were engaged in heavy fighting in attempting to It seems that Frank spent capture the village of Ginchy some time in hospital before being during the Battle of the Somme. It posted to the 2nd (Reserve) suffered many casualties including Battalion of the Welsh Guards as former Glamorgan policemen an acting Lance Sergeant on 27th

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The hospital ship Lanfranc June 1917 when it was based at man of military bearing wearing Tadworth in Surrey. The 2nd spectacles, described as a collier, Battalion did not see active service from Porthcawl, was charged since its’ role was to provide with using abusive language in drafts of trained men for the 1st John street, Porthcawl.” It Battalion. seems that there had been an Frank did not return to active altercation between this man service and was discharged from and another who he described the army on 4th June 1918 when as “a pacifist and conscientious he was transferred to the Reserve. objector”. Frank gave evidence as to the incident and the Police records show that he had actually re-joined the language used which the Glamorgan Constabulary on 1st defendant denied. The June 1918 and resumed his police magistrates found the case duties. Again there are references proved and fined the to him in the reports of the defendant 15s. Glamorgan Gazette: • Its report on 6th September • In its edition for 23rd August it reflected the stringent nature reported that “a middle aged of wartime regulations under

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the Defence of the Realm Act nothing further is known about in that two women, in him. separate cases, were Tragically, the marriage was summoned before the only to last for a very short time magistrates for failing to since, within less than a month, obscure a light which was Frank died on 11th November visible from the sea. The first 1918 of pneumonia. However, it’s woman, having had the matter clear that, although he had by then drawn to her attention by been discharged from the army, Frank, had replied that “her his death was connected to the visitors must have lighted the wounds he had received on active light and forgotten to pull down service since his death is recorded the blind.” She pleaded guilty by the Commonwealth War and was fined £1. In the other Graves Commission and their case the defendant claimed customary headstone stands in the that she was not at the graveyard of the church in property concerned. Frank Newton Nottage where he was gave evidence that there was married and where he was buried “a brilliant light” shining on 14th November. through the window. She, too, was fined £1. Frank’s funeral was the subject of a report in a local newspaper On 21st October 1918, Frank which is reproduced in full: married Annie Mary David at the parish church of St. John the “The mortal remains of the late Baptist, Newton Nottage, near P.C. Trott were interred, with full military honours in Newton Porthcawl. Annie, aged 26, was Churchyard on Thursday last. the daughter of William David, a Long before the time of starting labourer, and was from Nottage. hundreds of people had Frank, by then 31 years of age, assembled outside the Police gave his address as the Police Station. The Rev. W.J. Phillips Station, Porthcawl. Of interest is (Newton) feelingly conducted a the fact that his father’s name is service at the Police Station, and recorded as Frank Trott and that also gave out the hymn, ‘Jesu, he, too, was a policeman although lover of my soul’, which the

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excellent Kenfig Hill Band then wended its way to Newton played. Churchyard, when the strains of the ‘Dead March in Saul’ were The cortege, headed by the played. The superintendents and firing party of the local VTC’s, inspectors of the police, which under the charge of Sergt-major included Supts. Jones (Canton), Farrow, followed by the band Morris (Barry), and Inspectors and a party of 35 of the Davies (Bridgend), Davies Glamorgan Constabulary, under (Porth), and Davies (Penarth), the command of Col. Lindsay, walked by the side of the hearse. wounded soldiers, discharged Blinds were drawn along the sailors and soldiers and the Boy route, which showed the high Scouts, under the charge of esteem in which the late P.C. Scoutmaster D. Hutchinson, Trott was held.

St. John’s Church with Frank’s Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone prominent in the foreground.

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IN THE CHURCH-Upon arriving THE MOURNERS-The principal at the church the body was met mourners were the widow and by the Rev. T. Holmes Morgan, Mr. D. Lewis, Rose and Crown who effectively conducted the Inn, Nottage. service in the church. FLORAL TRIBUTES-Beautiful AT THE GRAVESIDE-At the floral tributes were sent by the graveside the Rector read the widow, Mr. D. Lewis (Rose and commitment sentences with Crown Inn), P.C. Vallence and deep emotion, after which the family, Sergt. Jenkins and family, firing party fired three volleys and P.C. McLaughlin, and the over the grave, and the ‘Last Porthcawl Discharged Sailors Post’ was sounded. Col. Lindsay and Soldiers Federation.” also ordered the police to give For some unknown reason the last salute to their comrade. Frank’s death is not recorded on the Glamorgan Police War Memorial or on its Roll of Honour. His name does, however, appear on the Porthcawl War Memorial. Of all the deaths which we have recorded in our annual commemoration booklets, Frank’s seems particularly poignant. He took part in fierce fighting, was seriously wounded and died just a few weeks after being married. The fact that his death occurred on the very day that the guns fell silent on the Western Front adds to the sadness. However, as we shall see in the next sections of this booklet the Armistice did not Frank’s grave in the graveyard of St. bring an end to the suffering of John’s Church, Newton Nottage others. together with a commemorative cross from South Wales Police

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1919 ROLL OF HONOUR

6TH JANUARY to be employed as a farm labourer PC HENRY which was also Henry’s JAMES PORTER occupation by that time. CARDIFF CITY POLICE At some stage Henry left the GUNNER 16147 farmland of Somerset and moved ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY to Cardiff where he married Margaret Manx Pope. A son, Henry was Arthur James Evan, was born in born in 1892 1916. at Goathurst, a village near In April 1913 Henry became a Bridgewater in police officer with the Cardiff City Somerset. He Police and was stationed at Roath was the son of Police Station before he enlisted in Esau and Eliza the army at Cardiff in February Porter both of whom were from 1916. He appears to have been Somerset. Henry was baptised in mobilised in May the following the village on 19th June 1892. year and it was whilst he was on At the census of 1901, the active service in France in April family was living in Goathurst and, 1918 with the Royal Garrison included, along with Henry, Artillery that he suffered a (described as “Harry”), and his gunshot wound to his thigh. parents, Henry’s older brothers Henry spent some time in Thomas, John and Fred and his hospital in Britain and sadly died at older sister, Alice, a domestic the St Mark’s Hospital in Brighton, housemaid, and younger sister, part of the 2nd Eastern General Dorothy. Henry’s father was a Hospital, on 6th January 1919 farm labourer as was John, whilst after contracting pneumonia. Thomas and Fred were also employed in farming as a carter A contemporary newspaper and horseman respectively. report carried the following details of his death: By the census of 1911 the family was still living in Goathurst “Bombardier Henry James Porter, where Henry’s father continued Royal Garrison Artillery, formerly a member of the Cardiff City

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Police, youngest son of Mr and killed in action on September Mrs Porter, of Bridgewater, 3rd, 1916. The two surviving Somerset, died at St Mark’s sons are members of the Cardiff Hospital, Brighton from septic City Police.” poisoning following an operation Henry is buried at the Cathays after double pneumonia. He Cemetery in Cardiff. His joined up in May 1917, and he Commonwealth War Graves was wounded in the great Commission headstone bears the offensive in March 1918. He inscription “Thy will be done” and leaves a widow and son. Much there is also a stone to mark the sympathy is felt with his aged passing of his widow, Margaret, on parents, this being their third son to fall, two having been 7th April 1987, aged 95. Henry is also remembered on the Cardiff City Police War Memorial at the Cardiff Bay Police Station. As mentioned in the newspaper report, two of Henry’s brothers were both killed on the same day, 3rd September 1916. It appears from the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission that their details are as follows: • Private 16632 T.W. Porter, 7th Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, who was 37 years of age. He was stated to be the husband of Ada Mary Porter, of Rhode Lane, Durleigh, Bridgewater, Somerset. He is buried at Bernafay Wood British Cemetrery, Montauban Henry’s grave in Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff on the Somme.

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• Lance Corporal 16634 Charles 10TH MARCH Henry Porter, 7th Battalion, PC 679 HENRY Somerset Light Infantry, who was 39 years of age. He was GEORGE EVANS GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY stated to be the son of Esau SERGEANT 26474 and Elizabeth Porter, and ROYAL GARRISON ARTILLERY husband of Eva Sophia Porter, of Cranbrook, British Henry was one of many who died Columbia. He is after the end of the war. It’s commemorated on the natural that we concentrate to a Thiepval Memorial to the large extent on those who lost Missing of the Somme. their lives in battles or as a

The Cross of Sacrifice, Cathays Cemetery, Cardiff

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consequence of wounds sustained Sometime afterwards Henry in them. However, we should also became a steward as that is the ensure that men like Henry are occupation given on his attestation not forgotten. papers when, on 23rd March 1907 at Hounslow in London, he He was born in Ashtead, a enlisted in the regular army. It village in Surrey which lies seems that he had previously been between Leatherhead and Epsom. in the 1st City of London Whilst there are discrepancies in Volunteers of the Royal Garrison the records as to his year of birth Artillery and also in a reserve unit, with some giving it as 1889 and 5th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. others as 1891 it’s clear from birth records that the latter is correct. Following enlistment Henry The record of his baptism which served as a gunner in the 35th took place at St. Giles Church in Heavy Battery of the Royal Ashtead on 28th April 1891, gives Garrison Artillery and at the time his date of birth as 18th March of the census of 1911 he was 1891. based at Fort Nelson at Fareham in Hampshire. This was one of His father was George several nineteenth century forts Thomas Evans, who was a built on a hill overlooking policeman in 1891 according to Portsmouth as part of the that year’s census. He had been defences for the important naval born in Lambeth in London. base. Henry’s mother was Frances and she was originally from Gosport in By December 1912 Henry had Hampshire. Also in the household decided to leave the regular army at that time, in addition to Henry, and applied for his discharge were his older sister, Rosena, and which was granted. He was then his older brother, Charles. transferred to the army reserve and joined the Glamorgan By the time of the census of Constabulary in 1913. 1901 the family had moved from Ashtead to Warwick Street, It was not long, however, Hanover Square in London. before he had to return to army Henry’s father was then described life. He was stationed as a as working as a cook in a hotel. constable at Tonypandy when

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Britain declared war on Germany equipped with large 60lb guns on 4th August 1914. Henry was which in the early part of the war immediately recalled to the were horse drawn. Colours as a reservist and was The 35th provided heavy mobilised at Gosport on 5th artillery support for the 2nd August. Division of the British He re-joined his old unit, 35th Expeditionary Force in France and Heavy Battery, and went with as such was involved in the early them to France in August. battles of the war at Mons (and the retreat from it), the Marne The role of the heavy batteries and the First Battle of Ypres. was mainly to destroy the artillery batteries of the enemy but they Henry suffered with health were also used to attack roads, problems and returned to Britain railways, storage dumps and in January 1915 and did not go important targets behind the back to France until March 1916 enemy’s lines. They were when he was posted to 120th

60lb gun of the Royal Garrison Artillery, Somme, 1916 (IWM © Q917)

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Heavy Battery. He then had “From his loving further illnesses and spent periods in hospital in France and in Britain. wife and mother In September 1917 he was Thy Will be Done” posted to Number 3 Royal There are 142 First World War Artillery Training Depot in India, burials in the cemetery, 83 of but prior to leaving he married which are of members of the Isabella Frances Villaum Australian Forces who had a (sometimes spelt Villaume) at the depot in Weymouth during the Parish Church of South Bersted in War. Sussex on 16th July 1917. She was a widow, aged 31, who had been Henry is also remembered on born in Stockwell in London. the Glamorgan Police War Memorial. Correspondence on Henry’s army service record file indicates that she was a midwife and health visitor. The record also states that Henry’s step daughter by the marriage was Julia Cecilia who had been born on 13th July 1910. Henry’s qualities were recognised during his service as he was promoted to Lance Corporal, Corporal and Sergeant. On 1st March 1919 Henry was admitted to the University War Hospital In Southampton where he died of pneumonia on 10th March. Henry is buried at Melcome Regis Cemetery in Weymouth. The inscription on the headstone Henry’s grave with South Wales Police states that it is: commemorative cross

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10TH MAY living at The Close, Kington, (in Herefordshire) and was the PC 121 PATRICK SHEA manageress of a restaurant. From SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE the marriage certificate it appears PRIVATE 1783 that Patrick’s father was also 3RD BATTALION, IRISH GUARDS called Patrick and was a farm Patrick was an Irishman who was labourer whilst Lillie’s father, born in March 1881 in the parish William Henry Holmes, was a of Churchill, Tralee, in County master painter and decorator. Kerry. On one occasion during his He enlisted in the British Army police service, Patrick’s previous on 15th September 1903 at experience of working with Tralee, joining the Irish Guards. horses no doubt stood him in His previous employment was as a good stead. The Cambria Daily groom. Leader reported on 11th July 1914: He served in the army until September 1906 and then in 1908 “Prompt Policeman-On Thursday he joined the Swansea Borough afternoon, a horse and cart Police as Constable 121. belonging to Mr. J. D. Jones, builder and contractor, Swansea At the time of the census of was proceeding along Sketty 1911 Patrick was based at the road, when a tramcar collided Central Police Station in Orchard with the cart. The startled horse Street in Swansea. Others there at bolted, but PC (121) Shea the time included PC Frank caught the bridle and succeeded Coffey who was to die in the in pulling the animal up.” Middle East in 1917 and PC Jack When Britain declared war on Randall Birch who was to be killed Germany on 4th August 1914 in action in France in 1916. Patrick was recalled to the On 30th April 1913, Patrick, Colours as a reservist and re- then aged 32, and stationed at joined the Irish Guards. He landed Landore Police Station in Swansea, in France on 13th August and was married Lillie Holmes, aged 25, at involved in the early fighting as the St. Joseph’s Roman Catholic South Wales Weekly Post reported Church in Swansea. Lillie was then on 26th September 1914:

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“There are several members of From Patrick’s army records it the Swansea Borough Police appears that he was wounded in Force fighting for their country, action near Ypres on 29th and they have all been in the October 1914 and was admitted fighting line with the Irish to Number 13 General Hospital at Guards, the South Wales Boulogne. It seems that after Borderers, the Dorsets, and the treatment he returned to service King’s Own Rifles. No news has but was eventually posted to the been received in Swansea as to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the Irish PC’s Rouse, O’Shea, and J. Price, Guards. who all fought at Mons at the same time as poor Appleton.” In November 1918 Patrick became sick with what turned out “Appleton” was PC 190 Albert to be tuberculosis and was Appleton of the Dorsetshire admitted to the War Hospital in Regiment who was killed in action Bath in December 1918. As a on 24th August 1914 (see the result of subsequent examinations South Wales Police booklet for his condition was recognised as 1914). serious and he was medically Then on 21st November 1914, discharged from the army on 18th the same newspaper brought January 1919. news of the wounding of Patrick On 6th May 1919 Patrick was in action: awarded a Silver War Badge in “News has been received in recognition of the fact that he had Swansea by his comrades that been discharged from active PC Patrick Shea is now lying at a service on medical grounds. base hospital in France suffering Sadly just a few days later on from a shrapnel wound. Those Saturday 10th May 1919, Patrick who know the officer say he died at his home in Terrace Road, would make light of his injuries, Swansea. The South Wales Weekly and this is the substance of his Post of 17th May reported: letters home. PC Shea is a popular member of the Swansea “SWANSEA CONSTABLE’S Borough Police Force, and was DEATH-The death took place on one of the first to leave for the Saturday evening of PC Patrick front.” Shea, at his home, Terrace road,

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Swansea from consumption of other brothers, Thomas, Michael the throat. The deceased, who and Edward and two sisters, was aged 37, was a native of Lizzie and Mary. County Kerry, and before joining Patrick’s name appears on the the Swansea Borough Police Swansea Borough Police War Force in March 1908, served in Memorial in the present Swansea the Irish Guards, being discharged in September 1906. Central Police Station. However, He was recalled to the colours there is no record of his death on August 4th, 1914, and with the Commonwealth War received serious wounds in Graves Commission or in France. He was discharged a “Soldiers Died in the Great War” few months ago, but had not even though he appears to have resumed policeman’s duties died of illness contracted during since his discharge owing to his war service. failing health.” Until recently it was not Patrick’s death was registered known where Patrick was buried by his brother, John, who lived in but research has revealed that his Field Terrace, Taibach, Port grave is at Danygraig Cemetery in Talbot. Patrick’s army service Swansea. Also buried there is his record indicates that he had three wife’s mother, Emmeline Holmes.

Cross of Sacrifice at Danygraig Cemetery Patrick’s grave at Danygraig Cemetery

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We continue to remember. South Wales Police Remembrance Service 11th November 2016: Mr. Richard Thomas remembers his grandfather, Police Sergeant 200 Richard “Dick” Thomas of the Glamorgan Constabulary, killed in action at Mametz Wood on 7th July 1916

HEDDLU DE CYMRU • SOUTH WALES POLICE THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY 1914-1918 2014-2018

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 FIRST WORLD WAR uncover as much PROJECT GROUP information as possible Gareth Madge (Chair), about our proud history, and the many Danny Richards, Robin men who served both Mellor, Peter Wright, the force and their country Paul Wood, Melanie to ensure they Thalayasingam, Coral are never forgotten. Cole, Alan Fry together All the stories and with Philip Davies of the information collected, Western Front Association.

www.south-wales.police.uk www.southwalespolicemuseum.org.uk Designed and Printed by South Wales Police Print Department. Print Ref: 2034/1918 Ref: Department. Print Print Police by South Wales Designed and Printed LED BY IWM

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