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Home , 1901 in Wales, April 1915, August 1915, December 1915, February 1915, First Battle of Ypres

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

LED BY IWM LEST WE FORGET REMEMBERED WITH PRIDE IN 2 01 5 THOSE WHO DIED IN 191 5

LEARN • ENGAG1 E • REMEMBER THE GREAT WAR CENTENARY • 191 5

INTRODUCTION

1915 marked the first full year of the were wounded. This arises in the First World War. As will be seen context of our families, our from the summary of the year which communities and policing. Second, is appears in this booklet, it saw a the impact which the War had on our number of attempts by the Allies to world: its effects are still resonating break the deadlock of down the years to our own day, which had developed on the particularly in the Front, including the costly Battle of . Loos when several police officers Last year we marked the centenary from our predecessor forces were of the commencement of the war killed, including six on the same day - with a booklet which sought to 27th September. provide some context and It was also a year which saw the background and details of those who Allies attempt to force out of had died during 1914. It has been the war resulting in the terrible very well received and many copies fighting and loss of life on the have been distributed to individuals, peninsula where a including relatives of some of those police lost his life. who died, and organisations. At the Second Battle of the Germans used poison gas on the In this year’s booklet, in addition to Western Front for the first time and profiles of those who died, we have the British responded in kind at the other sections which we hope will be . Both were precursor of interest. We have produced a events to even more terrible separate booklet to mark the technologies of war in the shape of centenary of the and atomic bombs and other weapons, the close connection between our later in the century. predecessor forces and it during the As we look back over the span of First World War. 100 years it is important to consider We hope to be able to produce why we remember these events so similar booklets for the remaining long ago. There are, it seems to me, years of the centenary so that two main reasons. The first is the together they will be a lasting tribute sense of connection which we still to all those who served and, feel for those who served and especially, to those who made the especially for those who died or ultimate sacrifice. WE REMEMBER THEM ALL WITH PRIDE. YN ANGOF NI CHANT FOD. Peter Vaughan QPM Chief Constable, Police

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FIRST WORLD WAR PROJECT GROUP

The Group has continued with its • In recent months, wreaths, with work of researching the history of inscriptions signed by the Chief our predecessor forces during the Constable, have been laid on war and, in particular, the personal behalf of the Force to remember stories of those police officers who those former officers who have served in the armed forces at that no known grave and are time. The following is a summary of commemorated on the Loos some key areas of activity: Memorial in Northern and at the Memorial • The total number of deceased (this included PC Perkins). A officers recorded on the further wreath was laid at the Memorials of the Glamorgan, Welsh Dragon Memorial at , and Merthyr Mametz Wood to specifically forces is 90. However, we have remember the former officers now identified two more killed there in . In Glamorgan officers who are not addition, remembrance crosses shown on the Headquarters War have been placed on graves in Memorial. One is PC Arthur France, and also in Wales, on the Richmond Perkins of Maesteg graves of PC Trott at Porthcawl, who served with the Welsh PC William George Mathias of Guards and was killed in action the Glamorgan Constabulary and on 10th . He is the Welsh Guards, buried in commemorated on the Thiepval Fishguard, and PC William Jones Memorial to the Missing of the Thomas of the Glamorgan Somme. The other is PC Frank Constabulary and Welsh Guards, Trott of Porthcawl who also buried at St Edeyrn’s Church, served with the Welsh Guards Llanedeyrn, Cardiff. In this way, and died on 11th out of the total of 92 identified as 1918. He is buried at St John’s having been killed in action, died Church, Newton, Porthcawl. of wounds or of other causes, 72 Further information regarding have now been remembered in both officers will be provided in France, and Wales future booklets. In addition, if we through the laying of wreaths at discover any other officers who memorials or the placing of have been omitted from the crosses on individual graves. We Memorials we will ensure that will continue our efforts so that their details are also recorded in as many as possible of those who due course. died are remembered in this way.

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• A new Vehicle Maintenance researching those who were Facility in Bridgend, which is a recognised for their gallantry. joint venture with Bridgend We hope to follow this up in County Borough Council, has future booklets and we would been named Ty Richard Thomas also like to examine the effect the in remembrance of Police war had on the policing of South Sergeant Richard Thomas of the Wales. Glamorgan Constabulary who • The production of booklets such served in the area prior to the as this is an important feature of First World War. He was a Welsh what the Group does, as is rugby international who played mentioned by the Chief for several clubs in South Wales Constable in his Introduction. including Bridgend. He played in As a Group we believe that by the first international match between Wales and France and remembering the efforts of those was in the Welsh side which won who have gone before us, we are the first Grand Slam in 1908. He able to communicate with our was a Sergeant Major communities on something which in the 16th (Cardiff City) means so much, to so many of the Welsh people. during the War and was killed in Finally, I would like to take this action during the attack on opportunity to thank the members of Mametz Wood on the Somme on the Project Group for their excellent 7th July 1916. support which is entirely voluntary • Contact has been established on their part. They are: Danny with the families of a number of Richards, Robin Mellor, Peter Wright, the police officers who have died Paul Wood, Daryl Fahey, Coral Cole, and this has been a most Allison Tennant and Philip Davies of rewarding experience. We have the Western Front Association. also been able to assist other In addition, the Force’s Printing individuals with their research. Department has, as always, provided • In addition to remembering those a first class service in producing this who died, we are also booklet and other items.

Gareth Madge OBE Chair, First World War Project Group

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1915 A SUMMARY

19TH JANUARY 22ND APRIL begins bombing Britain The start of the Second Battle of through the use of Ypres where the Germans use . and poison gas for the first time. King’s Lynn are bombed and 25TH APRIL several people are killed and injured. Following the unsuccessful attempt by the Allied navies to 24TH JANUARY force their way through the In the Battle of Dogger Bank, the , the land campaign at sinks the German Gallipoli begins with landings by , Blucher . 70,000 British, Commonwealth and French who meet 4TH FEBRUARY strong resistance from Turkish Germany declares a naval forces. blockade around the coasts of 30TH APRIL Britain and . From now on Allied and neutral shipping are at PC 251 Bertram Frederick Crees risk of attack by U Boats. of the Glamorgan Constabulary is killed in action near Ypres. 19TH FEBRUARY 7TH MAY British and French warships begin their attempt to force their way The British liner Lusitania is through the Dardanelles Straits by torpedoed and sunk by a German bombardment of the shores. U boat off the coast of southern Ireland. Over 1000 passengers 10TH MARCH and crew lose their lives including The start of the British offensive at 128 Americans which causes Neuve Chapelle in France. There outrage in the and are heavy losses and there is much provokes a diplomatic crisis criticism of the lack of between it and Germany. effectiveness of the shells used by the . This leads to the so called “Shell Crisis” which causes serious problems for the Asquith government. R.M.S. Lusitania

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7TH MAY 31ST MAY PC 119 William Arthur Jones of experiences its first the Swansea Borough Police dies Zeppelin raid. Seven people are in an accident in whilst killed and thirty five are injured. serving with the . 4TH JUNE 9TH MAY The fighting in Gallipoli continues. Unsuccessful British offensive at The British losses amount to Aubers Ridge in France. 6,000 men as the Allies attempt to move inland from the beaches. 20TH MAY 6TH JUNE PC 397 William George Mathias of the Glamorgan Constabulary dies 26 people killed and 40 injured in of sickness in hospital in Zeppelin raid on Hull. whilst undergoing training with 6TH AUGUST the Welsh Guards. Further allied landings are made 23RD MAY on the Gallipoli Peninsula at declares war on - Bay. . 7TH AUGUST 25TH MAY PC 134 Frederick Richards of the There is political discontent in Glamorgan Constabulary is killed in action at Gallipoli. Britain as a result of the rising losses on the Western Front and 8TH SEPTEMBER the problems in shell Zeppelin raid on London kills 22 manufacturing resulting in too few and injures 87. being produced and too many of those that are, lacking 25TH SEPTEMBER effectiveness. Liberal Prime Start of the Battle of Loos. British Minister Asquith responds to the use poison gas for the first time. pressure by establishing a 27TH SEPTEMBER in which becomes British and Canadian forces . capture Hill 70 at Loos but overall

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the Loos offensive has only limited 17TH OCTOBER success before it is terminated in PC 239 William Hammond of the October. Glamorgan Constabulary is killed 27TH SEPTEMBER in action near Loos. PC Benjamin Evans of the Cardiff 25TH OCTOBER City Police, and PC 203 Michael Doyle, PC 648 David William PC 404 William Henry Carter of Evans, PC 591 David Charles the Glamorgan Constabulary dies Grant, PC 364 Ernest Lewis of wounds near Loos. Reeves, and PC 622 Charles 31ST OCTOBER Henry Snailham, all of the Glamorgan Constabulary, are all British troops start to use steel killed in action during the Battle of helmets on the Western Front in Loos. place of the caps worn until then. 6TH OCTOBER 17TH DECEMBER PC 1330 William East of the In Grantham, Lincolnshire, Edith Glamorgan Constabulary is killed Smith is attested as the first in action near Loos. female police constable with powers of arrest. 8TH OCTOBER 19TH DECEMBER PC 138 William Holland of the Swansea Borough Police dies of Sir Douglas Haig replaces Sir John wounds near Loos. French as Commander of the 12TH OCTOBER British Expeditionary Force. PC 255 Leonard Nowell of the 23RD DECEMBER Glamorgan Constabulary dies of Thousands of Allied troops are wounds near Loos. evacuated successfully from British nurse, , is Gallipoli as the offensive there is executed by the Germans by firing brought to close. Some 250,000 squad because of assistance she Allied soldiers were killed, had given to Allied prisoners of wounded or taken prisoner during war to escape. the campaign.

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1915 ROLL OF HONOUR

30TH APRIL involved in a colourful case before PC 231 BERTRAM the Stipendiary Magistrate at Aberdare on 18th and FREDERICK CREES reported extensively in the GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY “Aberdare Leader” three days later. 13986 17TH FIELD The case concerned charges COMPANY, ROYAL ENGINEERS brought against one David Bertram Crees was born in Williams of the Glosters Arms, Dulverton, Somerset on 20th May Aberdare, for permitting the 1888. He was the son of Frederick public house to be used for illegal and Emily Crees and had an older betting. The newspaper said that: sister, Jessie, and a younger “this was a case in which a great brother, Victor. His father was a deal of public interest was police constable. At the time of taken, scores of people failing to the census of 1901 Bertram, his get admission into court to hear parents and younger brother the proceedings.” were living in the police station at East Brent, near Wells in The prosecution said that: Somerset. Bertram was then 15 “the practice of using licensed years of age and a labourer in a houses in the town had become carpentry shop. At some stage he very prevalent, but that there left the West Country and moved was a great difficulty in to South Wales, joining the discovering offenders. The Glamorgan Police on 2nd May owners of the houses evidently 1908. By 1911 he was stationed in know of what was going on, and and lodging with a had set traps. The local police, Sergeant Edward Phillips and his in order to capture the wife, Georgina, at 36 High Street, offenders, had called in an . Bertram was married in outside officer from Abergwynfe. 1913 to a Winifred Pickford, also This officer came disguised as a from Somerset. carpenter out of employment During his police service Bertram and went to the Glosters Arms was evidently able to utilise his on three days, June 10th, 11th previous employment in carpentry and 12th. On these days he to good effect when he was found bets being made.”

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The report then goes on to set Bertram was thirty years of age out Bertram’s undercover when he died. The Chief activities in the pub which resulted Constable of Glamorgan, Captain in it being raided by the police and Lionel Lindsay, reported the death the matter being brought before to the Glamorgan Police Standing the court. At the conclusion of the Joint Committee in . He hearing Williams and his co- also indicated that “a war fund had defendants were committed for been raised by members of the force trial at the Quarter Sessions. to assist the relatives of those Subsequently Bertram served at members of the force who lost their Tonmawr but following the lives in the war. At present there outbreak of war he joined the was over £800 in hand.” Royal Engineers and went with On 9th September 1916, the them to France, arriving there on 17th . “Cambria Daily Leader” reported that at Bryn Seion Chapel, In 1915 Bertram was serving with Tonmawr, local men serving in the the 17th Field Company attached army were recognised and that to the 27th which took also, part in the Second . The Company’s War Diary “A portrait of the late Sapper records that, on 30th April, “Spr B.F.Crees, killed in action, was 13986 Crees B.F. killed by shell (in also presented to Mrs.Crees in billets)” . At the time the Company remembrance of her heroic was in billets at Potijze, near husband. Sapper Crees, who was Ypres. The 27th Division’s the village constable, was one of Headquarters was at Potijze the first to join the colours.” Chateau. (Among those buried at the nearby Commonwealth War Bertram has no known grave and Graves Commission’s Potijze is commemorated on the Menin Burial Ground is Bertram’s Gate Memorial at Ypres, on the Glamorgan Constabulary Glamorgan Police colleague, PC 62 Edward John at Police Headquarters in Taylor of the 1st Battalion, Welsh Bridgend and on the War Guards, who was killed in action Memorial at East Brent in on 8th ). Somerset.

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7TH MAY wife, Elizabeth Laura, who had PC 119 WILLIAM been born in Haverfordwest and their daughter, Ena, who ARTHUR JONES was then 16 months old. SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE LANCE 49094 William joined the Royal Engineers 101ST FIELD COMPANY ROYAL at the start of the war but did not ENGINEERS see active service. The 101st Field Company, with which he served, was attached to the 23rd Division during the early months of 1915 and was based in Kent where they were engaged in constructing defences in areas to the south of London. It is likely that it was whilst engaged in such work that William met his death on 7th . The “Herald of Wales” newspaper reported on 22nd May 1915, that the Swansea Police Watch Committee passed a vote of condolence with the family of the late PC Jones who it was stated William Arthur Jones was born in “was fatally injured by the collapse in 1881. of a bridge at Sellindge in Kent” . It was also stated that the Chief It appears that he had served with Constable was to report further the police before he moved to with regards to a pension. South Wales as is shown by the William is buried in the above photograph taken by a churchyard of St Mary’s in Birmingham photographer. Sellindge. He is also In any event, by the time of the commemorated on the First census of 1911 he was living at 6 World War Memorial Tablet in Rutland Street, Swansea with his Swansea Central Police Station.

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20TH MAY He resigned from the police on PC 397 WILLIAM 9th and joined the army. He was one of 200 GEORGE MATHIAS members of the Glamorgan force GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY who had by then either been re- 1210 1ST BATTALION, called to the colours as reservists WELSH GUARDS or who had joined up voluntarily. A Pembroke- The Welsh Guards had been shire man, formed in and William was William was undertaking training born at with them at Caterham when he Letterston, contracted pneumonia and died near Fishguard there on 20th May 1915. on 12th December William is buried in the Burial 1884. His parents were John and Ground of Hermon Baptist Sarah Mathias. Chapel, Fishguard, along with his father, and his mother who died in William’s father died in 1908 1935 aged 78. He is also aged 51. commemorated on the Fishguard On 20th William War Memorial and the Glamorgan joined the Glamorgan Police. Police War Memorial at Bridgend. Typically for that period, which 7TH AUGUST saw a great deal of unrest in the industrial communities of South PC 134 FREDERICK Wales, William was, at the time of RICHARDS the census of 1911, billeted with GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY other police officers at the CORPORAL 13027 Ogmore Arms in Gilfach Goch, 4TH BATTALION, the Registrar endorsing the census form that they were there Frederick Richards was born in “temporarily during the coal on 26th March 1883, strike.” the son of Edgar George Richards William was stationed at Bridgend and Emily Richards. He had five at the commencement of the war. brothers.

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By the time of the Census of 1911 Straits and make ultimately for the the family had moved to Cardiff Turkish capital where they lived at 4 Romilly which could then be bombarded Crescent, Canton. Frederick’s and potentially force the Turkish father ran a fruit and vegetable Empire out of the war. business and it appears that However, the naval operations Frederick worked with him in it, were not successful and several as did other members of the ships were sunk or damaged with family. much loss of life. An expeditionary Frederick joined the Glamorgan force was then created to which Constabulary on 23rd the Australian and and prior to the commencement armies made a substantial of the war was stationed at contribution (“the ANZAC’s”). Ogmore Vale. Landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula took place in April 1915 with the The 4th Battalion of the South intention of seizing the coastal Wales Borderers had been formed areas from which the Turkish gun on 7th August 1914 and it was batteries had been attacking the with them that Frederick served. Allied warships. These landings The Battalion spent the next few were followed by severe and months in various camps in bitter fighting resulting in large Southern England before leaving numbers of casualties on both for the Middle East as part of the sides. 13th (Western) Division which together with other re- A decision was then made to enforcements, was to make a make a renewed attempt to take further attempt to capture the the Peninsula and further landings Gallipoli Peninsula from Turkish were to take place at and near forces. Suvla Bay. It was to this operation that 4th Battalion, South Wales The original intention in February Borderers was to contribute. 1915, under direction from as First Lord of The Battalion sailed from the Admiralty, had been for British Avonmouth on the White Star and French warships to force their liner the SS Megantic on 28th June way through the Dardanelles 1915. There was a delay in sailing

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as a transport ship had been sunk from the already prevailing by a German off Lundy. dysentery, were hardly fit for the The Battalion arrived at Gallipoli effort but had refused to be left on 15th July and spent two weeks behind. To their right rear heavy on the peninsula before being firing indicated that the withdrawn to Mudros, on the assaulting columns were Greek island of , to struggling forward up the slopes prepare for the main attack. of Sari Bair: far away to their left intermittent firing could be On 4th August, together with heard and distant flashes seen, other units of the 13th, Division the landing at Suvla was in the Battalion landed at “Anzac progress. Morning (Aug.7th) Cove” and proceeded to move found the battalion well dug in, inland. Its objective was to though in places the trenches, capture the ridge known as Sari sited in the darkness, were Bair in conjunction with the found to give such poor fields of landing by other divisions at Suvla fire that readjustments were Bay six miles to the north. imperative. Heavy fighting was The Battalion had to cover at going on both to the right and night two miles of difficult ground left, but the 4th found which was covered with boulders themselves in a backwater and prickly scrub. Fighting ensued, between the Sari Bair and the including with bayonets, but Suvla struggles, of both of which eventually they reached and their position gave them a view. secured their objective on the No counter attack developed ridge. It was during this operation against them, either that day or that Frederick was killed in action the next, and though enough on 7th August. The Battalion lost snipers were about in front to 19 men in total killed that day. make movement in the open imprudent the chief casualties The history of the South Wales came from shrapnel: the Turkish Borderers in the First World War gunners had soon detected the gives this description of the scene: presence of British troops on the “All night long the men worked Damakjelik Bair spur and steadily, though many, weak shelled the position pretty

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steadily all day, giving the 4th 27TH SEPTEMBER reason to be glad of the hard PC 203 digging they had put in.” MICHAEL DOYLE In subsequent days the battalion GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY did face a severe counterattack PRIVATE 7793 2ND BATTALION, and after further heavy fighting by 22nd August it had suffered An Irishman, Michael Doyle joined casualties amounting to 400 the Glamorgan Constabulary in officers and men out of 775 who 1914. had gone ashore on 4th August. He had been born in 1891 at Ultimately, the campaign on the Tullaherin in County Kilkenny, the Gallipoli Peninsula failed to son of Patrick and Kate Doyle. By achieve what it set out to do. In 1911 he lived with his parents and the light of a continuing deadlock, three brothers and three sisters in the heavy losses which had Kilfane, Thomastown, Kilkenny. resulted, and the need for efforts His father was an agricultural labourer and the census of that to be concentrated in France and year gave Michael’s occupation as Belgium and other places, all domestic servant. Allied troops were evacuated in and early January During his time with the 1916. The sacrifice of Frederick Glamorgan force he served at Richards, like that of so many Caerau near Maesteg. The “Glamorgan Gazette” reported a others, so far from home was not case heard by the Bridgend rewarded with success. Magistrates Court on 7th August Frederick is the only member of 1914 involving Michael. Under the the predecessor forces of South heading of “Policeman Assaulted” Wales Police to have lost his life at it said: Gallipoli. He has no known grave “Thomas Rees, haulier, Caerau, and is commemorated on the was charged with having been Helles Memorial on the Peninsula drunk and disorderly in Tonna and on the Glamorgan Police War road, Caerau on August 2nd, Memorial at Bridgend. and with having assaulted

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PC Michael Doyle. The mown down. By 5pm withdrawal constable stated that defendant had begun with the Irish Guards bit him on both hands, and spending the night in the Wood. struck him in the face. After a The Battalion War Diary severe struggle he managed to described the situation there: handcuff him and took him to “It rained throughout the night. the Police Station. Heavy and accurate shelling Defendant was fined 15s on the throughout the morning. Many first charge and £2 on the shells pitched actually on to the trenches burying many men and second.” blowing a few to pieces.” Following the outbreak of war It was sometime during 27th Michael returned to Kilfane where September that Michael was killed he enlisted in the army on 16th in action. One of the officers from April 1915. He joined the 2nd his Battalion who was also killed Battalion of the Irish Guards with that day was Second whom he went to France on 16th , son of the poet and . author, , who later The Battalion was part of the 2nd wrote a detailed history of the Brigade of the recently formed Irish Guards in the First World which played a War. In it he said in relation to the prominent role in the Battle of battle in which he had lost his only Loos. On 27th September the son: Battalion led the attack in an area “Evidently, one and a half hour’s known as Chalk Pit Wood as part bombardment against a of the attempt to capture German countryside packed with positions on Hill 70 near Loos. machine guns, was not enough After a ninety minute preliminary to placate it. The Battalion had artillery bombardment, at 4pm been swept from all quarters, the Irish Guards left their trenches and shelled at the same time, at and moved forward. Initially their the end of two hard days and casualties were light but as they sleepless nights, as a first then moved up a bare slope experience of war, and had lost hundreds of men from the seven of their officers in forty Battalion and other units were minutes.”

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As for Michael, his body was August 1915. The Battalion was never found. He is heavily engaged during the Battle commemorated on the Loos of Loos and Benjamin was killed in Memorial and the Glamorgan action on 27th Police War Memorial at Bridgend. aged 25. He was single and 27TH SEPTEMBER survived by his parents who lived at Byrgwn Mawr, , PC BENJAMIN EVANS Abergavenny. CARDIFF CITY POLICE PRIVATE 1348 1ST BATTALION, Benjamin has no known grave and WELSH GUARDS is commemorated on the , the Cardiff City Police Benjamin was born in Llangunnor, Memorial at the Cardiff Bay Police Carmarthen in 1890, the son of Station, and on the Abergavenny David and Anne Evans. He had War Memorial. four sisters and one brother by the time of the census of 1901 27TH SEPTEMBER when the family had moved to live PC 648 DAVID near Abergavenny where his WILLIAM EVANS father was a farmer. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY By 1911 Benjamin had joined the PRIVATE 1270 1ST BATTALION, Cardiff City Police since, WELSH GUARDS according to the census of that David was born at Llandovery, year, he was then lodging with a Carmarthenshire in 1890. Thomas Chapman, described as a policeman on temporary pension He joined the Glamorgan as he was disabled, and his wife Constabulary in 1912 and was Emily, at 61 Romilly Crescent, stationed at Caerau, near Maesteg Canton. A PC Robert Fleming of at the outbreak of the War. the Cardiff force was also a lodger He enlisted in the army at with them. Bridgend and on 17th August At some stage after the outbreak 1915 went to France with the of war Benjamin joined the army Welsh Guards. He was killed in and went with 1st Battalion, action at the Battle of Loos on Welsh Guards to France on 17th 27th September 1915.

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David has no known grave and is the railways, firstly with the Barry commemorated on the Loos Railway Company, and then with Memorial and the Glamorgan the Rhymney Railway Company in Police War Memorial at Bridgend. Caerphilly. 27TH SEPTEMBER David was a member of St Paul’s PC 591 DAVID Church in Barry and sang with the CHARLES GRANT church choir. GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY He joined the Glamorgan PRIVATE 1331 IST BATTALION, Constabulary in 1911 and was WELSH GUARDS stationed at several places in the David was force area including Llantwit born in Cogan, Major, Bridgend and Porthcawl Penarth in where he was at the outbreak of 1889, the son the war. of William Thomas Grant Along with several other local and Emily police officers he enlisted in the Grant. army in May 1915 joining 1st The family lived at 66 High Street Battalion, Welsh Guards. He was in Barry and at the time of the clearly well regarded in the census of 1901, in addition to Porthcawl area as the following David, there were seven other report from the Glamorgan members of the household: Gazette for 23rd April shows: David’s father, then aged 44, his “Four of our policemen have mother, aged 41, his brothers, Richard, aged 17, Samuel, aged resigned and leave today to join 15, and George, aged 6, together the Welsh Guards. They are with his sisters , Mabel, aged 13, PC’s Grant, Wm. Richardson, and Susan, aged 10. David’s father William Thomas, and Denis was a coal trimmer. Hayes; while PC Trott goes from David attended the High Street Newton. We are all sorry to lose Elementary School in Barry and them, but we admire their after leaving school worked on patriotism and their desire to

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give their burly frames to more 27TH SEPTEMBER active service for the King. PC 364 ERNEST PC Grant had only lately come LEWIS REEVES amongst us, but he had already GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY made friends by his genial PRIVATE 1279 1ST BATTALION, manner and straightforward WELSH GUARDS conduct. The other members we Ernest was knew fairly well, and wish them born on 24th a long and honourable career December and rapid promotion in “The 1894 in Cardiff Guards”. Now we have to fall the son of back on our sergeant once William and more.” Sarah Annie Reeves. She Sadly, only PC’s Richardson and was from Wooton-under-Edge in Hayes were to survive the war. Gloucestershire. David was with the Welsh Guards At the time of the census of 1901, when they landed in France on Ernest was living with his mother 17th August 1915 and took part in Spring Street, Newport. Also in with them in the Battle of Loos the household at that time were when, on 27th September, they his older sister, Girtey, then aged attacked German positions on Hill 8, his younger sister, Alice, aged 4, 70. The Battalion suffered heavy his brother William, then a year casualties through an artillery old, and his grandfather, William bombardment before the attack Reeves, then aged 81. and as a result of fierce machine The family then moved to Cardiff gun fire from Hill 70. It was where Ernest attended Gladstone sometime during this battle that Primary School. David was killed in action. By the census of 1911, Ernest had He has no known grave and is moved to live with a Walter Fred commemorated on the Loos Blomeley and his wife Hannah and Memorial and the Glamorgan their six children at Martin’s Police War Memorial at Bridgend. Terrace in Abercynon. At this time

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Ernest, at 16 years of age, was Cathays, Cardiff, his father having working as an engine attendant at pre deceased him. one of the local collieries. Ernest has no known grave and is On 15th August 1914, eleven days remembered on the Loos after Britain’s declaration of war Memorial and the Glamorgan on Germany, Ernest joined the Police War Memorial at Bridgend. Glamorgan Constabulary. 27TH SEPTEMBER However, he resigned from the force on 23rd April 1915, whilst PC 622 CHARLES stationed at Penarth and HENRY SNAILHAM subsequently joined 1st Battalion, GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY Welsh Guards. SERGEANT 15156 The Battalion landed in France on 3RD BATTALION, 17th August 1915 and took part in its first major action on 27th Charles was September during the Battle of from Merthyr Loos. At 4pm on that day it came where he was under heavy artillery fire as it born in 1893. marched along the Vermelles- His father was Loos road. Despite suffering many also named casualties the Battalion continued Charles and on to the front line. At 6pm it his mother attacked an enemy held position was Sarah. Charles senior was known as Hill 70. Unfortunately, originally from Pontypool and the Battalion sustained heavy Sarah had been born in Maesteg. casualties due to enemy machine guns positioned on the summit. It At the time of the census of 1901 is likely that Ernest was killed the family was living in David either during this engagement or Street in Merthyr where Charles’ the artillery bombardment which father worked on railway engines. preceded it. In addition to Charles, there were Ernest was 20 years of age when three brothers younger than him. he died. He was survived by his His parents subsequently moved mother who at the end of the war to live at 11 Hankey Terrace, was living in Dogfield Street, Merthyr.

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In Charles joined the station to Southampton where army and was posted to the 1st they embarked on the river Clyde Battalion, Grenadier Guards. He steamboat, “Queen Alexandra” . was at the Guards Depot at They were escorted by a Royal Caterham in Surrey at the time of Navy as they crossed the census of that year. Amongst the English Chanel to . those there at the same time During the first two months in were Leonard Nowell and William France the Battalion was largely Hammond, both of whom would engaged in training activities. An become members of the occasion of note, however, was Glamorgan Constabulary and that on 18th August the Battalion, would also die at Loos in France. together with 1st Battalion, Charles left the army early and Grenadier Guards and 2nd was transferred to the reserve in Battalion, , took part 1913 the year that he joined the in a parade at St Omer where Glamorgan force with which he they were inspected by the served for less than a year. At the French War Minister and his outbreak of war he was stationed British counterpart, Lord at Aberdare. Kitchener. Also present was the Commander in Chief of the British He was, as a reservist, recalled to Expeditionary Force, Sir John the colours and mobilised on 5th French. August 1914, a day after Britain declared war on Germany. He During his time with the Battalion joined the 3rd Battalion, Charles’ qualities as a leader were Grenadier Guards which was clearly recognised as he was stationed at Barracks promoted to in in London. After a period in and then, within training and preparation, the quick succession, to corporal and Battalion went to France in July sergeant in . 1915. The men paraded at In September 1915 the Battalion, Chelsea Barracks at 4am on the as part of the Guards Division, 26th when a message from the took part in the Battle of Loos. King was read to them. They then On the 27th men from the travelled by train from Waterloo Battalion supported the Scots

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Guards during their attack on a Gloucestershire, whilst his mother coal pit and buildings near Loos in was from Cardiff. He was one of the same day’s fighting that six children, having four brothers claimed the lives of several of and one sister. Charles’ colleagues from the At the time of the census of 1901 Glamorgan Constabulary. the family lived in the Bridgend The attacking forces initially area. William’s father was gained their objective, but had to employed as a general labourer withdraw under heavy fire. It was whilst William himself, at 13 years during this action that Charles was of age, was a grocer’s assistant. killed. According to a report in the William joined the Glamorgan “Aberdare Leader” on 23rd Constabulary on 19th November , a shell burst in front of him. (The report 1910 and at the time of the census indicated that he had been of 1911 he was based at wounded which, of course, Caerphilly police station. He subsequently proved to be resigned from the Force on 23rd incorrect). April 1915 and then joined the 1st Battalion of the Welsh Guards, Charles was 22 years of age when serving with the ’ he died. He has no known grave Company, a title granted by King and is commemorated on the to the leading company Loos Memorial and on the of the Regiment. Glamorgan Police War Memorial at Bridgend. William went to France with the Battalion on 17th August 1915. 6TH OCTOBER The Battalion was heavily engaged PC 548 WILLIAM EAST during the Battle of Loos and it GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY was during the later stages of the PRIVATE 1330 1ST BATTALION, Battle when the Battalion WELSH GUARDS occupied positions near Vermelles that William was killed in action. William was born in Bridgend on 28th January 1888, the son of The history of the Welsh Guards George and Jane East. His father in the First World War describes was from Stroud in the situation at this time:

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“The billets in Vermelles were The story of how Police anything but comfortable. The Constable East met his death is gunners with their cheering told in the following letter which weapons were all over the ruins, Police Sergeant J.H. Folland, and, although one likes to hear Gilfach, received from his the sound of British guns, no one brother, Private William Folland, wants to lie down by the side of who was Police Constable East’s them to rest. The Germans had chum: “Dear Brother-Just a few a naval gun which fired armour lines to let you know that am all piercing shells with what seemed right and in the best of health. I like a retarded action, and they am sorry to inform you that poor searched with this gun for the East was killed yesterday British batteries amongst the (Tuesday). He and I were sitting ruins. This went on all day and on the side of a trench having a night, and there were a good few laugh and joke when a shell casualties.” came and struck him on the left side and it was all over with him The “Glamorgan Gazette” in less than five minutes. I and reported William’s death in its Sergeant Bevan, of the Swansea edition of 15th October 1915: Police, buried him shortly after it “News was received on Saturday went dark, and put a bit of a by Police Sergeant John Gill, of cross on his grave. He was a Bedlinog, of the death in action good and true friend. We are of Police Constable William beginning to feel the winter East, of the 1st Battalion Welsh coming on-the wet weather and Guards. Police Constable East cold nights. One good job, enlisted when he was stationed however, we are very well at Bedlinog. He was formerly provided for.” stationed at Caerphilly, In 1916, 1917, 1918 and 1919, at Llanbradach, and Bargoed. A the time of the anniversary of native of Bridgend, he was very William’s death, “In Memoriam” popular with his fellow officers. notices appeared in the He played rugby football for “Glamorgan Gazette” in Bridgend, Penarth, and other remembrance of him. It is to be well known Welsh clubs.... noted that they refer to “Hulloch”

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as the place where he was killed. 8TH OCTOBER This is near Vermelles. Also the PC 78 WILLIAM date of death is given as 5th October whilst official records HOLLAND state it was 6th October. It may SWANSEA BOROUGH POLICE have been that he was killed on SERGEANT 1318 the night of 5th/6th October. 1/6TH BATTALION, WELSH REGIMENT The notice which appeared on 4th read: William’s father, also called William, came from Exeter whilst “East-In loving memory ot Pte. his mother, Sarah, was from W. East, 1330, Welsh Guards Aberaman. Regt., Prince of Wales Batt., killed in action at Hulloch, Oct. William was born in Cardiff in 5th, 1915, aged 28 years-Fondly 1887 and at the time of the census remembered by Father and of 1911 he lived at 50 Alexandra Mother, Sisters Phoebe and Terrace, Swansea, with his parents Beat, Brothers Jenk and Henry. and his wife, Lillian, who was born In the bloom of life death in Swansea and aged 24. Also claimed him, present in the household were In the pride of his manhood William’s brother James, aged 31, days, his brother John, aged 21, and his sister Ellen, who was 17 years of None knew him but to love him, age. William’s father worked as a None mentioned his name but stoker in the Swansea Gas Works, with praise. James was a postman and William God bless him.” and John were said to be “tube William has no known grave and is workers”. commemorated on the Loos At some point William became a Memorial and the Glamorgan police officer with the Swansea Police War Memorial at Bridgend. Borough Police. It would also seem that he joined the part time volunteer army before the war since during it he served with a unit, the 6th

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(Glamorgan) Battalion of the Their duties during the period up Welsh Regiment. to the summer of 1915 were largely of a support nature, At the end of the guarding key positions and so on. Battalion had been at camp in However, in July they became, Portmadoc in North Wales but along with the 1st Battalion of the this was curtailed and the men Welsh Regiment, part of the 84th returned to their homes. On the Brigade with which they were in day that war was declared, 4th October to take part in the Battle August 1914, the Battalion was of Loos. mobilised and went to their war stations which involved guarding It is likely that it was during a sites of military importance. Thus period of intense fighting in an contingents were deployed to the area known as the Hohenzollern docks at , Port Talbot Redoubt that William suffered and Swansea and also to the fort wounds from which he was to die. at Mumbles Head. There had already been a great deal of action in the vicinity in the Initially orders were received for previous days. The regimental the Battalion to go to but in history gives this description: the event these were rescinded and it marched out of Swansea on “The fighting in the vicinity of 28th , following the Redoubt had been terrific, what the history of the Welsh and all the communication Regiment in the First World War trenches leading up to the describes as “a most stirring Redoubt, and to the old British speech” by the Commanding front line had been smashed out Officer, Lord Ninian Crichton- of all recognition. There had Stuart. been no time to bury the dead, who in some cases had been The Battalion arrived at Le Havre built into the hastily patched in France on 29th October, parapets. It was indeed a scene William amongst them. It of desolation.” comprised of 28 officers and 812 . It was the third Amongst the casualties during territorial unit to be deployed to these days was Lieutenant France. Lord Ninian Crichton-Stuart. The

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Battalion war diary for 2nd received a touching letter, October contains the following: couched in the following terms, from Company NCO’s on behalf “Lord Ninian Crichton-Stuart of his Company and battalion. was mortally shot through the head death being instantaneous. The letter is as follows-‘It is with His body was placed in a zinc deep and sorrow that we and wood coffin and conveyed to write these few lines, hoping Bethune where he was placed that it will bring some comfort .....in the public cemetery on 7th to you in this sore time of October 1915.” trouble. The news of dear Bill’s Crichton-Stuart was the second death came to us five minutes son of the 3rd Marquess of Bute ago, and I can assure you it was and Conservative Member of with very great surprise we Parliament for Cardiff from 1910 heard it. I may add that we have until his death. His statue now missed Bill since he got stands prominently in the gardens wounded, and have realised near the National Museum in during the short time he has Cardiff. been from us what a friend and After he was wounded William comrade we had lost. There is was treated at the Number 1 one consolation that may bring Casualty Clearing Station at comfort to your breaking heart, nearby Choques which is where and that is that Bill died a hero, he died on 8th October 1915. facing the enemy. It is with a prayer that every man of “B” The “Cambria Daily Leader” of 28th October 1915 carried the Company goes to rest tonight- following report: that God in his great mercy may bring the comfort to you and “Mrs. Holland, of 33 Rodney family that you need. street, Swansea, whose husband was before the war a police We have lost a friend that we officer in Swansea, and was will never find anyone to equal, killed in recent fighting in and it is not only in Bill’s France, as already reported in Company but in the whole the “Cambria Daily Leader” has battalion. We did not think his

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wound would prove so serious as 12TH OCTOBER it has turned out. The sergeant- PC 255 LEONARD major was with Bill when he got NOWELL hit, and all his thoughts were of GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY you and the little boy, as they PRIVATE 120 1ST BATTALION, always had been out here. WELSH GUARDS When he was wounded he called (FORMERLY PRIVATE 15067 out for you three or four times, 2ND BATTALION, and his words will always ring in GRENADIER GUARDS) the sergeant-major’s ears...... If Leonard was there is anything that we can do from Somerset or let you know, I can assure you having been that it will be an honour to us.’ born in The letter is signed by Bridgewater E. Shugford CQMS., and on 1st C. W. Huntley, CSM.” October 1892, the son of William is buried at the Military Ernest and Eliza Nowell. It seems Cemetery at Choques. Most of that Leonard’s first name was the 1801 soldiers from the First Ernest after his father. World War buried there were, like William, casualties who had At the time of the census of 1901, died at the nearby Casualty the family was living in Clearing Station. Bridgewater. In addition to Leonard (referred to in the return The inscription on William’s grave reads, “Safe in the arms of Jesus.” as Ernest) and his parents, also in the household were his brother, William is also remembered on Clifford, then aged 4, and his the Memorial Tablet to the sister Julia, who was then 7 officers from the Swansea months old. Borough Police who died in the First World War and which is now By 1911 the family had moved to to be found at the Central Police live at 1 Chapel Street, Llandaff in Station in Swansea. Cardiff. His father was employed as a general labourer and his

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brother Clifford, who also seems afternoon of 13th August. to have had the name Ernest, was Leonard saw action with the a gardener’s labourer. Another Battalion in the major battles in child had by then been born, which they were engaged during namely Dorothy, who was a year the early stages of the war old. including the and Leonard was no longer at home as the subsequent retreat, and the he had joined the army on 21st in 1914. A and the census of picture of what it was like for him that year shows him as stationed emerges from a letter he wrote following the death of another with the Grenadier Guards at the police officer serving with the 2nd Guards Depot at Caterham in Battalion, PC Thomas Evans of the Surrey. Merthyr Borough Police (see the He subsequently left the army and joined the Glamorgan Commemorative Booklet for Constabulary on 20th 1914). The letter was reproduced and was stationed at Treharris at in the “Western Mail” of 30th the outbreak of the war. November 1914: However, he had presumably “How Police Constable Thomas been retained on the reserve and Evans, of the Merthyr Police, was, therefore, recalled to the died is narrated in a letter colours since he became a Private, received from Private Leonard number 15067, in the 2nd Nowel, 2nd Battalion Grenadier Battalion, Grenadier Guards, who Guards, who was a friend of the were, in August, based at Chelsea fallen Guardsman. Writing to Barracks in London. Following Police Sergeant J. Thomas, mobilisation, on 12th August, the Treharris, Nowel says: Battalion paraded at Chelsea and ‘On the morning he got wounded then marched to Nine Elms. They we advanced through a wood then went by train to and got into a ploughed field. Southampton from where they When we had gone about two sailed on the “Cawdor Castle” hundred yards in the open the arriving in Le Havre on the Germans opened fire on us with

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a . We all lay down, On 12th October the Battalion but poor old Tom had a bullet was occupying positions in the through his chest. After we had village of Vermelles. Its war diary lain there about twenty minutes records that on that day: some of us started to crawl “Town shelled again this morning back, and we got hold of Tom by and 3 big ones went into our the foot and pulled him under cover. Another chap and myself transport. Killed Wells servant carried him on a stretcher for Nowell albeit he died going to about a mile. He was chatting the hospital.” all the way. We sent him to the “Wells” was Lieutenant Nigel field hospital. He had done his Wells, the Battalion’s Transport duty well. It was only by luck Officer, who had held that that I didn’t get it. I was position since the Battalion went wounded on the 21st of this to France. The regiment’s history month in the arm, but it is not for the First World War gives this very serious.” description of him: The writer was formerly a “Nigel Wells who commanded constable in the Glamorgan the transport, was a hard old Police and stationed in Treharris. warrior from one of the South He was groom to the late American Republics.....he wore Superintendent Gill.” an eyeglass and a small piece of It seems that Leonard was one of moustache about half the width those in the Grenadiers, and other of his mouth. He said he was Guards , who twenty nine years of age, and transferred to the Welsh Guards was annoyed when some of the when they were formed in younger officers, looking at his . They were to take sun scorched face, suggested he part in the Battle of Loos during might be a hundred-the truth lay September and October 1915 anywhere between the two.” when they suffered many losses. It was towards the end of this Leonard died whilst he was being period that Leonard sustained treated by Number 2 Field wounds from which he died. Ambulance. He is buried at

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Vermelles British Cemetery. 17TH OCTOBER Throughout the war medical units PC 239 WILLIAM used the cellars of a chateau in the HAMMOND village and a nearby brewery to GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY operate on the wounded. The PRIVATE 12732 3RD cemetery commemorates over BATTALION, GRENADIER 2100 casualties from the war. GUARDS Leonard is also commemorated William was a Staffordshire man on the Glamorgan Police War having been born in Tunstall, on Memorial at Bridgend. 25th June 1883. A press report of Leonard’s death At the time of the census of 1901 stated that he had been wounded he was living in Tunstall with his at the First Battle of Ypres. It also widowed mother, Sarah, then said that Leonard’s father was aged 55, and his sister, also called serving with the 5th Battalion of Sarah, who was then 21 years of the Welsh Regiment. Records age. show that his father enlisted in July Tunstall, together with other 1915 but was discharged in boroughs and districts in the area, due to sickness. The merged in 1910 to form Stoke-on- 5th Battalion was a Territorial Trent. This was the region known Force unit and Ernest would have as “The Potteries” with a large been engaged only on home number of pottery works. It service duties during this time. seems that William was employed in such a works and served an The report also said that apprenticeship there. His sister Leonard’s brother (presumably also worked in the pottery Clifford) was a driver with the industry. Army Service Corps and was on active service. There is a record of William joined the army in June a Sergeant 343458 Clifford 1906 serving with the Grenadier Nowell with the Army Service Guards. At the time of the census Corps who was awarded the of 1911 he was stationed at the Meritorious Service Medal. Guards Depot in Caterham in

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Surrey. He served for 7 years in carried the following report: the regular army before leaving to “Police Constable Coles, who join the Glamorgan Constabulary before the war was stationed at on 29th . Tonypandy, and is now serving Before the outbreak of war he with the 3rd Company of the was stationed at Blaenclydach in Grenadier Guards, writing to the the Rhondda but was, as an army police at Tonypandy, says he has reservist, recalled to the colours met several members of the when mobilisation took place on Glamorgan Constabulary at the 5th August 1914 following the front. ‘The Glamorgans are declaration of war the previous sizing up well out here.’ he day. states. ‘I met Harry (Police Constable Evans. Tonypandy) From his service record it appears a fortnight ago chasing the that William went to France with Germans. Hammond the 2nd Battalion of the Grenadier (a Penygraig constable) is Guards, arriving in Le Havre on with me.” 12/13th August 1914. He served in France until the end of Then on 21st November 1914 the December when he returned to Western Mail reproduced the Britain. He may have been following letter from William wounded but there is no record himself: of this. He would, however, whilst “Writing to Police Sergeant in France with the 2nd Battalion, Baker (Penygraig), Private have taken part in the early William Hammond, of the 2nd actions of the war including the Battalion Grenadier Guards, Battle of Mons and the first Battle says:-‘Thanks very much for the of Ypres. PC Leonard Nowell of “Weekly Mail” you sent me, and the Glamorgan Police was also for your letter. I am amongst those there at the same perfectly well, and have nothing time. to complain about. We are now The Western Mail for 7th October taking advantage of a rest that

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we have had given us after four Their artillery had ceased firing, months hard work and anxious and we had not fired a shot. moments. Then we had the order, and in ten minutes there lay in front of You have read, no doubt, about our line hundreds of dead and the battle of Ypres, and how the wounded. It may seem a great Huns have tried time after time number in so short a time, but it to take it. I have been in that was as easy a task as I have ever struggle for the past five weeks, seen, for it was only a matter of and still I am able to tell you the loading and pulling the trigger, tale after all their firing. They and they could not be missed. I intended giving us a rough time may say that they tried the Irish on the 17th of last month. They Guards, who were on our right, tried to break through, but in the evening, but only to be failed. They started shelling us repulsed and with the same about seven o’clock in the result. We afterwards learned morning, and kept at it for six that they were, or at least some solid hours, and yet did not do of them were, the much talked any damage. The reason they of Prussian Guards, which had shelled so much was to make us been sent to make one of their keep under cover, so as to allow noble charges. If so, they found their troops to crawl and the English Guards one too advance without being seen. many.” They did not catch us napping, although they came to within In August 1915 William returned 200 yards. Here they stopped to France, this time to join the 3rd and entrenched. They had a big Battalion, Grenadier Guards with advantage, for the ground whom he had served before the between us was open, with an War. They had arrived in France incline which was to their the previous month, and had with advantage, as it enabled them them another Glamorgan to crawl on their stomachs to policeman in PC Charles Henry within 30 yards of our trenches. Snailham.

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In mid October the Battalion was 25TH OCTOBER occupying trenches in the vicinity PC 404 WILLIAM of the near HENRY CARTER Loos. The Battalion War Diary GLAMORGAN CONSTABULARY states that on 16th October their PRIVATE 1214 1ST BATTALION, trenches had been heavily shelled WELSH GUARDS by medium calibre guns resulting William was in 5 men being killed, 12 wounded born in and 1 missing. The diary goes on Paulton, to describe the situation on the on following day, 17th October 1915: 22nd January “Very heavy and accurate 1893, the son shelling from 6am-2pm by guns of Henry and of all sizes. Capt Lord F. Mary Jane Carter. In 1911 the Blackwood was blown up by a family was living in Hope Place, shell and concussed. Soon after Paulton. In the household at that noon Capt Dowling and Lt Hirst time, according to the census of were buried in their dugout and that year, were William’s parents, had to be evacuated...... then aged 54 and 52 respectively, 11 killed, 33 wounded, his brother, Frederick, aged 32, 1 missing...... the Battalion was William, then aged 17, and relieved by 1st Bn Scots Guards another brother, Albert, aged 12. and went into rest trenches From the census of 1891 William behind Vermelles railway (Sussex appears to have also had a sister Trench) a smooth relief which named Amelia. finished at 2am.” William’s father, his brother Frederick and William himself, are William was one of those killed in all described in the 1911 census as action that day. He has no known being coal miners. grave and is remembered on the Loos Memorial and the William subsequently moved to Glamorgan Police War Memorial. live in South Wales and joined the

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Glamorgan Constabulary on 25th There was, apart from the August 1914. shelling, much grenade throwing on both sides and the Welsh He served in Nantyffyllon before Guards were constantly at risk resigning from the Force on 16th from German snipers. April 1915 so that he could join the 1st Battalion of the Welsh On 23rd October the Battalion Guards and landed with them in relieved the 1st Battalion of the France on 17th August 1915. in the Hohenzollern Redoubt, part of It was during the Battalion’s time which the Battalion’s War Diary near Loos later that year that described in these words William sustained wounds from which he died on 25th October at “embankment composed of Number 6 Casualty Clearing loose earth, equipment and Station. In the days before then dead bodies, smell bad, and the Battalion had been at sights inexpressible.” Vermelles, which the Regimental William was buried at Lillers History described: Communal Cemetery near “The comparatively safe, if not Bethune. The 6th Casualty comfortable, Lancashire Trench Clearing Station was one of was left on the 19th, when the several that was based in the small battalion went to Vermelles, and town of Lillers at one time or occupied, for the most part, another during the war. There are cellars. The village was still a 894 Commonwealth burials in the mark for German gunners, with cemetery. their infernal armour-piercing William is also remembered on shells, mixed up with others, so the Glamorgan Police War that although they were called Memorial at Bridgend. rest billets, it was preferable to be nearer the front line. During the four ensuing days casualties crept up.”

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THE BATTLE OF LOOS 1915

Ruins in the church quarter of Loos, 24th . (c) IWM (Q 58151)

The British offensive in the coal take German positions at Hill 70 mining area around the village of and whilst they achieved some Loos in Northern France began on success they suffered heavy losses, 25th September 1915 and particularly from machine gun fire, continued until the middle of before being forced to withdraw. October. Whilst there were early A total of 11 police officers from successes, a failure to exploit gains by timely use of reserves our predecessor forces died in undermined the British efforts. this area during September and The first divisions of Kitchener’s October 1915 whilst serving with “New Armies” of volunteers, in the Grenadier, Irish and Welsh particular, had a difficult time. It Guards. Six of them lost their lives was also the first occasion on on one day-27th September 1915. which the newly formed Guards By the time the battle was Division, which included the terminated it had cost the British Welsh Guards, had fought Army over 50,000 casualties. The together in a major battle. It was only significant long term gain was the task of the Welsh Guards to the ruined village of Loos itself.

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Welsh Guards Remembered on the Loos Memorial

South Wales Police Remembers - Wreath laid at the Loos Memorial, April 2015

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

South Wales Police is including photographs, currently gathering letters and newspaper information about the coverage from that time many police officers from will be shared online and our predecessor forces of on Facebook. Glamorgan, Swansea, , 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 5

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