Aberystwyth War Memorial FWW Surnames A-E

The following men from the Aberystwyth area died in active service. With thanks to Steven John

  • Joseph Ashworth, Private, 235132, Lancashire Fusiliers. Born in Manchester in 1890, son of Joseph and Sarah Ashworth. His father, a lithographic printer, moved the family to Aberystwyth before the war, residing at 4 Southgate, Penparcau. Joseph trained as a reporter with the Cambrian News. He enlisted at Rochdale into the 16th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers in November 1916. Killed in action 10 March 1917, on his first visit to the trenches. He was 26, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
  • Henry John Ballinger, Second Lieutenant, Monmouthshire Regiment. Son of John and Amy Amelia Ballinger, of Sherborne House, Aberystwyth. Joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, commissioned 22 April 1915 into the Monmouthshire Regiment. While attacking the Hohenzollern Redoubt, at Loos, Henry was shot dead as he attempted to manoeuvre captured German machine-guns into position. He was 19 years old, and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.
  • Frank Bennision, Driver, 730160, Royal Field Artillery. Born in Hoylake, Son of Francis and Sarah Ellen Bennison. The family moved to 4 Northgate Street, Aberystwyth. He was pre-war territorial in the Cardigan Battery, and reported for duty on 4 August 1914 at the Drill Hall in Aberystwyth. The battery went to Egypt in December 1915. Frank was killed on 21 April 1917 during the Second Battle of Gaza. When returning to the battery from the rear, he and his horse, called Goldfinch, were caught by artillery fire. Frank was the first of Cardigan Battery to be die on active service since leaving the UK. He was 39, and is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, Israel.
  • John Frederick Bird, Private, 76348, Royal Army Medical Corps. Born in 1892, son of Frederick and Kate Bird, of 7 South Road, Aberystwyth. Went to France in June 1916 with the 5th Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps. The 5th FA was attached to the 2nd Division, which was involved in the Battle of Cambrai and was still in the area when John was killed on 18 February 1918. He was 25 years old, and is buried in the British Extension of Metz-en-Couture Communal Cemetery, France.
  • Horace Blair, Private, 44155, South Wales Borderers. Born in Newtown, Montgomeryshire, in 1896, son of George and Matilda Annie Blair. The family later lived at 13 Penmaesglas Road, Aberystwyth. Horace married Annie Davies at Aberystwyth before enlisting into the 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment in Aberystwyth. Horace was wounded at Mametz Wood in July 1916 but rejoined his regiment at Ypres, taking part in the capture of Pilkem Ridge. He died of his wounds at the Somme on 25 August 1918, aged 22, and is buried in Bagneux British Cemetery, Gezaincourt, France.
  • Samuel Bluck, Gunner, 102692, Royal Garrison Artillery. Sam was born in 1885, Son of Samuel and Emma Bluck, of Cross Foxes, Mill Street, Aberystwyth. He joined the Royal Artillery and was killed by a shell splinter at Ypres, Belgium, on 25 June 1917. He was 32, and is buried in Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.
  • Thomas George Deane Burdett, M.C., Captain, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Born in Rhyl on 15 February 1881, son of George Deane Burdett and Claudia H Deane Burdett. Claudia was from Aberystwyth, and Thomas was educated at Aberystwyth Grammar School and at the University. He became a solicitor. He was commissioned on 2 September 1914 into the 1/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thomas was killed in action during the Third Battle of Gaza, on 6 November 1917. He was 36, and is buried at Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. He was awarded a posthumous Military Cross.
  • Thomas A Carbutt, Gunner, 190345, Royal Field Artillery. Born in Manchester in 1881, son of Thomas and Annie Carbutt, of Battlefield, Shrewsbury. Thomas married Mabel Lewis at Aberystwyth in 1916, and enlisted there into the Royal Field Artillery. He was been twice wounded and gassed on the Western Front, before being attached to the 4th Reserve Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He was home on leave when he died of pneumonia 29 November 1918, aged 37, and was buried with full military honours in Aberystwyth Municipal Cemetery.
  • Thomas Cartwright, Bombardier, 730060, Royal Field Artillery. Born in Market Drayton, Shropshire, in 1884, son of Henry and Evelyn Cartwright. He became a local postman and was played soccer for Aberystwyth Town. He married Edith Mary Banford at Aberystwyth in 1903. He was a pre-war territorial with the Cardigan Battery, reporting for duty at the Drill Hall in Aberystwyth on 4 August 1914. Later he was posted to the 85th Battery 11th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. During the Third Battle of Ypres he was wounded in the back and died of his wounds on 7 October 1917, aged 32. He is buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Belgium.
  • Robert Corfield, Gunner, Royal Field Artillery. Born in 1887, son of Elizabeth Corfield of 43 North Parade, Aberystwyth. Before the war he was a hairdresser and Territorial with the Cardigan Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery. On 26 August 1915, the battery was on manoeuvres when Robert fainted while sitting on a gun carriage. He fell backwards, under the wheels, and died instantly. He was 27 years old, and was buried with full military honours in Aberystwyth Municipal Cemetery, Aberystwyth. 
  • Albert Davies, Private, 38466, Gloucestershire Regiment. Adopted son of John and Mary Davies, of 14 Glanrafon Terrace, Aberystwyth. Joined the South Wales Borderers Regiment, and in 1918 transferred to the 8th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, which was attached to 57 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. Albert was killed at Messines, Belgium, on 18 April 1918, aged 19. He is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
  • David Davies, Private, 15886, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Born in Aberystwyth in 1881. Joined the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attached to 58 Brigade, 19th (Western) Division. He was wounded in the Givenchy area of France and died of wounds on 8 February 1916, aged 35. He is buried in St Venant Communal Cemetery, France.
  • David Edward Davies, Driver, 730230, Royal Field Artillery. Born in 1885, son of David and Mary Davies, of Llanbadarn Fawr. Served with 'A' Battery, 267th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, attached to the 53rd (Welsh) Division. Died of pneumonia in hospital in Cairo on 4 December 1918, aged 34. Buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt.
  • David John Brutus Davies, Bombardier, 86740, Canadian Field Artillery. Born on 27 March 1887, son of Hannah Davies. Educated at the County School in Aberystwyth, then an apprentice fitter and turner at Rheidol Foundry. In 1910 he settled in Saskatchewan, Canada, with his wife Ada. A former territorial with the Cardigan Battery, he enlisted at Winnipeg on 29 December 1914 into the 5th Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery. He and 13 comrades were killed by a German shell while sleeping in a trench near Pozieres, France. He was 29, and is buried in Pozieres British Cemetery, France.
  • David Rees Davies, Sergeant, 14400, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Son of Aberystwyth councillor David Davies and of Eliza Jane Davies. He worked at Lloyds Bank and played soccer for Aberystwyth Town. He joined the 7th Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. He was killed by shell fire at Dickebusch, Belgium. He was 23, and is buried in La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium.
  • George Henry Davies, DCM, Sergeant, 52064, Cheshire Regiment. Born in Aberystwyth in 1889, son of John and Margaret Davies, of Pembroke House. Educated at the County School. Joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, later transferred to the 13th Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, which was attached to 74 Brigade, 25th Division. He was killed by shell fire in Belgium on 21 June 1917, just days after being awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for bravery. He was 28, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium. 
  • John Richard Davies, Private, 8546, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Son of Richard and Sarah Davies, of 1 Penglais Road, Aberystwyth. Played soccer for Aberystwyth Town and was a local postman. He had served in India for seven years as a regular soldier, and in 1914 rejoined his regiment, the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was killed by a German rifle grenade in France on 15 March 1916. He was 29 years old, and is buried in Cambrin Military Cemetery, France.
  • Robert Humphrey Davies, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Born in Swansea in 1888, son of Rev Evan William and Sarah Davies. He studied at Aberystwyth University, where he met and married Rosa Gwendoline Davies. The couple lived at Dolgoed, Elm Tree Avenue, Aberystwyth. Robert enlisted into the Royal Engineers Special Gas Company. In 1918, Robert he was commissioned into the 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attached to 113 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. He was killed in France on 23 August 1918, aged 30. Buried at Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert, France.
  • John Austin Dawson, Private, 3664, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Born in Aberystwyth in 1895, son of Charles and Sarah Dawson. Joined the 2nd Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment, attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division. Killed in France on 25 September 1915, aged 20. Commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France. 
  • David Henry Doughton, Corporal, 40748, Canadian Field Artillery. Born in Liverpool on 16 August 1884, son of David and Elizabeth Doughton, who came from Aberystwyth. The family returned to Aberystwyth some time after 1901. David married Elizabeth Alice Hughes in 1907, and in 1912 they emigrated with David's parents to Smith's Falls, Ontario, where David worked as a carpenter. On 19 August 1914 David enlisted into the 1st Brigade, Canadian Field Artillery, and in late 1914 visited relatives in Aberystwyth after the Canadians had arrived in the UK. The first action of the Canadians was in the Second Battle of Ypres. In a letter home, David described the first German gas attack on the French Algerians at s’Gravenstafel. His division fought at the Somme, then returned to Ypres, where the Canadians captured Passchendaele village. It was here, on 21 November 1917 that David was killed, aged 33. Buried at Vlamertinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.
  • Alfred Thomas Edwards, Private, 27022, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Son of John and Mary Edwards, of 10 Little Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth. Posted to France early in 1916 with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division. Alfred was killed in France on 3 August 1916. He was 24, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.
  • David James Edwards, Gunner, 190346, Royal Field Artillery. Born in Aberystwyth in 1883, son of Evan and Anna Marie Edwards of 48, Cambria Street, Aberystwyth. He married Elizabeth Roberts, of Laugharne, Carmarthenshire. In 1916 he was called up and became a Gunner in 'A' Battery, 296th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, attached to the 59th (Second North Midland) Division. He was wounded in the Battle of Polygon Wood, Belgium, and died of his wounds on 29 September 1917, aged 33. 
  • John Humphrey Edwards, Private, 19958, Royal Fusiliers. Son of John Humphrey Edwards and Mary Edwards, of Arlwyn, Llanbadarn Road, Aberystwyth. Enlisted at Chester into the 26th (Bankers) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, attached to 124 Brigade, 41st Division. He was on guard duty in Belgium on 1 May 1917 when a shell exploded nearby. He died from his wounds that day, aged 26. Buried at Dickebusch New Military Cemetery, Belgium.
  • John Richard Edwards, Private, 53766, Cheshire Regiment. Born in 1899, son of Robert Edwards, of 4 Powell Street, Aberystwyth. Joined the 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment, attached to 15 Brigade, 5th Division. John was killed by shrapnel in France on 23 October 1918. He was 18, and is commemorated on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial, France.
  • William John Edwards, Gunner, 168353, Royal Field Artillery. Son of David and Ann Edwards, of 9 Spring Gardens, Aberystwyth. He left Aberystwyth with the Cardigan Battery, Royal Field Artillery in August 1914, but was transferred to the 124th Battery, 28th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, attached to the 5th Division. He was killed at Ypres on 5 August 1917, aged 23, and is buried in The Huts Cemetery, Belgium. In his last letter home he said he had been recommended for the Meritorious Service Medal. The award was never made because this medal was not given posthumously.
  • Anwyl Ellis, Lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Son of David and Catherine Ellis of Aberystwyth. He played soccer for Aberystwyth before becoming professor of navigation at Glasgow University. He was a Royal Navy reservist. At the outbreak of war, he joined the Motor Boat Reserve, and served aboard a boat called Lady Lel. He became the first Aberystwyth casualty of the war when Lady Lel was lost in Scotland on 18 November 1914. He was 36, and is buried at Poolewe Old Burial Ground, Scotland. Brother of Ceredig, below.
  • Ceredig Ellis, Second Lieutenant, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Youngest son of David and Catherine Ellis, of Aberystwyth. He was a partner in a millinery and drapery business at Aberystwyth before the war, and played football for Aberystwyth FC. He enlisted into the 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. While training in Colwyn Bay, he met and married Mildred Cavanagh at Conwy in 1915. He was wounded during the battle of Mametz Wood, France, and was evacuated to Abbeville, where he died of his wounds on 19 July 1916, aged 34. He is buried at Abbeville Communal Cemetery, France.
  • Arthur Evans, Second Lieutenant, Welsh Regiment. Born on 26 February 1892. His father was John Evans, of Broniarth, North Road, Aberystwyth, coroner for North Cardiganshire and Deputy Town Clerk. Arthur’s mother was Jane Evans. After leaving the County School he trained as an architect in Manchester but returned home to enlist into the Aberystwyth University Officer Training Corps. Arthur was commissioned on 19 February 1915 into the 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, which was training at Porthcawl. On 31 March 1915, when riding his motorbike with fellow officers near Porthcawl he was thrown from his bike and died the same day in King Edward's Hospital, Cardiff, aged 23. He was buried in Aberystwyth Municipal Cemetery with full military honours.
  • Edward David Evans, Company Sergeant Major, 14401, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry. Born in 1887, son of Edward and Elizabeth Evans, of 15 Baker Street, Aberystwyth. Worked at the L C & M Bank in Newcastle Emlyn. He enlisted at Carmarthen into the 7th Battalion, Kings Shropshire Light Infantry in 1914 along with his close friend David Rees Davies. Ted was killed at the Somme on 14 July 1916, and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France. He had been mourning the loss, a few weeks earlier, of his old friend Sgt David Rees Davies.
  • Frederick George Evans, Seaman, 2127/D, Royal Naval Reserve. Born in Aberystwyth in 1877, son of Frederick George Evans and Annie Evans. Married in 1903 and lived with his wife, Susannah Evans, at 8 Poplar Row, Aberystwyth. Fred worked as a boatman Before the war, and joined the local Royal Naval Reserve. He left for Devonport on 4 August 1914. He fell ill at Devonport and on 15 February 1915 was discharged while serving with HMS Vivid. He died at Aberystwyth Infirmary on 23 June 1915, aged 38. Fred was buried in Aberystwyth Municipal Cemetery with full military honours.
  • Hugh Evans, Sailor, Mercantile Marine. Born in Aberystwyth in 1866, son of William and Mary Evans. He was an experienced seaman by the war, when he served aboard SS Don Diego, a London-registered cargo steamer. On 21 May 1917, Don Diego was torpedoed by a German submarine while travelling from Swansea to Alexandria. Hugh died that day, aged 52, and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London.
  • William Bailey Evans, Private, 39705, Welsh Regiment. Born in 1896, son of Captain William Evans of the Boar's Head Hotel, Aberystwyth. He enlisted at Aberystwyth into the Welsh Regiment. He was posted to France late in 1916, joining the 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, known as the “Carmarthen Pals” battalion, attached to 114 Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. William was killed in Belgium on 4 August 1917, aged 21, and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, Belgium.