Nefyn war memorial

nefynLink to Welsh translation

This war memorial commemorates the local dead of the First and Second World Wars. To discover who they were, choose a category below.

 

First World War Sailors

First World War Soldiers

Second World War Sailors

Second World War Soldiers

Unusually, the sailors outnumber the soldiers. With so many members of the community being seamen, it was perhaps inevitable that some families would lose more than one member. Three members of the Williams family of Bodefi died at sea in the Second World War, two of them on the same ship.

Brothers James and William Owen, of Oakfield, were both lost with the sinking of SS Beacon Light in 1918. James was the ship’s captain.

Several teenage boys are named on the memorial, the youngest being William Roberts, who was 15 years old when he was lost with the sinking of SS Cymrian in 1917.

With thanks to Byron Jones, of the Merchant Navy Association (Wales)

Postcode: LL53 6EA    View Location Map

 

 

First World War: Morwyr (Sailors)

Where shown, click this icon for our page in memory of the person: Extra page icon

  • Davies, Hugh. Of Pen-y-Graig. Probably: Davies, Hugh, Third Mate. Died 16/09/1917 aged 18. Mercantile Marine - MV Arabis (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Evan and Janet Davies of Glanrhyd, Rhoshirwaun. Born in Nefyn. One of 20 lost when the ship was torpedoed off France while carrying phosphate rock from Tunisia to Falmouth.
  • Davies, Thomas Griffith, Died 14/07/1917 aged 30. Mercantile Marine - SS Exford (Cardiff). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Robert and Jane Davies of Vron Cottage. One of six lost when the ship was torpedoed while carrying steel and oats from New York to Cherbourg.
  • Griffith, Humphrey, Carpenter. Died 01/08/1917 aged 37. Mercantile Marine - SS Llandudno (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of William and Ann Griffith, of Tyran, Nefyn; husband of Catherine Griffith of Tyran. The vessel belonged the Llandudno Steamship Co. It was torpedoed and sunk off France while sailing from Marseille to Salonica. Humphrey was the only casualty.
  • Griffith, Richard, Master. Died 14/10/1917 aged 37. Mercantile Marine - SS Semantha. Tower Hill Memorial. Son of William and Eliza Griffith of Groesffordd, Edeyrn; husband of Mary Griffith of Llysarborth. One of 32 who died when the ship was torpedoed off Crete.
  • Griffith, William, First Mate. Died 20/08/1917 aged 51. Mercantile Marine - SS Edernian (Cardiff). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Hugh and Alice Griffith; husband of Ann Griffith (nee Thomas) of Bodwyn. Born in Nefyn. One of 14 who died when the ship was torpedoed near Suffolk while carrying steel from Middlesborough to Dieppe. Another casualty was Hugh Hughes, below. Left a widow and three boys. A Morfa Nefyn man also died, and at least two Nefyn men, including Captain Roberts, survived.
  • Hughes, Hugh Griffith, Ordinary Seaman. Died 20/08/1917 aged 17. Mercantile Marine - SS Edernian (Cardiff). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Seth and Eliza Hughes of Bryn Glas.
  • Hughes, Richard, Donkeyman. Died 24/10/1916 aged 35. Mercantile Marine - SS North Wales (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of Margaret Hughes (nee Davies) of Craigle, Palace Street. Listed on war memorial as living at Plas. One of 30 who died when the ship was torpedoed near the Scilly Isles while travelling empty (in ballast) from Hull to Canada. Robert William Jones, below, also died.
  • Jones, Evan. Of Bryn Beuno.
  • Jones, Robert, Fireman. Died 10/05/1917 aged 37. Mercantile Marine - SS Broomhill (Newcastle). Buried at Melcombe Regis Cemetery. Son of Robert and Ellen Jones; husband of Margaret Ellen Jones of Well Street, Penisardref. One of two who died when the ship was torpedoed off Dorset.
  • Jones, Robert William, Boatswain and Lamps (Bosun). Died 24/10/1916 aged 31. Mercantile Marine - SS North Wales (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Daniel Jones; husband of Kate Jones of Vron Terrace.
  • Lloyd, Edwin, Sailor. Died 25/08/1917 aged 17. Mercantile Marine - SS Cymrian (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of John and Jane Lloyd of Tai’r Lon. One of 10 lost when the ship was torpedoed off South Wales while sailing from Newport to Dublin. Another was William Roberts, below.
  • Owen, Evan H. Of Sunnyside.
  • Owen, James, Master. Died 19/02/1918 aged 44. Mercantile Marine - SS Beacon Light. Tower Hill Memorial. Lived at Oakfield. Brother of William Owen, below.
  • Owen, William James, Carpenter. Died 19/02/1918 aged 40. Mercantile Marine - SS Beacon Light (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of James and Jane Owen of Oakfield; husband of Grace Alice Owen of Bodfewing, Upper Llandwrog. One of 33 lost when the ship was torpedoed off Lewis, Scotland, while carrying fuel oil from Liverpool.
  • Roberts, William, Ordinary Seaman. Died 25/08/1917 aged 15. Mercantile Marine - SS Cymrian (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of John and Catherine Roberts of Cae Rhyg. Born at Wavertree, Liverpool. One of 10 lost when the ship was torpedoed off South Wales.
  • Thomas, Henry R, Able Seaman. Died 11/06/1918 aged 19. Mercantile Marine - SS Lorie (West Hartlepool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Richard and Maggie Thomas of Gwylfa, High Street. One of 19 lost when the ship was torpedoed off Cornwall while carrying ore from Bilbao to Hartlepool.
  • Thomas, Robert, Boatswain (Bosun). Died 27/11/1917 aged 48. Mercantile Marine - SS Camellia (North Shields). Tower Hill Memorial.  Son of William and Gwen Rees Thomas of Bwlch-Glas. All 35 crew members were lost when the ship disappeared while travelling from Dakar, Africa, to Britain.
  • Williams, Evan Hughes, Lieutenant. Died 05/06/1916 aged 30. Royal Navy Reserve - HMS Hampshire. Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Son of William and Mary Williams of Tŷ Canol, High Street. Died along with Lord Kitchener after the ship struck a mine while on a diplomatic mission to Russia.soldier icon
  • Williams, John G. Of Bodawen.
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First World War: Milwyr (Soldiers)

  • Griffith, William, Private 1606. Died 24/02/1915. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Morfa Nefyn (St. Mary) Churchyard. Lived at Pool Street.
  • Hughes, Griffith. Of Cefn-y-Maes.
  • Jones, Evan William, Corporal 35540. Died 14/04/1918 aged 30. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Loos Memorial. Son of William and Ellen J. Jones of Old Post Office.
  • Jones, John O, Private 3274. Died 16/11/1918. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Morfa Nefyn (St. Mary) Churchyard. Lived at Cefn-y-Maes.
  • Jones, Thomas, Private 266595. Died accidentally in France on 01/10/1917 aged 30. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Le Grand Hasard Military Cemetery. Son of David and Ellen Jones of Caer Berllan.
  • Owen, Evan Morgan, Corporal 20901. Died 10/04/1916 aged 20. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried at Bethune Town Cemetery. Son of William and Margaret Morgan Owen of Glanaber.
  • Owen, George, Private 3264. Died 03/09/1915 aged 23. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Son of W and M Owen of Ffordd Groes, Harlech; husband of Mary Owen of Ty Llewylyn.
  • Roberts, Evan, Private 5348. Died 16/05/1915. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Le Touret Memorial. Lived at Caeglas.
  • Roberts, Evan Owen, Private 40327. Died 03/09/1916 aged 24. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thiepval Memorial. Son of Robert and Margaret Roberts of Tyddyn Ffynon.
  • Roberts, John T, Private 4/8724. Died 28/03/1917 aged 19. Training reserve. Buried at Nefyn New Cemetery. Son of David and Janet Roberts of Ddor Ddu.
  • Roberts, Richard, Private 25643. Died 10/07/1917 aged 32. Lancashire Fusiliers. Buried at Coxyde Military Cemetery. Husband of Gwen Roberts of Tan-y-Maes.
  • Thomas, John G, Private 203778. Died 29/10/1918. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Awoingt British Cemetery. Son of Mrs E. Thomas of 3, Vron Terrace.
  • Thomas, William Griffiths, Private 74213.  Died 07/11/1918 aged 21. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Buried Nefyn New Cemetery. Son of Richard and Margaret Thomas of Gwylfa, High Street.
  • Williams, John A. Died 18/11/1916. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Buried at Munich Trench British Cemetery, Beaumont-Hamel. Son of Mr and Mrs J Williams of Glanogwen. They were not informed of his death until August 1917.
  • Williams, John, Private 266181. Died 06/11/1917 aged 38. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Beersheba War Cemetery. Son of John and Jane Williams; husband of Mary Jane Williams of The Tower, Nefyn. Not named on Nefyn war memorial.
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Second World War: Morwyr (Sailors)

  • Baum, David, Second Officer. Died on 25/12/1939 aged 68. Merchant Navy - Stanholme (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Henry and Ellen Baum, of Nefyn;  husband of Louisa Jane Baum, of Gabalfa, Cardiff. One of 12 lost when the ship struck a mine and sank off Foreland Point, Bristol Channel. Not named on Nefyn war memorial.
  • Davies, Robert John, Carpenter. Died 09/09/1940 aged 29. Merchant Navy - MV Athelking (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of William and Maggie Davies; nephew of Jane Davies of Glan y Ddol. Lost when the ship was sunk by gunfire from a German raider while sailing from South Africa to Indonesia.
  • Davies, Thomas David, Second Officer. Died 16/02/1942 aged 41. Merchant Navy - SS Oranjestad (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Captain William Davies and Jane Davies. Lost when his ship and another tanker were torpedoed during a German attack on Aruba, Caribbean.
  • Evans, Richard Griffith, Chief Engineer Officer. Died 17/02/1941 aged 44. Merchant Navy - MV Siamese Prince (London). Tower Hill Memorial.  Son of William and Ruth Evans; husband of Gladys Jane Evans of Bay View.
  • Griffith, Emrys, Able Seaman. Died 20/09/1943 aged 31. Merchant Navy - SS Almenara (Glasgow). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of William and Elizabeth Griffiths of Minafon. Lost when the ship struck a mine off Italy.
  • Griffith, Richard Owen, Chief Officer. Died 21/12/1942 aged 45. Merchant Navy - SS Montreal City (Bristol). Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of Arm E. Griffith of Maes Gwyn. One of 40 lost after the ship (not travelling in a convoy) was torpedoed off Newfoundland.
  • Jones, Robert John, Able Seaman. Died 15/01/1942 aged 33. Merchant Navy – SS Barrington Court (London). Born in Nefyn. Last residence: Mill Street, Nefyn. Address given as Arosfa on war memorial. Died while ashore at Birkenhead.
  • Jones, Thomas Idris, Carpenter. Died 19/08/1941 aged 24. Merchant Navy - SS Aguila (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Thomas and Mary Jones of Morfa Nefyn.
  • Roberts, Christmas, Able Seaman. Died 24/03/1943 aged 26. Merchant Navy - MV Lambrook (London). Born in Nefyn. Last residence: Church Street. Address given as Bryn y Ddol on war memorial. Lost when he fell overboard.
  • Rowlands, David Arthur, Seaman. Died 23/07/1940 aged 22. Merchant Navy - MV The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of David John and Elizabeth Rowlands of Plas. Lost when the ship struck a mine off Formby, Liverpool. Owen Williams, below, also died. Brother of John Rowlands, below.
  • Rowlands, John Victor, Second Officer. Died 11/01/1945 aged 31. Merchant Navy - SS Normandy Coast (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of David John and Elizabeth Rowlands of Plas. One of 19 lost when the ship was torpedoed west of Anglesey.
  • Wales, John, Captain 19 August 1944. Wales, John, Master. Died 19/08/1944 aged 55. Merchant Navy - SS Wayfarer (Liverpool).
  • Williams, Hugh, Master. Died 27/05/1942 aged 44. Merchant Navy - SS Lowther Castle (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Captain John Williams and Mrs SA Williams of Nefyn; husband of Annie Williams of Pwllheli. Lost when the ship was attached by enemy aircraft off Norway. Not named on Nefyn war memorial.
  • Williams, Owen Griffith, Mate. Died 23/07/1940 aged 49. Merchant Navy - MV The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Tower Hill Memorial. Born in Nefyn. Husband of AA Williams of Llithfaen Lost when the ship struck a mine off Formby, Liverpool. Address given as Bodefi on war memorial, implying a connection to Thomas and William Williams, below.
  • Williams, Robert Hughes, Master. Died 03/07/1949 aged 53. Merchant Navy - MV Pelayo (Liverpool). Buried at Nefyn Cemetery. Son of John Thomas Williams and Anne Williams; husband of Hannah Ellen Williams, of Nefyn. Survived the sinking of his ship on 15/06/1942 (when 17 died). His cause of death is not known. Listed on the official Roll of Honour of the Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets. Not named on Nefyn war memorial.
  • Williams, Thomas John, Cabin Boy. Died 23/07/1940 aged 16. Merchant Navy - MV The Lady Mostyn (Chester). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Owen and Mary Williams; nephew of Annie Roberts. Lived at Bodefi. Brother of William Hugh Williams, below.
  • Williams, William Hugh, Able Seaman. Died 13/03/1943 aged 27. Merchant Navy - SS Marcella (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Owen and Mary Williams; grandson of Mrs E Thomas. Lived at Bodefi. Brother of Thomas John Williams.
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Second World War: Milwyr (Soldiers)

  • Roberts, Owen Lewis, Fusilier 4193442. Died 18/03/1943 aged 24. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Buried Taukkyan War Cemetery. Son of Mrs A. S. H. Blore of Tyncae.
  • Williams, D. Of Fronoleu.
  • Jones, H J. Of Frondeg.
  • Owen, Griffith Evan, Aircraftman 1st Class 1667676. Died 11/09/1944. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Nefyn New Cemetery. Lived at Gwalia.
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