Arthog war memorial

ArthogArthog war memorial

This hillside war memorial was created to commemorate the local people who died in the First World War. The names of four men who died in the Second World War were added later. To discover who they were, choose a category below.

First World War

Second World War

Among those named is John Llewelyn Rees, son of the vicar of Arthog. He died while serving in the RAF in 1940 and is buried locally. He was an avid writer of novels and articles, and in his memory a young writers’ award was established in 1942. The John Llewellyn Rhys Award was made each year until 2010.

With thanks to Dai Sheppard, whose research on local war dead is available in his book ‘Tair Cofeb / Three Memorials: Arthog, Bontddu & Llanfachreth’

View Location Map

 

 

First World War

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

  • Donegan, Thomas, Private 49924. Cheshire Regiment. Died 12 April 1918 aged 31. Buried at Mont Huon Military Cemetery, Le Treport, France. Son of Martin and Ellen Donegan, of Sale, Cheshire. Ellen was from Llwyngwril. By 1901 Thomas was living with his grandparents, Humprhey and Jane Vaughan, at Cwmpenllydan, Arthog.
  • Evans, Ellis Jones, Quartermaster. Mercantile Marine – SS Grampian. Died of peritonitis on 18 February 1918 aged 20. Probably buried at sea. Son of Robert and Jane Evans, of Murneuadd, Friog. Lived in Blaenau Ffestiniog with his aunt and uncle, John and Eliza Hughes, before going to sea.
  • Evans, Joseph, Private 37306. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 21 November 1916 aged 29. Thiepval Memorial, France. Son of Griffith and Ellen Evans, of Belgrave Road, Fairbourne. Was a dairy foreman in London before enlisting.
  • Jones, Daniel, Trooper 2515. Household Battalion. Died 27 August 1917 aged 23. Buried at Mindel Trench British Cemetery, St. Laurent-Blangy, France. Son of Margaret Jones, of Tynddol, Penmaenpool. Was a gardener before enlisting. His commanding officer said Daniel had died accidently when cleaning his rifle while it was loaded.
  • Jones, John, Corporal 2566. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 12 August 1915 aged 27. Buried at Lancashire Landing Cemetery, Turkey. Son of John and Mary Jones, of Pantllan, Arthog; husband of Catty R Jones of The Institute, Aberdyfi. Was a carpenter before the war, living with Catty and their child at Cefn Gwyn, Barmouth Junction.
  • Lloyd, John, Corporal 20188. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 1 September 1917 aged 33. Buried at Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Francis and Sarah Ann Lloyd, of Tanybryn, Penmaenpool, and later Criagyrhelbul, Arthog; husband of Alice Lloyd, of Railway Cottages, Barmouth Junction. Left a son. Worked for the Cambrian Railways before enlisting. Brother of William, below.soldier icon
  • Lloyd, William, Gunner 108449. Royal Field Artillery. Died 29 July 1918 aged 20. Buried at Marfaux British Cemetery, France. Son of Francis and Sarah Ann Lloyd, of Criagyrhelbul, Arthog and later 6-8 Belgrave Road, Fairbourne.soldier icon
  • Newell, Richard Octavius, Private 291868. Welsh Regiment. Died 1 October 1918 aged 20. Buried at Berthaucourt Communal Cemetery, Pontru, France. Son of Francis Thomas and Jane Newell; husband of Dorothy A Newell, of Barmouth Junction. Born in Kerry, where his father worked at the railway station. Richard worked at Barmouth station before enlisting.
  • Pugh, John, Private 20293. Welsh Regiment. Died 15 May 1918 aged 28. Buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, France. Son of John and Drusila Pugh, of Brynmenrig, Fairbourne. Worshipped at Capel Horeb, Arthog. Was a labourer before the war.
  • Roberts, Thomas, Private 2850. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 10 August 1915 aged 22. Helles Memorial, Turkey. Son of Thomas and Emily Roberts, of Ysgubor, Dolgellau. Thomas senior was a keeper on the Penmaenucha estate, and Thomas junior was learning the trade before enlisting.
  • Whittall, Arthur Edward, Sergeant 367. Lancashire Fusiliers. Died 6 March 1916. Buried at Salford (Weaste) Cemetery, England. Son of Richard and Mary Whitall, of Beach Road, Fairbourne; husband of Annie Whitall (nee Buxton) of Salford. Born in Carno, when his parents kept the post office there. Worked in Pwllheli and later Salford, where he was carpenter. Was badly injured during the ill-fated Gallipoli landings and died of his wounds 10 months later.
  • Williams, Elias Robert, Private 291464. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died of wounds 11 November 1917 aged 28. Buried at Kantara War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt. Son of John and Sarah Ann Williams. Born in Corris, where his father was a quarryman. Educated at Barmouth County School and Coleg Normal, Bangor. Was a school teacher in Blaenau Ffestiniog, Barmouth and Rhyl before enlisting.
  • Williams, Morris, Private 6253. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died 9 March 1915. Le Touret Memorial, France. Son of Jane Roberts, of Ynys Graian, Arthog. Had worked as a collier in Aberdare before enlisting in the South Wales Borderers in 1894, but was dismissed in 1896 for repeated poor behaviour. Returned to colliery work and joined the army reserves in September 1914
Top of Page
 

 

Second World War

  • Findlay, Charles De Cardonnel, Pilot Officer 122485. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Died 28 August 1942 aged 21. Ottawa Memorial, Canada. Son of Joan, Viscountess Chetwynd, and Captain VAC Findlay (Royal Artillery), of Arthog.
  • Lewis, William Thomas, Serjeant 4191887. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Died 11 August 1944 aged 29. Buried at Brouay War Cemetery, France. Nephew and adopted son of William and Susie Thomas, of Arthog.
  • Rees, Trevor, Able Seaman D/JX 229994. Royal Navy – HMS President III. Died 13 October 1942 aged 21. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Son of Edward and Mary Jane Rees, of Fairbourne. Merionethshire.
  • Rees, John Llewelyn, Flight Lieutenant 39158. Royal Air Force. Died 5 August 1940 aged 29. Buried at Arthog (St Catherine) Churchyard. Son of Rev Nathaniel Rees and Mrs Rees, of The Vicarage, Arthog; husband of Jane Rees. Born in Abergavenny. Wrote novels and articles. An annual award in his name was presented each year from 1942 to 2010 to young writers from Commonwealth countries.
Top of Page