Builth Wells war memorial

PWMP logoBuilth Wells war memorial

This memorial was unveiled in July 1924 to commemorate the men of Builth Wells and Llanddewi’r Cwm who had died in the First World War. The names of those 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

The figures around the memorial represent the Army, Royal Navy, Mercantile Marine and Royal Air Force.

The memorial was restored in 2019 with help from Heritage Lottery Fund, Cadw and the Powys War Memorials Project.

The memorial is made from three types of stone. The basal steps are locally sourced greywacke (a dark, hard sandstone with a clay matrix). The figures are carved in Portland Stone from the Whit Bed, Dorset. The rest of the monument is of Doulting Stone from Somerset.

Near the memorial is a steel turret which was part of the local defences against German invasion in the Second World War.

A “Roll of Honor” in nearby Strand Hall commemorates members of Congregational chapels in the district who served in the First World War.

With thanks to Byron Jones, Tony Prynne and Phillip Jones, author of ‘Early Birds and Boys in Blue’ (a history of Radnorshire airmen). Also to Michael Statham and Dr Timothy Palmer of the Welsh Stone Forum

Postcode: LD2 3BH    View Location Map

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First World War

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

  • Allen, Edward John, Private 27741. Died 30/04/1917 aged 24. South Wales Borderers. Basra Memorial. Son of Edward Allen of 24, Oaklands.
  • Arthur, Gilbert, Private 36650. Died of wounds 14/09/1918 aged 24. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Buried Grevillers British Cemetery. Son of John Sarah Ann Arthur of Pendre Villa, Park Road. Born at St Harmon.
  • Bailey, Donald Frank, Sub-Lieutenant. Died 23/04/1917 aged 23. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Arras Memorial. Son of John and Elizabeth Bailey of North Tuddenham Rectory, Dereham, Norfolk. Was in France August 1914 with Lady Dudley's Hospital, then from April 1915 till his death at Gavrelle with the Hood Battalion Royal Naval Division.
  • Bevan, Reginald James, Private 1881. Died 24/10/1915 aged 21. Australian Infantry. Buried 7th Field Ambulance Cemetery. Son of James and Agnes Bevan of Aberhoywe House, Llangynidr, Crickhowell.
  • Burton, Charles, Private. Royal Field Artillery.
  • Crompton, Alban Davy, Rifleman 32528. Died 12/04/1918 aged 17. South Lancashire Regiment. Buried at Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture. Son of David John and Mary Crompton, of Pantyblodau, Llanynis, Builth Wells. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Davies, Arthur Ivor, Lance Corporal 355426. Died of wounds 04/12/1917 aged 21. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried at Cairo War Memorial Cemetery. Son of Arthur Samuel and Ann E. Davies, of Danyrallt, Llanynis, Builth Wells, also of Esgaerhir Farm. Educated at Llanynis County School. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Davies, Charles, Corporal 820. Died 03/03/1916 aged 26. Royal Fusiliers. Buried Tranchee De Mecknes Cemetery. Son of John and Elizabeth Davies of 26, Julien Road, South Ealing, London.
  • Davies, Edwin George Ernest, Able Seaman Z/1516. Died 27/12/1915. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Helles Memorial.
  • Davies, Jack, Private. South Wales Borderers.
  • Davies, J T, Company Sergeant Major, T4/251132. Died 24/09/1917. Army Service Corps. Buried at Basra War Cemetery. Son of Mrs Davies, of Silverdale, Builth Wells. Was temporarily invalided back to Britain with rheumatism in 1916.
  • Davies, John Thomas, Company Sergeant Major 251132. Died 24/09/1917. Royal Army Service Corps. Buried Basra War Cemetery.
  • Davies, Reginald Stanley, Private 161272. Died 09/04/1917 aged 31. Canadian Infantry. Son of Thomas and Mary Davies, of 8 Wye Terrace, Castle Street, and of Llanelwedd posting stables.
  • Davies, Thomas, Private 40115. Died 27/10/1916 aged 27. Middlesex Regiment. Buried Varennes Military Cemetery. Son of Charles and Mary Davies of Penbryn Farm, Cribyn, Carmarthenshire. Was a bank clerk in Llandrindod, Builth and Penybont.
  • Davies, William, Private 54827. Died 22/04/1917. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Arras Memorial.
  • Deans, Christopher, Private 11419. Died 25/01/1915 aged 19. South Wales Borderers. Le Touret Memorial. Son of John and Lucy Deans of 1, Hostel, Blaen-y-Cwm, Llanfihangel, Abergavenny.
  • Evans, B W. Canadian Infantry.
  • Evans, Ivor Edward, Lance Corporal 10539. Died 11/11/1914 aged 20. South Wales Borderers. Menin Gate Memorial. Son of Henry and Margaret Evans of 12, Oaklands.
  • Evans, Lambert Tidman, Stoker 1st Class SS/109283. Died 01/11/1914 aged 25. Royal Navy. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Son of William and Susannah Evans of Oaklands. Served on HMS Monmouth.
  • Evans, Raymond, Private 432368. Died 05/06/1916. Canadian Infantry. Menin Gate Memorial.
  • Gould, Benjamin Rees, Private 38525. Died 19/06/1917 aged 28. Labour Corps. Buried Poperinghe Military Cemetery. Son of Benjamin and Mary Gould of Tynllan, Disserth; husband of Gertrude Gould of Windsor Cottage, Newbridge-on-Wye, Radnorshire. Educated at Llanelwedd school. Joined the army in 1910, rejoined in 1916.
  • Griffiths, William Seth, Lance Corporal 57092. Died 12/10/1918 aged 19. Manchester Regiment. Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Son of Mrs E. Griffiths of Abernant, Irfon Road.
  • Hamer, Frederick Arthur Bowen, Private 2283. Died Between 20/09/1917 and 23/09/1917 aged 24. Royal Fusiliers. Tyne Cot Memorial. Son of William Bowen Hamer and Eda Blanche Hamer of Hazelmere, Rhayader.
  • Harris, James Roberts, Private 25772. Died 11/04/1917. South Wales Borderers. Basra Memorial.
  • Inglis, Rupert Charles, Lieutenant. Died 29/06/1915, aged 31. South Wales Borderers. Helles Memorial. Son of Charles and Edith Inglis, of Glanwye Park, near Builth Wells; grandson of Major General Sir John Inglis and the Hon Lady Julia Inglis. Wounded during the attempted invasion of Turkey at Gallipoli. Died on a hospital ship and was buried at sea.soldier icon
  • Jamieson, F W, Captain. Died 28/09/1918. Canadian Infantry (Machine Gun Corps). Awarded Distinguished Service Order. Buried Quarry Wood Cemetery.
  • Jarvis, Hugh T, Private. Welsh Regiment.
  • Jenkins, John Rees, Gunner 90923. Died of pneumonia 01/01/1919 aged 34. Royal Garrison Artillery. Buried at Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria. Son of John and Esther Jenkins, of Troedrhiw, Builth Road, Cwmbach, Builth Wells. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Jones, Evan Lloyd, Private 91695. Died 04/10/1918 aged 19. Durham Light Infantry. Buried Worms (Hochheim Hill) Cemetery. Son of John Lloyd Jones and Jane Jones of Ossian House, Eben's Lane, Cardigan.
  • Jones, Herbert Thomas, Private 16745. Died 30/07/1916 aged 29. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment) (war memorial lists as serving with Welsh Regiment). Loos Memorial. Son of Thomas and Margaret Jones of Brooklands.
  • Jones, Harold Vivian, Lieutenant. Died 10/07/1916 aged 23. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Flatiron Copse Cemetery. Son of Mr and Mrs R W Jones of Beckbury, Copthorne, Shrewsbury.
  • Jones, John, Private 27773. Died 15/02/1917. South Wales Borderers (formerly Devonshire Regiment). Basra Memorial.
  • Jones, John Lewis, Second Lieutenant. Died of illness 13/08/1917. Welsh Regiment. Buried Llanegwad (St. Egwad) Churchyard. Son of Dr WL Jones, of Glyncothy House, Nantgaredig, Carmarthenshire. Was studying to become a priest at Pembroke College, Oxford, and St Michael’s College, Llandaff, before enlisting. Played cricket for Pembroke College. He was gassed at the Western Front and never recovered. He lived with his aunt at Dolgarreg, Builth Wells, while trying to recuperate but died at Bedford House Hospital, Cardiff.
  • Jones, J T. South Wales Borderers.
  • Jones, Luther Pryce, Lance Corporal 588. Died 10/10/1917. Australian Infantry. Menin Gate Memorial.
  • Martin, Charles Ellis, Gunner 57582. Died 16/01/1917. Royal Garrison Artillery. Buried Hazebrouck Communal Cemetery.
  • Mason, William Ernest, Private 95802. Died 08/05/1920 aged 31. Royal Defence Corps. Buried at Aberedw (St. Cewydd) Churchyard. Son of John and Jane Mason, of Llanelwedd Villa, Builth Wells; husband of Lilian May Williams (formerly Mason) of 37 Haselbeach Crescent, Liverpool. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Matthews, James, Private 33228. Died of illness 14/06/1917 aged 37. King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Buried at Llansantffraed-in-Elwel (St. Bridget's) Churchyard. Son of James and Eliza Matthews, of Tyngreen Farm, Llansantffraed-in-Elwel. Had been charged by the NSPCC with cruelty to his children and but died before the case concluded. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Meredith, Albert Price, Private 201754. Died 26/03/1917 aged 26. Welsh Regiment. Jerusalem Memorial. Son of Thomas and Eliza Ann Meredith, of Penrhulais, Llanfaradd, Builth Wells, Breconshire. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Morgan, Edward. Bedfordshire Regiment. Probably: Edward Thomas Morgan, Private 12856. Died 12/08/1915. South Wales Borderers. Born in Builth Wells.
  • Morgan, Idris Aneurin, Captain. Died 17/04/1918 aged 28. South Wales Borderers. Buried Meteren Military Cemetery. Son of Alfred and Alma Morgan of Glyn-Gwy.
  • Morgan, John, Private, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
  • Morgan, John Probert, Private G/22792. Died 12/05/1917 aged 39. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Arras Memorial. Son of John and Catharine Morgan of Smithfield Road.
  • Morgan, Thomas, Private 73794. Died 04/04/1917. King’s Liverpool Regiment. Buried Varennes Military Cemetery.
  • Owen, Frederick Harry, Private 12066. Died 23/04/1917 aged 27. South Wales Borderers. Arras Memorial. Son of Harry and Emma Owen, of 23 Century Road, Oldbury, Brimingham. Was a hairdresser in Builth Wells. He had been temporarily exempted from conscription in 1916 because he was the only means of support for his parents.
  • Painter, George Harry, Lance Corporal 5980. Died 19/04/1916 aged 20. Border Regiment. Buried Citadel New Military Cemetery. Son of Leslie and Hannah Painter of 14, Kennard Terrace, Crumlin.
  • Pitman, Thomas H, Corporal 57583. Died 09/05/1918 aged 23. Royal Garrison Artillery. Son of Henry and Winifred Pitman, of Dorset House, Cwmllynfell, Swansea. Buried at Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery, Souchez. Was a police constable, stationed at Builth Wells when he joined the army. Previously a miner at Henllys Vale Colliery.soldier icon
  • Powell, Ivor, Private 435273. Died 19/11/1916 aged 29. Canadian Infantry. Vimy Memorial. Son of David and Sarah Jane Powell of Brynhyfryd.
  • Pratt, Marcus Tom, Boatswain. Royal Marines. Died 11/02/1918. Buried at St Mary’s Church, Builth Wells. Son of Mr and Mrs JA Pratt, of Panclawddu, Llanfaredd. Educated at Builth County School. Was a chorister at St Mary’s Church and played football and hockey for the town. Had survived torpedo attacks. Found drowned at Swansea East Dock in February 1918 after his ship had departed.
  • Price, Ernest Lloyd, Private 63499. Died 04/12/1919 aged 24. Machine Gun Corps (Infantry). Buried at Llansantffraed-in-Elwel (St. Bridget's) Churchyard. Son of Mr and Mrs Lloyd Price, of Tyngwyn Glascomb, Hundred House, Builth Wells. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial. Was taken prisoner of war during the German spring offensive in March 1918 and went to Strzałkowo Camp in Poland. Died of his wounds in a Manchester hospital.
  • Price, Frederick Thomas, Private 510474. Died 16/08/1917. Royal Army Medical Corps. Buried Menin Road South Military Cemetery. Son of Mr and Mrs H T Price of Greyhound Hotel. Employee of London and Provincial Bank Ltd.
  • Price, James, Private 12080. Died 27/01/1917 aged 25. South Wales Borderers. Thiepval Memorial. Son of Mrs. Esther Price of Peartree Cottage, Market Street. Also named on Hay war memorial.
  • Price, Lawrence, Private 28244. Died 14/08/1916 aged 24. Welsh Regiment. Buried Loos British Cemetery. Son of Mrs. Rebecca Price of 5, Castle Hill.
  • Price, W, Lance Corporal 44434. Died 18/06/1918 aged 29. Somerset Light Infantry. Buried at Lapugnoy Military Cemetery. Son of Evan and Eleanor Price, of Rhiwlas, Builth Wells; husband of Sarah Price, of Pantyrhongil, Llanidloes. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Pugh, David Williams, Second Lieutenant. Died 07/10/1918 aged 25. King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. Buried Houplines Communal Cemetery. Son of Mrs M Jones of 28, East View, Deepdale, Preston.
  • Pugh, Roger James, Private 55073. Died 14/05/1917 aged 23. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Arras Memorial. Son of John and Winifred Pugh of Haul-Y-Bryn.
  • Robinson, Cyril Evan, Second Lieutenant. Died 24/07/1918 aged 19. Royal Air Force. Buried at Coulommiers Communal Cemetery. Son of Evan George and Mary Louise Robinson of Station Road, Llanelwedd. Worked for American Express Bank in Liverpool before enlisting in 1917.soldier icon
  • Spencer, Arthur Egerton, Lieutenant. Died 02/07/1916 aged 20. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment). Thiepval Memorial. Son of Dr Edward Macready Spencer.
  • Thomas, George, Private 12068. Died 11/04/1918 aged 26. South Wales Borderers. Tyne Cot Memorial. Son of David and Louisa Thomas of Rhydithon.
  • Vest, S H Serjeant 82535. Died 01/11/1918. Royal Engineers. Buried Awoingt Military Cemetery. Husband of E. Vest of 26, Mount Libanus Street, Treherbert.
  • Vest, Thomas Robert, Private, 241501. Died 30/11/1917 aged 22. North Staffordshire Regiment. Cambrai Memorial. Son of William Price Vest and Catherine Vest of 25, Oaklands.
  • Watkins, J H, 88870. Died 26/11/1918. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried St Sever Cemetery.
  • Wearn, Ronald Ramsay, Rifleman 550763. Died 10/04/1917 aged 28. London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles). Buried Mont Huon Military Cemetery. Son of Christopher and Sarah Wearn.
  • Wheeler, John, Sapper 386640. Died 09/05/1917. Royal Engineers. Buried at Brandhoek Military Cemetery.
  • Wheeler, William Charles, Private 57074. Died 24/03/1918. Manchester Regiment. Arras Memorial.
  • White, Douglas, Private 355217. Died 18/09/1918. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Ronssoy Communal Cemetery.
  • Williams, Cyril, Private 2272. Died 08/12/1915 aged 22. South Wales Borderers. Buried Mhow New Cemetery. Son of John and Eleanor Williams of Maescwm.
  • Williams, Fred, Lieutenant 241501. Died 24/06/1918. Royal Air Force and Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Cabaret-Rouge British Cemetery. Son of Mr W Williams of Winstone.
  • White, Douglas, Private. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Probably: 355217. Died 18/09/1918. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried at Ronssoy Communal Cemetery.
  • Wright, Ernest Egerton, Private 51715. Died 24/03/1918 aged 33. Cheshire Regiment. Pozieres Memorial. Son of Mrs Martha Wright, of Newbridge-on-Wye; husband of Emily Wright (nee Davies), of Toll Gates, Builth Wells. Was a farm labourer. Left six children.
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Second World War

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  • Asbrey, Ronald, Signalman 2585088. Died 27/03/1941 aged 23. Royal Corps of Signals. Buried Benghazi War Cemetery. Son of Edward and Mary Asbrey.
  • Barstow, Lawrence Oliver Mackay, Second Lieutenant 124959. Died 24/04/1941 aged 28. Royal Horse Artillery. Mentioned in Despatches. Athens Memorial. Son of Sir George Lewis Barstow, KCB and the Hon. Lady Enid Lilian Barstow, of Builth Wells. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Davies, Irfon Rees, Driver 14513570. Died between 20/12/1944 and 21/12/1944 aged 20. Royal Engineers. Buried at Schoonselhof Cemetery. Son of Rees and Mary S Davies, of Builth Wells. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Drew, Morley James, Guardsman 2737342. Died 26/07/1944 aged 30. Welsh Guards. Buried at Assisi War Cemetery. Son of Owen and Gladys R. Drew, of Builth Wells. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Evans, Josiah Raymond, Master. Died 17/02/1941 aged 48. Merchant Navy - SS Coryton (Cardiff). Buried Builth (St. Mary) Churchyard. Born in New Quay, Cardiganshire, to Captain F Evans and Sarah Evans; husband of Frances M Evans of Llandrindod Wells. Lost in the North Sea when his ship was bombed by German aircraft.
  • Gibbons, David James, Leading Aircraftman 1274803. Died 05/05/1945 aged 22. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried at Ranchi War Cemetery. Son of Alfred Tom and Alice Gertrude Gibbons, of Builth Wells, Brecknockshire. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Glasscodine, John Kenneth. Private 14989830. Died 07/03/1945 aged 19. Welsh Regiment. Buried Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Son of Wilfred Henry Portman Glasscodine and Jane Annie Maud Glasscodine, of Shrewsbury, Shropshire. WHP Glasscodine was station master at Builth Road. Kenneth was in the Air Training Corps at Builth Wells and applied to join the RAF but was compulsorily transferred to the Army.
  • Griffiths, Walter Samuel Palfrey, Pilot Officer 61267. Died 28/09/1941 aged 21. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried La Gueriniere Communal Cemetery. Son of Benjamin and Griffiths. Qualified in Jurisprudence for the degree of B.A. (Oxon.), Brasenose College.
  • Honey, Edward, Private 14223132. Died 05/04/1945 aged 29. The Queen's Royal Regiment (West Surrey). Buried Rheinberg War Cemetery.
  • James, David Vincent, Pilot Officer 165383. Died 25/11/1944 aged 21. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Runnymede Memorial. Son of William Charles and Mabel Alice James.soldier icon
  • Jenkins, Llewelyn Albert, Baker. Died 08/06/1940 aged 39. Merchant Navy - SS Orama. Tower Hill Memorial. Born in South Wales to Albert and Elizabeth Jenkins; husband of Minnie Jenkins of Peckham, London. His last place of abode was Llanidloes. His ship was sunk by the German High Seas Fleet, with 19 killed and 280 taken prisoner.
  • Jones, Pilot Officer 108245. Died 06/06/1942 aged 28. Buried Adegem Canadian War Cemetery. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Son of John and Mary Jones. Was head boy at Builth County School and later an editor for the Wyeside Magazine. Died during a bombing operation to Essen, Germany, when his Stirling bomber, W7508 OJ-D, was downed by a German night fighter over Belgium.
  • McAlpine, Robert Henry, Flight Sergeant 2221305. Died 29/03/1945 aged 37. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Peterborough (Eastfield) Cemetery. Son of John and Margaret Jane McAlpine. Was an air gunner on Stirling aircraft PW391 with the Operational and Refresher Training Unit when the aircraft collided in mid-air, near Peterborough, with a plane being flown by a French trainee.
  • Newell, John Leslie, Sergeant 536881. Died 22/12/1941 aged 25. Royal Air Force. Runnymede Memorial. Son of George and Winifred Newell. Enlisted in 1936. Served on HMS Berwick in the Norwegian Campaign of 1940, before transferring to the aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal. Was rescued from the water after Ark Royal’s sinking in 1941 but died at sea with the sinking of HMS Audacity, an escort aircraft carrier.
  • Owen, DJ, 13062759. Killed 06/08/1948 while looking after prisoners of war in Coventry. Buried at Builth (St Mary) Churchyard. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
  • Powell, Ivor Llewelyn William, Signalman 2335451. Died 03/09/1944 aged 25. Royal Corps of Signals. Buried Imphal War Cemetery. Son of William Alfred and Sophia Powell.
  • Price, Jeffreys, Gunner 839426. Died 29/05/1945 aged 27. Royal Artillery. Buried Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Son of Thomas and Maria Price; husband of Lilian May Price of Penn, Wolverhampton.
  • Rea, William Thomas, Third Officer. Died 20/03/1943 aged 21. Merchant Navy - SS Fort Mumford. Tower Hill Memorial. Born in Builth Wells to Maud Price (her maiden name). His last place of abode was Worthing, Sussex. Lost when his ship was torpedoed and sunk in the Indian Ocean by Japanese submarine I-27.
  • Taylor, Harold David, Able Seaman P/SD/X 1485. Died 01/09/1940 aged 27. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Buried Hamburg Cemetery. Son of William Henry and Sarah Euphemia Taylor.
  • Turner, Ronald Vincent, Pilot Officer 149548. Died 04/09/1943 aged 23. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried at Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Son of George Stanley and Elizabeth Turner, of Oaklands, Builth Wells; husband of Elizabeth Eleanor Turner. Was a musician and member of the local Scouts group. Left a daughter whom he never had the chance to meet.soldier icon
  • Wall, Robert James, Fourth Engineer Officer. Died 02/09/1940 aged 35. Merchant Navy – SS Bibury. Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of Anne I Wall, of Builth Wells. Born in Cardiff. Lost when his ship was torpedoed by German submarine U-59 and sank by the bow in 5 minutes. The master, 37 crew members and one gunner were lost.
  • Watson, Leslie Thorpe, Serjeant 6340354. Died 01/06/1940 aged 31. East Lancashire Regiment. Buried Pihen-Les-Guines War Cemetery. Son of Joseph and Nellie Watson; husband of Mary Watson.
  • Willis, David. Serjeant 844441. Died 03/08/1947 aged 29. Royal Artillery. Buried at Builth (St Mary) Churchyard. Son of William and Mary Jane Willis, of Builth Wells; husband of Eileen Mary Willis, of Higher Bebington, Cheshire. Not named on Builth Wells war memorial.
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