Dolgellau war memorial

dolgellauDolgellau war memorial

This memorial commemorates the men and women of the Dolgellau area who died in the First and Second World Wars. To read their details, choose a category below.

First World War

Second World War-– Dolgellau town

Second World War – area surrounding Dolgellau

The memorial originally stood in Eldon Square. It was unveiled in October 1921. One of the speeches at the ceremony was given by Colonel Jelf-Revely, who had led the Royal Welsh Fusiliers’ 7th Battalion during the Allies’ disastrous attempt in 1915 to invade Turkey through the Gallipoli peninsula. Many Meirionnydd soldiers lost their lives there. The fiasco was particularly hard for Dolgellau widow Ellen Edwards, who lost two sons, John and Richard, on the same day at Gallipoli.

Unusually, the names of a brother and sister are inscribed on the memorial. Mary Smith (nee Jones) died in August 1918 having served in Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps. Her brother Willie died in November 1919. His health had been ruined while he was a Private in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The siblings are buried alongside each other at St Mary’s Church, Dolgellau.

We have included details of some people with local connections who died in the Second World War but are not named on the war memorial. They include Dr Keridwen Armstrong, killed in a London hospital during an air raid in 1941.

We are grateful to Dai Sheppard, author of Dolgellau and The Great War, for permission to draw on his research for our information about the First World War dead.

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First World War

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

  • Browne, Richard, Air Mechanic 3rd Class 92780. Died 31/12/1917 aged 33. Royal Flying Corps. Chatby Memorial. Son of Richard and Ellen Browne of Maestalaran; husband of Madge M. Browne of Roslyn. Was a telegraph messenger and Rhydymain’s postman before the war. He was in the RFC’s Kite Balloon section, and died when the ship on which he was travelling to a posting in Egypt struck a mine at the entrance to Alexandria harbour. He left two children.
  • Collins, George, Private 22042. Died 11/06/1917 aged 27. King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Buried Mikra British Cemetery. Son of Mary Ruth and George Collins of Tyddynbach, Ganllwyd; brother of Miss Annie Collins, of Tyn-y-Groes Cottage, Ganllwyd.
  • Coops, Frank Nevel, Serjeant 8676. Died 17/07/1916 aged 28. Cheshire Regiment. Buried Puchevillers British Cemetery. Husband of Alice Ann Coops of Hawthorn View, Lindow, Cheshire. His brother Henry had married Ellen Janes Williams of Plasucha, Dolgellau (the address shown for Frank on the war memorial). He served in the army in India before the First World War.
  • Donan, William, Colonel. Died of heat stroke 13/08/1919 aged 52. Indian Army. Buried Basra War Cemetery. Husband of Mrs Donan of Strathmore, Belgrave Crescent, Torquay, Devon. Of Brynygwin, Dolgellau. With his knowledge of Persian, Arabic, Hindi and Urdu, he was a censor of forces’ Indian mail in France in 1914 and 1915. Retired in 1916 but reinstated in January 1918, probably because of an officer shortage.
  • Davies, David John, Private 291274. Died while held prisoner of war by Turkey on 03/10/1917 aged 19. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Jerusalem Memorial. Of Brynteg. Son of David and Ann Davies, of Coedygweddill, Llwyngwril.
  • Davies, David Oswald, Captain. Died 22/05/1917 aged 51. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Llanaber (St. Mary) Churchyard. Of Queen Square. Was a solicitor in Dolgellau and Barmouth. Played one international football match for Wales, in 1890. Led the local army reservists who left for war service in August 1914.
  • Davies, Gomer, Private 290537. Died 29/03/1918 aged 36. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Jerusalem Memorial. Of Froheulog Cottages. Son of David and Margaret Davies, of Baker Street; husband of Ellen Davies, of Park Lane. Worked in a local gold mine before the war. Left four children, all under 10 years old.
  • Davies, Hughie, Private 291212. Died 11/05/1917 aged 35. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Arras Memorial. Son of Hugh and Mary Davies of Ivy Cottage. Worked at the Angel Hotel before the war.
  • Edwards, David John, Corporal 6237. Died of brain haemorrhage 20/11/1918 aged 40. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Dolgellau (St. Mary) Churchyard. Son of Dorothy Ann Parkes of 5 Aber View, Corwen; grandson of David and Catherine Jones of Well Street, Dolgellau. Joined the army in 1899. Was wounded twice on the Western Front before being posted to Crosshaven, County Cork, where he died.
  • Edwards, John, Private 2694. Died 10/08/1915 aged 28. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Son of Williams and Ellen Edwards, of Green Lane. Died the same day as his brother Richard, below. Worked at Glasdir copper mine before enlisting.
  • Edwards, Richard, Private 2739. Died 10/08/1915 aged 36. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Son of Williams and Ellen Edwards, of Green Lane. Richard lived at Upperfield Street. Worked at Glasdir copper mine Left a widow and four children under 10 years old.
  • Evans, Edward, Private 291469. Died 27/05/1917 aged 25. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Arras Memorial. Son of John and Jane Evans of Blaenyddol, Rhydymain. Was a farm labourer.
  • Evans, Evan W, Second Corporal, 185934. Died 14/11/1917 aged 20. Royal Engineers. Buried Steenkerke Belgian Military Cemetery. Son of Robert Evans of Hafod Oer, Brithdir. Was an agriculture student in Aberystwyth before enlisting. Brother of Hugh Trebor Evans, below.
  • Evans, Hugh Trebor, Private 204457. Died 19/09/1917 aged 19. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard. Son of Robert Evans of Hafod Oer, Brithdir. Was a farm labourer.
  • Evans, Hugh E, Private 81734. Died of malaria 28/10/1917 aged 23. Royal Army Medical Corps. Buried Mikra British Cemetery. Son of Griffith and Mary Jane Evans of Glan Eiddon, Rhydymain. Was a student in Bangor before enlisting.
  • Evans, Howell, Private 242715. Died 28/08/1918 aged 31. South Lancashire Regiment. Buried Dury Crucifix Cemetery. Husband of Jane Ellen Evans of 2 Meirion Terrace, Brithdir. Of Tyddynymoch. Left a son.
  • Evans, John Hugh, Private 290581. Died 26/03/1917 aged 34. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Jerusalem Memorial. Son of John and Margaret Evans of 5, Park Lane. Was a coal miner in Maerdy, Rhondda. Wounded in the Gallipoli landings. His brother Owen, also in the army, was with him when he died in hospital.
  • Evans, John Thomas, Lance Corporal 240742. Died 26/03/1917 aged 28. Welsh Regiment. Jerusalem Memorial. Of Froheulog Cottages. Son of Thomas and Mary Ann Evans of Bont yr Arran. Enlisted in Pontypridd, Glamorgan.
  • Evans, Richard Abury, Private 7264. Died 27/02/1915 aged 35. Welsh Regiment. Buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Of Bont yr Arran. Son of Thomas Evans. Was a house painter.
  • Evans, Richard, Private 38128. Died 25/11/1917 aged 27. Welsh Regiment. Cambrai Memorial. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Evans of 4, Maescaled.
  • Evans, Richard, Air Mechanic 2nd Class 138487. Died 07/04/1919 aged 35. Royal Air Force. Buried Duisans British Cemetery. Son of Hugh and Gwen Evans of Meyrick Square. Was a picture framer before the war.
  • Evans, Thomas, Private 89615. Died 29/10/1918 aged 20. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Etaples Military Cemetery. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Evans of 3, Micrion Terrace, Brithdir. Sang in local choirs.
  • Evans, William, Private M2/174927. Died 14/07/1918 aged 28. Army Service Corps. Buried Dolgellau Nonconformist Cemetery. Son of Owen and Ann Evans of Pandy’rodyn. Was an agricultural worker.
  • Evans, William Lewis, Private 2824. Died 10/08/1915 aged 34. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Son of Robert and Margaret Evans; husband of Elizabeth Evans of 19, Pentre Road, Mardy, Glamorgan. Of Caetanws. William was a stone mason in Dolgellau and later a coal miner in Maerdy, Rhondda.
  • Finnis, John Fortescue, Lieutenant Colonel. Died 14/01/1916 aged 45. 53rd Sikhs (Frontier Force). Basra Memorial. Awarded Distinguished Service Order and Mentioned in Despatches. Son of Florence Stanley Finnis, of Rock Cottage. Born in India.
  • Gant, Sydney, Private 36219. Died 01/10/1917 aged 31. Leicestershire Regiment. Tyne Cot Memorial. Son of William Henry and Mary Ann Gant of Coningsby, Lincolnshire; husband of Lizzie Gant of The White House, Caversham, Reading. Of Abergwynant Lodge. Was a gardener before enlisting. His son was baptised at St Mary’s Church seven months after Sydney’s death.
  • Griffith, Dafydd, Private 26874. Died 26/09/1917 aged 27. King's Shropshire Light Infantry. Buried Tyne Cot Cemetery. Son of David and Elizabeth Griffith of Glan Wnion. Brother of Griffith, below.
  • Griffith, Griffith David, Corporal 266096 aged 32. Died 14/04/1918 aged 32. South Lancashire Regiment. Ploegsteert Memorial. Son of David and Elizabeth Griffith of Glan Wnion. Enlisted August 1914. Was a draper’s assistant.
  • Griffith, James, Private 3900. Died 27/02/1916 aged 17. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Llanfachreth (St. Machreth) Churchyard. Son of Morris and Margaret Griffiths of Ochyryfochucha. Of Cader Road.
  • Griffith, Robert William, Private 60263. Died 20/12/1917 aged 20. Welsh Regiment. Thiepval Memorial. Son of David and Elizabeth Griffith of 2, Penybont, Rhydymain.
  • Griffith, Watcyn Emil Owen, Private 26402. Died 10/07/1916 aged 18. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thiepval Memorial. Son of headmaster John Griffith and Dorothy Griffith, of Dolgellau County School. Served as a dispatch rider and was killed by a shell while carrying a message sent by his brother, Captain Llewelyn Wyn Griffith.
  • Griffith, William John, Private 39515. Died 02/09/1917 aged 19. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Tyne Cot Memorial. Son of Henry H and Kate Griffith of 3 Talyrafon Buildings. Was a house painter.
  • Harness, Frederick William, Private 76278. Died 11/04/1917 aged 24. Machine Gun Corps. Arras Memorial. A Gardener. Enlisted September 1914. Son of Frederick William and Elizabeth Harness of Rose Cottage, Wainfleet, Lincolnshire. Of Penmaen. Was a market gardener and sang in Brithdir Church choir.
  • Hughes, Evan Edward, Private 3410. Died 10/08/1915 aged 22. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Son of Mary Williams of 4, Cader Road. Of Wnion Square. Was a page at the Ship Hotel, having earlier lived in the workhouse with two brothers. His widowed mother was informed of his death a year after the event.
  • Hughes, William, Private 5940. Died 09/12/1914 aged 40. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Ploegsteert Memorial. Husband of Mary Alice Hughes of 17 English Terrace. Was a coal miner. Enlisted in Warrington. Left four children.
  • Humphreys, Hugh Thomas, Gunner 137649. Died of pneumonia 15/03/1918 aged 36. Royal Garrison Artillery. Buried Baghdad (North Gate) War Cemetery. Son of John and Jane Hupmrheys, of Well Street; husband of Lilian Humphreys of 20 Bromley Gardens, Bromley, Kent. Born at Portsmouth. Of Well Street. Was a porter.
  • Humphreys, John, Private 6037. Died 16/05/1915 aged 40. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Le Touret Memorial. Of Well Street. Served in the army before the war.
  • Humphreys, John Robert, Private 39079. Died of TB on 19/04/1916 aged 29. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Dolgellau Nonconformist Cemetery. Son of John and Mary Ann Humphreys of 3 Park Row. Of Market Hall. Was a teacher in Meirionnydd towns, including Dolgellau, before the war. John and Mary were refused a military pension because the authorities said he was ill with TB before enlisting.
  • Humphreys, Robert, Corporal 59522. Died 20/09/1918. The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Son of Mr and Mrs Morris Humprheys, of South Street. Was a hairdresser in Liverpool.
  • James, John R, Private 35441. Died 28/11/1916 aged 22. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Euston Road Cemetery, Colincamps. Son of Richard and Ann James, Braichceunant, Rhydymain. Brother of William, below.
  • James, William Evan, Private 35371. Died 16/08/1916 aged 20. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Guillemont Road Cemetery. Son of Richard and Ann James, Braichceunant, Rhydymain.
  • Jenkins, Isaac Lewis, Drummer 16425. Died 12/07/1916 aged 27. Welsh Regiment. Thiepval Memorial. Son of Evan and Sarah Jenkins of 12, St David Street, Llanelli; husband of Kate E Jenkins, of 6, Wnion Square. Was a labourer at the tinplate works in Llanelli before the war.
  • Jones, Abram, Second Corporal 121728. Died 20/07/1917 aged 35. Royal Engineers. Buried Dozinghem Military Cemetery. Son of Cadwaladr and Jane Jones of Arran Road; husband of Annie Ellen Jones of Meirion House, Tan-y-Grisiau. Worked as a slate quarryman.
  • Jones, David, Private 11677. Died 12/10/1917 aged 28. New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Son of Richard and Jane Jones of Dolfawr. Was a gold miner in the Dolgellau area and probably emigrated to New Zealand before the war.
  • Jones, David, Private 25546. Died in France while held prisoner of war 07/02/1917 aged 19. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Croisilles British Cemetery. son of Edward and Margaret Jones, Caertyddyn Uchaf, Cross Foxes.
  • Jones, Evan, Private 11027. Died 17/05/1915 aged 23. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Lillers Communal Cemetery. Son of Alice Jones of Park Lane. Was a farm servant.
  • Jones, Eynon Llewelyn, Sub-Lieutenant. Royal Naval Reserve - HMS Indefatigable. Died on 31/05/1916 aged 23. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Son of Evan and Frances Jones of Derwen House. Native of Ventnor, Isle of Wight. Died when his ship was sunk in the Battle of Jutland.
  • Jones, George, Lance Serjeant 2620. Died 10/08/1915 aged 22. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Of Bont yr Arran. Son of William and Elizabeth Jones of Arran Road.
  • Jones, John Hugh, Private 49882. Died 27/08/1918 aged 19. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Fienvillers British Cemetery. Son of Hugh and Jane Jones of Tŷ Newydd, South Street. Was skilled as an artist. Enlisted in Liverpool while living in Bootle.
  • Jones, John H, Private 23413. Died 04/04/1916 aged 29. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Boulogne Eastern Cemetery. Son of Evan and Ellen Jones of Ty’n Glanyrafon, Bontddu. Of Taicynhaeaf.
  • Jones, Henry, Private 2742. Died 10/08/1915 aged 36. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Husband of Lizzie Gwen Jones of Meirianfa, Lombard Street. Served in the South African War. Worked in Dolgellau tannery. Left seven children.
  • Jones, Lewis, Private 1712. Died 29/05/1917 aged 21. Welsh Guards. Buried Rhydymain Independent Chapelyard. Son of John and Jane Jones of Esgeiriau, Rhydymain. Had an arm amputated after being badly wounded in France in late 1916. He was eventually released from hospital in Dorchester to go home, where he died soon after.
  • Jones, Morris, Private 52043. Died 10/08/1917 aged 29. Cheshire Regiment. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Of Clywedog. Son of William and Margaret Jones of Tynewydd, Brithdir. Lived in Middlesex and worked in a munitions factory before enlisting.
  • Jones, Owen, Private 2738. Died 19/07/1917 aged 26. Welsh Guards. Buried Canada Farm Cemetery, Belgium. Son of Gwen Jones of Ochryfoel.
  • Jones, Teddy, 42553. Died 30/08/1918. Suffolk Regiment. Buried Ecoust St Mein British Cemetery. Son of William and Caroline Jones of Bont yr Arran.
  • Jones, Willie, Private 3323. Died 15/11/1919. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Dolgellau (St. Mary) Churchyard. Of Park Lane. Son of Richard and Susannah Jones. His health broke down in the early part of the war and he suffered for several years until his death. Brother of Mary E Smith, below.
  • Jones, W Ellis, Tanygoeden.
  • Jones, William Hugh, Private 291318. Died 22/04/1920 aged 23. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Buried Dolgellau Nonconformist Cemetery. Of Rhydwenfa. Son of Hugh and Lizzie Jones of Talyravon Buildings. Was a butcher’s messenger. Badly wounded in July 1917 and discharged from the army in June 1918.
  • Kynaston, Joseph, Private 9144. Died 23/10/1914 aged 30. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Pont-du-Hem Military Cemetery. Of South Street. Born in the workhouse to Mary Kynaston, a single woman whose father was a gamekeeper on the Nannau estate. Joseph lived with his grandfather at Gwern Offeiriad and was an underkeeper on the estate before joining the army in 1906 and serving in what is now Pakistan. He was the first Dolgellau man killed in the war.
  • Lawford, Edward Enfield, Lieutenant. Died 13/06/1917 aged 33. Indian Army Reserve of Officers. Neuve-Chapelle Memorial. Of Argoed. Son of Percy and Anne Lawford of Borthwnog. Emigrated to India in 1905.
  • Lewis, Arthur Edward, Private 116398. Died 30/10/1918 aged 46. Canadian Machine Gun Corps. Buried Etaples Military Cemetery. Son of the Very Rev Evan Lewis, dean of Bangor and rector of Dolgellau, and Adelaide Lewis. Of the Rectory. Played football for Bangor and joined the army before emigrating c.1900 to Canada, where he worked as a teamster (using horses or oxen to haul goods). He and a friend trekked 800km (500 miles) in winter to enlist, and initially he was rejected as too old for service.
  • Lewis, John Watkin, Private 9158. Died 31/01/1920 aged 34. South Wales Borderers. Buried Machynlleth (St. Peter) Churchyard. Son of Margaret Lewis of Tanrallt Street, Machynlleth; adopted son of D Roberts, of Frongoch. Worked as a cowman in Llanbrynmair before joining the army in 1905 and serving in India and China. At the outbreak of war he fought alongside Japanese forces to force Germans out of Tsingtao, China. On the Western Front in 1916, he lost a leg and lay wounded for four nights in no man’s land until taken prisoner by Germany, which released him six months later as he was unfit for any further military service. He died in Tregaron.
  • Lloyd, Humphrey Morris, Private 69272. Died 31/08/1918 aged 23. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Delville Wood Cemetery. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Lloyd of Penybont, Trawsfynydd. Of Ganllwyd. Was a farm worker at Abergeirw Bach, Llanfachreth.
  • Marchant, Eiddon Thomas, Lance Corporal 36904. Died 04/10/1917 aged 21. Machine Gun Corps. Tyne Cot Memorial. Son of Thomas Nelson Marchant of Railway Cottage, Rhydymain.
  • Martin, Joseph, Private 16769. Died 29/10/1916 aged 24. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Essex Farm Cemetery. Son of Samuel and Mary Martin of Trewent, Altamon, Launceston, Cornwall. Born in Cornwall. Lived at Bryncoedifor when his father was headmaster of the village school.
  • Mills, Robert Henry, Major. Died 10/07/1916 aged 35. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Dantzig Alley British Cemetery. Son of Richard and Jane Mills of Maldwyn House; husband of Mrs. Peggy Gwynne Mills (nee Williams) of Brynbella. Served in the army in the South African (Boer) War. Was a corn merchant before the war. Left a daughter.
  • Morris, Francis V, Private 30193. Died 09/10/1918 aged 33. Northumberland Fusiliers. Buried Etaples Military Cemetery. Son of Francis and Catherine Morris of 4 Park Row; husband of Eleanor Morris (nee Roberts). Lived with his wife and four children in Cardiff, where he was a shoemaker.
  • Morris, James, Private 291272. Died 26/03/1917 aged 21. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Gaza War Cemetery. Son of Meredith and Annie Morris of Tudno Villa. Was a butcher.
  • Morgan, Evan, Private 291462. Died of pneumonia 13/03/1919 aged 28. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Ste. Marie Cemetery. Son of Cadwaladr and Margaret Morgan of 6 Fronheulog Terrace, later of 3 Lichfield Terrace, Abergwynolwyn. Was a quarryman living in Beudynewydd, Abergynolwyn, when he enlisted. Served in the Middle East and India and was taken ill on the train home through France.
  • Owen, John Aneurin, Private 54612. Died 01/08/1918 aged 22. Machine Gun Corps. Buried Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery. Son of Owen Edward and Jane Owen of Drefgeryg, Bwlch Coch. Lived in Ffynnongroyw, Flintshire, when he enlisted.
  • Owen, Griffith Christmas, Second Lieutenant. Died 31/07/1917 aged 30. South Wales Borderers. Buried Sanctuary Wood Cemetery. Son of Hugh and Ellen Owen of Lawnt Cottage. Worked in an ironmonger’s shop in Oswestry before the war.
  • Owen, Harry, Private 241432. Died 26/03/1917 aged 23 (or possibly 21). Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Gaza War Cemetery. Son of Griffith Henry and Anne Owen Owen Briesea, Upper Berfield Street. Born in Nantgwynant, near Beddgelert. Of Frongaled. Was a grocer in St Asaph when he enlisted.
  • Owen, Hugh Richard, Serjeant 28704. Died 30/11/1917 aged 21. Royal Field Artillery. Cambrai Memorial. Son of Hugh and Elizabeth Owen of Park Lane. Elizabeth later lived at 3 Smithfield Lane. The family moved to Maerdy, Rhondda, before the war, and Hugh Richard Owen worked as an underground coal hewer.
  • Owen, John Herbert, Private 13357. Died 01/04/1918 aged 24. Queen's Own (Royal West Kent Regiment). Buried St. Sever Cemetery. Son of William and Esther Owen of Felin Isaf, also of 16 Maelstarran Terrace.
  • Owen, Herbert Ernest Malcom, Second Lieutenant. Died 18/07/1917 aged 18. Royal Flying Corps. Buried Brithdir (St. Mark) Churchyard. Of Brithdir. Son of Rev Edwin James Owen, rector of Brithdir, and Jesse Beatrice Owen. Born in Llanfairfechan. Educated at Ruthin School. Burned to death after his plane malfunctioned.
  • Owen, Owen, Private 10004. Died 18/11/1914. South Wales Borderers. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Owen of Bont yr Arran. Was a gardener. Born in 1877. Enlisted in Abergavenny.
  • Owen, William Robert, Private 291073. Died 06/11/1917 aged 22. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Beersheba War Cemetery. Son of Elizabeth Owen (later Williams) of Wesley Court, South Street, earlier of Caemawr, Ganllwyd. Was a farm labourer before enlisting.
  • Owens, Owen, Serjeant 23309. Died 04/07/1916 aged 32. Royal Garrison Artillery. Buried Couin British Cemetery. Awarded Military Medal. Native of Dolgwartheg. Son of Richard and Margaret of Llwyn-y-Gan, 24, Capel Street, Bargoed, and earlier of Upperfield Street, Dolgellau. Served with the army in what is now Pakistan before the war. He had a specialist role as a farrier.
  • Price, Peter, Private 39140. Died 22/08/1918 aged 24. South Wales Borderers. Buried Cambrin Military Cemetery. Son of John and Ann Price of Fronoleu. Enlisted in Newport, Monmouthshire.
  • Pugh, Arthur, Private 2528. Died 22/09/1916 aged 22. Welsh Guards. Buried St. Sever Cemetery. Son of Hugh and Ellen Pugh of Ty’nymynydd Cottage, Brithdir, and of Llwynhelm, Brithdir. Worked for the Glamorganshire Constabulary, stationed at Mountain Ash, before enlisting.
  • Pugh, Howell, Sapper 79934. Died 25/10/1915 aged 25. Royal Engineers. Buried St. Venant Communal Cemetery. Husband of Hannah Pugh of 4 Westley Street, Caernarfon, and earlier of Henfelin, Dolgellau; husband of Hannah Pugh (later Davies), of Caernarfon. Of South Street. Left a son.
  • Pugh, Hugh, Private 291412. Died 26/03/1917 aged 22. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Jerusalem Memorial. Son of Hugh and Mary Pugh. Of Hendregefeilliaid. Was studying theology when he enlisted.
  • Pugh, Joshua Henry, Gunner 2814. Died 30/06/1917 aged 36. Royal Field Artillery. Buried Mendinghem Military Cemetery. Son of Griffith and Jane Pugh; husband of Elizabeth Ann Pugh (nee Davies) of 10 Victoria Street, Merthyr Vale, Glamorgan. Of Fronallt Cottage. Worked underground in a colliery.
  • Pugh, Richard Llewelyn, Sapper 2008296. Died of pneumonia 16/11/1918 aged 27. Canadian Engineers. Buried Etaples Military Cemetery. Son of Evan and Ellen Pugh of South Street; husband of Mary Pugh of Plymouth, Pennsylvania. Emigrated c.1908. Was a miner before enlisting in Toronto.
  • Pughe, Robert, Flying Officer. Died 16/04/1920 aged 21. Royal Air Force. Delhi Memorial. Son of Robert and Jane Mary Pughe of Helygog, Brithdir. Educated at Ruthin School and was an apprentice engineer in Liverpool before the war. Joined the army in March 1917. Was injured in a flying accident in January 1918. After the war he was based in Cologne and flew senior officers and peace delegates before being posted to what is now Pakistan, where he died in an air accident.
  • Rees, William, Private 21885. Died 10/04/1917 aged 29. East Surrey Regiment. Buried Bully-Grenay Communal Cemetery. Son of Robert and Mary Rees of Gelligemlyn; husband of Agnes Ellen Rees (nee Samson) of 11 Adelaide Street, West Croydon. Of Ochryfoel Isaf. Was a milkman.
  • Roberts, Arthur Randell, Lance Corporal T/241375. Died 21/11/1917 aged 28. The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment). Buried Bolarum Cavalry Barracks Cemetery. Son of Mr and Mrs John Isaac Roberts of Henfelin; husband of Florence Roberts of 15 Balfour Road, Wimbledon, London. Of Sarn Road.
  • Roberts, Evan, Corporal 15100. Died 06/07/1916 aged 28. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Loos Memorial. Son of Evan and Margaret Roberts of Cae Tanws; husband of Frances Lily Roberts (nee Gale) of Bushey Dairy, Corfe Castle, Dorset. Of Talyrafon Buildings. Was a skinner at the D Meredith tannery before the war. Brother of William, below.
  • Roberts, William, Private 55315. Died 25/02/1917 aged 33. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Bard Cottage Cemetery. Son of Evan and Margaret Roberts of Cae Tanws. Of Talyrafon Buildings. Was a general labourer before the war.
  • Roberts, Harry, Private 78530. Died 25/03/1918 aged 32. Tank Corps. Pozieres Memorial. Son of Mrs Roberts of Preswylfa. Of Cambrian House.
  • Roberts, Hugh William, Private 9520. Died 05/01/1915 aged 29. Welsh Regiment. Buried Lillers Communal Cemetery. Son of David and Emma Roberts of Lawnt. Of Cader Road. Was a wagoner before the war.
  • Roberts, Richard Bowen, Lieutenant. Died 13/01/1918 aged 38. Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry. Buried Llanedwen (St. Edwen) Churchyard, Anglesey. Son of Owen D Roberts Elizabeth Jane Roberts of Frondirion. Of Clogwyn. Enlisted on the second day of the war and was invalided home in December 1917. He died at his home, Plas Penrhyn, Anglesey, of heart failure attributed to the strain of war service.
  • Roberts, Thomas, Private 2850. Died 10/08/1915 aged 22. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Son of Thomas and Emily Roberts of Ysgubor, earlier of Ty’nllidiart. Was a gamekeeper for Colonel Scott.
  • Rowlands, Edward, Private 2186. Died 11/09/1916 aged 23. Welsh Guards. Buried Allonville Communal Cemetery. Son of Thomas and Catherine Rowlands of Llettycanol, Brithdir. Of Hafodymeirch. Worked with his father, a farmer.
  • Ruddle, Francis Thomas, Rifleman 2541. Died 05/05/1915 aged 19. The King's (Liverpool Regiment). Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Son of Francis William Ruddle, an engineer with the White Star Line, and Mary Ellen Ruddle of 28 Darwin Road, Southampton; nephew of TH Roberts of Parliament House, Dolgellau. Of Bodlondeb. Educated as a boarder at Dolgellau Grammar School.
  • Smith, Mary Elizabeth, Forewoman 7820. Died of flu 21/08/1918 aged 42. Queen Mary's Army Auxiliary Corps. Buried Dolgellau (St. Mary) Churchyard Extension. Daughter of Richard and Susannah Jones of Park Lane. Her rank was equivalent to sergeant. Sister of Willie Jones, above.
  • Stevens, William Charles, Lance Corporal 25857. Died 06/11/1917 aged 27. Herefordshire Regiment. Buried Beersheba War Cemetery. Son of John and Elizabeth Stevens; husband of Kate Stevens (nee Morris) of Tynycelyn, Llanelltyd. Of Henefail. Left a daughter.
  • Thomas, Heber, Second Lieutenant. Died 12/10/1917 aged 26. The Buffs (East Kent Regiment). Tyne Cot Memorial. Son of Wesleyan minister Rev David Thomas and Jane Elizabeth Thomas of Ardre. Of Haulfryn. Educated at Ruthin School. Was a bank clerk in Denbigh before the war.
  • Watkins, John Walter James, Private 64370. Died 24/03/1918 aged 19. Welsh Regiment. Buried Bancourt British Cemetery. Son of John and Ellen Watkins of 14 English Terrace. Born in Presteigne, Radnorshire. Was a clogger’s apprentice in Kington before enlisting in Shrewsbury.
  • Wheeler, Frank, Private 290773. Died of pneumonia 16/11/1918 aged 25. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. Son of Mary Luke Taihirion, Llanelltyd. In 1911 he was a farm worker living with his grandmother, Elizabeth Hughes, and other relatives in Bryngolau, Ganllwyd.
  • Williams, Benjamin Owen, Private 141568. Died 22/03/1918 aged 20. Machine Gun Corps. Pozieres Memorial. Son of Humphrey and Margaret Williams of Glynafon Terrace.
  • Williams, Evan Jones, Private 45057. Died 17/06/1918. Cheshire Regiment. Buried Marfaux British Cemetery. Of Lawn Cottages.
  • Williams, Hugh, Private 241673. Died 26/03/1917 aged 28. Welsh Regiment. Jerusalem Memorial. Son of Morris or Thomas Williams (name recorded differently in consecutive censuses); husband of Ellen Williams of 9 Rock Terrace, Ynysybwl, Glamorgan. Of Upper Court. Worked on farms in the Dolgellau area before the war.
  • Williams, Meredith Richard, Private 291911. Died 15/04/1917 aged 32. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Chatby Memorial. Of Chapel Buildings. Son of Griffith and Jane Williams of Lawnt; husband of Winifred Williams (nee Evans) of Railway Terrace, Left five children. Survived the Gallipoli landings. Had a history of dysentery and was discharged from the army in April 1916, but recalled three months later. Died while sailing to Egypt on the troop carrier Cameronia, sunk by a German U-boat east of Malta.soldier icon
  • Williams, Robert Percy, Private 2156. Died 01/12/1917 aged 21. Welsh Guards. Cambrai Memorial. Of Lawn Cottages. Grandson of Robert Williams of Bontddu. He was an orphan, brought up by his aunt Margaret Ellen Jones. Born in Cardiff. Enlisted in Llangollen.
  • Williams, Robert J, Private 60804. Died 23/07/1917 aged 27. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Bard Cottage Cemetery. Son of Roland and Jane Williams; husband of Blanche Williams (nee Jones) of 17 Sea View Terrace, Conwy. Of Mount Pleasant Road.
  • Williams, Williams. Of Rhydymain.
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Second World War – Dolgellau town

  • Armstrong, Keridwen St Valentine, Civilian Doctor. Died 29/01/1941 aged 41. Buried at Greenwich Metropolitan Borough cemetery. Daughter of John and Catherine Edwards of Dolgellau; wife of Dr John Vincent Armstrong. Educated at Ysgol Dr Williams in Dolgellau, Cardiff University and University College Hospital, London. Died as a result of an air raid at Brook Hospital, London, where she was a doctor in the orthopaedic unit for the Emergency Medical Service. Her qualifications included BS, MRCS, LRCP, DPH. Not named on Dolgellau war memorial.
  • Davies, Evan Emrys, Private 4195553. Died 28/07/1944 aged 26. Border Regiment. Buried Imphal War Cemetery. Son of Evan Rees Davies and Margaret Sarah Davies.
  • Evans, Gwilym Grey, Private 4208436. Died 16/04/1945 aged 20. The Parachute Regiment. Buried Dolgellau Nonconformist Cemetery. Son of Griffith and Elizabeth Catherine Evans.
  • Evans, Jane Mary. Civilian. Died 06/11/1940 aged 49. Buried at Westminster City cemetery. Lived at 5 Moodkee Street, Bermondsey. Daughter of Mary Rowlands, of 2 Plasbrith Terrace, Dolgellau; widow of LG Evans. Injured at Duncannon Street, Trafalgar Square, and died later that day at Charing Cross Hospital. Not named on Dolgellau war memorial.
  • Hughes, Robert Ellis.
  • Jones, Arthur, Sapper 1941350. Died 04/12/1942 aged 31. Royal Engineers. Buried Dolgellau Nonconformist Cemetery. Son of Owen and Ceridwen Jones; husband of Maye Jones. Not named on Dolgellau war memorial.
  • Jones, Fred.
  • Jones, Ivor Wyn, Trooper 7909228. Died 22/04/1943 aged 23. Royal Armoured Corps. Buried El Alia Cemetery. Son of William and Elizabeth Jones.
  • Lewis, Dewi Cynfal, Private 5625562. Died 24/03/1945 aged 29. Devonshire Regiment. Buried Taukkyan War Cemetery.
  • Lewis, Edward, Serjeant 983657. Died 12/02/1944 aged 23. Royal Artillery. East Africa Memorial. Son of John and Mary Ann Lewis.
  • Lewis, Eric Hall, Fusilier 4195130. Died 18/03/1943 aged 23. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Rangoon Memorial. Son of Lewis and Kate Anne Lewis.
  • Owen, Arthur Maelor, Sergeant 742226. Died 17/02/1941 aged 25.  Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Dolgellau Nonconformist Cemetery. Son of Morgan Maelor and Mabel Jane Owen; husband of Mary Gertrude Owen of Longton, Staffordshire.
  • Pugh, Meirion Meredith, Private 14411528. Died 27/09/1944 aged 19. Welch Regiment. Buried Dolgellau Nonconformist Cemetery. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Pugh.
  • Roberts, Emlyn.
  • Scott, Thomas Bodley, Lieutenant 90701. Died 08/07/1940 aged 30. Royal Berkshire Regiment. Buried Scarborough (Manor Road) Cemetery. Son of Herbert Bodley Scott and Sybil Claudia Jane Scott; husband of Muriel Scott. BA (Cantab.), solicitor.
  • Tippett, Thomas Owen, Private 4194590. Died 10/09/1943 aged 21. The Parachute Regiment. Buried Bari War Cemetery. Son of Edward and Anne Tippett.
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Second World War – area surrounding Dolgellau

  • Aladin, Alexis Alexisovitch, Sub-Lieutenant (A). Died 03/01/1945 aged 21. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve - HMS Jackdaw. Lee-On-Solent Memorial. Son of Alexis Theodorovich and Florence Irenee Aladin. It’s thought that he was from a “White Russian” family (opponents of the Bolshevik revolution) and was looked after by Miss Nightingale, headmistress of Dolgellau’s Ysgol Dr Williams, where he was educated.
  • Bennett, Mary Rosamund, Junior Commander 218699. Died 08/08/1944 aged 28. Auxiliary Territorial Service. Buried Naples War Cemetery. Daughter of Dr Robert Allan Bennett MD MRCP and Gladys Rosamund Bennett of West Kensington, London.
  • Edwards, Evan Williams, Captain 123865. Died 02/09/1944 aged 51. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Buried Llanelltyd Cemetery. Son of William and Elizabeth Edwards; husband of Violet Anne Edwards.
  • Ellis, William Henry.
  • Evans, Lewis.
  • Griffiths, Richard. Probably: Private 4207134. Died 12/06/1942 aged 32. Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Buried Basra War Cemetery. Son of Evan and Gwen Griffiths; husband of Kate Ann Griffiths, of Ganllwyd.
  • Jones, Einion. Probably: Jones, Richard Einion, Gunner 11277112. Died 25/08/1943 aged 20. Royal Artillery. Buried Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery. Son of Louis and Gwen Ellen Jones of Colwyn Bay. Born in Meirionnydd.
  • Owen, Malcom David, Corporal 2359273. Died 23/08/1945 aged 37. Royal Corps of Signals. Buried Labuan War Cemetery. Youngest son of Hugh and Gertrude Owen of Llanelltyd; husband of Edith Mary Owen of Penstrowed Rectory, Newtown. Died while being held prisoner of war by the Japanese. Worked as a postman before enlisting.
  • Pickvance, Samuel Fred Osborne Wood, Leading Seaman D/JX 143645. Died 12/12/1942 aged 23. Royal Navy - HM Submarine Traveller. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Son of Jack and Lilian Pickvance; husband of Doris Pickvance of Whalley Range, Lancashire.
  • Pugh, Ivor Wyn, Sergeant 1583491. Died 18/08/1943 aged 19. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Berlin 1939-1945 War Cemetery. Son of Hugh and Catherine Pugh of Bontddu.
  • Rowlands, Joseph Idris, Fusilier 4195636. Died 17/06/1940 aged 20. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Buried Les Moutiers-En-Retz Communal Cemetery. Son of Christmas and Ila Mary Rowlands.
  • Wynne-Jones, Charles Alexander, Lieutenant 73168. Died 07/04/1941 aged 23. King's Royal Rifle Corps. Alamein Memorial. Son of Major and Mrs Charles Wynne-Jones. Brother of Ronald, below.
  • Wynne-Jones, Ronald, Lieutenant 132569. Died 13/01/1942 aged 22. Royal Armoured Corps. Alamein Memorial. Son of Major and Mrs Charles Wynne-Jones. His brother Charles Alexander also fell.
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