Porthmadog war memorial

Porthmadog war memorial

This memorial, on a hillock north of the town, was unveiled in 1922. The names of the local people who died in the First World War are displayed on two plaques. Further plaques were added later, listing the fallen of the Second World War. To read details of the dead from both wars, choose a category below.

We have included details of some men with local connections not whose names were omitted from the memorial.

The First World War names on the memorial are prefaced with a couplet by the poet Eifion Wyn, who lived and worked in Porthmadog. It reads:
Boed cof byth am eu dewrwaith drud,
Dros ryddid bro, dros wareiddiad byd.

This translates roughly as:
Let there be everlasting memory of their costly brave work
For the freedom of neighbourhood, the civilisation of the world.

Beside the path which spirals upwards to the memorial are stones inscribed with each of the war years.

Many Porthmadog sailors are named on the memorial, including Captain Thomas Evans and his son Thomas, who both died when their ship sank while carrying railway equipment from the USA to France in 1918. Robert Jones died on his ship in Halifax harbour in 1917, after two other ships collided and the munitions materials on one of them exploded, killing more than 1,800 people.

Nurse Kathleen Hugheston Roberts, from a prominent Tremadog family, died in 1918 at the hospital where she had tended to wounded soldiers, some of whom left the wards to accompany her coffin on a gun carriage.

Two men who died in the First World War were bell ringers at St John’s Church, Porthmadog: Idris Thomas and Evan John Jones. Fellow bell ringers funded a memorial tablet in the belfry.

With thanks to Adrian Hughes, of the Home Front museum, Llandudno, to Byron Jones, and to the Central Council of Church Bell Ringers

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First World War

Second World War

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First World War

  • Ashton, James, Private 44111. Died 27/01/1917 aged 29. South Wales Borderers.  Thiepval Memorial. Husband of Kate Ellen Ashton of Cartref, Bethel, Carnarvon.
  • Casson, Randal Alexander, Second Lieutenant. Died 26/09/1917 aged 23. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Poelcapelle British Cemetery. Son of Randal and Lucy Casson of Bron-y-Garth
  • Davies, Robert Henry, Private 28110. Died 29/04/1917 aged 35. Welsh Regiment. Buried St. Sever Cemetery.
  • Evans, Edward, Lieutenant. Died 09/04/1917 aged 35. Royal Army Medical Corps.  Buried Beaurains Road Cemetery. Son of Dr Henry and Catherine Evans of 4, The Avenue, Alderley Edge, Cheshire. Native of Porthmadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Evans, Evan Morgan, Seaman. Mercantile Marine – M Lloyd Morris. Died 17/1/1917. Lived in Madoc Street. His ship collided with a steamer and sank while sailing to Galway.
  • Evans, Griffith, Driver T/204332. Died 24/09/1943 aged 29. Royal Army Service Corps. Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery, Tunisia. Son of Thomas and Kate Evans, of Tremadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Evans, Richard, Private 55396. Died 28/07/1917 aged 20. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Bard Cottage Cemetery. Son of John and Anne Evans of Voelas Terrace, Llanaelhaiam, Chwilog.
  • Evans, Robert Ellis, Gunner 136144. Died 28/11/1917. Royal Field Artillery 43rd Bty, 24th Bde. Ribecourt British Cemetery. Son of Mr and Mrs David Evans of Glyn Terrace, Borth-y-Gest.
  • Evans, Thomas, Captain, Mercantile Marine – SS North Cambria. Died 08/08/1918. Lived at Bodwili, Snowdon Street, Porthmadog. His ship collided with another steamer at the mouth of the English Channel while carrying railway equipment from New York to France. His son Thomas John, below, was on board and also died.
  • Evans, Thomas, Gunner W/4530. Died 24/04/1918 aged 24. Royal Field Artillery. Buried Etaples Military Cemetery. Son of Ellis M. and Jane Evans of Ty Capel, Brynmelyn, Porthmadog.
  • Evans, Thomas John. Mercantile Marine – SS North Cambria. Died 08/08/1918. His ship collided with another steamer at the mouth of the English Channel while carrying railway equipment from New York to France.
  • Griffiths, Griffith Wynne, Gunner 4697. Died 09/04/1918 aged 35. Royal Field Artillery. Buried Acheux British Cemetery. Son of David and Jane Griffiths of Oakeley Wharf.
  • Griffith, Harry Rathbone, Lieutenant. Died 21/05/1916 aged 50. Royal Army Medical Corps. Buried Oswestry General Cemetery. Son of the Reverend Joseph Griffith and Charlotte Griffith; husband of Mary Anwyl Griffith of Tanyronen. Born at Betws-y-coed. MD. Trinity College, Dublin.
  • Griffiths, John, Captain. Mercantile Marine – SS Serbistan (Swansea). Died November 1916. Lived at 29 Snowdon Street, Porthmadog. His ship sailed from Brest, France, on 16 November to return to South Wales and was never seen again. On 24 November, it was reported from Plymouth that documents from the ship had been found washed ashore.
  • Griffiths, Walter Stuart, Private 285299.Died 18/09/1918 aged 21. Welsh Regiment. Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Son of Captain Emrys Griffiths and Mrs Griffiths, of Snowdon Street. Worked as chief clerk in Newport tax office.soldier icon
  • Griffiths, William David, Private 51201. Died 23/03/1919 aged 19. Lancashire Fusiliers. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery. Son of William and Catherine Griffiths of 7, Ivy Terrace, Borth-y-Gest. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Hansen, John, Seaman, Mercantile Marine. Brother of Owen, below. Last seen on 20/04/ 1916 when the barque Penrhyn Castle left Bahia Blanca bound for Fremantle.soldier icon
  • Hansen, Owen Edward, Private 12257. Died of wounds 16/09/1916 aged 24. Scots Guards. Buried Corbie Communal Cemetery. Son of Captain John and Mrs Hanson of 62, Madoc Street.soldier icon
  • Harris, Evan, Private, Private 36383. Died 06/07/1916 aged 21. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Morlancourt British Cemetery. Son of John and Catherine Harris of 3, Sea View Terrace, Borth-y-Gest.
  • Hughes, David, Seaman 1372. Died 13/05/1915 aged 47. Royal Naval Reserve - HMS Goliath. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Son of David and Catherine Hughes; husband of Sarah Jane Hughes of 16, Queen Street, Liverpool.
  • Hughes, David, Private 20297. Died 04/11/1918 aged 32. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Romeries Communal Cemetery. Son of John and Jane Hughes.
  • Hughes, Edward Edwards, Chief Officer. Died 05/10/1918 aged 35. Mercantile Marine - SS Reventazon (Manchester). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of John and Ellen Hughes. Born at Borth-Y-Gest.
  • Hughes, Evan, Mate. Died 05/10/1918 aged 50. Mercantile Marine - SS Heathpark (Greenock). Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of Kate Hughes of Oakfield, Borth-Y-Gest.
  • Hughes, Evan Griffith, Lance Corporal 10253. Died 28/10/1916. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thiepval Memorial.
  • Hughes, Hugh Thomas, Private 21245. Died 10/07/1916. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thiepval Memorial.
  • Hughes, John Meirion, Lieutenant. Died 16/06/1918 aged 21. Royal Air Force. Arras Flying Services Memorial. Son of Thomas Isfryn Hughes and Catherine Hughes of Garth, Porthmadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Hughes, Robert, Private 19602. Died 21/06/1917. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.  Buried Bard Cottage Cemetery.
  • Hughes, Samuel, Private 9928. Died 20/02/1915 aged 28. Welsh Regiment. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Son of David Hughes.
  • Hughes, Teddy. Steward. Mercantile Marine – SS North Cambria. Died 08/08/1918. Son of Mr and Mrs Hughes of Temperance Hotel, High Street, Porthmadog. His ship collided with another steamer at the mouth of the English Channel while carrying railway equipment from New York to France.
  • Hughes, Thomas, Captain. Mercantile Marine. Of Borth-y-Gest.
  • Hughes, Thomas, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
  • Hughes, William, Captain. Mercantile Marine – M Lloyd Morris. Died 17/1/1917. Lived at Hyfrydle, Ralph Street, Borth-y-Gest. His ship collided with a steamer and sank while sailing to Galway. His son Willie, below, was on board and died the same night. His widow had lost her sight a few years earlier.
  • Hughes, William, Jr, Seaman. Mercantile Marine – M Lloyd Morris. Died 17/1/1917. Lived at Hyfrydle, Ralph Street, Borth-y-Gest. His ship collided with a steamer and sank while sailing to Galway.
  • Hughes, William, Seaman. Royal Naval Reserve.
  • Hughes, William Walter, Private 316830. Died 30/09/1918 aged 18. Royal Welsh FusiliersBuried Guards Cemetery. Son of Maria Hughes of 4, Britannia Place.
  • Humphreys, Evan Jones, Private 15632. Died 19/03/1916. Welsh Regiment.  Buried Guards Cemetery.
  • James, Charles Christmas, Private 315545. Died 28/10/1917. Royal Welsh FusiliersBuried Erquinghem-Lys Churchyard.
  • Jones, Abraham, Driver W/858. Died 23/04/1917. Royal Field Artillery. Buried Tilloy British Cemetery. Husband of Mary Elizabeth Jones of 81, Chapel Street.
  • Jones, David. Mercantile Marine.
  • Jones, David Lloyd, Private S/369184. Died 04/12/1918 aged 24. Royal Army Service CorpsBuried Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. Son of Edward and Elizabeth Lloyd Jones of Tanyrounen.
  • Jones, David John, Second Officer. Mercantile Marine – SS North Cambria. Died 08/08/1918. Son of schoolmaster WD Jones of Morfa Bychan. His ship collided with another steamer at the mouth of the English Channel while carrying railway equipment from New York to France.
  • Jones, Evan John, Private 35163. Died 04/08/1916 aged 24. Machine Gun Corps. Thiepval Memorial. Son of Evan and Mary Jones of Ty Eiddew, Tremadog. Was a bell ringer at St John’s Church, Porthmadog, and apprenticed to draper WH Evans.
  • Jones, ER, Second Engineer. Died 30/05/1918, aged 36. Buried at Penrhyndeudraeth (Holy Trinity) Churchyard. Mercantile Marine – SS Dungeness. Son of Edwin and Catherine Jones, of Penrhyndeudraeth. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Jones, Griffith, Private 980. Died 11/08/1915 aged 25. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial. Son of Mrs. Ann Jones of 13, Dublin Street, Tremadog.
  • Jones, Hugh Price. Private. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
  • Jones, Humphrey, Private 12328. Died 22/09/1915. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Helles Memorial.
  • Jones, John, Mate. Died 01/03/1918 aged 51. Mercantile Marine – SS Penvearn. Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Thomas and Jane Jones; husband of Jane Jones (nee Roberts), of 169, Court Rd., Barry, Glamorgan. Born in Tremadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Jones, Owen, First Mate. Died 24/10/1916 aged 52. Mercantile Marine - SS North Wales (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of Mrs Jones of 39, Granville Road, Liverpool. Born at Porthmadog.
  • Jones, Owen Morris, Lieutenant. Died 31/10/1918. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.  Buried Forest Communal Cemetery.
  • Jones, R, Gunner. Died 18/05/1919 aged 31. Royal Indian Marine. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery. Son of Captain Richard Jones of Porthmadog; husband of Mary Jones, of Porthmadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Jones, Robert, Seaman, ship’s carpenter. Died 06/12/1917 aged 30. Mercantile Marine – SS Picton. Buried Fairview Lawn Cemetery, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Son of Mr and Mrs Jones of Fronfair, Mersey Street, Porthmadog. Born in Borth-y-Gest. His ship was in Halifax harbour when two other ships collided. One, carrying munitions, caught fire and eventually exploded, killing more than 1,800 people and injuring 9,000 others. Robert’s body was found on SS Picton. It was recorded that he died of “shock, due to injuries in explosion”.
  • Jones, Robert Owen, Private 265185. Died 17/02/1919 aged 29. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. Son of draper John Owen and Mary Jones of 66, Madoc Street. Fought at Gallipoli and in Palestine.
  • Jones, Samuel John, Private 26730. Died 09/03/1917 aged about 36. Welsh Regiment. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery. Son of Samuel and Cesiah Jones of 29, Chapel Street. Served in the South African Campaign.
  • Jones, Thomas, Second Mate. Died 08/10/1917 aged 42. Mercantile Marine – SS Greldon. Tower Hill Memorial. Born in Porthmadog. Son of Thomas and Mary Jones; husband of Elizabeth Ann Jones (nee Leonard), of 2 Hillside Cottage, Sketty, Swansea. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial. His ship was torpedoed off Ireland’s east coast with the loss of 28 lives. Three of the bodies washed ashore on the Llŷn Peninsula about a week later.
  • Jones, Vavasor, Second Lieutenant. Died 19/05/1917 aged 27. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.  Buried Dury Crucifix Cemetery. Son of Morris and Ellen Jones of Dol Caradog, Bethesda. Native of Porthmadog.soldier icon
  • Jones, William. Lance Corporal. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Of Church Street.
  • Jones, William, Private 53785. Died 01/03/1917. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.  Buried Varennes Military Cemetery. Of Garth Street.
  • Jones, William, Mate. Died 05/05/1918 aged 53. Mercantile Marine - SS Tommi (London).  Tower Hill Memorial. Son of John and Mary Ann Jones; husband of Catherine Jones of 13, Marine Terrace, Criccieth. Born at Porthmadog.
  • Jones, William Morris, Mate. Died 06/05/1918 aged 43. Mercantile Marine - SS Sandhurst (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of William and Jane Jones of 23, Snowdon Street. Born at Porthmadog.
  • Kingshot, Samuel John, Gunner W/5218. Died 13/04/1918. Royal Field Artillery. Buried Longuenesse (St. Omer) Souvenir Cemetery.
  • Lloyd, Robert Henry, Master. Died 20/03/1918 aged 47. Mercantile Marine - Yoc How. Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Robert Lloyd of 117, High Street; husband of Catherine Mary Morgan Lloyd of 7, Waterloo Road, Chester. Born in Porthmadog.
  • McMillan, Norman Clay, Sapper WR/508439. Died 06/03/1919 aged 19. Royal Engineers - Inland Waterways and Docks. Buried Les Baraques Military Cemetery. Son of Charles and Alice McMillan of 5, Britannia Terrace.
  • Morris, Rees, Sapper, Royal Engineers.
  • Owen, Arthur. Engineer, Mercantile Marine. Died as a prisoner of war before February 1917. Of Church Street, Penrhyndeudraeth. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Owen, Evan. Seaman, Mercantile Marine – M Lloyd Morris. Died 17/1/1917 aged 19. Lived in the Brynawen Hotel. His ship collided with a steamer and sank while sailing to Galway.
  • Owen, Griffith, Corporal G/51753. Died 10/08/1917 aged 28. Royal Fusiliers. Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial. Son of John and Ellen Owen of 16, East Avenue.
  • Owen, Henry, Private 266510. Died 26/03/1917 aged 24. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Gaza War Cemetery.
  • Owen, Hugh Pugh, Private 60632. Died 03/05/1917 aged 28. Royal Fusiliers. Arras Memorial. Son of John and Jane Owen of 10, Osmond Lane.
  • Owen, Samuel James, Private 1911. Died 26/03/1916 aged 32. Cheshire Yeomanry 3rd/1st. Curragh Military Cemetery. Son of Samuel P and Ann Owen; husband of Jane Owen. His mother lived at Brynllys, High Street, Porthmadog.
  • Owen, William Jones, Lance Corporal 21469. Died 09/07/1916 aged 28. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thiepval Memorial. Son of John and Ellen Owen of 16, East Avenue; husband of Jemimah Jones Owen of Isfryn, Bodffordd, Anglesey.
  • Parry, Evan Richard, Private 21740. Died 18/09/1916 aged 24. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Essex Farm Cemetery. Son of Mrs Thomas Parry of 13 Bank Place. Was a clerk at the LC&M Bank in London before enlisting.
  • Phillips, Richard Lewis, Engineer Sub-Lieutenant. Died 5/11/1915 aged 38. Royal Naval Reserve - HMS Tara. Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Born in Minffordd, Penrhyndeudraeth. Son of engine fitter William Phillips, of Penrhyndeudraeth. Husband of Anne Phillips of Holborn Road, Holyhead, and father of their five children. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Pritchard, David Lloyd, Sailor. Died 17/05/1918 aged 18. Mercantile Marine - SS Mavisbrook (Glasgow). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Owen and Jennet Pritchard of 2, Market Square, Tremadog,. Born at Ffestiniog.
  • Pritchard, Llewelyn, Lance Corporal 21451. Died 09/07/1916 aged 20. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Thiepval Memorial. Son of Thomas and Ann Jane Pritchard of Albert House, Borth-Y-Gest.
  • Rees, Thomas Gwilym, Second Engineer. Died 21/07/1917 aged 32. Mercantile Marine - SS Paddington (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Joseph and Elizabeth Rees; husband of Mary Rees of Minafon, Borth-y-Gest. Born at Aberaeron. Also named on Aberaeron war memorial.
  • Richards, Richard Morris, Private 3302. Australian Army, 48th Australian Infantry Battalion. Died 09/04/1917. Sauchy-Lestree Communal Cemetery, France. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial but listed on Roll of Honour in Royal British Legion.
  • Ridley, Arthur, Private 265596. Died 30/12/1917 aged 33. Royal Welsh Fusiliers 1st/9th Bn. Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. Son of William Wilson Ridley and Ellen Ridley, of 107 High Street, Porthmadog. Native of Liverpool. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial but listed on Roll of Honour in Royal British Legion.
  • Roberts, Aneurin, Private 34486. Died 09/08/1917 aged 34. Manchester Regiment.  Buried Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. Son of William (Gwilym Eryri) and Mary Roberts of Porthmadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Roberts, Griffith, Private 54655. Died 26/06/1917 aged 28. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.  Buried Bard Cottage Cemetery. Son of Griffith and Ellen Roberts of 21, Glanmorfa Terrace, Porthmadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Roberts, Edward, Private 53850. Died 20/05/1917 aged 27. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Etaples Military Cemetery. Son of Dora Roberts of Clegyrog, Penmorfa, Porthmadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Roberts, Henry, First Mate. Died 11/02/1918 aged 45. Mercantile Marine - SS Merton Hall (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Richard and Dorothy Roberts; husband of Winifred Roberts of 1, Lombard Street. Born at Criccieth.
  • Roberts, H. First Mate. Died 28/01/1917 aged 37. Mercantile Marine - SS Yola (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of Phoebe Roberts of 58, Claribel Street, Liverpool. Born at Porthmadog.
  • Roberts, Isaac Morris, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
  • Roberts, John, Private 267423. Died 29/04/1918. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Basra Memorial.
  • Roberts, John Jeffery, Third Engineer. Died 07/01/1918 aged 33. Mercantile Marine - SS Arab (Shanghai). Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of Laura Roberts of 19, New Street. Born at Porthmadog.
  • Roberts, Kathleen Hugheston, Nurse. Died of illness on 24/02/1918 at Reading War Hospital aged 32. Penmorfa Churchyard. Daughter of Mr and Mrs E Hugheston Roberts of Gwynys, Tremadog. She was buried with full military honours. Her body was carried on a gun carriage from the hospital to Reading station for the train journey to Porthmadog. The carriage was accompanied by a military band, and nurses and wounded soldiers from the hospital. Two brothers also served.
  • Roberts, Lewis Davies, Private 737045. Died 15/04/1917. Canadian Labour Corps. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery. Son of Captain Owen Roberts of 20, Lombard Street.
  • Roberts, Richard, Second Engineer. Died 05/05/1917 aged 59. Mercantile Marine SS Harmattan (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Pierce and Mary Roberts; husband of Mary Catherine Roberts of 15, Snowdon Street.
  • Roberts, Richard Hugh.  Mercantile Marine and Royal Navy.
  • Roberts, Robert, Carpenter 897860. Died 06/10/1918 aged 20. Mercantile Marine Reserve - HMS Otranto. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Nephew of Evan Jones Evans of 2, Garth Cottage.
  • Roberts, Thomas, Lieutenant. Died 11/10/1918 aged 34. York and Lancaster Regiment. Buried Bucquoy Road Cemetery. Son of Thomas and Margaret Roberts of Borth- y- Gest; husband of Gwladys M. Roberts of Coetmor, Wrexham. M.A. (Wales Univ.).
  • Roberts, Thomas, Able Seaman. Died 02/10/1918 aged 17. Mercantile Marine - SS Bamse. Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Thomas and Elizabeth James Roberts of 4, Mersey Street, Borth-y- Gest.
  • Roberts, Thomas John, Seaman. Died 03/04/1917. Mercantile Marine – schooner Ellen James. Of Penrhyndeudraeth. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Roberts, William Watkin, Second Mate. Died 31/05/1917. Mercantile Marine - SS Highbury. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery.
  • Richards, Richard Morris, Private 3302. Australian Army, 48th Australian Infantry Battalion. Died 09/04/1917. Buried Sauchy-Lestree Communal Cemetery. Lived in Port Pirie, Australia, before the war. Also of High Street, Tremadog.
  • Richards, W J, Private 16284. Died 16/10/1916 aged 36. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Abererch (St. Cawrdaf) Churchyard. Son of Captain David Richards and Jane Ellen Pritchard Richards of 51, High Street, Porthmadog; husband of Annie Jane Richards, of Hazeldel, South Beach, Pwllheli. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Ridley, Arthur, Private 265596. Died 30/12/1917 aged 33. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried Alexandria (Hadra) War Memorial Cemetery. Son of William Wilson Ridley and Ellen Ridley of 107, High Street. Native of Liverpool.
  • Robson, Thomas, Private 66153. Died 23/03/1918. Cheshire Regiment.  Arras Memorial.
  • Thomas, David, Private 3193. Died 26/02/1918 aged 39. Welsh Guards. Buried Level Crossing Cemetery. Son of John and Margaret Thomas of High Street, Tremadog; husband of Ann Jane Thomas of Glanrafon, Tremadog.
  • Thomas, George, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Probably: Second Lieutenant. Died 13/11/1916 aged 24. Royal Welsh Fusiliers 10th Bn. Thiepval Memorial. Son of Mr and Mrs Percy Thomas, Glyndwr, Porthmadog. Studied for the church at Cardiff University College. Played the organ in church at Tremadog and St John’s, Porthmadog. Four brothers also served, including Idris, below.
  • Thomas, Griffith Henry, Second Mate. Died 05/06/1917 aged 34. Mercantile Marine - SS Taplow. Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Griffith and Jane Thomas of 2, Mount Pleasant.
  • Thomas, Idris Percy, Third Engineer. Died 12/05/1917 aged 27. Mercantile Marine - Wirral (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of John Percy and Margaret Thomas of Glyndwr. Born in Porthmadog. Was a bell ringer at St John’s Church, Porthmadog. Was the only crew member who lost his life when SS Wirral was torpedoed and sunk. Brother of George Thomas, above.
  • Thomas, Jonah, Gunner. Royal Field Artillery.
  • Thomas, Percy James, King’s Liverpool Regiment.
  • Thomas, Thomas, Private 20426. Died 22/09/1920 aged 44. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery. Son of Owen and Jane Thomas; husband of Mary Jane Thomas of 7, Britannia Place, Porthmadog. Born at Beaumaris. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Williams, David John, Sergeant 1225. Died 07/08/1915. Australian Infantry, AIF 16th Bn. Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, Turkey.
  • Williams, David Morris, Seaman Cook. Died 03/04/1917 aged 32. Mercantile Marine Sailing Vessel Ellen James (Carnarvon). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Evan and Catherine Williams; husband of Jane Williams of Station House. Born at Penrhyndeudraeth.soldier icon
  • Williams, Evan Henry, Master. Died 17/11/1916 aged 44. Mercantile Marine – Canganian. Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of S. E. Williams of 34 Madoc Street.
  • Williams, Griffith. Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
  • Williams, Griffith Gwilym, Third Engineer. Died 6 February 1917, aged 25. Mercantile Marine – SS Crown Point. Son of Mrs Williams, of Tanyfron, whose husband died at sea a year earlier. SS Crown Point was torpedoed west of the Scilly Isles while carrying cargo from London to Philadelphia. An eyewitness told how Griffith had rescued a fireman and died while trying to rescue another colleague. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Williams, Henry, Private 15262. Died 21/08/1918 aged 28. Royal Welsh Fusiliers, 10th Bn. attached to Hood Battalion, Royal Naval Division. Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. Vis-en-Artois Memorial. Son of William and Elizabeth Williams, of 9 Market Square, Tremadog; husband of Cecilia Williams, of 43 South Park Road, Macclesfield, Cheshire.
  • Williams, John, Boatswain. Died 07/02/1917 aged 48. Mercantile Marine - SS Saxonian (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of John and Mary Williams; husband of Ann Williams of 3, Surveyors Place. Born at Porthmadog.
  • Williams, Robert Richard, Corporal 19853. Died 27/11/1916 aged 29. Army Cyclist Corps. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery. Son of Robert and Ann Williams. Lived at 19 Chapel Street, Porthmadog.
  • Williams, William, Private 70023. Died 21/11/1917 aged 33. Royal Defence Corps.  Buried Kirk Patrick (Holy Trinity) Churchyard. Son of Morris Cadwaladr Williams and Ann Williams of 16, Ralph Street, Borth-y-Gest.
  • Williams, William John, Seaman. Mercantile Marine – SS North Cambria. Died 08/08/1918. Son of Mrs Purslow, of Britannia Terrace, Porthmadog. His ship collided with another steamer at the mouth of the English Channel while carrying railway equipment from New York to France.
  • Williams, William, Private 291802. Died 04/08/1917. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Buried New Irish Farm Cemetery. Of Tremadog.
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Second World War

Royal Navy

  • Davies, Tom, Ordinary Seaman D/JX 652808. Died 14/12/1944 aged 18. Royal Navy - HMS Aldenham. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Son of William E and Mary Davies.
  • Jones, David John, Able Seaman D/SSX 24578. Died 11/05/1942 aged 23. Royal Navy - HMS Lively. Plymouth Naval Memorial. Son of William and Margaret Jones.
  • Jones, Richard, Petty Officer P/X9907B. Died 20/09/1944. Royal Naval Reserve - HMS Attack. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery.
  • McLean, Walter, Ordinary Seaman P/JX 362264. Died 08/01/1943. Royal Navy HM Submarine P311. Portsmouth Naval Memorial. Son of Owen Emrys and Jennie McLean.

Army

  • Antoniazzi, Frank Anthony, Gunner 1534792. Died 06/10/1944 aged 26. Royal Artillery. Buried Dieppe Canadian War Cemetery. Son of Carlino and Jennie Antoniazzi of Porthmadog.
  • Biddlestone, Albert Price, Gunner 815396. Died 15/12/1941 aged 25. Royal Artillery. Alamein Memorial. Son of Ernest Harold and Louisa Biddlestone; husband of Dilys Biddlestone.
  • Cartwright, Samuel, Fusilier 4190859. Died 12/08/1944 aged 29. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Buried St. Manvieu War Cemetery. Son of Evan and Laura Cartwright; husband of Hilda Cartwright.
  • Dickinson, George Pilkington, Sergeant 3528926. Died 08/11/1941 Royal Artillery. Treflys (St Michael) Churchyard. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial but listed in Roll of Honour in Royal British Legion.
  • Dysart, Hugh, Lance Serjeant 6979751 Died 17/04/1945 aged 25. Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers. Buried Faenza War Cemetery. Son of Hugh and Ellen Dysart; husband of Dilys Dysart.
  • Evans, Griffith, Driver T/204332. Died 24/09/1943 aged 29. Royal Army Service Corps. Buried Medjez-El-Bab War Cemetery. Son of Thomas and Kate Evans of Tremadog.
  • Hughes, David Morris, Private 7643901. Died 01/04/1942 aged 33. Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Singapore Memorial. Son of Morris and Margaret Hughes.
  • Hughes, Richard, Fusilier 4193712. Died 24/02/1945 aged 25. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Buried. Mook War Cemetery. Son of Robert Owen and Ellen Hughes; husband of Anne Hughes.
  • Harvey, Donald George Robert, LieutenantS 288055. Died 14/08/1944 aged 25. Royal Engineers. Mentioned in Despatches. Buried Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery. Son of George Alfred Sydney and Dora Annie Mary Harvey of Wallcrouch, Kent.
  • Jones, David Elwyn, Lance Corporal 2595146. Died 28/11/1943 aged 30. Royal Corps of Signals. Buried Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. Son of David William and Rachel Jones of Lampeter; husband of Maidie Jones.
  • Jones, Harold Gwynfor, Sapper 4209563. Died 30/05/1943 aged 20. Royal Engineers. Porthmadog Public Cemetery.  Son of John and Ann Grace Jones.
  • Jones, John Emrys, Private 7620604. Died 17/11/1942 aged 31. Royal Army Ordnance Corps. Buried Knightsbridge War Cemetery. Son of William Morris Jones and Annie Mary Jones.
  • Jones, Robert Humphrey, Staff Serjeant S/103299. Died 11/07/1943 aged 29. Royal Army Service Corps. Brookwood Memorial. Son of Owen and Martha Jones; husband of Margaret Ruby Jones.
  • Lawton, William Henry, Gunner 1109367. Died 14/08/1942 aged 29. Royal Artillery. Buried Treflys (St Michael) Churchyard. Son of Mr and Mrs William Henry Lawton; husband of Jane Lawton of Borth-y-Gest.
  • Maybury, David, Corporal 4193315. Died 24/03/1945 aged 30. The Parachute Regiment, AAC, 9th Bn. Reichswald Forest War Cemetery. Son of William George and Emilie Maybury, of Talsarnau; husband of Katherine Pugh Maybury. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial but listed in Roll of Honour in Royal British Legion.
  • Morgan, Leslie Maldwyn, Corporal 2341444. Died 13/06/1946 aged 30. Royal Corps of Signals. Buried Dolbenmaen (Bethel) Cemetery. Son of Humphrey Rees Morgan and Harriet Morgan.
  • Morris, Thomas Edgar, Fusilier 14552305. Died 17/07/1944 aged 25. Royal Welch Fusiliers.  Bayeux Memorial.
  • Owen, Thomas Ellis, Fusilier 4202652. Died 26/09/1944 aged 28. Royal Welch Fusiliers. Buried Oisterwijk (St. Peter) Roman Catholic Churchyard. Son of Mr and Mrs OW Owen of Morfa Bychan.
  • Reading, Frederick Arthur, Lance Corporal 7683631. Died 12/06/1945 aged 34. Corps of Military Police. Buried Labuan War Cemetery. Son of Frank Lyster and Evelyn Ann Reading of Llandudno; husband of Private Mair Reading who also died on service.
  • Reading, Mair, Private W/125972. Died 11/07/1943 aged 30. Auxiliary Territorial Service. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery. Daughter of David Richard and Margaret Jane Jones; wife of Lance Corporal Frederick Reading who died on active service.
  • Roberts, Owen, Private 4202117. Died between 07/03/1942 and 08/03/1942 aged 21. Gloucestershire Regiment. Rangoon Memorial. Son of Ernest and Ann Roberts; husband of Mary Roberts.
  • Thomas, Elwyn, Trooper 7913189. Died 07/12/1944 aged 29. Royal Tank Regiment. Buried Phaleron War Cemetery. Husband of Myfanwy Thomas.
  • Yale, John Corbet Love, Lieutenant Colonel 11433. Died 20/12/1941 aged 43. Hong Kong and Singapore Royal Artillery. Buried Sai Wan War Cemetery. Son of Colonel James Corbet and Violette Yale; husband of Beatrice Yale; grandson of WC Yale-Jones Parry of Madryn, Lleyn and Plas-yn-Yale, Wrexham.

Merchant Navy

  • Berndtson, Albert, Able Seaman. Died 27/10/1940 aged 62. Merchant Navy - MV Alfred Jones (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial.
  • Davies, William, Fourth Engineer Officer. Died 11/03/1943 aged 25. Merchant Navy - SS Empire Lakeland (South Shields). Tower Hill Memorial.  Nephew of Ellen Williams of Borth-y-Gest.
  • Edwards, Thomas. Chief Engineer. Died 05/09/41 aged 54. Merchant Navy - SS Abbas Coombe (Bristol). Born in Tremadog. Tower Hill Memorial. Husband of Edith Edwards of Pill, Somerset. Ship bombed and sunk off Bardsey Island by German aircraft. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Ellis, Charles Peter, Donkeyman. Died 29/07/1942 aged 52. Merchant Navy - SS Avila Star (London). Buried Lisbon (St. George) British Churchyard. Son of Charles and Mary Ann Ellis; husband of Rachel Mary Ellis.
  • Evans, Griffith, Fireman. Died 07/12/1942 aged 27. Merchant Navy - SS Ceramic (Southampton). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Hugh and Margaret Griffith.
  • Evans, John Llewelyn, Greaser. Died 25/12/1944 aged 32. Merchant Navy - MV Wellington Star (Belfast). Buried Minffordd Cemetery. Son of Ellis Richard and Mary Jane Evans. Brother of Tudor, below.
  • Evans, Tudor Ellis, Able Seaman. Died 01/02/1942 aged 37. Merchant Navy - SS Tacoma Star (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Ellis Richard and Mary Jane Evans.
  • Griffith, Richard, Donkeyman. Died 27/05/1942 aged 55. Merchant Navy - SS Empire Lawrence (Sunderland). Tower Hill Memorial.
  • Griffiths, Robert Evan, Fireman and Trimmer (“Engineer” on Porthmadog war memorial). Died 07/12/1942 aged 27. Merchant Navy - SS Ceramic (Southampton). Tower Hill Memorial. Born in Porthmadog to Hugh and Margaret Griffith, of Porthmadog. On 26/11/1942, the Ceramic left Liverpool with 264 crew members, 14 gunners, 244 military and naval passengers (mostly nurses of the Queen Alexandra´s Imperial Military Nursing Service) and 133 fare-paying passengers, among them 12 children. Around midnight on 6/7 December, the ship was struck by three torpedoes from German submarine U-515 west of the Azores. The crew launched approximately eight fully laden lifeboats but in the rough seas and rain, some lifeboats capsized and threw the occupants into the water. Of the 657 people onboard, there was only one survivor, picked up by the U-515.
  • Holding, William John, Quartermaster. Died 11/07/1942 aged 35. Merchant Navy - SS Port Hunter (London). Tower Hill Memorial.
  • Jones, Ieuan, Seaman.
  • Jones, John Eifion, Able Seaman. Died 13/03/1943 aged 26. Merchant Navy - SS Marcella (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Evan and Margaret Jones.
  • Llewelyn, Edward, Chief Officer. Died 24/02/1945 aged 56. Merchant Navy - MV Dalhousie (London). Buried Yokohama War Cemetery. Son of Llewelyn and Elizabeth Llewelyn; husband of Annie Llewelyn of Borth-y-Gest.
  • McDonald, John Richard, Able Seaman. Drowned accidentally at Oran Harbour, Algeria, 05/07/1944 aged 31. Merchant Navy - SS Samite (London).  Born in Porthmadog. Last place of abode: Porthmadog. Not listed on Commonwealth War Graves Commission database.
  • McMilan, Reginald Oldham, Greaser. Died 17/01/1941 aged 36. Merchant Navy - SS Almeda Star (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Charles Oldham McMillan and Alice Blanche McMillan.
  • Price, Griffith, Quartermaster. Died of a medical condition at Belfast Lough on 02/05/1942 aged 30. Merchant Navy - SS Baronesa (Liverpool).  Born in Porthmadog. Last place of abode: Railway Hotel, Criccieth.  Not listed on Commonwealth War Graves Commission database.
  • Rawson, Hugh George, Second Radio Officer. Died 08/06/1942 aged 21. Merchant Navy - MV King Lud (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Dr Hugh and Mary Rawson of Market Weston, Suffolk.
  • Roberts, George Henry, Quartermaster. Died 16/01/1941 aged 36. Merchant Navy - SS Oropesa (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Son of Mr and Mrs SP Roberts.
  • Roberts, John, Quartermaster. Died 17/09/1940 aged 60. Merchant Navy - SS City of Benares (Glasgow).Tower Hill Memorial.
  • Shipley, Alfred, Boatswain. Died 07/07/1942 aged 50. Merchant Navy - SS Hartlebury (London). Tower Hill Memorial.
  • Williams, Humphrey Ellis, Master. Died 09/11/1939 aged 57. Merchant Navy - MV Pacific Coast (Liverpool). Tower Hill Memorial. Born in Porthmadog to Captain Griffith Williams and Catherine Maria Williams. Husband of Mary Williams of Pwllheli. Ship sunk by an onboard explosion at Brest, France. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Williams, John Henry, Master Mariner. Lost on 22/02/1942 aged 42. Merchant Navy - MV Kars (London). Tower Hill Memorial. Born in Porthmadog to Captain Evan Henry Williams and Sarah Ellen Williams. Lost after his ship was hit by a torpedo from German submarine U-96 south of Halifax, Canada. The ship caught fire and, three days later, broke in two. The forepart sank and the afterpart was towed to Halifax, where it was beached on 27 February and declared a total loss. The master, 45 crew members and four gunners were lost.  Two crew members were picked up by HMCS Melville and landed at Halifax.
  • Williams, John, Master. Died 21/06/1943 aged 38. Merchant Navy - MV Pacheco (Liverpool). Suez War Memorial Cemetery.  Son of Evan Owen Williams and Margaret Ann Williams; husband of Grace Ellen Williams of Borth-y-Gest.

Royal Air Force

  • Blockley, Richard Barry, Sergeant – Pilot 1125813. Died 13/08/1942 aged 21. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Uried Fayid War Cemetery. Son of Albert William and Eleanor Blockley of Borth-y-Gest.
  • Coffin, Albert Glyn, Sergeant - Air Gunner 1578186. Died 26/05/1943 aged 19. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Flushing (Vlissingen) Northern Cemetery. Son of Albert and Mary Coffin of Chester.
  • Coffin, Ronald Idris, Sergeant – Pilot 1216731. Died 26/06/1942 aged 19. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Becklingen War Cemetery. Son of Albert and Mary Coffin of Chester.
  • Davies, Ernest Arthur, Flight Sergeant - Air Gunner 1322400. Died 23/05/1944. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Emmen (Nieuw Dordrecht) General Cemetery.
  • Edwards, Iorwerth, Sergeant – Wireless Operator/Air Gunner 1102285. Died 28/04/1942 aged 22. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Heverlee War Cemetery. Son of EJ and Jane Edwards; stepson of Elizabeth Edwards.
  • Evans, Christmas Deiniol, Flight Sergeant 1492815. Died 04/11/1944 aged 34. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Runnymede Memorial. Son of Robert and Anne Evans; husband of Hilda M Evans of Blaenau Ffestiniog.
  • Jones, Arthur Wyn Idwal, Flight Lieutenant – Pilot 102593. Died 30/05/1942 aged 24. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Dreux Communal Cemetery. Son of John Idwal and Margaret Jones of Pwllheli. Brother of David, below.
  • Jones, David Vincent, Sergeant 1430702. Died 13/08/1943 aged 23. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Treflys (St Michael) Churchyard. Son of John Idwal and Margaret Jones of Pwllheli.
  • Jones, John Kenneth, Sergeant – Pilot 656731. Died 09/06/1942 aged 24. Royal Air Force. Buried Dolbenmaen (Bethel) Cemetery. Son of John Charles and Elsie Winifred Jones.
  • Jones, William Hughes, Corporal 611888. Died 05/04/1943 aged 26. Royal Air Force. Buried Minffordd Cemetery. Son of John Griffith Jones and Mary Jones.
  • Lewis, Eifion, Sergeant - Air Gunner 1600111. Died 30/08/1943 aged 21. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Longuenesse (St Omer) Souvenir Cemetery. Son of William and Mary Lewis.
  • Matthews, Harry George, Warrant Officer 362081. Died 29/10/1942. Royal Air Force. Singapore Memorial. Son of Edith Matthews of Gillingham, Kent; husband of Jeanette Matthews of Porthmadog. Not named on Porthmadog war memorial.
  • Murray, Robert William, Aircraftman 2nd Class 1664614. Died 30/05/1943. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. Buried Porthmadog Public Cemetery.
  • Owen, Trefor Roebeck Glandon, Flight Sergeant - Air Gunner 652199. Died 27/08/1944. Royal Air Force. Buried Kviberg Cemetery. Son of Hugh Morris Owen and Catherine Owen.
 
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