War hero’s home, 4 New Street, Talgarth

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This was once the home of Owen Samuel Day, who was awarded a bravery medal before his death in the First World War. The house is private property – please respect the occupants’ privacy.

Owen was born in 1882 in Newton Abbott, Devon, to Henry and Henrietta Day. At the start of 20th century, he served with the Cheshire Regiment in the South African War and was wounded in one arm.

He married Edith Palmer in Somerset in 1911. In August 1914 he became a postman in Talgarth. The couple lived here with their three young children.

Owen’s career in the postal service was brief, because he returned to his regiment soon after the First World War broke out. He served as a Sergeant and received the Military Medal for his bravery when carrying a wounded comrade on the Western Front. He was badly wounded and sent home to recuperate.

He returned to France in early 1917. On 9 September 1917 he was on duty at a bombing post in the Somme region of France when he was hit by a shell. He died instantly, aged 43. His body was never recovered. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

In 1919 Edith married one of her neighbours, farm labourer Arthur Williams of 6 New Street. They lived together here, at 4 New Street.

One of their neighbours, Reginald Pritchard, also fought in the war. He served on HMS Andes. His first sea battle, in February 1916, was against the ship Greif, a German raider disguised as a Norwegian cargo ship. The raider sank HMS Alcantara before HMS Andes opened fire on it, eventually sinking it. HMS Andes then picked up 170 prisoners of war and took them to Liverpool. Reginald’s relatives lived at Hope Cottage, New Street.

With thanks to Virginia Brown of Talgarth & District Historical Society

Postcode: LD3 0AH    View Location Map

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