THESE ALSO GAVE THEIR LIVES

1914-1919

Wm B Berwick

Howard H Bucknell

Charles W Cooper

Martin Espeland

Percy C D Evans

Howard Callon

Andrew T Callon

Lionel R James

Edward C Morgan

Reginald W Napier

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A small war memorial plaque that was once on the Howardian High School organ.

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In 1914 Howard Gardens School was taken over and converted into a military hospital. Other schools in Cardiff were similarly converted into military hospitals. Howard Gardens became the Headquarters of the Third Western General Hospital.  Fifty five soldiers died in the hospital during WWI but no doubt many more were saved.  It was not converted back into a school until 1920.

There was a small alter dedicated to the 65 soldiers who died in the hospital  in All Saints Church, Adamsdown.  The marble plaque for that alter was handed over to Howardian High School for safe keeping.  It has now been mounted on a wall in Howardian Primary School.

 

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Story behind the names on the WWI memorial tablet:

An ongoing piece of research is to look at the people behind the names on the war memorial.  This can be somewhat challenging given that only the names appear and not for instance their regiment.  Some doubt will always remain over whether the correct person has been identified.  Where difficulties have been encountered identifying the person these are expressed.  Perhaps others can help fill in the information.

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WILLIAM ALFORD

William was born on  15th Oct 1898 in Barnstable Devon.  His father William Henry Alford was a carpenter by trade. In 1901 the family are living at 23, Forrest Road, Canton, Cardiff.   In 1904 the family are living at 5 Grouse Street in Roath and William is enrolled in Stacey Road Infants School, Cardiff having previously attended Grange School.  In 1910 he is enrolled at Howard Gardens.  In the 1911 census the family consisting of his father William Henry (42), Eliza (44) his mother, his sister Edith (3) and widowed grandmother  Jane (75) and William (12) are still living in Grouse Street.

William enrolls in the 16th Royal Devon & R.Nth. Devon Yeomanry in Cardiff and his regiment number was 67705.  He was awarded  the following medals: Britain, Campaign, Gallantry & Long Service Medals & Awards.  He died on 22nd Sep 1918  aged 20 in northern France.  He is buried at Ronssoy Communal Cemetery (Section B, Grave 8) in the Somme region of France.

His name is also recorded on the Roath Parish WWI memorial in St Edwards church, Blenheim Road, Cardiff.

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WILLIAM ALLAN

William Allan is a bit of a mystery.  The school records show that a William Allan, born 8th Dec 1897, did enrol in Howard Gardens in October 1912 and left in December 1914.  His father was also called William , worked as a Board of Trade Inspector and they were living at 22 Edington Ave (Cathays).  The record states that William’s previous school was Anfield Road Elementary School in Liverpool.   Having failed to find William Allan in the 1911 census for Cardiff I looked further afield and found him in Anfield, Liverpool, together with his father(37), mother Elizabeth Anna Allan (37) born in Holland, and brother Edward (7).  The census states that both William and his brother Edward were born in Belgium.  I then found his military record which shows that William Allan (b. 8/12/1897) survived the war and was a Lieutenant in the RAF and served till at least 1928.  This seems to indicate he was not the William Allan on the memorial board.  There was a William Allen enrolled at Howard Gardens in 1898.  He lived in Paget St and was born in December 1885. I haven’t been able to match this person with any WWI Military Record or War Grave.  It could be be William Edgar Allin who lived in Richmond Road and fell on 9 Oct 1917.  I haven’t any record of him attending Howard Gardens but that is not to say he did not.

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HUGH TAYLOR ALLEN

Corporal, 1st battalion, East Surrey Regiment (Service Number 36576)

Hugh Taylor Allen was born on 23rd Sep 1896 in Basford, Nottinghamshire to Thomas Holtom Allen, a clerk, originally from Stratford on Avon, and Robina Allen née Munro originally from Scotland. The Allen family appears to have moved regularly given that Hugh’s siblings were born in various places in England, though in the 1901 and 1911 census the family are settled in Cardiff.  In 1911 the family are living in 119 Tewkesbury Street, Cathays and Hugh attends Howard Gardens Secondary School.  When Hugh Allen signs up for the East Surrey Regiment and states his profession as a Pupil Teacher and living at 22 Salisbury Road, Cathays.  He dies on 21st May 1918 but has no known grave and is remembered on panel 6 of the Ploegsteert Memorial in Belgium.  He is also remembered on the Howard Gardens Memorial now in Howardian Primary School.  He is also remembered on the St Teilo’s Church war memorial, Cathays and Cardiff Corporation war memorial. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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THOMAS JOHN EDMUND ANSTEY

Corporal, City of London Yeomanry (Rough Riders),  (Service Number 1613)

Thomas ‘Tom’ John Edmund Anstey was born in Cardiff on 27th Aug 1884 to Thomas Henry Anstey, a railway clerk, originally from Llangattock, and Eliza Hannah Anstey née Morse originally from Cheltenham.  His mother dies in 1888 when he is only four and Tom goes to live with his grandmother in Henllys, Monmouthshire.  He attended primary school at Hafodyrynys School, Monmouthshire and then returned to Cardiff to attend Cardiff Higher Grade School (Howard Gardens).  By 1901 he had moved to live with his aunt in Wandsworth London.  He worked as a clerk at the Finsbury Circus Branch of the Capital and Counties Bank.  He joined the City of London Yeomanry in October 1909 and is promoted to Corporal in 1914.  When war breaks out he volunteers for foreign service and went to Egypt with his regiment in April 1915 and from there to Suvla Bay, Gallipoli in August. He is killed in action on 6 Oct 1915 aged 31.  That night he was covering a party of Royal Engineers who were erecting a barbed wire entanglements about 50 yards from the Turkish trenches.  He is buried at Green Hill Cemetery in Gallipoli. The Commonwealth War Records Commission record for Tom records his father living at 17 Dalton Street, Cathays.  Tom is remembered on the Howard Gardens memorial in Cardiff, and with a memorial plaque at Church of St Michael and All Angels, Llantarnam and one at St Ann’s Church in Wandsworth.  During the period from 1905 to 1914 Tom became very interested in researching both his family ancestry and the Anstey surname.  His great-nephew has since taken up the research and published a book on the Anstey surname authored by Gary Anstey and posthumously by his great-uncle Tom.

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CHARLES EDWARD ASPLIN

Private,  9th Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment  (Service Number 15856)

Charles Edward Asplin was born in the summer of 1895 in Cardiff to Charles John Asplin, a postman and Sarah Asplin née Samuel from St Fagans, Cardiff. He attended Cardiff Higher Grade School (Howard Gardens) and the family lived were living at Bruce Street, Cathays in 1901 and then 58 Gelligaer St, Cathays in 1911. Charles Edward Asplin followed his father and worked as a postman.  He signed up for the South Staffordshire Regiment as a transport driver aged 19 and serves on the Western Front.  He was killed on 23rd December 1915 is buried at the Sailly-sur-la-Lys cemetery in eastern France. He is remembered on the Howardian war memorial plaque and the Cardiff Post Office workers plaque.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. 

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WILLIAM THOMPSON ATKINSON

Second Mate, Mercantile Marine, S.S. “Torrington”

William Thompson Atkinson was born in 1888 in Cardiff  to Captain William Thompson, a master mariner originally from Corbridge, Northumberland, and Elizabeth Atkinson née Davies.  He was probably born in the Canton area of Cardiff but the family later move to 39 Crwys Road and William attends Cardiff Higher Grade School (Howard Gardens).  He was employed as a solicitor’s clerk in Barry before going to sea. He followed his father into the merchant navy but loses his life in a cruel fashion.  He was serving as Second Mate on the SS Torrington.  On 8 April 1917 the ship was sailing from Italy to Cardiff to load coal for the Italian railways. Shortly after 11.30am she was torpedoed by a German submarine, 150 miles off the Isles of Scilly.  The torpedo hit forward of the bridge. A submarine then surfaced and opened fire on the ship. Capt. Starkey ordered his men into the lifeboats, but the submarine came alongside. Capt. Starkey was ordered below deck of the U-boat, which he did thinking he could save his men. Some of the crew went on the deck of the U-boat, whilst others remained in a lifeboat. The captain of the U-boat then ordered the vessel to dive remarking that “the others could swim”.  Through the submerging of the U-boat about 20 member of the Torrington’s crew were washed off and killed. The remaining crew in the lifeboat were never heard of again. In total thirty four members of the crew were killed and Capt. Starkey was the only survivor.   Wilhelm Werner, the captain of the submarine,  and his actions had become well known to the authorities and he was charged with war crimes. He should have been on trial at Leipzig, but he fled to Brazil and was never tired for his crimes.  William Atkinson is remembered on the Tower Hill memorial for merchant seamen in London and the Howardian war memorial plaque.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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THOMAS ALFRED ATWILL

Private, 10th Battalion, Australian Infantry, A.I.F. (Service Number 299)

Thomas Alfred Atwill was born in Dover in 1875.  He was the oldest son of Sarah Helen Atwill née Gerard, from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada and Thomas Atwill, a Sergeant Major in the Royal Artillery, who were married in Canada in 1872.  Thomas Alfred Atwill was baptised on 30th April 1875 in Dover Castle. The family then move to Cardiff and in 1881 are living at 80 Clifton Street. In 1891 they were living at the Drill Hall in Dumfries Place.  He attends  Cardiff Higher Grade School (Howard Gardens).  The family then move to Walkhampton in Devon and are there in 1901 and 1911 but sometime later return to Cardiff and live at 7, Richmond Crescent.  Three of the sons emigrated from the UK to Australia prior to the outbreak of World War I to try their hand at gold-mining.  Prior to emigrating Thomas Alfred Atwill had served Glamorgan Volunteers Artillery.  He enlists in  the Australian Infantry in 1914, sails for Europe but is killed in action on 19th May 1915 aged 40 at Dardanelles, Gallipoli.  He is buried in Shrapnel Gully, Gallipoli.  Two of his brothers also die in WWI.   He is remembered on a number of memorials in Australia, one in the village of Walkhampton in Devon and on the Howardian School memorial plaque in Cardiff.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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Name missing from memorial plaque:

ARTHUR SYDNEY BANBURY

Corporal,  38th Division, Signal Company, Royal Engineers  (Service Number: 62902)

Arthur Sydney Banbury, was born on 29 May 1883 in Cardiff to John Banbury, a coal merchant, originally from Boscastle, Cornwall and Mary Ann Banbury née Symons, also from Boscastle, Cornwall.  He grew up in the Splott area attending Metal Street Infants School and then Splotlands Board School before moving on to Howard Gardens School for two years.  In the 1891 census the Banbury family lived at 8 Coveny Street.  They also lived at 73 Broadway and 96 Splott Road before moving to 52 Partridge Road, Roath where they were at the time of both the 1901 and 1911 census.  When Sydney left school in 1898 he worked initially at the Western Mail newspaper then as a telegraphist at Cardiff GPO.  He was a Methodist as indicated by his name appearing on two local church memorial plaques. In 1912 he married Florence Mary Jennings, a telephonist, originally from St Ives, Cornwall.  They lived at 10 Grenville Road and went on to have a son, Philip Sydney Banbury, born in Feb 1916.  Sydney enlisted in Porthcawl and served as a telephone linesman on the Western Front from Dec 1915. He was killed in action in the Battle of Pilckem Ridge on 31 Jul 1917 aged 34.  He is buried at Dragoon Camp Cemetery, Boesinghe, Belgium (plot A5).  He is remembered on the Broadway Methodist Church War Memorial Plaque and the Cyfarthfa Street Mission memorial plaque, both now housed at the Trinity Centre, and on the Cardiff Post Office’s Roll of Honour.  He is also remembered on his parent’s headstone in Boscastle.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.  His brother Alfred  was a Corporal with the Honourable Artillery Company who enlisted in 1915 and was discharged on 10 Sep 1917 due to gunshot wounds to his right arm and eye. Sydney’s son joined the military and rose to be Major Philip Sydney Banbury with the Royal Signals during WWII.  He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for his work in defending the important port of Antwerp from Nov 1944 to Mar 1945. He helped deploy and run an efficient communication system covering large parts of Holland and Belgium that acted as an early warning system of V1 and V2 flying bombs heading towards Antwerp.

 

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HERBERT SIDNEY BENNETT

Lieutenant, 1st & 9th Battalion, South Wales Borderers

Herbert Sidney Bennett was born on 25 Nov 1891 in Beresford Road, Roath to Walter William Bennett, a joiner, originally from East Pennard, Somerset and Evangeline Bennett nee Selvey originally from Portishead, Somerset.  He started attending Stacey Rd primary school in 1896.  In 1901 the family were living at 41 Richards Terrace.  He went on to attend Cardiff Municipal Secondary School, Howard Gardens (1903-5).  The Bennett family later moved to 94 Claude Road.  On leaving school became a clerk in a typewriter company. He enlisted in Cardiff Pals in September 1914 and was commissioned in May 1915. In Dec 1915 he married Gertrude-Lyons Davis, daughter of Alderman Frederick Lyons-Davis from Cardiff.  The paper reported that they got married in Crosby, Liverpool  where Herbert was probably stationed.  Had went on to see a great deal of fighting and only returned to the Western Front for a few weeks after a long period of illness caused by trench fever when he died on 18 Oct 1918 aged 27 of wounds received.  He is buried at the St. Souplet British Cemetery, France (grave III. E. 12).  He is remembered on the Howard Gardens memorial at Howardian Primary School and the memorial at St. German’s Church, Roath.  Herbert and Gertrude lived at 154 City Road and had three children together, one dying in infancy and another, born in 1919 after his father had been killed and named after his father, Herbert Sidney Bennett, was himself killed in WWII.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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WILLIAM BRAILEY BERWICK

Captain, SS Euston, Merchant Navy

William Brailey Berwick was born on 18 Feb 1881 in Cardiff to Thomas Berwick, a biscuit manufacturer’s clerk, originally from London and Mary Anna Berwick née Brailey, a fancy draper, originally from Dursley, Gloucestershire. The family lived at 88 Richards Terrace, Roath.  William attended Stacey Road school and then Howard Gardens Higher Grade school.  After leaving school he joined the merchant navy in 1897 at the age of 16 and worked his way up to Captain. He married Ida May Glencross in Monmouth in 1911.  Their daughter, Ida Monica Berwick, was born in early 1917 just before William died.  He drowned in a sailing accident in Queenstown, Co Cork, Ireland on 10 Apr 1917, aged 36, whilst his ship, the coal carrier SS Euston, was in port.  He and two engineers, left Monkstown for a sailing trip but the weather turned squally and the yacht capsized.   His body was found on Apr 12th on a beach on Haulbowline Island (where the world’s first yacht club was founded in 1720).  He does not have a Commonwealth War Graves Commission record, probably because his death was not war-related, but he is remembered on the Howard Gardens War Memorial.  His ship, the SS Euston, was torpedoed and sunk later the same year in the Mediterranean.

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WILLIAM BLACK

Engineer Lieutenant,  HMS Natal, Royal Navy.

William Black was born on 6 Jan1885 in Cardiff, the only son of William Black originally from Kinghoorn, Fife, Scotland and Alice Black née Gray originally from Hartlepool. The family originally lived at  of 80 Richards Terrace, Roath but by 1891 the family had moved to 235 Newport Road, Roath.  His father was a superintendent marine engineer.  William attended Cardiff Municipal Secondary School, Howard Gardens from 1895 to 1898 and then Cardiff High School from September 1898, when he was in the school’s first ever intake .  He left in Dec 1900 to follow his father’s profession and started work as an apprenticed engineer.  He took an extra first class engineers certificate at South Shields in 1911 and later qualified as a naval architect.  He was employed as a consulting engineer at Cardiff docks and, on the death of his father in 1912, he succeeded him in the business.  In Sep 1915, he was appointed Engineer Lieutenant RN. William Black was killed, aged 30, when HMS Natal accidentally exploded with great loss of life in Cromarty Firth on 31 Dec 1915.  Over four hundred died.  Though it was at first assumed she had been torpedoed it was later concluded that the cause was an internal ammunition explosion, possibly the result of faulty cordite.  Engineer Lieutenant William Black is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial to the Missing and also on family gravestones in Cathays Cemetery and in Kinghorn, Fife, where his family originated.  He is also commemorated on the Cardiff High School war memorial, the Howard Gardens war memorial and the war memorial that was in the Wesleyan Methodist Church, Broadway, Roath now in the Trinity Centre.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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MAITLAND COOPER BOLTON

Sergeant, 7th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Service Number: 16979)

Maitland Cooper Bolton was born on 1 Nov 1890 in Cardiff to Richard Bolton, a plumber and decorator, originally from Barking, Essex, and Louisa Bolton née Cooper, originally from Maidenhead, Berkshire. The Bolton family lived at 134 Richmond Road. Maitland attended Albany Road School before moving onto Howard Gardens School in 1903.  He left school in 1907 and joined the PT Centre (Royal Army Physical Training Corps).  By the time WWI began he had emigrated to Canada.  He enlisted on 18 Sep 1914 at Varcartier, near Qubec.  On his enlistment papers he described his profession as a farmer and also stated that he had previously completed two years service with the 7th Battalion Welsh Regiment.  His father had died the previous December and his mother had moved away from Cardiff and was living in London.  His Battalion arrived in France in Feb 1915 and he received regular promotions, to Lance Corporal in Sep 1915, Corporal in Apr 1916 and Sergeant in Jun 1916. He was killed in action on 26 Jul 1916 on the Western Front aged 25.  He is buried in the Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, south of Ypres, Belgium (grave VI. C. 11). He is remembered on the Howard Gardens War Memorial plaque and on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial.   Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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FREDERICK GEORGE BOWDEN

Private, 7th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry (Service Number 35382)

Frederick George Bowden was born on 27 Jan 1899 in Cardiff to William Henry Bowden, a labourer at an iron foundry, from Roath and Annie Bowden née Jones originally from Neath. He was baptised at St Saviour’s church on 16 Feb 1899.  The family lived at 47 Habershon Street and Frederick attended Moorland Road school and then Howard Gardens school before leaving to become a clerk in the Ocean Coal company.  He enlisted in Cardiff and was killed in action on 28 Mar 1918 aged 19 at the Western Front.  He is remembered on the Arras Memorial (Bay 7) in France.  He is also remembered on the Howardian School War memorial plaque and the Splott Memorial at St Saviour’s church. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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JOHN ANTONIO SANCHEZ BOYLE

Second Lieutenant, 2nd/1st (Lancs.) Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery

John Antonio Sanchez Boyle was born in Montrose, Scotland on 10 Mar 1888 to Hugh Boyle, a military clerk with the Army Pay Corps, originally from Dalton, Dumfries, Scotland, and  Aurora Boyle née Sanchez originally from Roanda, Spain who ran a grocer’s shop.  In 1891 the Boyle family were living in Woolwich Army barracks in London. By 1901 they had moved to Cardiff and were living initially at 47 Llantrisant Street, Cathays and then at 4 Whitchurch Road.  He attended Crwys Road school in 1895 before going on to Cardiff Intermediate school, Howard Gardens from 1898 until 1899; and then Cardiff High School, on a scholarship, from 1899 until 1904. He went to University College Cardiff in 1906 and gained a First Class Honours degree and was awarded the Gladstone History Prize. After university he became a master at West Leeds Boys High School where he taught history for five years from 1909 to 1914. John then moved the Cape Colony, South Africa to teach. However, when the war broke out, he volunteered for service in West Africa, but was initially engaged on garrison duty until August 1915. John then served with a South African Field Ambulance in Egypt and on the Western Front until Fe 1917. Selected for a commission, he was gazetted to the Royal Garrison Artillery on 1 Aug 1917. Second Lieutenant John Boyle was killed in action, aged 29, on 30 Nov 1917 during the Battle of Cambrai. He is commemorated on the Cambrai Memorial to the Missing, France. He is also commemorated on the Howardian War Memorial and the war memorial in Cardiff University. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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HARRY HILL BUCKNELL

Second Lieutenant, 6th Battalion, Welsh Regiment

Harry Hill Bucknell was born on 25 Feb 1882 in Cardiff to Henry Hill Bucknell, a book keeper and house painter, originally from Camden Town, London and Eleanor Catherine Bucknell née Williams originally from Reading, Berkshire.  He was baptised at All Saints church on 23 Apr 1882 when the family was living at 23 Windsor Road. In 1891 and 1901 the Bucknell family were living at 39 Partridge Road, Roath and later moved to nearby 114 Marlborough Road. He attended Tredegarville primary school before going on to Cardiff Intermediate school (Howard Gardens) and then Cardiff Higher Grade school (Cardiff High). After leaving school he worked as a clerk for the Cardiff Gas Company before becoming a cashier at the Swansea Gas Company. When in Swansea he rented a room at 39 St George Terrace and was also a member of the Masons. He served as a member of the Glamorgan Yeomanry prior to WWI and was called up for service on 4 Aug 1914 and obtained a commission on 28 Sep 1915. He served on the Western Front with the 6th Battalion Welsh Regiment and was killed in action at Ypres on 22 Jul 1917 aged 35.  An account from the regimental history records reads, ‘One night the nose-cap of a shrapnel shell caught Lieutenant Bucknell full in the stomach.  Despite the injury, he went about his work for hours, but eventually lost his way.  He was a very dark-looking man, and on asking some questions of another regiment he was taken for a German spy.  It was quite bad enough to have been hit, but when insult was added to the injury the cup of trouble almost overflowed.  Bucknell was one of those quiet individuals who would not say a word about his injury, and he allowed himself to be walked for miles to the 6th Welsh headquarters to satisfy his zealous captors that he was not really a Bosche. His injury was a bad one. He was killed later on’.  He is buried at Essex Farm Cemetery north of Ypres in Belgium (plot II. H. 13). His Chaplain wrote of him, ‘He was always a ready volunteer for whatever was taking place – fear was an unknown quantity. We have lost a brave comrade, and King and country have lost a gallant officer whom it could ill spare’.  He is remembered on the Howard Gardens war memorial plaque now at Howardian Primary School.  Much of the original plaque was destroyed in the WWII blitz but a section containing Harry’s name survived.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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Name missing from memorial plaque:

REGINALD CHARLES COOKE

Second Lieutenant, 9th Battalion, Welsh Regiment

Reginald Charles Cooke was born on 17 Jun 1886 at 21 Northcote Street, Roath to Charles Peter Cooke, a wholesale grocer and ship broker, originally from Gloucester and Annie Eliza Cooke née Rimron originally from Cardiff. The family lived at 49 Wellfield Road when Reginald was attending school and also Station Road, Llanishen. Reginald went to Roath Park Primary school and Howard Gardens School before entering Cardiff High School in the first ever intake with roll number 5 in Sep 1898 and remained there until Jul 1901. Reginald then attended Bristol Grammar School until 1903. After school, he served his articles with Bolton and Davidson, solicitors, in Bristol and, after qualifying in Mar 1911, practised as a solicitor in Weston-Super-Mare and then in 1913 took up a partnership in the law firm of W.B. Francis and Cooke, 31 Queen Street, Cardiff.  Reginald was a very fine hockey player for Weston-Super-Mare, Llanishen and Somerset and he won four Welsh international hockey caps as a forward in 1912-13 (v Scotland  at Wrexham  lost 1-3) and 1913-14 (v Ireland at Whitchurch lost 1-2; v Scotland at Aberdeen won 3-1; and v England at Weston-Super-Mare lost 2-6). The victory over Scotland was Wales’ first against them in nine years. Reginald enlisted in Aug 1914 in Cardiff as a private in the Cardiff Pals; was gazetted to the 9th Battalion Welsh Regiment on 10 Apr 1915; and went to the Western Front in Oct 1915. He was twice Mentioned in Despatches and was awarded the Military Cross in Jun 1916 for repeatedly cutting the enemy’s wire under heavy fire. Second Lieutenant Reginald Cooke was killed in action, aged 30, in the 19th Division’s assault on trenches at Bailiff Wood near Contalmaison during the Battles of the Somme on 7 Jul 1916. Many of the attacking troops here were caught by their own creeping artillery barrage. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, France.  He is also remembered on the Cardiff High School Memorial, Bristol Grammar School Memorial and a plaque dedicated to him at Holy Trinity, Weston-Super-Mare. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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Name missing from memorial plaque:

PHILIP VINCENT COOPER

Private, 11th Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Service Number: 14303)

Philip Vincent Cooper was born on 20 Jul 1891 in Cardiff to John Cooper, a master mariner, originally from County Durham and Jane Hannah Henderson Cooper née Cooper originally from Seaham Harbour, Durham. He was baptised on Aug 20 1891 when the family were living at 78 De Burgh Street, Riverside and he was still living there at the time of the 1911 census.  He attended Severn Road school before going on to Howard Gardens.  After leaving school he became a clerk at a coal exporter office in Cardiff Docks.  He served with the 11th Battalion Welsh Regiment and died of wounds received on 14 Sep 1916 aged 26 in Salonika.  He is buried at the Karasouli Military Cemetery (grave D.726). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.  His brother Joseph Herbert Cooper was also lost in WWI when serving in the Merchant Navy.  They are both remembered on the their parent’s grave at Cathays Cemetery.

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IVOR LLEWELLYN DADDS

Second Lieutenant, Inland Water Transport, Royal Engineers

Ivor Llewellyn Dadds was born on 19 Feb 1887 in Cardiff to Samuel Llewellyn Dadds, a solicitor’s clerk and estate agent originally from Merthyr Tydfil and Elizabeth Dadds nee Davies originally from Canton, Cardiff. In 1891 the Dadds family were living at Oxford House, near Ely Rise, Canton.  Ivor attended Radnor Road school before going onto Howard Gardens school in 1900. After leaving school in 1903he went on to become an engineer. In 1901 the Dadds family had moved to 304 Cowbridge Road and a few years later to Barry where Ivor trained as a marine and civil engineer. Ivor does not appear in the 1911 census, maybe away working somewhere. In 1915 he is aboard the steamship Frisia on route to Brazil recording his profession as engineer. He returns home and enlists with the Royal Engineers, Inland Water Transport division. The Dadds family were at this time living at 37 Park Place, Cardiff. He was made a temporary 2nd Lieut in Dec 1916. He served in Mesopotamia and died on 17 Jul 1917 aged 30.  The newspaper reports that he died of heat exhaustion.  He is buried at Basra War Cemetery (grave IV. D. 6.) in modern-day Iraq.  He was remembered on a couple of war memorials in Cardiff; the Howardian War Memorial and a church memorial plaque currently of unknown origin but believed to be the Adamsdown/Splott area.  Similarly his name appears on a Roll of Honour of unknown origin.  Why his name appears on the church plaque is a bit of a mystery given he didn’t appear to live in the area.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

 

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ARTHUR DAVIES

Private,7th Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Service Number 1408)

Arthur Davies was born on 26 Sep 1895 in Cardiff to Philip Henry Davies, a clerk originally from Maesycwmmer, Monmouthshire, and Charlotte Sophia Davies née Elias, originally from Abercarn, Monmouthshire. In 1901 the Davies family lived in Diana Street.  Arthur attended Albany Road school and in 1905 represents the school at the city school sports day.  In 1907 he goes on to attend Howard Gardens secondary school.  His father died in Jun 1910 leaving Arthur, the oldest of four children who leaves school in Jan 1911 and works as an office boy at Bute Dry Dock. By 1914 the family had moved to 33 Roath Court Road. He enlisted in the 7th Cyclists Battalion Welsh Regiment. It is unclear what service he saw as his records have not survived. He died at home on 13 May 1915 of sarcoma (cancer) of the face. He is buried in a family grave at Cathays Cemetery (plot B 663). He is remembered on the Howardian war memorial plaque now housed at Howardian Primary school. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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Name missing from the memorial plaque:

GEOFFREY DAVID DAVIES

Lieutenant, 18th Battalion, Welsh Regiment

Geoffrey David Davies was born on 15 Jul 1891 in Dinas Powys to Owen William Davies, a slate merchant and Marion Jones, daughter of Cardiff Mayor Alderman David Jones.  Geoffrey attended Albany Road School and then Howard Gardens School for a number of years (but he is not remembered on their war memorial plaque). The Davies family were living at 21 Dumfries Place in 1901 and at 23 Gordon Road in 1911. After leaving school Geoffrey worked as a clerk in the income tax office.  He was initially a Private in the Glamorgan Yeomanry before becoming a Lieutenant in the 18th Battalion Welsh Regiment serving with the 119th Brigade of the Trench Mortar Battery.  He died of wounds received in action at Bourlon Wood, part of the  Battle of Cambrai, on 27 Nov 1917 in France aged 26.  He is buried at the Rocquigny-Equancourt British Cemetery (Plot V.B.2).  He is remembered on the Bethany Baptist Church memorial plaque.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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Name missing from memorial plaque:

JOHN TREVOR STUART EVANS

Captain, 19th Battalion, attached to 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

John Trevor Stuart Evans (known as Trevor) was born on 8 Jun 1891 in Cardiff to John Evans, an agent for Great Western Railways, originally from Aberdare, and Sarah Jane Evans née Davies, originally from Newport, Pembrokeshire. In 1901 the Evans family lived at 63 Plasburton Avenue, Riverside.  Later that year he started attending Marlbourough Road school where the family address was given as 24 Edwards Terrace in the city centre.  In 1904 he moved on to Howard Gardens school with the family address then 51 Dispenser Street.  He left school in 1906 and started working for Great Western Railways. He served with the 19th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was promoted to temporary Second Lieutenant in Jul 1915 and was later promoted to Captain.  He died on 7 May 1918 aged 26 on the Western Front near the present France/Belgium border.  He was originally buried at the Albert German Cemetery but is now buried at Serre Road Cemetery No1.  The address on his probate was 24 Plasburton Gardens. He is remembered on the Bethany Baptist church memorial plaque.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

 

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Name missing from memorial:

MALCOLM FRASER

Private,  17th Wellington Infantry Regiment, New Zealand Expeditionary Force  (Service Number: 10/252)

Malcolm Fraser was born on 20 Oct 1886 in Cardiff to Malcolm Fraser, a foreman boilermaker, originally from Edinburgh, Scotland and Annie Fraser née Green, originally from Speyside, Scotland. In 1891 the Fraser family were living at 12 Woodville Road, Cathays before moving to Despenser Street, Riverside.  Malcolm attended Severn Road primary school and then Cardiff Higher Grade School at Howard Gardens.  After leaving school he was apprenticed as an engineer to Mount Stuart Dry Dock.  In 1910 he left for New Zealand and settled in Wellington.  He volunteered for the Imperial Service at the outbreak of war and joined the Wellington Infantry Battalion. He left for Egypt in Nov 1914 and proceeded to Gallipoli in Apr 1915.  He was killed in action in Gallipoli on 8 Aug 1915 aged 28.  He has no known grave but is remembered on the Chunuk Bair (New Zealand) Memorial in Turkey.  He is also remembered on the City United Reformed Church memorial. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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MONRO FREDERICK JAMES HEDDEN

Saddler, “D” Battery. 57th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Service Number: 43103)

Monro Frederick James Hedden was born in Cardiff on 13 Feb 1894 to Alfred Hedden, a foreman at a corn merchants, originally from Welcombe, Devon and Annie Marie Hedden née Cornish also from Welcombe.  The Hedden family lived at 24 Mackintosh Place, Roath.  Monro attended Albany Road Elementary School before moving on to Howard Gardens secondary school in 1907 for two years. By 1911, aged 17, he was working as a junior clerk at a provision merchant. In WWI he served as a Sadler in the Royal Field Artillery. He died of blackwater fever on 18 Feb 1918 aged 24 in Salonika, Greece.  He is buried at the Sarigol Military Cemetery, Greece (grave D. 631.) which mainly holds those who died at the 31st Casualty Clearing Station hospital. He is remembered on the Howard Gardens High School War Memorial plaque and the Trinity Methodist church war memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

 

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HERBERT CLIFFORD HUNT

Private, 2nd Battalion, Honourable Artillery Company (Service Number: 9644)

Herbert Clifford Hunt was born on 12 Feb 1898 at 85 Arran Street, Roath to Edward Hunt, originally from Aberdare,  who worked for the Powell Duffryn Company and Emma Elizabeth Hunt née Davey originally from Tiverton, Devon.  Herbert was baptised at St Margaret’s church on 29 Mar 1898.  At the time of the 1901 census the Hunt family lived at 97 Mackintosh Place and by 1911 they had moved to 22 Tydfil Place , Roath Park.  Herbert attended Roath Park primary school before going on to Howard Gardens school for two years and then, according to school records, going on to private school.  After leaving school Herbert went to work for Messrs Foster Hain, ship-owners.  He took a keen interest in model boat racing and rowing at Roath Park.  He joined the army in Dec 1916 and went to the Western Front in Mar 1917.  He was killed in action on 15 May 1917 aged 19 at the second Battle of Bullecourt .  His body was not recovered.  He is remembered on the Arras Memorial in France. He is also remembered on the Howard Gardens war memorial plaque, the St Martin’s Church War Memorial and the Mackintosh Institute Roll of Honour (now lost).  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. Herbert’s nephew, Clifford Dennis Hunt, was killed in WWII when serving with the RAF.

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LIONEL RANDOLPH JAMES

Flight Sergeant, 3rd Aircraft Repair Depot, Royal Air Force (Service Number: 16693)

Lionel Randolph James was born on 20 Nov 1884 in Dowlais, Glamorgan to Edward Henry James, a steel work’s accountant originally from Moylegrove, Pembrokeshire and Elizabeth James née Jones, originally from Disserth, Radnorshire.  In the 1891 census the James family were living in 12 Morlais Street, Dowlais.  Soon after they moved to 24 Stacey Road, Roath and Lionel attended Stacey Road School.  In Sep 1894 he moved on to Howard Gardens School.  After leaving school in Mar 1896 he worked as a mechanical engineer draughtsman at the steel works. He enlisted in the army on 17 Dec 1915. He later transferred to the RAF on 1 Apr 1918.  He died at home of pneumonia whilst on leave on 28 Feb 1919 in Cardiff aged 33.  He is buried in Cathays Cemetery (plot J 124B). He is remembered on the Howard Gardens High School War Memorial, the St Margaret’s War Memorial Tower and the St Edward’s War Memorial plaque.   Commonwealth War Grave Commission record.

 

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Name missing from Memorial Plaque:

ARTHUR VINCENT JELLINGS

Leading Boatswain, S.S.Lena, Merchant Navy

Arthur Vincent Jellings was born on 6 Feb 1897 in Cardiff to Edwin Jellings, a house builder, originally from Cardiff and Rebecca Eliza Jellings née Collings originally from Newport.  In 1901 the family  lived at 110 Richmond Road, Roath.  By 1904 the family has moved to 58 Connaught Road and Arthur was starting at Marlborough Road Primary School.  In 1909 he was admitted to Howard Gardens Secondary School for Boys where he studied for two years.  On the 1911 census Arthur and his five brothers and sisters and parents lived at 58 Connaught Road.  In 1915 Arthur, aged 19, emigrated to USA and landed in Ellis Island having sailed from Liverpool.  His stay in America was brief and he returned and joins the merchant navy.  In 1915 he was an Able Seaman aboard the Capstan.  He died, presume drowned, aged just 20 on 14 April 1917 when the S.S.Lena was torpedoed by a German u-boat.  The S.S.Lena  was on a voyage from Huelva in Southern Spain to Bristol with a cargo of government stores and was sunk by the German submarine U-61, southwest of the Scilly Isles. Twenty five people were lost.  S.S.Lena was built in 1904 and was a British cargo steamer with a Cardiff owner and weighed of 2,463 tonnes.  He is remembered not only on the memorial in St Andrew’s URC church but also on the Tower Hill Memorial for Merchant Seamen in London.  His name is missing from the Howard Gardens school war memorial plaque.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

 

 

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HENRY DAVIES JONES

Sergeant, M.T. Mob. and Embarkation Area, Army Service Corps (Service Number: DM2/155516)

Henry ‘Harry’ Davies Jones was born in Ealing, London on 2 Oct 1892 to Thomas Davies Jones, a draper, originally from Llanidlois, Montgomeryshire and Helena Susanna Jones née Cole originally from Chawleigh, Devon. The family moved to Roath when Harry was young, living at 4 Morlais Street, Roath Park.  Harry attended Marlborough Road School before going on to Howard Gardens school.   After leaving school he worked in a solicitor’s office and the Jones family lived at 222 Mackintosh Place.  He was a Sergeant in the Army Service Corps.  Harry died of pneumonia on 31 Oct 1918, aged 26, at Fargo Military Hospital, Salisbury Plain. He is buried in the family grave at Cathays Cemetery (plot L 2222).  He is remembered on the Howard Gardens school memorial plaque and the WWI memorial plaque that used to be at St James the Great church, now at St John’s church.  He was also remembered at a personalised plaque at St James the Great church which read that it was ‘given as a token of the affectionate esteem in which the late Sergeant Henry Davies Jones was held by the Officers Non-Commissioned Officers And Men of the Mechanical Transport Royal Army Service Corps and Members of the Queen Mary’s Army Auxiliary Corps,  Bulford Camp, Salisbury Plain’.   Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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JOHN MATHEWS

Private, 15th Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Service Number: 35126)

John Matthews was born on 15 Aug 1889 in Cardiff to Thomas Matthews, a vaccination officer, originally from Cardiff and Margaret Matthews née Jenkins originally from Llanbleddian, Cowbridge. In the 1891 census the Matthews family were living at 19 Llantwit Street, Cathays.  John’s mother dies when he is only six leaving Thomas Mathews to bring up the seven children.  In 1895 John enrolled as a pupil at Albany Road school and he later went on to attend Howard Gardens High School.  By 1911 the family were living at 5 Alma Road in Pen-y-lan and John was working as a clerk in a ship owners. His father passes away in 1912 aged 67.  On enlistment he joined the 15th (Carmarthenshire) Battalion of the Welsh Regiment.  John was killed on the 11 July 1916 aged 26, during the closing stages of the battle for Mametz Wood.  He was one of seventy men of the 15th battalion who were killed during the battle.  The majority of the dead were buried within the wood where they fell, at Mametz Wood Cemetery.  Many of these were lost during subsequent fighting in the area, and John is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing of the Somme.  He is also remembered on the Howardian High School War Memorial.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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JAMES HENRY McKERGO

Corporal, D Company, 9th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders (Service Number: S/5881)

James Henry McKergo was born in Splott on 24 Aug 1896 to David McKergo, a hydraulic man on the railways, originally from Cardiff and Ellen McKergo nee Whitehouse, originally from Wolverhampton. In 1901 the family were living at 24 Clare Road and in 1904 James attended Grangetown Elementary school when they were living at 21 Bromfield Street. By 1909 the family had moved to 81 Sanquahar Street, Splott.  James then attended Howard Gardens school having previously also attended Adamsdown elementary School. He left school in 1911 and went on to become a tailor.  He enlisted in Cardiff and went on to serve as a Corporal with the Seaforth Highlanders in France.  He was killed in action on 16 Jul 1916 aged 19.  He has no known grave but is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 15 C). He is remembered on the Howard Gardens school war memorial plaque and on a Roll of Honour, currently of unknown origin. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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DAVID JOHN McGREGOR

Engineer Lieutenant Commander, H.M.S. Hawke, Royal Navy

David John McGregor was born on 7 Jul 1874 in Hebburn, Tyneside, to Donald McGregor, a clerk, originally from Banffshire, Scotland and Mary McGregor née Fairley from Newcastle On Tyne. The family moved to Cardiff and David McGregor attended Cardiff Higher Grade School (Howard Gardens) and then Cardiff University College studying engineering.  After leaving university he served an apprenticeship at Wallsend Engineering works in Cardiff for five years before joining the Royal Navy.  He won a scholarship to Greenwich Naval College.  He served many years afloat and his naval records contain many references to him being zelous and having a lot of ability and reluctant to retire. He became the Admiralty Coal Inspector in Cardiff.  He was summoned to active service but died on 15 Oct 1914, aged 40, when H.M.S. Hawke was sunk in the North Sea sixty miles off Aberdeen when it was torpedoed by German U-boat U9 and hit amidships near a magazine.  The detonation was followed by a second terrific explosion, in which a large number of the crew were killed. The ship sank within 5 minutes and was only able to launch one ship’s boat.  Five hundred and twenty five perished.  He is remembered on the Howardian War Memorial plaque and the Cardiff University War Memorial plaque.  He is also remembered on the Chatham Naval Memorial.  A white marble family headstone at Cathays Cemetery also remembers him with the following words: ‘Also of Engr Lt Commr David J McGregor R.N. / of H.M.S. Hawke. Lost with vessel in North Sea 15th October 1914 / A model son and kind brother‘.  His obituary and picture appeared in the South Wales Daily News on 17 Oct 1914.  We pick up his address when he died on his probate record as being 18 Balaclava Road in Penylan, Cardiff.  Commonwealth War Grave Commission record.

 

ALFRED JOHN MORRIS

Private,  183rd Company, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), (Service Number: 89978)

Alfred ‘Fred’ John Morris was born in Cardiff on 22 Apr 1898 to Alfred Joseph Morris, a marine engine fitter, and Annie Morris nee Jones, both originally from Cardiff. The Morris family lived at 45 Manor Street Cardiff.  Fred attended Allensbank Elementary school before going on to attend Howard Gardens school in 1909 and leaving in 1914 to work as a clerk. He enlisted in Cardiff and served initially with the Royal Army Service Corps before moving to the 183rd Company of the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry).  He was killed in action on 6 Sep 1917 aged 19 at Ypres, Belgium.  He has no known burial place.  He is remembered on the Tyne Cot memorial in Belgium.  He is also remembered on the Howard Gardens school memorial plaque and the Woodville Road Baptist church plaque.  He was remembered on the headstone of his grandparent’s grave at Cathays Cemetery (Plot V237/238) (now removed).  The inscription on the headstone read ‘Faithful in life, fearless in death’. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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THOMAS STANLEY SILBY

Lieutenant, 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers

Thomas Stanley Silby was born in Cardiff on 11 Jan 1895 to John William Silby, a coal trimmer originally from Trowbridge, Wiltshire and Elizabeth Ann Silby nee Jenkins originally from St Mellons, Monmouthshire. In 1901 the Silby family were living at 8 Hinton Street, Splott. He attended Moorland Road Elementary School before going on to Howard Gardens School in 1905.  He left in 1908 and began work as a clerk in the City Treasurer’s Department.  In 1911 Thomas and the Silby family had moved to 19 Cressy Road. In WWI he initially enlisted in the Welsh Regiment in Sep 1915 as Private and was then Corporal in the Cheshire Regiment before becoming a Lieutenant with the Welsh Borderers. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1917 for his actions on 19 Sep 1917 at L’Epinette: ‘For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty during a hostile raid on an advanced post. Hearing that the commander of his post had been killed, he went forward from the support line under a heavy barrage and took command. He rallied the men at a critical moment and drove off the enemy. He showed great courage, coolness and initiative.’  He married Ethelinda ‘Linda’ Harriet Hudson, who lived at 138 Richmond Road, in St James the Great church, Cardiff on 14 Aug 1918.  He then returned to the Western Front and was sadly killed in action less than a month later on 12 Sep 1918 aged 23.  He is buried at the Gouzeaucourt New British Cemetery in France (grave II. B. 13). He was remembered on the memorial plaque believed to have been at Clifton Street Welsh Methodist church.  He was also remembered on the plaque at St James the Great Church (now in St John’s church) and the memorial plaque at Howard Gardens school (now at Howardian Primary).  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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ALBERT AUBREY WADE

Private, 23rd Battalion (1st Sportsman’s), Royal Fusiliers (Service Number: 4460)

Albert Aubrey Wade was born on 22 Dec 1880 in Cardiff to Lewis Robert Wade, a grocer, originally from Abercarn, Monmouthshire and Annie Wade née Gething, originally from Aberdare, Glamorgan.  In 1881 the Wade family were living at 39 Millicent Street in the centre of Cardiff.  Albert Wade attended Albany Road school before moving up to Howard Gardens School in 1892.  His father, Lewis Wade, died in 1898 and shortly afterwards the Annie Wade and her children moved to 74 Colum Road.  In the 1901 census Albert, aged 20, is working as a chemist’s clerk. In the 1911 the Wade family have moved to 68 Kimberley Road, Pen-y-lan and Albert is working as a clerk at a house agents. In WWI Albert served with the 23rd Battalion (1st Sportsman’s) in the Royal Fusiliers.  He was killed in action on 14 Nov 1916 aged 35 on the Somme in France.  He is buried at the Serre Road Cemetery No.2 (grave I. G. 30.) in France.  He is remembered on the Bethany Baptist war memorial plaque (In 1915 Albert’s sister Leah married in Bethany Baptist church).  He is also remembered on the Howard Gardens High School war memorial plaque.  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.   In December 1919 a member of the Wade family donated money towards the building of the Welsh National War Memorial in Cathays Park in memory of Albert Wade.

 

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LAWRENCE VICTOR JAMES WILLIAMS

Serjeant, 9th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment (Service Number: 11336)

Lawrence Victor James Williams was born on 28 Jan 1897 to Sidney Williams, a foreman on the railways, and originally from Undy, Monmouthshire, and Fanny Williams nee Lawrence, originally from Llanhilleth, Monmouthshire. He was baptised on 27 Feb 1897 at St German’s church at which time the family were living 27 Prince Leopold Street, Adamsdown. By 1901 the Williams family had moved to 68 Clifton Street and were still there in 1911. Lawrence attended Splott Road elementary school before moving onto Howard Gardens school. After leaving school in 1911 he went onto become a clerk. He enlisted in Cardiff and served as a Serjeant in France with the 9th Battalion Devonshire Regiment.  He was killed in action on 1 Jul 1916 in the first Battle of the Somme aged 19. He was one of 160 men from the Devonshire Regiment to die that day in the face of heavy German machine gun fire. He is buried in the Devonshire Cemetery at Mametz (grave A7).  His headstone reads ‘Proud and Loving Memories of One of England’s Best. Sleep on Dear Son’.  He is remembered on the Howard Gardens War Memorial plaque and also on a Roll of Honour of unknown origin. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. 

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Names from the WWII memorial plaque:

 

IVOR WILLIAM ARNOLD

Sergeant (Navigator), 295 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Service Number 1254407)

Ivor William Arnold was born in Cardiff on 24th Apr 1913 to William Arnold, a shunter driver for Great Western Railways, and originally from Magor, Monmouthshire, and Beatrice Arnold nee Beazley, from Cardiff. Ivor may well have been born in 4 Spring Gardens Place, Roath, as that’s where his parents William and Beatrice were living at the time of the 1911 census.  He attended Howard Gardens secondary school from 1925-29.  Ivor married Florence Mable Slee in Cardiff in 1936.  In 1939 they were living in 10 Gelligaer Gardens, Cathays and Ivor is working as a railway clerk. They have a son together in 1941.  Ivor joins the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and is a navigator but is killed in action on 19 Feb 1943 aged 29. The plane he was navigating, Whitley ND538,  was involved in a raid on three electricity transformers at Distre, near Saemur, France when it was hit by anti-aircraft fire. He and the other crew are buried at Saemur Communal Cemetery. His probate record from later in 1943 records his address as having been 157 Treharris Street, Roath. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

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EUSTACE THOMAS ARNOTT

Aircraftman 1st Class, 111 Squadron, RAF (Service Number 532387)

Eustace Thomas Arnott was born on 17th July 1918 in Cardiff to Sidney John Arnott, who worked in the steel mills, and Mary Louisa Arnott nee Davis, both from Cardiff. Eustace was probably born at 112 Moorland Road, Splott where the Arnott family lived at the time of the 1911 census and the 1939 register.  He attended Howard Gardens high school from 1930-33.  He joins the RAF and in the 1939 register appears in London with other RAF personnel and entered as Aircraftman 1st Class Thomas E Arnott, 111 Squadron, which was a squadron flying hurricanes.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record states he died on 25 Jun 1940 with no details of where he died. He would have been 21.  Another source records him and thirty other RAF personnel being lost when the ocean liner RMS Lancastia was sunk off Saint-Nazaire on 17 Jun 1940 evacuating 6000 people from France. He is remembered on the RAF Runnymede Memorial in Surrey.

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GEORGE WILLIAM FREDERICK BAKER

Sergeant, 106 Squadron, Royal Air Force (Service Number: 570635)

George William Frederick Baker was born in Cardiff in 1921 to David John Baker, a blast furnace man working at Currans Foundry, and originally from Cardiff and Catherine Baker née Beedell, originally from Bristol.  In the 1921 Census the Baker family were living at 8 Victoria Road, Whitchurch, Cardiff. His two siblings died in infancy leaving George as the only child.  He attended Howard Gardens School and passed his entrance exams into the RAF in 1936.  In Sept 1940 he married Joan Mary Wright of in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.  His address at the time was given as 6 Coveny St, Splott. They went on to have a son, Ian, together. He was killed in action on 30 Mar 1943 aged 22. He was Flight Engineer aboard Avro Lancaster ED596 when it was shot down. They had taken off from RAF Syerston, Nottinghamshire and were heading for Berlin on a bombing raid.  He is buried at Lichtenvoorde General Cemetery, Netherlands (grave 25).  Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. He is remembered on the Howard Gardens High School war memorial plaque and the Chesham War Memorial.

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STANLEY JAMES BAKER

Aircraftman 2nd Class, 211 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Service Number: 927430)

Stanley James Baker was born in Cardiff on 28 Dec 1912 at 40 Habershon Street, Splott to Charles Baker, a stevedore labourer at Spillers Flour Mill, originally from Ilminstrer, Somerset, and Bessie Cozens Baker née Salter, originally from Wellington, Somerset. Stanley was baptised at St Saviour’s Church on 23 Jan 1913. In the 1921 census the Baker family were living at 62 Greenhill Street, East Moors. He went on to attend Howard Gardens High School. In 1936 he married Ellen Agatha MacCarthy who had grown up in the Vulcan public house on Adam Street where her father was licensee. Stanley and Ellen lived at 39 Stacey Road and went on to have two daughters and a son together. Stanley worked on the editorial staff of the Western Mail and Echo as a journalist. On 4 May 1940 he arrived in Liverpool on board the steamship Corrales, with his profession listed as a fireman. He enlisted with the RAF Volunteer Reserve the following month in Uxbridge and served as an Aircraftman 2nd Class with 211 Squadron. He was taken prisoner by the Japanese in Java. He was killed at sea on 8 Nov 1944 on Board Transport 125 as a result of an air raid, aged 31.  He is remembered on the Singapore Memorial at Kranji War Cemetery. He is also remembered on the Howard Gardens High School memorial plaque and listed on the Western Mail Roll of Honour. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.   

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LEONARD BALICH

Sergeant, 576 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Service Number: 1531807)

Leonard Balich was born in Cardiff on 18 Dec 1920 to John Ivan Balich, a mariner and cafe keeper originally from Sebernice, Dalmatia (modern-day Croatia), and Elizabeth Jane Balich née Tustin, a cafe keeper, originally from Cardiff. The Balich family lived at 27 Caroline Street where their cafe was situated.  Leonard attended Howard Gardens High School and then went on to be plumber’s labourer. In 1942 he married Pauline Hilda Douglas in Cardiff. In WWII he served as a Sergeant with 576 Squadron of the Royal Air Force. He was killed on 20 Dec 1943 aged 23.  He is buried at Heverlee War Cemetery, Belgium (grave 5.B.4).  The Avro Lancaster he was flying in took off from Elsham Wolds, Lincolnshire heading for a bombing mission over Frankfurt. It is was shot down northeast of Liege, Belgium resulting in the loss of all seven crewmen.  He is remembered on the Howard Gardens war memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.

 

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CLIFFORD EVAN COX

Chief Engineer Officer, S.S. King Gruffydd, Merchant Navy

Clifford Evan Cox was born on 6 Dec 1901 in Cardiff to Thomas Cox, an interstocking fitter on the railways, originally from Cardiff, and Cecilia Annie Cox nee Salisbury, originally from Paddington, London.  He was baptised at St John the Baptist church in Feb 1902. The Cox family lived at 57 Cathays Terrace and Clifford attended Gladstone Elementary School before going on to Howard Gardens Municipal Secondary School.  After leaving school he worked in an office. He married Olive Edwina Roberts in at Woodville Road Baptist church on 17 Jan 1931 by which time he was already serving as an engineer in the merchant navy. They lived at 23 Heathwood Grove and it appears they had at least one child together. Clifford served as chief engineer officer aboard steamship King Gruffydd.  The King Gruffydd was part of a trans-Atlantic convey which was attacked by a U-boat on 17 Mar 1943 and sunk mid-Atlantic. Of the 49 crew, 24 were killed and 25 rescued. Clifford Evan Cox was drowned aged 42. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. He is also remembered on the Howardian School memorial board and the Woodville Road Baptist church memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. His wife Olive died in 1991 having been a member of Woodville Road Baptist church for 71 years.

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SIDNEY FELMAN

Flight Sergeant (Wireless Op./Air Gunner), 57th Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve

Sid Felman was born on 9th July 1917 to David Felman, a bullion buyer, and Jany Felman née Malamid. He attended Howard Gardens school.  In 1939 the family were living at 7 Wordsworth Avenue, Roath with Sidney working as a canvasser.  The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record for Sidney record the family address as being Penylan so they may well have moved in the early years of the war.   He was on board the a Wellington bomber R1437 which was shot down and crashed, at Rholderfehn, Germany, on 10th Apr 1941. He was aged 22.  He is buried at the Rheinberg War Cemetery, Nordrhein-Westfalen, in Germany (Grave17.C.I) and date of death recorded as the date he and the crew went missing.

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STANLEY CLIFFORD GRIFFITHS

Flight Sergeant, 18th Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Service Number: 1653585)

Clifford Stanley Griffiths was born on 17 Sep 1923 in Cardiff to Charles William Morgan Griffiths, a Marine Engineer, originally from Newport, and Abigail Griffiths née Webb, originally from Bristol.  He grew up at 53 Broadway, Roath and attended Howard Gardens school.  His father died in France in 1928 when he was Chief Engineer on the steamship Maud Llewellyn when Stanley was just five years old.  After leaving school Stanley was employed by Spillers Ltd.  In the WWII he joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and became a Flight Sergeant with the 18th Squadron.  He was killed aged 22 in a flying accident when his plane, a Boston IV, flew Into the sea in fog off Salonika, Greece during a mail delivery sortie on 22 Dec 1945. He is buried at the Phaleron War Cemetery, Athens (grave 21. E. 13.). He is remembered on the Howardian War Memorial board.  Commonwealth War Craves Commission record.  His older brother Charles Joffre Griffiths also served in the RAF and was killed in action in Libya in 1942.

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ROBERT CHARLES PITCON

Flight Sergeant (Air Gunner), 635 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve  (Service Number: 1653141)

Robert Charles Pitcon was born in Splott, Cardiff in 1924 to Claud Pitcon, a dock labourer, originally from Falmouth, Cornwall, and Minnie May Pitcon née Wills, originally from Cardiff.  He attended Splott Road school and then Howard Gardens school. After moving from Splott the family lived at 4 Penywain Road, Roath Park. He served with the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve  and was promoted to Flight Sergeant.  He died on 26 Aug 1944 aged 20. His Pathfinder Avro Lancaster III (ND950) took off from Downham Market, Norfolk heading for Kiel, Germany.  It crashed at Struxdorf, Germany, killing four including Picton.  The cause is unknown.  The pilot Lionel Wheble survived.  The casualties were originally buried at Struxdorf, near the Denmark border, before being relocated to Kiel War Cemetery, Germany (Grave 4.E.4) in 1947.  He is remembered on the Howard Gardens High School War memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.