For casualties whose surnames begin with other letters of the alphabet please visit the main Roath Virtual War Memorial page.
JAMES HENRY RADCLIFT
Sub-Lieutenant. Royal Navy. HMS Glorious.
James Henry Radclift as born in 1915 to Thomas Henry Radclift, a plumber, originally from Bideford, Devon and Eva Norman Radclift née Fry, originally from Instow, Devon. The family lived in Tewkesbury Street, Cathays. Thomas Radclift died when James was only 11 and his mother Eva went onto remarry Arthur Melhuish a few years later. James Henry Radclift joined the navy and was a Sub-Lieutenant serving on the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious when it was sunk in the Norwegian Sea on 8th June 1940 with the loss of 1,200 lives. He was 25 years old. The story of the sinking of HMS Glorious and her two escort ships is told here by Friends of Cathays Cemetery. James Radclift is remembered on the grave of his parents in Section G of Cathays Cemetery. He is also remembered on the Naval Memorial at Lee-on-Solent, Hampshire (Bay 1, Panel 3). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record (note surname is mis-spelt).
ARTHUR REES
Driver, “B” Battery. 2nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Service Number: 156910)
Arthur Rees was born in Splott in 1896 to Thomas Rees, a coal trimmer, originally from Llantrisant, and Gwenllian Rees née Bowen, originally from Pendoylan, Glamorgan. The family lived at 11 Eyre Street, Splott and spoke both Welsh and English and attended Ainon Baptist church on Walker Road. In 1911 Arthur worked as an insurance clerk. He also worked for the West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company in Cardiff before he joined up. He served as a Diver in the Royal Field Artillery. In Dec 1917 the Western Mail reported that he had been injured. He was killed on the Western Front in France on 26 Oct 1918 aged 22. He is buried at Bertry Communal Cemetery (plot C.5). He is remembered on the Ainon Baptist Church memorial plaque currently in Redeemer Church, Railway Street. His name also appears on the Splott War Memorial. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. His brother Thomas Rees also served in WWI after joining up in Montreal, Canada where he had been working as a hospital attendant. A picture of Arthur and Thomas together in their uniforms appeared in the Western Mail in Jan 1916.
ERIC MONTAGUE REES
Second Lieutenant, 6th Battalion attached to 13th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers
Eric Montague Rees was born in Penarth on 9 Mar 1897 to Edward William Rees, originally from Aberdare and a commercial traveller for a vinegar, pickles and jams company and Mary Elizabeth Rees, originally from Newtown, Montgomeryshire. By 1901 the Rees family were living at 24 Connaught Road, Roath. Eric attended Marlborough Road school before going on to Cardiff High School in 1908. In 1911 the Rees family had moved to nearby 11 Connaught Road. In 1913, he began studying at the South Wales and Monmouthshire School of Mines at Treforest. Eric went out to the Western Front with the 21st Battalion (4th Public Schools) Royal Fusiliers on 14 Nov 1915 when he was only 18. He was commissioned in the Royal Fusiliers on 25 Jun 1918. Attached to the 13th Battalion, Second Lieutenant Eric Rees was killed in action, aged 21, in the Second Battle of Le Cateau during the Battles of the Hindenburg Line on 9 Oct 1918. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial to the Missing, France. Although his death announcement in the local press refers to Eric having a Military Cross, no reference to this has been found in the records and Eric is not shown as having the Military Cross in the Commonwealth War Graves Register. His parents were living at Ty Gwent, 24 Lon-y-dail, Rhiwbina by 1918. He is remembered on a number of war memorial plaques: Cardiff High School, Cardiff University, School of Mines war memorial located at the University of South Wales at Treforest and the Clifton Street Welsh Wesleyan Methodist church. He is also remembered on the grave of his grandparents at Wimborne Road cemetery, Bornemouth, Dorset. Commonweath War Graves Commission record.
ARTHUR REES
Driver, “B” Battery. 2nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (Service Number: 156910)
Arthur Rees was born in Splott in 1896 to Thomas Rees, a coal trimmer, originally from Llantrisant, and Gwenllian Rees née Bowen, originally from Pendoylan, Glamorgan. The family lived at 11 Eyre Street, Splott and spoke both Welsh and English and attended Ainon Baptist church on Walker Road. In 1911 Arthur worked as an insurance clerk. He also worked for the West Hartlepool Steam Navigation Company in Cardiff before he joined up. He served as a Diver in the Royal Field Artillery. In Dec 1917 the Western Mail reported that he had been injured. He was killed on the Western Front in France on 26 Oct 1918 aged 22. He is buried at Bertry Communal Cemetery (plot C.5). He is remembered on the Ainon Baptist Church memorial plaque currently in Redeemer Church, Railway Street. His name also appears on the Splott War Memorial. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. His brother Thomas Rees also served in WWI after joining up in Montreal, Canada where he had been working as a hospital attendant. A picture of Arthur and Thomas together in their uniforms appeared in the Western Mail in Jan 1916.
MAVIS DORA REES
Civilian casualty
Mavis Rees, aged 9, was injured when a bomb fell on 12 Penylan Road in the final bombing raid on Cardiff. She died the next day at the Royal Infirmary. She was born on 19th April 1934 and daughter of Dora Rees née Wing and William J Rees. She is buried at Cathays Cemetery, Plot EO 2354. She is remembered on the Albany Road Baptist Church war memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. Her story is told here: Pen-y-lan Road blitz victims
RICHARD HENRY REES
Private, 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Service Number 25558)
Richard Henry Rees was born on 21 Oct 1895 in Swansea to Richard Rees, a gamekeeper, and Lillian Rees nee Bohn, both originally from Swansea. He was baptised at Christ Church, Swansea on 8 Jan 1896 when the family were living at Graig Street. By 1901 they had moved to Newton Nottage, Porthcawl. They were still there in 1911 when 15 year old Richard was working as an errand boy. He joined the 17th battalion, Welsh Regiment on 2 Jan 1915 but only served two week before being discharged due to illness, the reason given – not being considered likely to become an efficient soldier. He was issued with a Silver Badge on 4 Jan 1917 exempting him from further military service on account of illness. He died on 19 Sep 1922 aged 26 at the Red Cross Hospital, Newport Road, Cardiff. He was buried at Newton Nottage parish church on 23 Sep 1922. He is remembered on the Red Cross Memorial at St Edward church, Pen-y-lan, Cardiff.
DANIEL REGAN
Able Seaman, SS Fort Lac La Rouge, Merchant Navy
Daniel Regan was born on 8 Jan 1907 in Cardiff to Flurance Regan, originally from Cardiff and a dock labourer at a patent fuel company, and Sarah Regan née Holland, originally from Liverpool. In 1911 the Regan family were living at 13 North William Street. Daniel married Philomena Sullivan in 1929 in Cardiff and they had four children together but she tragically died in 1937. In 1939 Daniel was living at 3 Ellen Street and working as a docks labourer. In WWII he joined the Merchant Navy and served as a Fireman and Trimmer on the SS Fort Lac La Rouge. It is believed Daniel contracted malaria in an African port while the ship loaded a cargo of much needed food stuffs. After his condition worsened on board Daniel was transferred to hospital at Methil, Scotland but unfortunate did not survive the night. He died on 17 April 1944 aged 37. He is buried at Methilmill Cemetery, Wemyss, Fifeshire (Sec.T. Grave 74 Middle). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
BRUCE CARLTON RICHARDS
Lieutenant, 113th Battery, 25th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
Bruce Carlton Richards was born in Cardiff on 22 Oct 1890 to David Lloyd Richards, a commercial traveller for a printing and paper company, originally from Cardigan, and Elizabeth Richards née Earl, originally from Cardiff. He was baptised at St John’s church on 11 Feb 1894. At the time of the 1891, 1901 and 1911 census the Richards family lived at 72 Richards Terrace in Roath after which they moved to Courtfield, 156 Newport Rd. He attended Tredegarvillle School then Marlborough Road Primary School before going on to Cardiff high School for Boys in 1904 till 1907. When war broke out, he was employed as a clerk at the Cardiff timber importers Robinson, David and Co. He enlisted in the Territorials in Sep 1914 and served initially as a gunner in the 2nd Welsh Brigade, Royal Field Artillery. He applied for a commission in Jan 1915 and joined the Inns of Court OTC at Berkhamsted on 28 Aug 1915. He was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery on 16 Nov 1915 and was posted to Woolwich. He went out to the Western Front on 7 Apr 1916 and served in actions on the Somme, Scarpe, Vimy Ridge and Wytschaete. After a short period of leave in mid-1917, he returned to his unit in the 1st Division and participated in the fighting in the dunes of Flanders. On the 10 Jul 1917, the Germans began an intense bombardment followed by an attack on Nieuport. Whilst acting as a forward observation officer, his trench was caught by heavy shellfire and he was buried for some time. Badly wounded, he was rescued but died shortly before reaching an advanced dressing station. Bruce Richards died of wounds received in the Defence of Nieuport, aged 26, on 10 Jul 1917. He is buried in Ramscappelle Road Military Cemetery, St. George’s, Belgium (II.D.3). He is also commemorated on the Cardiff High School war memorial, St. Margaret’s Church Roath and St. Edward’s Church Roath war memorials. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
JAMES RILEY
Able Seaman, S.S. Magdalena, Merchant Navy
James Riley was born on the Caribbean island of St Lucia on 22 Jun 1890. He married Edith Emily Davies in 1924 in Cardiff. In the 1939 Register they lived at 185 Bute Street and James worked as a grocer’s assistant. In WWII he served as an able seaman on board S.S. Magdalena. James died, assumed drowned, on 18 Sep 1940, aged 44, when the S.S. Magdalena was hit by a torpedo in the north Atlantic south of Iceland. It was part of a convoy and had been carrying 4600 tons of iron ore. The master, all 29 crew members and one gunner were lost. He is remembered on the Tower Hill Memorial, London. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
WILLIAM JAMES RING
Private, 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers (Service Number: 39219)
William James Ring was born in Cardiff in 1892 to William Ring, a mariner, originally from Bristol and Elizabeth Ring née Nicholas, originally from Cardiff. In 1901 the Ring family lived at 38 Augusta Street, Adamsdown. His father died in Cardiff in 1906 and in 1911 William was living with his widowed mother at 54 Theodora Street, Roath and working as a lampman on the railways. In WWI William served as a Private initially with the Monmouthshire regiment before transferring to the South Wales Borderers. He was killed in action on 4 Jul 1917 on the Western Front near Ypres aged 25. He is buried at the Belgian Battery Corner Cemetery (grave I. C. 17). He was remembered on the Roath Road Wesleyan Methodist Chapel Memorial (now lost). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
ALEXANDER ALFRED CHARLES ROBERTSON
Private, 11th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment (Service Number: 45132)
Alexander Alfred Charles Robertson was born in Worcester in 1876 to Alexander Robertson, a plumber, originally from Glasgow and Eliza Ann Robertson née Clark, originally from Gloucester. He was baptised in Droitwich on 13 Aug 1876. In 1881 the Robertson family were living in the village of Hanley Castle, Worcestershire. Alexander’s father died in 1883. In the 1891 census he was living at the Royal Albert Orphanage in Worcester aged 15 along with his brother James, aged 12. In the 1901 census he is a border living in Stockport and working as a printer compositor. In 1905 he married Marie Wareing in Chorlton, Lancashire and they go on to have a daughter Dorothy Mary Alice Robertson born in Northampton in 1909. In the 1911 census they are living at 14 Kerr Street, Northampton with Alexander working as a jobbing compositor. They move to Cardiff where Alexander enlists and they lived at 84 Inverness Place, Roath. In WWI he served as Private with the 11th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment. He was killed in France on 27 Mar 1918 aged 42. He is remembered on the Pozieres Memorial (Panel 48-49). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
JAMES ROCKEY
Private. 648th Military Transport Company, Army Service Corps (Service Number M/283912)
James Rockey was born in the summer of 1898 and lived his early years in the Canton area. He was the youngest son of James Rockey, a Coal Inspector, originally from Torrington, Devon and Annie Rockey née Lewis. By 1911 the family were living on Newport Road. James worked at the engineers yard of Cardiff Railway Company before enlisting and serving with the 648th Military Transport Company of the Army Service Corps in East Africa. Their role appears to have been artillery support. The East Africa Campaign, much of it based around the old German East Africa, the area that now includes modern Tanzania, was seen as a diversionary tactic aiming to draw allied resources away from the Western Front in Europe. Many lives were lost not just in fighting but also through disease as troops succumbed to malaria and other infections. James died on 18th November 1918, a week after the armistice had been signed in France. He is buried at the Nakuru North cemetery (plot 27) in Kenya. At the time of his death the Rockey family lived at 218 Newport Road. The announcement in the Western Mail at the time regarding his death finishes with the line ‘The end of a perfect life’. He is remembered on the WWI Memorial plaque at St Edwards Church in Penylan and on the Cardiff Railway Workers roll of honour which is in the Pierhead building in Cardiff Bay. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
ARTHUR ROGERS
Second Lieutenant, 1st/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Arthur Rogers was born in Llanwnda, Caernarvonshire in 1897, the only child of Rev John Rogers, a Calvinistic Methodist Minister and one time examiner in Greek and history at Bala Theological College, originally from Bersham, Denbighshire and Annie Ellen Rogers née Roberts originally from Bala, Merionethshire. In 1901 the Rogers family were living at Minawel, Llanwnda. His father passed away in 1903. In 1911 Arthur was living at Bronwylfa, Bala with his widowed mother and attending Bala Grammar School where he captained the football team and held the school record for the 100 yds sprint. He and his mother moved to 34 Colum Road, Cardiff and Arthur worked at the Atlas Assurance Company Ltd. He enlisted with the 6th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Nov 1915 and was posted to Egypt on 14 Dec 1916. His mention on WWI Wales Bala War Memorial page describes how he was attached to 158 Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division who helped guard the Suez Canal before taking part in operations to drive the Turks out of the Sinai. The EEF then turned its attention onto driving the Turks out of Palestine, and on 26 Mar1917 launched its first offensive against the coastal city of Gaza, which guarded the road to Jerusalem. Initial gains during the day were lost when the assaulting divisions lost touch with each other and communication broke down when a thick fog cloaked the battlefield. Arthur was killed in action during the fighting that day. He was aged 20 and is buried at Gaza War Cemetery (plot II.C.11.) He is remembered on the Pembroke Terrace Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel WWI War Memorial in Cardiff as well as the Bala War Memorial. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
FREDERICK GEORGE ALEC ROGERS
Petty Officer Stoker, HMS Lapwing, Royal Navy (Service Number: D/KX 79373)
Frederick George Alec Rogers was born on 16 Dec 1901 in Cardiff to William Rogers, a labourer, originally from Bristol, and Rose Selena Rogers nee Hill originally from Kilmersdon, Somerset. In 1911 the Rogers were living at 43 Theodora Street, Roath before later moving to 161 Cairns St, Cathays (later re-named Rhymney Street). He attended Crwys Road school and on leaving worked for Great Western Railways. He joined the Royal Navy in 1921. In 1927 he married Olive Ellen Hole, a waitress from Bristol at Brislington, Bristol. They went on to have two sons together, Raymond and Frederick, and continued to live at 161 Rhymney Street. He served 26 years in the Royal Navy before he lost his life on 20 Mar 1945 aged 43, when HMS Lapwing was sunk. HMS Lapwing was escorting part of the Russian Convoy JW 65 to Murmansk, when she was torpedoed by the German submarine U-968. Lapwing was hit amidships she sank within 20 minutes with the loss of 158 lives. 61 men were rescued. Some of the survivors of HMS Lapwing recall their experiences on this BBC WWII People’s War page. Frederick Rogers is remembered on the Plymouth Naval War Memorial (panel 94, col 3). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
WILLIAM HENRY ROUNSEFELL
Bombardier, Royal Field Artillery (Service Number 148351)
William Henry Rounsefell was born in Devon in early 1889 to William Rounsefell, a farm labourer originally from Lapford, Devon and Olivia Rounsefell née Alford originally from Winkleigh, Devon. The family lived at Kelland Cottage in Lapford in 1911 and William Henry was working as a horseman on a farm. He joins the Royal Artillery and sails form Southampton to Alexandria, Egypt in October 1916. He falls ill in early 1918 and his records indicate he had malaria at one stage. He is sent home from Alexandria on board Hospital Ship Wandilla in Oct 1918. He died of nephritis and pneumonia at Albany Road military hospital, Cardiff, on 14 Dec 1918 aged 30. He is buried at Lapford Congregational Churchyard, Devon. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
ARTHUR LESLIE ROWE
Chief Engineer, S.S.Bagdale
Tower Hill Memorial – SS Bagdale (pic credit http://www.benjidog.co.uk)
Authur Leslie Rowe was born in Cardiff on 2 Jul 1888 to Edwin Rowe, a steamship owner and broker, originally from Fowey, Cornwall and Mary Brayley Rowe née Stevens, originally from Swansea. He was a grandson of Peter Rowe, who founded the Cardiff ship-owning firm of Peter Rowe and Sons. In 1891 the Rowe family were living at 160 Newport Road and in 1901 at 195 Newport Road. Arthur attended Cardiff High School for Boys from 20 Jan 1899 until the spring of 1905. He served in the Mercantile Marine for about six years. Arthur Rowe drowned, aged 28, when his armed merchant transport was sunk in the English Channel by a submarine thirteen miles from Creac’h Point, Brittany on 1 May 1917. SS Bagdale was on a voyage from the Clyde to Nantes with coal. Twenty-three lives were lost. Arthur is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial to the Missing, London. He is also commemorated on the Cardiff High School war memorial, Cardiff Masonic Lodge war memorial and on the Broadway Wesleyan Methodist Church war memorial (relocated to Trinity Methodist Church, Four Elms Road). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
EDWIN VIVIAN ROWE
Second Lieutenant, 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Service Number 61566)
Edwin Vivian Rowe was born in Woodlands Terrace, Swansea in Mar 1881 to Edwin Rowe, a steamship owner and broker, originally from Fowey, Cornwall and Mary Brayley Rowe née Stevens, originally from Swansea. Sometime in the next ten years they moved to Newport Road, Cardiff. His father died in 1905 and Edwin himself became a steamship owner and broker. In 1907 he married Elsie Baker Fox, at Roath Road Wesleyan Church. They lived at 65 Richmond Road and went on to have two children, Charles Edwin Vivian b.1909 and Dorothy Mary Vivian b.1915. It appears Edwin was a volunteer in the Glamorgan Imperial Yeomanry and qualified in musketry in 1902 and then took part in miniature rifle shooting competitions representing Cardiff Exchange in 1906. In WWI he served with the 13th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He was killed in action on 1 Sep 1918 on the Western Front aged 37. He has no known burial place. He is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France. He is also remembered on the Broadway Methodist war memorial plaque, Cardiff Coal Exchange war memorial and the Cardiff Masonic Hall war memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. His brother Arthur Leslie Rowe was also killed in WWI. His son Charles Rowe studied law and went on to become the Town Clerk of Northampton.
WILLIAM ALFRED ROWE
Private, 3rd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Service Number: 242541)
Headstone at Cathays Cemetery
William Alfred Rowe was born in Cardiff in 1897 to Edward John Goodman Rowe, a granite mason, originally from Constantine, Cornwall and Frances Minnie Rowe née Bridgman, originally from Bideford, Devon. William was baptised at St Dyfig’s church in on 18 Apr 1899 when the family were living at 12 Bedwas Street, Grangetown. William’s father died in early 1901 and at the time of the 1901 census William and his mother and brother were living at 19 Robert Street, Cathays. By 1911 they had moved to 104 Portmanmoor Road, Splott and William, aged 14, was working as a messenger and general utility lad at the iron and steel works. He was later employed as a fitter at a wagon works. He enlisted in 1914 and served with the Welsh Horse Yeomanry (service number 14019) before transferring to the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He served with the British Expeditionary Force in 1915 and is described as having very good character, a steady worker, honest and industrious man. In Aug 1915 he suffered a gunshot wound to the left hand when serving in France which left him partially incapacitated. He married Hilda Ada Smart in Kentish Town, London on 10 Feb 1917. He was discharged from the army on 1 Aug 1917. His son, William Edward Rowe, was born on 10 May 1918 in Kings Road, St Pancras, London. On the birth certificate it states William Alfred Rowe was working as an Engineer’s Fitter. He died on 12 Dec 1918 back home in Cardiff at 104 Portmanmoor Road from pulmonary tuberculosis, aged 21. He is buried at Cathays Cemetery (plot S2859). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
GERALD EDGAR RULE
Private, 14th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Service Number: 35218)
Gerald Edgar Rule was born on 17 Sep 1895 in Cardiff, one of eight children born to Davey Edwards Rule, a master mariner, and Honor Rule nee Bryant, both originally from Hayle, Cornwall. The Rule family were living at 15 Claude Road in the 1901 census but Davey Rule died on 2 Aug 1901 leaving Honor Rule to raise the family. Gerald attended Marlborough Road Junior School from Aug 1903 having already attended the infant department. In 1909 they were living at 26 Bangor Street. They leave Cardiff shortly afterwards and in the 1911 census we find 15 year old Gerald, a commercial student, living in Leyton, Essex with his mother and married sister Honor Stevens. He went on to work as an audit clerk. Gerald enlisted in London in Dec 1915 with the 18th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers before going to France on 20 May 1915. He was killed in action in on 4 Aug 1917 aged 21 whilst serving with the 14th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He is buried at the Cement House Cemetery, Belgium (grave V.C.3) with the grave inscription ‘Beyond, a brighter hope, a fair tomorrow, a better land’. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
JOHN CHARLES RUSSELL
Corporal, Army Pay Corps (Service Number: 16254)
John ‘Jack’ Charles Russell was born in Cardiff in 1890 to Charles Russell, a railway goods carman, originally from Upleadon, Gloucestershire and Emily Russell née Plaistead, originally from Elton, Gloucestershire. In 1891 the Russell family lived at 23 Zinc Street, Adamsdown, in 1901 at 34 Eyre Street, Splott and in 1911 at 81 Glenroy Street, Roath by which time Jack was working as bookkeeper for a brewery company. He enlisted on 5 Feb 1916 with the Army Pay Corps when living at 65 Inverness Place. One document appears to associate him with the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. He was discharged due to sickness on 2 Apr 1919. He died at Glan-Ely TB Hospital, St Fagans Road, Fairwater on 21 Dec 1919 of pulmonary phthisis (TB), aged 29. He is buried at Cathays Cemetery (plot Q.1793A). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. A pedestal CWGC marker was added to the grave in 2025.
LEIGHTON GEORGE RYMAN
Civilian Casualty
Leighton George Ryman was born in Cardiff on 26 Aug 1930 to William Thomas Henry Ryman, a lorry driver and RAF motor cyclist, and Katura Mabel Ryman née Scadding, both originally from Cardiff. At the time of the 1939 Register, the Ryman family was living at 147 Richmond Road. Layton was one of the 90 British children aboard the SS City of Benares, part of a Children’s Overseas Reception Board plan to evacuate British civilian children to Canada. The City of Benares also transported civilian passengers; on the night of September 17, 1940, she was carrying 407 souls. 250 miles from Rockall, the City of Benares was spotted by a German U-48 submarine. It fired three torpedoes at her; the first two missed their mark, while the third struck her in the stern. In the frantic minutes which followed, passengers scrambled to escape, while the CORP escorts tried desperately to save their child charges. Lifeboats overturned and were engulfed in the water. It took just 30 minutes for the SS City of Benares to vanish beneath the waves. Many passengers who did not go down with her died later of exposure in the lifeboats, during the long wait for the lifeboats to be rescued. 260 people were lost in the sinking of the Benares; of the 90 child evacuees, only 13 survived the sinking. Layton was nine years old. He either drowned in the sinking of the ship, or died of exposure in the lifeboats afterwards. The newspaper reports that Mrs Ryman had only just come out of hospital a short time ago, just in time to see Leighton off. Both his father and brother William Royston Ryman served in the RAF during WWII which together with the fact that his mother was in hospital probably explains why he was being evacuated to Canada. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record (where his first name is spelt Layton). Leighton is remembered on the Trinity Methodist Church WWII Roll of Honour. His brother William Royston Ryman was killed in 1944 in the RAF.
WILLIAM ROYSTON RYMAN
Flight Sergeant, 274 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Service Number: 1314783)
William Royston Ryman was born in Cardiff on 28 Jul 1923 to William Thomas Henry Ryman, a lorry driver and RAF motor cyclist, and Katura Mabel Ryman née Scadding, both originally from Cardiff. At the time of the 1939 Register, the Ryman family were living at 147 Richmond Road. In 1943 he married Lilian Ivy Brown, originally from Newport, in Cardiff and they lived in Roath Park. He enlisted in Oxford and served as a Flight Sergeant in 274 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was killed on 13 Aug 1944 when the Tempest V aircraft he was flying flew into a hill northwest of Elham near Canterbury, Kent in poor visibility during a diver patrol. He was 21 years old. He is buried at Cathays Cemetery (grave EJ 142). He is remembered in the Trinity Methodist Church WWII Roll of Honour. He is also remembered on the Newport Cenotaph. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. His young brother Leighton Ryman was also killed in WWII.
Roath Local History Society 