CYRIL CADLE TAYLER
Lieutenant, 1st Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment, A.A.C. (Service Number 174387)
Cyril Cadle Tayler was born on 27 May 1920 in Cardiff to Herbert William Tayler, a managing director of a tobacconist, originally from Aldsworth, Gloucestershire, and Jessie Tayler from Lancashire. Cyril attended Cardiff High School for Boys on Newport Road, Cardiff and lived at 94 Colchester Avenue, Panylan, Cardiff. He was commissioned in the Royal Welch Fusiliers on 18 September 1942, and volunteered for airborne forces. He married Beryl Ward from Northleach, Gloucestershire in early 1944. Lieutenant Tayler successfully completed his glider pilot training and was posted to A Squadron, 1 Flight, 1st Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem). He was the pilot of Horsa glider CN140, which landed on the Johannahoeve on 19 September 1944. He was possibly wounded and taken POW. He died of his wounds on 20 September, aged 24, and was given a field burial in the German Military Cemetery at Grebbeberg, east of Rhenen and was re-interred to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery on 10 November 1945 (Ref: Para Data). He is remembered on the memorial plaques at St Edward’s church, Penylan, at St Peter & St Paul church, in Northleach, on Northleach village war memorial and a memorial stone on the family grave in Northleach cemetery. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
Top Rt: St Peter & St Paul church, in Northleach, Bottom Rt: Northleach War Memorial.
HARRY EDWARD TAYLOR
Leading Aircraftsman, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Harry Taylor was born on 20th October 1921. He lived at 38 Westville Road, Penylan with his parents Edward and Nettie Taylor. He died on 12th September 1940 after suffering multiple injuries including a fractured skull, wrist, jaw and ankle. A verdict of accidental death was returned in the inquest in Hull. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission record describes him as Leading Aircraftman (U/T Pilot) – undergoing training. He is buried at Llandaff Cemetery/memorial reference: Row 63. Grave 33.Ref: Hull Daily Mail 18 September 1940.
JOHN JELLICOE TAYLOR
Fireman and Trimmer, S.S. Harbury, Merchant Navy.
John Jellicoe Taylor was born on 1 Oct 1914 in Cardiff to John James Taylor, a dry docks worker from Cardiff who had served in the merchant navy in WWI and Mary Catherine Taylor nee O’Brien. He was a schoolboy boxing champion and later an amateur boxer and employed as a builders labourer. In 1936 he married Elizabeth Collins in Cardiff and in 1939 they lived at 22 Morgan Street, Adamsdown. They later lived at 74 Adam Street. They had four children together, a son who died in infancy and three daughters. In WWII he was a fireman and trimmer in the Merchant Navy. He died on 4 May 1943 aged 28 when the S.S.Harbury was sunk after being hit by a torpedo. The Harbury was sailing in a convoy from Milford Haven to St John’s, New Brunswick, Canada loaded with anthracite and a crew of 51. It sank in the North Atlantic about three quarters of the way to Canada. Eighteen of the crew were lost and the remainder rescued and taken to St John’s. He is remembered on the Tower Hill memorial, London. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
ALFRED THOMAS
Private, Expeditionary Forces Canteens, Army Service Corps (Service Number: A/257469)
Alfred Thomas headstone at St Mellons (photo and research: Lis Rowe)
Alfred Thomas was born on 9 Aug 1883 in St Mellons to Thomas Thomas, a coal trimmer originally from Llangatock, Monmouthshire and Hannah Thomas nee Williams originally from Langstone, Monmouthshire. Alfred was the youngest of five children and his father sadly died when he was just eleven. In 1901 Alfred is working as a postman, living with his widowed mother in St Mellons. By 1911 Alfred is working as a plateman in the Park Hotel in Cardiff, living on the premises. That same year he marries Beatrice Alice Kilby from Stauton, Gloucestershire. They had probably met when she was working in service at St Mellons. They lived at 179 Pearl Street, Roath. Alfred enlisted in the Army Service Corps but tragedy strikes when his wife Beatrice dies on 7 Sep 1916. Alfred was sent abroad shortly afterwards to work with the Expeditionary Forces Canteens. Although this was a non-combative role the men of the EFC often found themselves acting as stretcher-bearers and their canteens doubling up as medical centres. After a year of service in France, he was admitted to hospital and then invalided home with heart disease which was attributed entirely to his war service. He died three months later, on 7 April 1918, at the age of 34, and was buried with his wife in St Mellons churchyard. He is remembered on the war memorial in St Mellons. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
DAVID JOHN THOMAS
Private, 13th Battalion, The King’s (Liverpool Regiment). (Service Number 20656)
David John Thomas was born on 11 May 1875 in Upper George Street, Cathays (later renamed Wyeverne Road). His parents were Frederick George Thomas, a shoemaker, originally from Taunton, Somerset, and Emily Thomas nee Gainey, from Cardiff. He was baptised in St John’s church on 16 Jun 1875. He married Jane Barnes, originally from Llanelli, on 17 May 1896 at St Paul’s church, Grangetown. They went on to have eight children. David worked at the Bute Spring Works. The family lived initially in Janet Street and later at 29 Ordell Street. He enlisted in Cardiff on 22 Sep 1914 aged 34 and after training embarked for France on 26 Sep 1915. He served in The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) and was killed in action at the Battle of Somme, Bazentin Ridge, France on 14 Jul 1916 aged 36. The sergeant of his platoon wrote to Jane Thomas saying ‘your husband was a good worker and whenever there was anything to be done he was always the first to be there…He used to look after the boys of his platoon just like a father looks after his children’. He has no known grave but is remembered on the Thiepval Memorial at Somme, France (Pier and Face 1 D 8 B and 8 C). He is also remembered on the Splott War Memorialat St Saviour’s church. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
EDGAR THOMAS
Lance Serjeant, 14th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Service Number: 56908)
Edgar Thomas was born in Cardiff in 1895 to Robert Thomas, a coal trimmer, originally from Cardiff and Sarah Jane Thomas née Sawyer, originally from Liverpool. Edgar was one of eight children. In 1901 the Thomas family were living at 38 Caroline Street in central Cardiff. By 1911 they had moved to 8 Harpur Street, off Penarth Road. Edgar, then aged 15, was working as a barber’s apprentice. He later worked as a glass beveller. He enlisted in Sep 1914 and served in the 14th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was reported wounded and missing on 31 Jul 1917 on the first day of the Battle of Passchendaele but is recorded as having died on 4 Aug 1917. He would have been aged 22. His records show he was awarded the Military Medal for bravery. He is buried at Cement House Cemetery, Belgium (grave XI. E. 25.). He is remembered on the Bethany Baptist church war memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
EMRYS JAMES THOMAS
Captain, 2nd Wing, Glider Pilot Regiment (Service Number 233883)
Headstone of Emrys Thomas (source: online-begraafplaatsen.nl)
Emrys James Thomas was born in Cardiff on 31 Jul 1915 to William Thomas and Margaret Thomas née Roberts. We don’t know much about his childhood but it seems he and his sister Elizabeth (Peggy) lived with their Aunt, Mary C Evans (nee Roberts) and Uncle, David Duncan Evans, at 212 Lake Road East, Roath Park, Cardiff, possibly indicating they were orphaned. In the 1939 Register Emrys is living/staying in Newport and working as a commercial traveller for a stationary company. He was commissioned in the Middlesex Regiment (Duke of Cambridge’s Own) and volunteered for airborne forces. He was awarded the Air Force Cross at Normandy. Emrys Thomas successfully completed his glider pilot training and was posted to F Squadron, 15 Flight as Officer Commanding, 1st Wing, The Glider Pilot Regiment, and took part in Operation Market Garden (Arnhem). Emrys Thomas was killed in action on 22 Sep 1944, aged 28, and was given a field burial in front of the Tafelberg Hotel, Oosterbeek, and re-interred to Arnhem Oosterbeek War Cemetery on 3 Sep 1945. He is remembered on the war memorial plaque at Park End Presbyterian church on Llandennis Road, Cardiff. Refs: ParaData and Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
ERIC KELVYN THOMAS
Trooper, 49th (West Riding) Regt, Reconnaissance Corps, R.A.C (Service Number 14401446)
Eric Kelvyn Thomas was born in 1925 in Cardiff to Ernest Edward Thomas, originally from Penarth and Louisa Jane Thomas née Smith, originally from Cadoxton. Eric’s father Ernest was a tram driver and had served in WWI in the Royal Engineers. The Thomas family lived at 20 May Street, Cathays. Eric served with the 49th (West Riding) Regt, Reconnaissance Corps (Royal Armoured Corps). He was killed in action on 26 Jan 1945 aged 19 in Holland. His body was reinterred at Jonkerbos War Cemetery in 1947, grave ref 7.G.6. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
RICHARD CEREDIG THOMAS
Pilot Officer, 235 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Service Number: 82731)
Richard Ceredig Thomas was born in early 1911 in Ton Pentre, Rhondda, to Rev John James Thomas, a church minister, originally from Eisteddfa Gurig, Ponterwyd, Cardiganshire, and Annie Thomas née Morgan originally from Rhyader, Radnorshire. Ceredig grew up in Cardiff where his father became minister at Crwys Hall in Cathays. He attended Cardiff High School. His father was a prominent member of the Forward Movement of churches and Secretary to SASWIN (South Wales Association of Presbyterian churches). In 1935 the Western Mail reported that SASWIN appealed to the Pope to summon a Conference of all Christian communities to renounce war. In Dec 1935 Ceredig became engaged to Mary Nansi Williams of Lady Mary Road, daughter of the late R.Trefor Williams OBE, Chief Inspector to the Minister of Health. Ceredig and Mary married in Cardiff in 1939. He joined the RAFVR about May 1939 as an Airman/Observer. He was called up on 1 Sep 1939, completed his training, was commissioned and joined 235 Squadron on 16 Aug 1940. He was one of the crew of Blenheim N3530 which failed to return from combat with enemy fighters over the English Channel on 9 Oct 1940 having taken off from RAF Thorney Island, West Sussex earlier. Richard Ceredig Thomas, aged 28, and Sgt. GE Keel were killed and the pilot, P/O JC Kirkpatrick, was reported missing. The body of Ceredig Thomas was later recovered and returned to Cardiff for burial at Cathays Cemetery (grave P1094). He was remembered on the Crwys Hall Roll of Honour (whereabouts unknown). Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. His CWGC record and his probate give his address as Llanover, Abergavenny, where his father was by then working as a minister. Ceredig’s widow Nansi later remarried and moved to Australia.
WILLIAM JOHN THOMAS
Private, 2nd (Welsh) Field Ambulance, Royal Army Medical Corps (Service Number: 1477)
William John Thomas was born in Radyr, Cardiff in 1893 to John Thomas, a railway worker, originally from Radyr, and Ester Annie Thomas née Noote, originally from Cardiff. In 1901 the was living at 44 Harriet Street, Cathays with his parents and brother and sister. In 1911 he was living at 56 Thesiger Street, Cathays with his step-mother Mary Thomas. Before the war he worked as a crane diver at the Dowlais-Cardiff steelworks. He joined the 2nd Welsh Field Ambulance before war began. He died in the Gallipoli of wounds received on 13 Aug 1915 aged 22. He is buried at Hill 10 Cemetery, Suvla, Gallipoli, Turkey (plot I. C. 12.). In 2021 a metal detectorist discovered an ID tag belonging to William Thomas in a field near Henley, Suffolk. The article says William Thomas served on the hospital ship HMS Sulva. The article also puts forward possibilities as to why his tag may have ended up in Suffolk saying it may have been lost when he might have been posted to Shrubland Hall, which is quite near to where it was found and was requisitioned as a military hospital or another theory is it may have been lost when he was visiting a girlfriend in the Cambridge area. He is remembered on the Dowlais-Cardiff Guest Keen & Nettlefolds war memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
ALFRED JOHN THORNE
Private, 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Service Number: 267949)
Alfred John Thorne was born in Cardiff on 2 Dec 1898 to William Alfred Thorne, a dock labourer, and Edith Naomi Thorne nee Collings, both originally from Cardiff. He was baptised on 23 Feb 1899 at St saviour’s church, Splott when the family were living at 43 Habershon Street. In 1901 they lived at 60 Janet Street and in 1911 they were at 5 Aberystwyth Street. In 1915 the Thorne family had moved again and were at 11 Wimborne Street, East Moors. When Alfred enlisted in Jan 1915 in the Cardiff City Battalion of the Welsh Regiment he claimed he was 19 but in reality was only 16. He saw service in France in 1916 but was transferred back to England when his true age was discovered. He returned to France in 1918 but was killed in action on 30 May 1918 aged 19 when serving with the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. An eyewitness at the time said he was killed by a shell when retiring from the frontline through a cornfield near Rheims. He is remembered on the Soissons memorial in France. He is also remembered on the Splott War memorial outside St Saviour’s church. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record. His brother William was also killed in 1918. Their mother Edith named her eleventh child William Alfred, born in 1921, after the two sons she had lost in WWI. Tragically both the baby and Edith died in 1921.
WILLIAM EDMUND THORNE
Driver, Mobile Veterinary Section, Royal Army Service Corps, (Service Number: T2/015432)
William Edmund Thorne was born in Cardiff in 1897, the eldest of eleven children born to William Alfred Thorne, a dock labourer, and Edith Naomi Thorne nee Collings, both originally from Cardiff. He was baptised on 29 Apr 1897 at St Saviour’s church in Splott when the family were living at 171 Railway Street. In 1901 they lived at 60 Janet Street and in 1911 they were at 5 Aberystwyth Street and William had a job as a newspaper messenger as well as being at school. He enlisted in Cardiff. He was killed at the end of the war when he was a driver in the Mobile Veterinary Section of the Royal Army Service Corps in Syria. He died on 16 Oct 1918 aged 21. He is buried at the Damascus Military Cemetery (grave B22). He is remembered on the Splott War Memorial along with his brother Alfred John Thorne who was also killed in 1918. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
WILLIE HENRY THORNE
Sapper, 67/69 Bomb Disposal Section, Royal Engineers (Service Number: 2073628)
Willie Henry Thorne was born in Cardiff in 1913 to William Henry Thorne, a patent fuel worker, originally from Wellington, Somerset, and Amy Eliza Thorne nee Jenkins originally from Cardiff. Willie married Winifred Hyldred Latham in 1937 in Cardiff who went on to have two children and lived they lived at 48 Dogfield Street, Cathays. He joined the bomb disposal section of the Royal Engineers but died on 25 Aug 1940 aged 27. He was killed when a bomb he and colleagues were working on at the back of 117 Welwyndale Road in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham exploded. Seven men with a Royal Engineers bomb disposal unit were killed together with four residents and two home guard. They were digging down to the bomb when they heard a fizzing sound, which one water board official attributed to a burst main. But the bomb exploded. One report states that three bombs exploded and another that the bomb responsible was a delayed action bomb. He is buried in Cathays Cemetery (EJ 2348). Commonwealth War graves Commission record.
CYRIL ERNEST TRIGGS
Sergeant, 139 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (Service Number: 973935)
Cyril Ernest Triggs was born on 28 Mar 1918 in Cardiff, the eldest of seven children born to Ernest Edward Triggs, an able seaman, and Francis Winifred Triggs née Dolbear, both originally from Cardiff. He was baptised on 2 May 1818 in Canton when the family were living at 79 Kings Road. The 1939 Register shows the Triggs family living at 1 Mark Street, Riverside. Cyril at this time was working as a warehouseman and stock-keeper. In WWII he served as a Sergeant in 139 Squadron of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was killed on 4 Jun 1941 aged 23. He was flying in a Bristol Blenheim IV aircraft (R3903). The plane took off at 19.00hrs from Horsham St.Faith airfield in Norfolk with five other aircraft for a bombing operation on De Kooy Airfield, Netherlands. The aircraft is believed to have been shot down over the sea west of Bergen-aan-Zee, Netherlands. He is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial (Panel 53) and on the International Bomber Command Centre memorial. He is also remembered on the Bethany Baptist Church war memorial plaque. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
STEPHEN TOMER
Private, 55th Battalion, Canadian Army Veterinary Corps (Service Number 445412)
Stephen Tomer was born on 14 Jan 1888 to Frank and Margaret Tomer of Woodstock, New Brunswick, Canada. He was a Maliseet Native North American. He married Madeline Purley in 1908. He joins up on 13 Aug 1915 and the unit sailed on 30 Oct 1915. He became ill in Feb 1917 in France. In May 1917 he was being treated for paratyphoid B at Addington Park war hospital in Croydon and then treated for appendicitis in October. It seems he never properly recovered and was sent to the No3 Western General Hospital (Cardiff Royal Infirmary) on 30 Mar 1918 but he died of bronchial pneumonia on 6th Apr 1918 in Albany Road Military Hospital (Albany Road Primary School) aged 30. He is buried at Cathays Cemetery (Grave EB 57). His grave is decorated with the Canadian maple leaf emblem. His brother Solomon Tomer also fought in WWI. He is remembered on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
AUSTIN WILLIAM TOMKINS
Private, 24th (Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion, Welsh Regiment (Service Number: 60195)
Austin William Tomkins was born on 27 Nov 1885 in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire to Benjamin Tomkins, a publican, originally from Kings Pyon, Herefordshire and Elizabeth Eunice Tomkins née Williams, originally from Maesteg, Glamorgan. He was baptised at St Mary, Abergavenny on 19 Dec 1888. In 1891 the Tomkins family were living in the Farmer’s Arms, Lion Street, Abergavenny. Austin started school at Hereford Road Junior Boys School, Abergavenny in 1892. By 1901 the Tomkins family had moved to Cardiff and living in Denbigh Street, Llandaff. In 1911 Austin had moved to Swansea and was working as a gardener and boarding with the Packer family in Brynmill Park. He married Mary Elizabeth ‘Lily’ Jones at St Fagans church on 8 Jul 1912. They had three daughters together, the first of whom was born in Mumbles, Swansea before they moved back to Cardiff. They lived at 144 Moorland Road, Splott. He attested in Dec 1915 and was mobilised in Cardiff in June 1917 and served with the 24th (Pembroke and Glamorgan Yeomanry) Battalion, Welsh Regiment. He was killed in action on 1 Dec 1917 in Palestine aged 31 just a week before Jerusalem was retaken. He is buried at the Jerusalem War Cemetery (grave E.74). He is remembered on the Splott War Memorial. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
SYDNEY ABEL TROUNCE
Second Lieutenant, 5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
Sydney Abel Trounce was born in early 1894 in Cardiff to Sydney Arthur Trounce, an accountant and a later shipping and tourist agent from Cardiff, and Mabel Trounce nee Thornley also from Cardiff. In 1901 family lived at Kincraig Street, Roath and Sydney attended Albany Road School and later Cardiff Technical School. In 1911 and 1914 the family are living at 21 Amesbury Road, Pen-y-lan and Sydney working as a junior clerk. Sydney was grandson of William John Trounce, ship broker, Conservative councillor, JP and Mayor of Cardiff in 1893. A newspaper article from 1916 listing the relatives of W J Trounce serving in WWI states: ‘Trounce, Sydney A (grandson) O.T.C. Inns of Court’, indicating Sydney was in the Officers Training Corps of the Inns of Court Regiment and had probably been working or training at the London Courts. He was commissioned on 19 December 1916 into the 5th (Territorial) Battalion, Suffolk Regiment but later transferred to the 8th Battalion. In Mar 1917 he was admitted to hospital suffering from influenza. He was killed in action on 5 May 1917 aged 23 soon after returning to the front line, during the 3rd Battle of the Scarpe. The regiment war diary for that day records: ’10pm: Enemy shelling heavy in front and support trenches. Lieutenant Trounce killed and 13 other rank casualties’. He is buried in the Wancourt British Cemetery (grave V.C.9), five miles south-east of Arras. The Suffolk Regiment Museum in Bury St Edmonds holds a copy of a Punch cartoon drawn Sydney Trounce showing King Albert I of the Belgians defying the Kaiser. He is remembered on a war memorial plaque that used to be at Star Street Congregational church, Adamsdown, until it closed and is now at Parkminster URC church. A marble font dedicated to his memory was also at Star Street church, then Parkminster URC church and is now housed at the Museum of Cardiff. The link with Star Street church is via Sydney’s maternal line. His mother Mabel grew up in Adamsdown. Her grandfather was Robert Besley Williams, a Congregational Minister living in Planet Street who was probably part of the ministry at nearby Star Street church. Commonwealth War Graves Commission recod.
MAURICE JOSEPH LAWSON TURNBULL
Major, 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards, (Service Number: 107563).
Maurice Joseph Lawson Turnbull was born 3 East Grove, Tredegarville, Cardiff on 10 Mar 1906 to Phillip Bernard Turnbull, a ship owner, originally from Cardiff and Annie Marie Hennessy Turnbull née Oates, originally from London. His family moved to 110 Pen-y-lan Road before his 1st birthday. His was a large family with six of the boys, including Maurice, eventually playing rugby for Cardiff. The Turnbulls were a prominent Cardiff family, leaders in the city’s business, civic, religious and sporting life. Maurice’s education began briefly at Heathfield House in Richmond Road but most of his schooling was at Downside, a Catholic public school in Bath, starting in the spring of 1917. He later became head boy, chairman of the debating society and president of the literary society in his final year. He then went to Trinity College, Cambridge to study history. He had a hugely successful sporting career and has been heralded as Wales’ most complete all-round sportsman. He is the only sportsman to play Test cricket for England and rugby union for Wales. He represented Wales at hockey and squash and was Welsh Champion in the later. He played cricket for Glamorgan between 1924-39 and was the Captain and Secretary in a tumultuous decade for the club. He was a Test Selector and captained Cambridge University. He married Elizabeth Olga Rowley Brooke in Scunthorpe in 1939 and they went on to have three children together. In the 1939 Register they are living at 119 Rhydypenau Road, Cardiff and Maurice states his profession as insurance broker and secretary to various sporting clubs. He joined the Welsh Guards as a 2nd lieutenant in Nov 1930 and rose to become a Major. From early 1944 the battalion started specific training for their role in Operation Overlord and moved to Eastbourne in readiness for the invasion. He crossed the Channel to Normandy on 18 Jun. The battalion moved inland towards Caen passing scenes of devastation. Maurice’s company were directed to provide support to the Americans in the Bocage, an area of small fields and narrow lanes. On the evening of 4 Aug tanks and foot soldiers of the SS tank division were spotted advancing south of the village of Montchamp. Unfortunately the anti-tank equipment and the bulk of British troops were situated north of the village and Maurice was isolated and had lost radio communication with HQ. Maurice believed the best chance of repelling the counter attack was take out the leading tank, stalling the advance in the confined lanes. He led his men alongside the hedge and was about to order the attack when the Germans troops opened fire and the tank’s gun pushed through the hedge to join them. Maurice was killed instantly. He was 38 years old. He is buried at Bayeux War Cemetery (plot XX.C.3.). He is also remembered on his parent’s grave at Cathays Cemetery. Commonwealth War Graves Commission record.
Roath Local History Society 