The names are listed alphabetically by surname. In brackets are the names as they appear on the memorial – occasionally errors occur on memorials.
Great War 1914-18
Alfred John Bendall (Bendall J. Pte.)
Private,10969, 8th Battalion, Devonshire Regiment.
Killed in action November 9 1915, Aged 38
Gorre British and Indian Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Grave: I.C.12.
Thomas Bendall (Bendall T. Pte.)
Sergeant, 9772, South Wales Borderers.
Killed in action October 21 1916.
Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier and Face 4 A.
Harry Bennett (Bennett H. Sgt.)
Sergeant, 23914, Welsh Regiment.
Died May 10 1918.
Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France. Grave: II. K. 6.
Butler W. Ab. Not identified
Jeremiah (Jerry) Connelly (Conolly J. Pte.)
Private, 12054, Welsh Regiment.
Died August 8 1915, age 20.
Helles Memorial, Turkey (including Gallipoli), Panel 140 to 144.
Ivor Coles ( Coles I. Pte.)
Private 12788 Welsh Regiment, 9th Battalion.
Killed in action September 25 1915.
Grave VIII. C. 20., Vieille-Chapelle New Military Cemetery, Lacouture, Pas de Calais, France.
Son of John and Rhoda Coles, 7 Salisbury Terrace, Brithdir.
Davies T. Pte. – Not identified
William Davies was born in Blaenavon 1880. He was the son of Thomas, an iron miner who was originally from Morriston, and his wife Ann, who was a native of Brecknockshire. His father Thomas died in 1892 leaving Ann a widow with three young children to support, Elizabeth, Thomas and infant Matilda. William at age twelve became the main wage earner. Sometime after the family moved to Brithdir and made their home at 10 James Street. William joined the TA and served in the Boer War for which he received the Queen’s South African Medal (QSA) and the King’s South African Medal (KSA). To receive the QSA medal meant he was in South Africa prior to the death of Queen Victoria on 22 January 1901 and the KSA medal was awarded only to those troops who fought in 1902, and who had served for 18 months before the war ended in May 1902.William Davies (Davies W. Pte.)
Private, 24302, Welsh Regiment.
Died July 7 1916.
Flatiron Copse Cemetery, Mametz, Somme, France, Plot X, Row E, Grave 7.
Stephen Davies (Davies S. Pte.)
Corporal, 241090, Welsh Regiment.
Died March 10 1918.
Jerusalem War Cemetery, Grave L 17.
Benjamin Evans – not identified
Frederick Godley (Godley F. Pte.)
Private, 21560, Welsh Regiment.
Died December 5 1917.
Duisans British Cemetery, Etrun, Pas de Calais, France, Grave V.D.28.
William Gummer at age 15 worked as an agricultural labourer at Tir y Ferch Gryno Farm, Brithdir, in the employ of Mary Thomas. His father Samuel Gummer, a native of Herefordshire, moved the family to Brithdir, circa 1884, living first at 11 School Street, where William was born in 1885. By 1901, the family had moved within the village, to Church Villa. Coming from an agricultural background and being used to horses possibly led to William’s selection for the role of Driver in the Royal Horse & Field Artillery.William Gummer (Gummer W. Pte.)
Driver, 40015, Royal Field Artillery.
Died August 1 1916.
Kirkee 1914-18 Memorial, India, Face B.
Arthur William Hallett (Hallet A. Gnr.)
Gunner, 80597, Royal Field Artillery.
Died June 10 1917.
Reninghelst New Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Grave II. D. 23.
Hardon S. Pte. – not identified
Alfred George James (James A.G. Cpl.)
Private, 28568, Welsh Regiment.
Died October 18 1916, age 23.
Maroc British Cemetery, Grenay, Pas de Calais, France, Grave I. K. 5.
Jenkin Jenkins (Jenkins J. Pte.)
Lance Sergeant, 241094, Welsh Regiment.
Died December 12 1917.
Jerusalem War Cemetery, Grave M. 24.
The 10th Kings Royal Rifle Corps on the right, and near Lateau Wood, had a horrific morning. Storm Troopers covered by the mist swarmed in and around them from all directions constantly taking the route of least resistance. Just twenty men from the Battalion survived the day. (GWF)William Davies Jones (Jones W. Pte.)
Rifleman, R/3561, King’s Royal Rifle Corps 10th Battalion.
Died November 30 1917, age 23.
Cambrai Memorial, Louverval, France, Panel 9.
Son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Jones, of 2, Ivy Row, Brithdir.
Bertie Lewis (Lewis B. Pte.)
Private, 31818, South Wales Borderers.
Died January 5 1919, age 21.
Kirkee 1914-18 Memorial, India, Face 5.
Son of James and Helena Lewis of Plas Farm, Tirphil.
Lewis T. Pte. – not identified
George Livingstone (Livingston G. Pte.)
Private, 18574, Welsh Regiment.
Died May 25 1915.
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium,Panel 37.
son of late Mr and Mrs George Livingstone.
Edwin Parry (Parry E. Pte.)
Private, 14931, South Wales Borderers.
Died April 6 1916.
Mesnil Ridge Cemetery, Mesnil-Martinsart, Somme, France, Grave B. 6.
Edwin William Sidney Martin (Martin E.W.S. Capt.)
Captain, Royal Army Medical Corps, attd. 9th Bn. Worcestershire Regiment.
Died Febuary 16 1917, age 41.
Amara War Cemetery, Iraq, Grave XXI. L. 11.
Son of John E. Martin, J.P., of Ridgeway, Newport, Mon.
Charles Ernest Morgan (Morgan C. Cpl.)
Rifleman, 123, Monmouthshire Regiment.
Died April 24 1915.
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 50.
Arthur Augustus (Gus) Morgan (Morgan G. Sgt)
Lance Sergeant, 19453, Dorsetshire Regiment.
Died January 3 1917.
Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier and Face 7 B.
Neal A. Pte.– not identified
George Thomas Newman (Newman T.G. Pte.)
Private, 18342, Welsh Regiment.
Died August 8 1915, age 19.
Helles Memorial, Turkey (including Gallipoli), Panel 140 to 144.
James Pearce (Pearce J. L/Cpl.)
Lance Corporal, 1430, Monmouthshire Regiment.
Died September 29 1915, age 20.
Bard Cottage Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Grave I. I. 24.
William Phillips (Phillips W. Pte.)
Private, 93735, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Died October 8 1918.
Vis-en-Artois Memorial, Pas de Calais, France, Panel 6.
Lewis Henry Porch (Porch L. Pte.)
Private, 11019, South Wales Borderers.
Died October 31 1914.
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 22.
Evan Price (Price E. Pte.)
Private, 24516, Welsh Regiment.
Died October 2 1915.
Wimereux Communal Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France, Grave I. J. 31.
John James Price (Price J. Pte.)
Private, 21444, Welsh Regiment.
Died April 24 1918.
Millencourt Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, Grave E. 41.
Thomas George Reed (Reed T. Pte.)
Private, 18614, Welsh Regiment.
Died July 10 1916.
Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier and Face 7 A and 10 A.
William Scrivens (Scrivens W. Pte.)
Private, 20868, South Wales Borderers.
Died July 31 1917.
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 22.
Reginald Charles Sheen (Sheen R. Pte.)
Private, 2876, Welsh Regiment 5th Battalion.
Died August 20 1915.
Helles Memorial, Turkey (including Gallipoli), Panel 140 to 144
Speake J. Pte. – not identified
Thomas Robert Taylor (Taylor T. Sgt.)
Sergeant, 241100, Welsh Regiment.
Died November 3 1917.
Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel and Palestine (including Gaza), Grave F. 26.
Possibly Herbert Tratman (Trotman G. Cpl.)
George Frederick Watkins (Watkins G. Pte.)
Private, 9525, Welsh Regiment.
Died November 6 1914, age 26.
Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 37.
Thomas John Watts (Watts T.J. Pte.)
Private, 8/15973, South Wales Borderers 8th Battalion.
Died December 15 1918 aged 26.
1747 Mikra British Cemetery, Kalamaria, Greece.
Son of John and Margaret Jane Watts (17 Charles Street, Brithdir).
Arthur Williams (Williams A. Sgt.)
Private, 8831, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
Died October 5 1916.
Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, Pier and Face 4 A.
Williams F. Pte. – not identified
William George Williams (Williams W. Pte.)
Private, 20953, Gloucestershire Regiment.
Died September 3 1917.
Villers-Faucon Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France, Grave I. F. 1
Brithdir Memorial 1939-45
Bertie William George Baker (Baker G. Pte.)
Private 14767330 Durham Light Infantry, 9th Battalion.
Died April 4 1945, aged 29.
Grave 55. B. 13., Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Germany
Edward Brewer (Brewer E. Pte.)
Fusilier 4204990 Royal Welch Fusiliers 12th Battalion.
Died April 12 1941, aged 27.
Buried Section O, Grave 12, Llandudno (Great Orme’s Head) Cemetery, Caernarvonshire.
Son of Sylvanus and Margaret Brewer; husband of Winifred Brewer, of Llandudno.
Trevor Butts (Butts T. Pte.)
Gunner 1492701 Royal Artillery.
Died December 18 1941, aged 23.
Commemorated Column 3., Sai Wan Memorial, China (including Hong Kong).
Son of Herbert James Butts and Ethel Butts, of Brithdir.
Corporal John Thomas Ferguson was killed in action August 12 1944. He had successfully attacked a machine-gun post and was returning with a prisoner when they were both killed by enemy fire. A letter from his officer states: he was a good NCO, excellent in battle and a soldier that his family may be proud of.John Thomas Ferguson (Fergusson J. Cpl.)
Corporal 3954925 Welch Regiment 1/5th Battalion.
Died August 12 1944, aged 37.
Buried Grave V. C. 26, Banneville-La-Campagne War Cemetery, Calvados, France
[Brother of Thomas Henry below]
Thomas Henry Ferguson (Fergusson T. Pte.)
Private 3959703 Welch Regiment, 1st Battalion.
Died May 27 1941, aged 23.
Grave 3. A. 16. Suda Bay War Cemetery, Greece.
Son of Emily Cooper, of Brithdir.
[Brother of John Thomas above]
William Thomas Hill (Hill W.T. P.O.)
Petty Officer Stoker D/KX 83585 Royal Navy H.M.S. Dragonfly.
Died February 14 1942.
Commemorated Panel 69, Column 1, Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon
Howells J. Pte. – not identified
John Griffiths Jenkins (Jenkins J.C. F/Lieut.)
Flight Lieutenant (Pilot) 124463 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Died April 24 1945, aged 23.
Buried Section B. Grave 3836., Gwaelod-y-Brithdir Cemetery.
Son of Lewis J. Jenkins and Sarah Jenkins, of Brithdir.
Clement Idris Jones (Jones C.I. Pte.)
Private 3912662 Souh Wales Borderers, 1st Battalion.
Died June 19 1942, aged 28.
Commemorated Column 62., Alamein Memorial, Egypt.
Son of Charles and Harriet Jones; husband of Amelia Jones, of Brithdir.
Ernest Thomas Jones (Jones E.T. F/Sgt.)
Flight Sergeant (Pilot) 570004 Royal Air Force, 15 Sqadron.
Died May 12 1944, aged 24.
Buried Row A. Grave 1., Leuven Communal Cemetery, Vlaams-Brabant, Belgium.
Son of Joseph and Margaret Jones; husband of Sylvia Jones, of Brithdir.
William McDonald (McDonald W. Pte.)
Private 2182010 Pioneer Corps, Aux. Mil.
Died June 17 1940, aged 38.
Buried Section 18, Plot 1, Row A, Grave 48, Rennes Eastern Communal Cemetery, Ille-et-Vilaine, France.
Son of William McDonald, and of Mary Ann McDonald, of Brithdir.
Ronald Phillips (Phillips R. L/Ac.)
Leading Aircraftman 1313723 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Died November 20 1944, aged 28.
Buried Section B. Grave 3583., Gwaelod-y-Brithdir Cemetery.
Son of Ritchard and Claudia Phillips; husband of Gwyneth Phillips, of Bargoed.
Ernest Southam married Amelia Elizabeth Williams on 2 September 1943. Ernest’s address was given as Bulford, a military camp on Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire, but his home address was 6 Greenville Road, Bloomfield, Belfast. Amelia’s address was 18 Herbert Street, Brithdir, age 19, father Evan John Williams a Colliery Surface Contractor. Less than a year after their marriage, on 23 August 1944 Ernest was killed.
The bridge connecting Deauville to Trouville was rebuilt and renamed Pont des Belges in their honour. This plaque at the entrance of the Touques bridge, west bank, is in honour of the three fighters of the 6th British Airborne Division 1st Battalion, Royal Ulster Rifles: Major Eric Francis Johnston, Cpl Ernest Southam and Rifleman Brendon John Scanlon who died. There is a similar plaque to the two Belgiums who died.
Ernest Southam (Southam E. Cpl.)
Corporal 7012844 Royal Ulster Rifles, 1st (Airborne) Battalion.
Died August 23 1944, aged 24.
Grave 7. G. 5., Tourgeville Military Cemetery, Calvados, France.
Son of Richard and May Southam; husband of Amelia Elizabeth Southam, of Brithdir.
Vivian Alquin Willetts (Willetts V. F/Sgt.)
Flight Sergeant 970524 Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, 23 Sqadron.
Died April 27 1942, aged 24.
Commemorated Panel 76., Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.
Son of Phillip L. and Margaret Willetts, of Brithdir.
Williams W.C. Pte. – not identified
Memorial Unveiling 1930
Since 1920, the sum of £87 had been held in trust for the erection of a memorial to those of the village who had made the supreme sacrifice during the Great War. In September 1930, the inhabitants felt the time was right, and a public meeting, held at the George Hotel, elected a small organizing committee to push the project forward. The committee had difficulty finding a suitable site after their preferred location at Gwaelod-y-Brithdir cemetery was denied them. Eventually they settled on a site in front of the Workman’s Library Institute building. On Sunday, November 22, 1936, in front of a large crowd, Captain Lionel Lindsay, Chief Constable of Glamorgan, unveiled the work of sculptor Mr. Griffith Evans of Treforest.
The cenotaph was moved to its present site in 1973/74. It now rests on consecrated ground where St Paul’s Church once stood. The new site situated in the centre of the village at the top of Russell Street (many old inhabitants would know it as Church Street) had lain empty for 46 years and many would agree is a much more appropriate place for the Memorial.
From Express Newspaper 1974:
The rededication of the Brithdir Cenotaph brought back memories for Lucy Davies, who will be 90 on Christmas Day. She is the only person still alive who was in a 1936 photograph of the Brithdir British Legion Committee. A sprightly Mrs Davies chuckled as she reminisced over the photograph and recognised herself as a forty year old, furthest left on the back row. Her husband, Thomas Davies is fourth from the right in the front row. He had been in the Royal Horse Artillery. She pointed out Mary Ann George, layer out, known because she laid out the dead in the village, who is also in the photograph. Mrs Morgan, who kept the George, the only pub in Brithdir, is also pictured.