Risca Branch The Royal British Legion

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In memory of William John Booth who died 3 September 1917.John was born in Pontymister in 1897 to Frederick Charles and ...
03/09/2026

In memory of William John Booth who died 3 September 1917.

John was born in Pontymister in 1897 to Frederick Charles and Laura Booth, (nee Wallace). In 1901 he was living in 5 Mill Row, Risca with grandparents Joseph and Sarah Booth and three of their children.

Frederick and Laura were living in Cardiff with their other two children, Albert Edward and Florence Hilda.

Sadly, Florence died aged 2 in 1902 and Laura, John’s mother died in 1910 aged 29. By 1911 Frederick and his two sons, John and Albert living together with Joseph and Sarah in 6 Mill Terrace, Pontymister where John is shown as working in the Tin Mills.

John enlisted in Newport into the Grenadier Guards, Service Number 20077 before transferring to the 1st Battalion, Welsh Guards serving as a Corporal, Service Number 338.

The Welsh Guards were formed on February 26th 1915 and soon recruited about 600 men. Although many of the recruits were veterans from other Guards regiments, a lot were soldiers who had only joined their regiment the previous month. John’s Service Number of 20077 indicates he joined the Grenadier Guards between October 3rd and November 9th 1914, whilst his transfer to the Welsh Guards was between February 27th and March 6th 1915.

The Welsh Guards sailed for France on August 17th 1915 whilst continuing to recruit in Britain. They landed at Havre on August 18th and joined 3rd Guards Brigade, Guards Division.

They were engaged in various actions on the Western Front including September 27th 1915 - The Battle of Loos, 1916 - The Battle of Flers-Courcelette and The Battle of Morval, 1917 - The German retreat to the Hindenburg Line, The Battle of Pilckem, The Battle of the Menin Road, The Battle of Poelkapelle, The First Battle of Passchendaele and The Battle of Cambrai 1917.

A number of records show he died on September 4th 1917, but the Commonwealth War Graves Commission give the date as September 3rd as does his CWGC headstone. He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals.

He is remembered on his grandparent’s headstone at Risca Old Cemetery and Moriah Baptist Church memorial.

John is buried in Canada Farm Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium.

Great opportunity
02/09/2026

Great opportunity

In memory of James Albert Knight who died 2 September 1918.James was born in Pontymister in 1884, son of William and Sar...
02/09/2026

In memory of James Albert Knight who died 2 September 1918.

James was born in Pontymister in 1884, son of William and Sarah Ann Knight. He was one of seven surviving children of ten born to the couple.

In 1891 they lived in 1 Clyde Terrace, Pontymister and William was employed as a contractor. They later moved to Kensington Place and William, James and his elder brother Arthur are all employed as tin workers.

By 1911 they had moved to 11 Coronation Street, Pontymister.

William was now a mason’s labourer whilst his two sons were still working in the tin plate works as picklers. Their mother Sarah died aged 63 in 1916.

James went to Abertillery to enlist in the 2nd Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers, serving as Private 307499.

Stationed at Dover as part of the 12th Brigade of the 4th Division, the 2nd Battalion was, on August 20th 1914, mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne. The Division engaged in various actions on the Western Front during the year including The Battle of Le Cateau, The Battle of the Marne, The Battle of the Aisne and The Battle of Messines. The Battalion took part in the Christmas Truce of 1914.

During 1915 and 1916 they were involved in the Second Battle of Ypres, The Battle of Albert and The Battle of Le Transloy.
In 1917 the Battalion were engaged in the First and Third Battles of the Scarpe, The Battle of Polygon Wood, The Battle of Broodseinde, The Battle of Poelcapelle and The First Battle of Passchendaele.
1918 saw them returning to France for The First Battle of Arras.

Later they were involved heavily in the Battles of Hazebrouck and Bethune, The Advance in Flanders, the Battles of the Scarpe, Drocourt-Queant, Canal du Nord, Selle and lastly, The Battle of Valenciennes.

The Battalion ended the war in Artres, South of Valenciennes, France.

James was killed on September 2nd 1918 and is remembered on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial in France.

In memory of Thomas Henry Walters who died 1 September 1916.Thomas Henry Walters was born in Cwmdows, Monmouthshire on J...
01/09/2026

In memory of Thomas Henry Walters who died 1 September 1916.

Thomas Henry Walters was born in Cwmdows, Monmouthshire on January 21st 1883, son of Henry and Margaret Walters.

On 2 June 1890 he was admitted to Newbridge Boy’s School, leaving on 19 June 1896 to start work as a collier, at this time he was living at 20 Whitethorne, Newbridge.

Thomas signed up at Cardiff for 6 years to the 3rd Battalion, Welsh Regiment on January 27th 1901, serving as Private 1340.

His service records record his Height as 5' 4", Weight 124 lbs, Chest 32½”, Fresh Complexion, Brown Eyes, Brown Hair and gave his religion as Protestant. No further details of his service with the Welsh Regiment are available.

In 1905 he married Edith Harriett Griffiths and in 1911 they lived at 3 Hawthorn Row, Pontywaun. Thomas was employed as a coal miner and they had 6 children, William Henry, Edith May, Iris Irene, Ray, Lilian and John.

Thomas enlisted into the South Wales Borderers at Newport and was assigned to the 6th Battalion serving as Private 17189.
After training, the battalion left Tourney Barracks, Aldershot to travel to Southampton Docks. They embarked for Le Havre on board the Archimedes arriving in France on 24th September 1915.

As the Pioneer Battalion of the 25th Division they spent the winter in Armentieres sector doing heavy work in flooded trenches. The following spring saw the battalion in Vimy and Neuville St. Vaast consolidating the craters blown under the German line. They were continually shelled and at times had to break off their work to repel attacks, but eventually handed over a thoroughly well organised position to the relieving infantry.

This exploit was rewarded with two Military Crosses and five Military Medals. In the Battle of the Somme the battalion was continuously employed. On one occasion they carried out a magnificent piece of pioneer work by digging 700 yards of communication trench from one captured trench to another (the Regina Trench) under heavy shell fire.

Only good discipline and a fine spirit could have accomplished this task and the battalion was deservedly complimented upon it.

The above information was taken from the 6th Pioneer Battalion South Wales Borderers WW1 factsheet published by the Royal Welsh Museum.

The war diary for September 1st 1916, although very difficult to read, shows the battalion was at Aveluy, a village north of Albert.
'A' and 'C' Company working in Leipsic Salient, 'B' on a light tram line and 'D' at 4th Avenue in Brimstone.
Killed in action 1106/17189 Pte WALTERS. T

Thomas was buried in Blighty Valley Cemetery, Authuille Wood, France.

He is also remembered on the Cwmcarn Institute and Cwmcarn War Memorials.

In memory of Alfred Jones who died on 31 August 1918.Alfred, son of David and Margaret Jones was born on October 3rd 189...
31/08/2026

In memory of Alfred Jones who died on 31 August 1918.

Alfred, son of David and Margaret Jones was born on October 3rd 1893 at Risca.

David employed as a brick maker, lived with his family at Darran Lane, Risca.

Alfred attended Risca School and was admitted on May 3rd 1897, then transferred to the Mixed Department on July 31st 1900. In 1911 their address was given as 15 Mountain View, Darran Lane.

David was now a coal miner and Alfred was a colliery lamp man.

Alfred enlisted at Cross Keys into the South Wales Borderers, sometime after 1915, serving as Private 30352 in the 10th Battalion.

The 10th Battalion, part of the Welsh Division, took part in its victorious advance across the old Somme battlefield in the great British offensive of August/September 1918. In this advance the gallantry and initiative of the junior leaders was conspicuous, NCOs taking over when their officers were hit, and on more than one occasion a platoon was led forward with determination by a private soldier.

The war diary on Saturday August 31st 1918 reports -
“All Companies spent a good day in Les Bouefs. B Company very comfortable, situated in deep dugouts.
Advance temporarily held up by machine gun nest East of the village.
2/Lt Jewell killed by shell. Only a few casualties among Other Ranks.
Men rested and moral very high.
2/Lt Roberts took over duties of Intelligence Officer”.

Alfred was killed on August 31st 1918 and is buried in Guards’ Cemetery, Lesboeufs, France.

He is remembered on the family grave in Risca Cemetery, Cromwell Road and Ebenezer Primitive Methodist Church Memorial, Risca.

In memory of Cyril James Clissold who died 31 August 1918.Cyril, born in Risca on December 25th 1898, was the son of Alb...
31/08/2026

In memory of Cyril James Clissold who died 31 August 1918.

Cyril, born in Risca on December 25th 1898, was the son of Albert William and Gertrude Clissold, (nee James).

He was baptised on March 5th 1899 at St Mary’s Church, Risca. They lived at Gladstone Street, Cross Keys when Cyril attended Waunfawr Park School, starting on June 18th 1902. He was only there a matter of months as he left on October 27th when they moved to ‘Blenheim’, Bridge Street, Risca, he then attended Danygraig School.

An ex pupil of Pontywaun County School from September 19th 1911 until July 23rd 1913, he left to work as a clerk in Lysaght’s Newport.

He enlisted at Abertillery in The King’s (Liverpool Regiment) serving in the 8th Battalion as Private 91016.

The 8th (Liverpool Irish) Battalion King’s (Liverpool) regiment was a Territorial Force unit which had its HQ in Shaw Street, Liverpool. When war was declared in 1914 they had just arrived at their annual summer camp and were quickly recalled home.

They landed in Boulogne, France on May 3rd 1915 being engaged in the defence of Ypres. They saw action at the Battle of Festubert and Givenchy before moving south to the Somme. They were involved at the Battles of Guillemont, Ginchy, Flers-Courcelette and Morval before moving back to Flanders in October 1916.

In 1917 they were in action at Pilckem Ridge and Menin Road Bridge during the Third Battle of Ypres before again moving south to Cambrai where they suffered very heavily during German attacks at the end of November 1917.

During 1918 they were in action during the Second Battle of Arras, Battles of Hindenburg Line and in the capture of Cambrai.

Cyril was killed in action on August 31st 1918 and is buried in Quebec Cemetery, Cherisy, France.

He is remembered on the St Mary’s Church and Pontywaun County School memorials.
A Lieutenant JF Crinnion of the 1st Battalion, Canadian Infantry is buried in the same grave as Cyril.

In memory of Edwin John Clessie Richardson who died 30 August 1944.Born on 29th February 1908, Edwin was the eldest son ...
30/08/2026

In memory of Edwin John Clessie Richardson who died 30 August 1944.

Born on 29th February 1908, Edwin was the eldest son of Edwin and Catherine Beatrice Richardson, (nee Thomas). Father Edwin was a Carpenter, and in 1911, the family lived at 2 Woodland Place, Ochrwyth, Risca.

Edwin attended Pontywaun County School from 24th January 1921 until 8th December 1924. He left to work as a Clerk in the steelworks, later joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.

He was called up at the outbreak of war, serving with 58 Squadron, and was promoted to Sergeant.

Edwin had carried out bombing raids all over Germany, Italy, France, Holland, Belgium, Norway, and Czechoslovakia and had operated with a night fighter Squadron.

Also taking part in the first attacks on the Skoda Works and Bordeaux, he had bombed Berlin three times in one week.

Edwin was awarded the Distinguished Flying Medal (DFM), which was reported in the London Gazette of 6th June 1941.

He was reported as being involved in four crashes, including once being forced down into the North Sea.

Edwin had completed a tour of duties, 30 sorties, and was posted to Canada as an air navigation instructor, but volunteered to return to active duty.

Flying with 83 Squadron, he was now a Flight Lieutenant, serving as a Bomb Aimer. They took off on 29th August 1944 from RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire at 20:21 hours.

His aircraft was Lancaster PB249 (OL-C), and the target was Konigsberg, a port city on the south-eastern corner of the Baltic Sea. PB249 was delivered to No. 635 Squadron in July 1944, joining No.83 Squadron on 25th August 1944, with a total of 75 hours flying time.

The aircraft was hit by flak, which forced him to bail out of the Lancaster.

Two other crew members were also killed, and the remaining five were captured and made prisoners of war, including the Pilot Squadron Leader, Sparks.

The plane crashed near Petrowo, 18 km NW of Kaliningrad, Russia (formerly Zielkeim, 18 km NW of Königsberg, East Prussia).
Edwin was reported missing, presumed killed on 30th August 1944.

As it was impossible to visit Königsberg in the Soviet controlled territory of East Prussia to establish the burial places of F/L Wilkinson, S/L Schofield, and F/L Richardson, their lives are commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial, Surrey.

It was reported that Squadron Leader Sparks later visited Edwins' mother, Catherine Beatrice, and explained to her what had happened on her son’s last flight.

He is also remembered on the family grave at St Michael’s Church, Lower Machen.

Thanks to David Sargent for the photos of Eddie.

In memory of William Evans who died on 29 August 1918.Born in Wattsville in 1900, William lived with his grandparents Da...
29/08/2026

In memory of William Evans who died on 29 August 1918.

Born in Wattsville in 1900, William lived with his grandparents David and Emma Evans in 29 Wattsville before moving to Full Moon Cottage, Cross Keys.

He then lived with his aunt, Mrs Henrietta Morgan in 7 Salisbury Street, Cross Keys. Before joining the army, he worked in the local pit.

William enlisted in Newport into the Cheshire Regiment as Private 52304, later transferring to the Devonshire Regiment, serving as Private 32452 in the 5th Battalion.

The 5th (Prince of Wales) Battalion, Devonshire Regiment was a Territorial Unit headquartered in Plymouth. As part of the Wessex Division, they were mobilised for war service on August 5th 1914 and sailed on September 9th to India. They left India in spring 1917 going to Egypt for service in Palestine.

In 1918 they moved to the Western Front, landing at Marseille on June 1st joining 185th Brigade, 62nd Division.

They saw action in numerous battles including Tardenois and the Battle of the Scarpe. It was during this battle that William was killed on August 29th 1918 and is remembered on the Vis-En-Artois Memorial in France.

In memory of Sidney Compton who died 28 August 1917.Sidney was born in 1893 in Warminster, Wiltshire to Edmund John and ...
28/08/2026

In memory of Sidney Compton who died 28 August 1917.

Sidney was born in 1893 in Warminster, Wiltshire to Edmund John and Thirza Ann Compton, (nee
Robbins).

In 1901 the family were living at 6 King Street, Warminster. In 1911 Sidney was boarding at 14 Clyde Street, Risca, working as a smith’s helper.

He enlisted at Newport, into the 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers as a Private, Regimental Number 17459.

The 6th Battalion was raised in south Wales in September 1914. They went to France as the Pioneer Battalion of the 25th Division a year later; Sidney arrived in France on September 24th 1915.

The Battalion spent the winter in the Armentieres sector working in flooded trenches. They were at Vimy and Neuville St. Vaast in the spring of 1916 consolidating the craters of mines blown under the German lines.

Later they were continuously employed during the Battle of the Somme in the summer of 1916, on one occasion digging a 700 yard communication trench from one captured trench to another under heavy shell fire.

Their next major engagement was at Messines in July 1917, after which they were moved further north in August for the Third Battle of Ypres.

Sidney died of his wounds on August 28th 1917. He was awarded the Victory, British War medals and the 1914-1915 Star.

Sidney is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Belgium.

In memory of William John Greenslade who died on 27 August 1918.Born in Pontywain in 1898, Willie was the third son of G...
27/08/2026

In memory of William John Greenslade who died on 27 August 1918.

Born in Pontywain in 1898, Willie was the third son of George and Sarah Jane Greenslade, (nee Allen).

In 1901 they lived near the Trinity Church, Pontywain, and George is employed as a haulier below ground. By 1911 they had moved to 1 Mount Pleasant Terrace.

Willie enlisted using his middle name John and served as Private 226418 in the 1st Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment attached to 10th Battalion South Wales Borderers.

The 10th Battalion, part of the Welsh Division, took part in the advance across the old Somme battlefield in the British offensive of August/September 1918. In this advance the gallantry and initiative of the junior leaders was conspicuous, NCOs taking over when their officers were hit, and on more than one occasion a platoon was led forward with determination by a private soldier.

The war diary from Tuesday 27th August says –
“Near Longuevalle. Battalion holding front line from High Wood to Longuevalle. At about 3.0 pm enemy counter attacked along Delville Wood. Enemy succeeded in getting a Machine Gun into position on right flank and enfilading C Coy who were Right Coy, causing 15 casualties. Right flank curved back to form defensive flank and held up enemy. An American forced to serve in German army gave himself up and volunteered valuable information as to enemy dispositions”.

William John was killed in action during this day and is buried at Caterpillar Valley Cemetery, Longueval, France.

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