Risca Branch The Royal British Legion

Risca Branch The Royal British Legion Risca Branch of the Royal British Legion. We provide support for the Risca Armed Forces community -

In memory of Thomas James Pavey who died 1 June 1945.Born on 15th March 1908 in Newport, Thomas was the only son of Thom...
01/06/2026

In memory of Thomas James Pavey who died 1 June 1945.

Born on 15th March 1908 in Newport, Thomas was the only son of Thomas James and Kate Pavey, (nee O’Brien).

In 1911, the family lived at 69 Henry Street, where it is shown that Kate was a widow with five children between 1 and 13 years old. His father, Thomas, had died the previous year.

As the family moved to 8 Stow Court, Newport, Thomas attended St Woolos Infants’ School starting on 31st March 1913. He left on 12th January 1914, and a week later he started at Corporation Road, Infants School. The family were now living at 67 Magor Street, Newport. He later transferred on 31st August 1915 to Corporation Road, Boys' School.

Thomas married Nellie (Ellen) Mills in 1939, living at 51 Springfield Road, Pontymister, and had a son, John, the following year.

He worked on the ground staff of Newport Athletic Club and Risca Urban District Council before being called up in December 1940.

Thomas was a Gunner with 619 Regiment, Royal Artillery, and was drafted to St Helena Coastal Battery on 7th July 1941.

Age 37, he was reported missing, presumed killed, in an ammunition explosion at Emden, Germany, on 1st June 1945.

Thomas was initially buried in Emden, but later his body was recovered, and he is now buried in Sage War Cemetery, Germany.

The inscription on his headstone reads, “In Our Hearts, Loving Thoughts Of You Ever Will Remain Until We Meet Again.”

In memory of Ralph Edwin Jones who died May 30th 1918.Ralph was born in Pontymister on July 2nd 1895, the son of William...
30/05/2026

In memory of Ralph Edwin Jones who died May 30th 1918.

Ralph was born in Pontymister on July 2nd 1895, the son of William and Helen Rosina Jones. He was baptised at St Mary’s Church on September 11th 1895. The family lived at this time in Tydu Road, Risca, before moving to 77 Commercial Street, Pontymister.

He joined Pontymister Boys School, before attending Pontywaun County School on September 14th 1908 leaving on July 25th 1909 to become a carpenter’s apprentice.

Ralph enlisted at Newport as a Private in C Company, 6th Battalion, South Wales Borderers.

The 6th Battalion was raised in South Wales in September 1914. They went to France as the Pioneer Battalion of the 25th Division on September 23rd 1915, spending 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.

The Battalion 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. They were moved further north in August for the Third Battle of Ypres. The winter of 1917 was spent digging reserve lines and in March 1918 the 5th and 6th Battalions fought against the German drive on Amiens. This meant 6 days of hard digging and stubborn fighting in which the high qualities of the Battalion were magnificently displayed.

Moved up north after this trying experience the 6th along with 2nd and 5th Battalions met the full force of the new German offensive on the Lys, where they sought to exploit the limited success gained in the drive on Amiens. On April 10th the Battalion lost 80 killed and wounded in a gallant attack on Ploegsteert village.

Ralph was killed on May 30th 1918 and is remembered on the Soissons Memorial, France.

He is remembered on the Pontywaun County School and Bethany Church Memorials.

In memory of William James Williams who died 30 May 1915.Known as James, he was born in Risca on August 11th 1883 to Wil...
30/05/2026

In memory of William James Williams who died 30 May 1915.

Known as James, he was born in Risca on August 11th 1883 to William and Matilda Williams.

The family moved shortly after to 25 Glamorgan Street, Aberdare where William was employed in the local pit.

By 1901 they moved to 13 Glamorgan Street and James was also now working in the pit.

In September 1901 he attested to the 3rd Battalion Welsh Regiment for a period of 6 years.

The records describe him as 5ft 4 1/2ins tall, weighed 9 stone 1 lb and had a 34ins chest. He had a fair complexion, dark blue eyes and dark brown hair.

He was also recorded as having a long narrow scar under his right shoulder blade and a small scar under left eye.

James married Amelia Davies in 1906 and by 1911 they had two children, Emily Jane and Amelia, living in 21 Glamorgan Street. They later had two more children, William James and Matilda Annie.

He enlisted in Aberdare into the 2nd Battalion Welsh Regiment.

His medal index card shows that James landed in France with the 2nd Battalion on August 13th 1914. That implies he was either a serving soldier of the regular army or was a reservist who had been recalled on 4-5 August.

He transferred to the 1st Battalion, Welsh Regiment and was serving with them when he was admitted to No. 11 General Hospital.

He died of his wounds on May 30th 1915 and was buried in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

In memory of Arthur Edwards who died on 28 May 1918. Born in Nantyglo and baptised on May 9th 1895, Arthur was the son o...
28/05/2026

In memory of Arthur Edwards who died on 28 May 1918.

Born in Nantyglo and baptised on May 9th 1895, Arthur was the son of William and Maria Edwards.

The family lived in Llanhilleth before moving to 24 Mount Pleasant Terrace, Cross Keys. At this time he worked as a Butcher’s assistant before later becoming the manager at Eastman’s shop in Cross Keys.

He enlisted at Newport in 9th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers as Private 202859, later serving as 55403.

Arthur arrived in France sometime after 1915.

The 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was raised as part of Kitchener’s Second New Army and joined 58th Brigade, 19th (Western) Division.

They went to France landing on July 19th 1915 at Boulogne.

Among the many actions, they fought at the Battle of Loos in 1915, the Battle of Albert and the attacks on High Wood in 1916. They were also heavily involved in the Battles of Messines, Menin Road Ridge and the Battles of Passchendaele in 1917.

In 1918 they fought at the Battle of St Quentin, the First Battle of Kemmel Ridge and then the Battle of the Aisne between May 27th and June 6th.

Arthur died May 28th 1918 age 23.

He is remembered on the Soissons Memorial, France as well as the Pontywaun Wesleyan Church and School Memorial.

In memory of Frederick Reginald Pym who died 28 May 1943.Frederick was born on 20th September 1919, the son of Sydney an...
28/05/2026

In memory of Frederick Reginald Pym who died 28 May 1943.

Frederick was born on 20th September 1919, the son of Sydney and Alice Pym, (nee Appleby), living in 23 Darren Road, Risca. Later moving to Glenside Bungalow, Cross Keys, he was an ex-pupil of Waunfawr Mixed School and attended Pontywaun County School from 13th September 1932 until 2nd October 1936.

The family moved to The Lodge, Home Park, Sonning in Berkshire. Sydney was working as a General Labourer in 1939, whilst Frederick was recorded as being employed as a “Progress Ident” for a firm of marine engineers.

He enlisted in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve, serving as a Sergeant Navigator with 199 Squadron.

Frederick was a member of the crew of five in a Wellington bomber, who took off from RAF Ingham airfield, Lincolnshire, at 23:00 on 27th May 1943.

Wellington HE634 was detailed for a bombing raid on Essen, Germany. The crew were all killed when their plane was shot down by night fighter pilot Leutnant KarlHeinz Völlkopf. They crashed near the town of Rheine and were buried in Lingen New Cemetery, Germany. Only one of the men, Sergeant Hudson, could be identified, so the other four were buried in a communal grave.

On 2nd June 1947, they were reburied in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery, again in a joint grave.

Frederick is remembered on the memorial in St Andrew’s Church, Sonning.

In memory of Thomas Henry Verdun Redgers who died 28 May 1943.Thomas, born 27th May 1916, was the son of Frederick Samue...
28/05/2026

In memory of Thomas Henry Verdun Redgers who died 28 May 1943.

Thomas, born 27th May 1916, was the son of Frederick Samuel and Laura Margaret Redgers, (nee Crooks) of 12 Coronation Street, Pontymister.

An ex-pupil of Pontymister Boys’ School, he was known as a good footballer and played for Pontymister.

He worked at South Celynen Colliery as a Collier’s helper and was a member of the Territorial Force for 2 years before joining the Army in 1936. He served as a Gunner with 9 Coast Regiment, Royal Artillery.

Thomas had served five years in Malaya and was taken prisoner at the fall of Singapore on 15th February 1942.

He died from dysentery the day after his 27th birthday and was buried in Tasao No. 1 Cemetery, before being reburied in Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand.

In memory of Godfrey Cox who died 28 May 1941.Born 27th February 1901 in Cwmcarn, Godfrey was the son of George and Agne...
28/05/2026

In memory of Godfrey Cox who died 28 May 1941.

Born 27th February 1901 in Cwmcarn, Godfrey was the son of George and Agnes Cox, living at at 49 High Street, Pentwynmawr, Newbridge. Godfrey attended Pontllanfraith and Pentwynmawr Council Schools before becoming a pupil at Pontywaun County School.

Starting there on 5th May 1914 he left on 23rd December 1916, and joined the Merchant Navy as a Cadet in March 1917.

His Identity certificate shows he was 5’6” tall with blue eyes and brown hair.
He obtained his Master’s ticket in 1926 and served with various companies including Elders and Fyffes until he obtained his commission as a Lieutenant, Royal Navy Reserve.

Godfrey married Elizabeth Mary Lawrence in 1933, and they had two daughters, Joan and Margaret, living at 23 Graig Park Circle, Newport.

The Registan was bombed on 27th May 1941 by German aircraft off Cape Cornwall; 63 crewmen were lost. Godfrey, a Lieutenant on HMS Registan, died the following day, age 39.

He was buried at St. Olaf Churchyard, Poughill, Cornwall on 7th July 1941.

The inscription on his headstone reads “God Grant Him Eternal Rest.”

In memory of William James Prothero who died on May 28th 1918. William, born in 1900, was the son of William Richard and...
28/05/2026

In memory of William James Prothero who died on May 28th 1918.

William, born in 1900, was the son of William Richard and Ada Ann Prothero, (nee Matthews).

Originally living in the Tap Room, Pontymister, they later moved to 10 Wellspring Terrace, Pontymister.

William enlisted in Cardiff as Private 41867 in the 11th Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers.

The 11th (Service) Battalion was formed in 1914 at Codford as part of the Third New Army.

They moved to Boscombe to join the 74th Brigade of the 25th Division and then again moved to Hursley and then on to Malplaquet Barracks.

On September 29th 1915 they were mobilised for war and landed at Boulogne. The Division were engaged in various actions on the Western Front including the German attack on Vimy Ridge, The Battle of Albert, The Battle of Bazentin, The Battle of Pozieres and The Battle of the Ancre Heights.

In 1917 they saw action at The Battle of Messines and The Battle of Pilckem. The following year they were in action at the Somme during the Battle of the Lys.

William died on May 28th 1918 age 18.

He is commemorated on Soissons Memorial, France and remembered on Bethany Baptist Church Memorial, Risca.

His father William Richard who served in 4th Welsh Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, survived the war.

In memory of Thomas Horace Russell who died 27 May 1941.Thomas, born in 1911 was the son of Percy and Margaret Jane Russ...
27/05/2026

In memory of Thomas Horace Russell who died 27 May 1941.

Thomas, born in 1911 was the son of Percy and Margaret Jane Russell, (nee Thomas), who lived in Stanley House, Rogerstone. Percy was employed as a brick works setter.

Percy, Margaret and family initially lived at 22 Wellspring Terrace, Pontymister, before moving to No. 12 by 1939. It is thought that Thomas had already enlisted in the 1st Battalion Welch Regiment, by this time.

When war broke out in 1939, the 1st Battalion, part of 14th Infantry, 6th Division, were in Palestine for operations concerning the 1936–39 Arab revolt.

Their first action of the war was in 1940 during the Western Desert Campaign.

In February of 1941, the 1st Battalion landed in Crete. On 20th May, the Germans carried out multiple airborne landings in a bid to capture the island. Greek and Allied forces, along with brave Cretan civilians defended the island and after the first day heavy casualties were inflicted on the German forces. The following day though, through a number of tactical and other poor decisions, the Germans captured Maleme airfield. This allowed them to reinforce their troops and overwhelm the Battalion alongside the other Allied troops which necessitated their evacuation by the Royal Navy. The Battalion had lost nearly 250 dead in the Battle of Crete campaign.

Thomas was reported missing on 27th May 1941 and is commemorated on the Athens Memorial.

Percy, Thomas’ father, was killed in an accident at Cwmcarn Pit in 1943. He is buried in Risca Cemetery, Cromwell Road, Risca where Thomas is remembered on the headstone.

In memory of Norman Douglas Jones who died between 27 May and 2 June 1941.Norman, born on November 24th 1916, was the so...
27/05/2026

In memory of Norman Douglas Jones who died between 27 May and 2 June 1941.

Norman, born on November 24th 1916, was the son of Thomas James and Elizabeth Jones, (nee Burrows) of 25 Garden Suburbs, Pontywain.

The family moved to 92 Petersfield Road, Staines and by 1939 Norman was working as a builder’s labourer.

He joined up in March 1940, serving as Private 3967358 in the Welch Regiment. Norman went overseas in August 1940 and was reported as missing in Crete the following year.

As the location and the exact date of his death are unknown, Norman is remembered on the Athens Memorial, Greece.

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