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 Louden Lewis who died June 21st 1945.Louden, born 26th March 1922, was the youngest son of John and Rosina ...
21/06/2026

In memory of Louden Lewis who died June 21st 1945.

Louden, born 26th March 1922, was the youngest son of John and Rosina Lewis, (nee Watkins), of 1 Phillip Street, Risca.

An ex-pupil of Danygraig School, he worked at Evans Quarry, Abercarn, as a Banker-Mason before joining the Royal Air Force in 1940.

He served as a Leading Aircraftman in the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve.
Whilst stationed at Biggin Hill, Kent, he was injured during an air raid and spent fourteen weeks in hospital.

In April 1941, he volunteered for overseas service and left for the Far East the following year.

Captured on 8th March 1942 by the Japanese at Singapore, Louden was held in Java POW Camp. On 27th June 1944, he was among 1260 prisoners who were taken aboard the NN Maru 6 at the port of Batavia in Java. They were taken to Malakka in Singapore, arriving on 1st July, they were then taken to Changi Camp.

He was later moved to the Sumatra (Railway) POW Camp and forced to work on the Sumatra Railway.

Louden died on 21st June 1945 at Camp No. 3, Koebang, Sumatra from Dysentery, Intestinal Haemorrhage, and Malaria.

He is buried in the Jakarta War Cemetery, Indonesia.

Louden had two brothers who also served in the armed forces, Bombardier Wyndham Lewis, Royal Artillery, and Private Donald Lewis, Royal Army Service Corps. Both brothers survived the war.

In memory of Eric Richard Groucott who died June 21st 1944.Eric, born on 24th August 1923, was the son of George Richard...
21/06/2026

In memory of Eric Richard Groucott who died June 21st 1944.

Eric, born on 24th August 1923, was the son of George Richard and Miriam Groucott, (nee Perrett).

They lived in Cwm Lane, Rogerstone, and Eric attended Rogerstone Boys’ School before moving to Pontywaun County School on 17th September 1935. He left on 14th November 1938 to start work as a Clerk.

He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and was a Flight Sergeant in 355 Squadron. 355 Squadron RAF was a long-range bomber Squadron based in India from August 1943 until it disbanded in May 1946. The Squadron was raised for service during World War II and was equipped with Consolidated Liberator aircraft.

They carried out operations against the Japanese during the Burma campaign.

On 21st June 1944, Eric and seven other crew members were detailed to attack Port Blair in the Andaman Islands. The Japanese Army had occupied the islands in 1942.

Their aircraft was a Mk 111 Liberator, BZ853. Taking off at 17:40 from their base at Salboni airfield in India, they carried a bomb load of 3500 lbs. The wireless operator reported at 19:15, they were returning to base due to engine trouble.

At 19:46, an SOS was transmitted, and although searches were carried out over the following two days, the aircraft and all eight crew were lost after the plane ditched in the Bay of Bengal.

Eric is remembered on the Singapore Memorial and the memorial in Rogerstone Library.

In memory of Tudor Stephen Rowlands who died 20 June 1940.Born in 1915, Tudor was the youngest son of John and Rose Ann ...
20/06/2026

In memory of Tudor Stephen Rowlands who died 20 June 1940.

Born in 1915, Tudor was the youngest son of John and Rose Ann Rowlands, (nee Brewster). The family lived in 2 Jamesville, Cwmcarn, before moving to 28 Newport Road, Cwmcarn, and then to Springfield Road, Pontymister.

Tudor served as a Sergeant in 3 Corps Ammunition Park, Royal Army Service Corps. Initially reported as wounded, then missing, Tudor, aged 25, died of wounds on 20th June 1940 and is buried in St. Valery-En-Caux Franco-British Cemetery, France.

His older brother, David Francis Rowlands, was killed in WW1.

19/06/2026

In memory of Alfred Atkinson who died June 19th 1915.

Early records of Alfred are vague, although it is thought he was born in Barrow in Furness, Lancashire between 1876 - 79. His father’s name was recorded as William according to one of the military records.

The 1911 census shows he was living in 29 Woodland Terrace, Rogerstone with his wife Mary and son David age 5. In a later record though Mary recorded herself as Mrs Mary John, unmarried wife of Alfred.

His occupation is shown as a general labourer in the steel and wire works. They had two other children, Leonard born 1911 and Vera born in 1912.

Alfred and family had moved to 3 Mill Street, Risca by 1915 and he was now working in Cwmcarn colliery, before he enlisted in the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers.

A newspaper cutting suggests he was in the army previously seeing action in the Boer War and the Indian Frontier.

The 2nd SWB embarked at Avonmouth for Egypt on March 29th 1915 arriving at Alexandria on route to Gallipoli, where they arrived on April 25th at Helles.

The 2nd Battalion landed 3 companies on S Beach on the shores of Morto Bay. In broad daylight on open beaches defended by barbed wire, rifles and machine guns they had 2 officers and 18 men killed or drowned and 2 officers and 40 men wounded.

They saw action throughout the rest of the Gallipoli campaign. In the efforts to advance from Cape Helles in May and June it fought with great determination and stubbornness.

Alfred was killed in action on June 19th 1915 and is remembered on the Helles Memorial.

18/06/2026

In memory of Sam James who died June 18th 1918.

Born in Newport in 1886, Sam lived with his uncle John James at 15 Navigation Road, Risca.

In 1911 he is shown as being employed as a colliery labourer.

In 1912 he married Eliza Gwendoline Prout and they had two children, Gwynneth and Kenneth, living in 10 Navigation Road.

He enlisted at Newport, as Private 21550, with the 10th Battalion South Wales Borderers.

Arriving in France on December 4th 1915, the 10th Battalion fought on the front lines at Givenchy, Battle of the Somme, Pilckem Ridge in Third Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Langemarck.

Sam was later promoted to Company Sergeant Major.

He was killed on June 18th 1918 and is buried in St. Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen, France.

Sam is also commemorated on the family grave at Risca Cemetery, Cromwell Road, Risca.

In memory of Jack Rowe who died on June 18th 1944.Jack, son of Thomas Laurie and Sarah Ann Rowe, (nee Burnett), was born...
18/06/2026

In memory of Jack Rowe who died on June 18th 1944.

Jack, son of Thomas Laurie and Sarah Ann Rowe, (nee Burnett), was born on 16th June 1912 at Cross Keys, where the family lived at 1 Halls Road Cottages. Thomas served as a Sergeant with the Welsh Regiment in WW1. He was wounded in action and discharged on 16th August 1916.

Jack married Minnie Werin in 1937, having a daughter, Barbara, the following year.
In 1939, they were living at 16 Bourne Road, Godalming, Surrey. His brother William Henry and his family were living in the same premises.

Jack was employed as a Builder’s Labourer before signing up on 24th July 1940.
His Service No. 3913854 indicates he signed up to the South Wales Borderers before transferring to the Royal Engineers as a Sapper.

Jack's death certificate shows the cause of death as "Gastro Enteritis probably due to a bacterial toxin, the causal organism of which it has been impossible to isolate." His inquest was held in Flintshire on 19th June and 10th July 1944.

A note on his casualty card states, "Opinion of Comm Mid. West District. Spr Rowe met his death whilst on duty as the outcome of food poisoning. Neither he nor anyone else can be held to blame."

Jack died age 32, on 18th June 1944, and is buried in Danygraig Cemetery, Risca.

The inscription on his headstone reads, “Until We Meet Again.”

In memory of Albert Jenkins who died 15 June 1918.Albert, born in Risca in 1894, was the son of Alexander and Elizabeth ...
15/06/2026

In memory of Albert Jenkins who died 15 June 1918.

Albert, born in Risca in 1894, was the son of Alexander and Elizabeth Jenkins, Pontymister.

He worked as a galvanised sheet marker in the local tin plate works, his father and six brothers were also employed in the same place.

In 1911 the family lived at 3 Llanarth Square, Pontymister.

Albert enlisted in Newport and served as Private, 21942, in 10th Battalion South Wales Borderers and arrived in France on December 4th 1915.

The 10th Battalion had fought on the front lines at Givenchy, Battle of the Somme, Pilckem Ridge in the Third Battle of Ypres and the Battle of Langemarck.

On June 15th 1918, the war diary states, “Battalion in Reserve to 113th Brigade.
Usual training carried out in addition to working parties found for wiring etc.

Baths at Forceville were allotted to this unit and much appreciated. Day passed off quietly, the enemy making no attack, as was expected. Casualties 2 Other Ranks Killed”.

Albert is buried in Englebelmer Communal Cemetery Extension, France and remembered on the Bethany Baptist Church Memorial.

In memory of David John Mantle who died 13 June 1918.David, son of John and Elizabeth Ann Mantle, (nee Owens), was born ...
13/06/2026

In memory of David John Mantle who died 13 June 1918.

David, son of John and Elizabeth Ann Mantle, (nee Owens), was born in Dowlais, Merthyr in 1887.

They lived at Penyard, Penydarren where John worked as an ostler in the pit, as did his brother Richard.

David’s mother died in 1898 and by 1901 they were living at 4 Charlotte Street, Merthyr with John’s father David.

John was employed as a timberman below ground and his son David was a miner.

They moved again to Darren View in Merthyr lodging with a Christopher Davies and his family.

David was living at 53 Newport Road, Cwmcarn when he enlisted on September 7th 1914 at Newport. He joined the 5th Service Battalion, South Wales Borderers initially, but was discharged as medically unfit the following month.

He was called up on February 19th 1918 joining the Royal Garrison Artillery going to France. His records of service in France have not survived, but on June 13th 1918 a telegram was sent to his father John informing him that David had been injured.
“Casualty Clearing Station 51. Dangerously ill with gunshot wounds to abdomen, head, hands and chest. Regret permission to visit him cannot be granted”.

A further telegram was sent on June 18th informing John of the death of his son.
David is buried in Aire Communal Cemetery, France.

He is remembered on the Risca Workingmen’s Club Memorial.

In memory of William Reginald Gill who died June 13th 1944.Reg was the eldest son of William Douglas and Ada Ann Gill (n...
13/06/2026

In memory of William Reginald Gill who died June 13th 1944.

Reg was the eldest son of William Douglas and Ada Ann Gill (nee Prothero).

Born on 17th February 1923, Reg attended Waunfawr Mixed School, Cross Keys, and was a member of Hope Sunday School.

In 1939, the family lived at 4 Medart Street, Cross Keys, and Reg was a Colliery Worker, as was his brother Jack and their father. He later worked at Stewart’s and Lloyd’s Steel Tube manufacturers in Newport.

He joined the Army on 4th February 1943 and served as a Sapper in the Royal Engineers.

He was admitted to the hospital in December 1943 for “Infected Blisters Right Hand”, then again in February 1944, firstly for “Enteritis” and later in the month with “Acute Gastritis.” He was discharged back to his unit on 6th March 1944.

Aged just 21, he was killed in action near Caen on 13th June 1944.

Reg was originally buried in a cemetery in Breville, France. After being exhumed, he was reburied in Ranville War Cemetery, France, on 2nd July 1945.

Reg is remembered on the Stewart and Lloyds memorial in Newport and is commemorated on the British Normandy Memorial, France.

In memory of George Henry Humphries who died 12 June 1915.George, born 1887 in Tredegar was the son of William and Jane ...
12/06/2026

In memory of George Henry Humphries who died 12 June 1915.

George, born 1887 in Tredegar was the son of William and Jane Humphries.

William was a Police Constable and moved around the Monmouthshire area. In 1901 he was stationed in Ebbw Vale along with his wife and two children.

Jane died in 1897 and William married Clara Emma Jones in 1898. By 1901 he was promoted to Sergeant, serving in Risca and living in the Police Station.

In 1911, George is now living with his family in the Police Station, New Tredegar and is employed as a fitter at the colliery.

George married Mary J Rawlings in 1911, a daughter Beryl was born the following year.

He joined the 1st Battalion, Somerset Light Infantry, arriving in France on August 23rd 1914, being killed just under a year later.

George had transferred to the Royal Engineers a short while before his death.

A newspaper article stated that:
“He had accidentally drowned in Flanders. He had left the trenches with another Lance Corporal of the company and shortly after entering the water got into difficulties and sank. Brave efforts were made by a soldier of another regiment, and by his friend to save him, but the task was beyond them. Other men in a boat also rendered assistance, but all efforts were in vain, owing to the apparently considerable depth to which he sunk.

Although the deceased had been with the company a comparatively short time, the officers add that this loss is keenly felt by many men”.

George is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium and the New Tredegar War Memorial.

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