Individual Details

Military

He joined the 15th (Service) Rhondda Battalion of the Welch Regiment as a private. His Regimental number was 22732. Known as the Carmarthen Pals.
He was posted to France on the 2nd of December 1915 with the British Expeditionary Force, sailing from Folkestone landing at Le Havre, as did his brother Thomas John. He was awarded the Military Medal on the 16th of November 1916. The award of his Military Medal was published in the London Gazette of 16 November 1916, and was for his bravery at Mametz Wood in July 1916. He also received the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. On the 24th of April 1917 he was admitted to the hospital at Saint Omer, Pas-de-Calais, France for dental treatment. He was promoted to corporal on the 9th of May 1917. On the 31st of July 1917 he was promoted to acting sergeant. On the 23rd of September 1917 he became an instructor in the field. He was promoted to sargeant on the 15th of Nov 1917. On the 30th of November he was demoted to corporal but on the same day he again became an acting sergeant. In spite of being 'severely reprimanded' on the 9th of March 1918, (reason - falling out of a working party without permission), he was promoted again to sergeant and remained at this rank until the end of the war. On the 6th of June 1918 he was admitted to the General Hospital in Rouen for treatment to his left hand. On the 12th of November 1918 he was severely reprimanded for out-staying his leave from 6:15 am on the 12th of November 1918 to 6:15 am on the 15th of November 1918. He also forfeited 3 days pay. On the 8th of December 1918 he was posted back to England for coalmining duties. He was demobilized and discharged on the 31st of March 1920. On the 24th of May 1924 he re-enlisted with the 102nd Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Army). He was discharged on the 31st March 1925.