LEST WE FORGET
List of Barry’s War Dead – February 1917
Corporal David Towers M. M., 17th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers
was killed in action on 2nd February, 1917 by shell fire and is buried in Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Belgium. In December 1916 Corporal David Towers was awarded the Military Medal for: “gallant conduct during a raid on the enemy trenches on the night of 17/18th November, when attached to the 115th Trench Mortar Battery during the Battle of the Somme.”
Private Dennis Dwyer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Marine Light Infantry
was killed in action on the 2nd February, 1917. He had been wounded on two previous occasions before receiving his fatal injury. He was buried in Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval, France. He had lived at 27, Faxten Street, Cadoxton and had joined the RMLI in 1912.
Private David E. Lewis, Base M.T. Depot Army Service Corps,
died in hospital in France on 3rd February, 1917 of bronchitis and heart disease. He was buried in Boulogne Cemetery, France. He was an engine driver at Tari Coed Colliery and left a widow and five children at 46, Vale Street, Barry.
Second Lieutenant Hugh Neil O’Donnell, 17th Battalion, Welsh Regiment
died of his wounds at 2 Red Cross Hospital, Rouen on 4th February, 1917, and is buried at St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen. Aged 22, he was the son of Dr. Peter Joseph and Mary O’Donnell of the Towers, Holton Road, Barry.
Ordinary Seaman T Tobin of the SS Azul, Merchant Navy
died 6th February, 1917. The British Steamship Azul was torpedoed and sunk by U-64 180 miles north west of Fastnet on passage from Buenos Aires for Cherbourg with a cargo of wheat. Eleven of her crew were lost. Aged 17 born in Barry the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Jane Tobin of 11, Corelli Street, Newport.
Air Mechanic Second Class William Elwyn Evans, Training Recruits Centre, Royal Flying Corps
died of meningitis in Aylesbury Hospital on 9th February, 1917. He is buried in Manor Court Cemetery, Essex, and had formerly lived at 32, High Street, Barry.
Rifleman Evan Henry Rees, ‘C’ Company, 11th Battalion, Rifle Brigade
died of wounds on the 10th February, 1917. He was one of the original members of the battalion and according to his Commanding Officer was made of the ‘best stuff’. He was buried in the Guards Cemetery.
Private Edward James Atkins, Second Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
died of wounds on 12th February, 1917 and is buried in Bray Military Cemetery, France. He had been in the army for 12 months. He was 20 years old and had lived at 3, Roberts Street, Barry Dock.
Lance Corporal Thomas Stone, 4th Battalion, South Wales Borderers
killed in action 15th February, 1917, he has no known grave and is remembered on the Basra Memorial. He had formerly lived at 203 Court Road, Cadoxton, was 20 years of age and had been an assistant foreman in the Traffic Depot of the Barry Railway Company.
Ernest Spurrell Phillips, Second Engineer SS Okement, Merchant Navy
died 17th February, 1917. He drowned as a result of attack by enemy submarine. On 17th February, 1917, Okement with a cargo of coal and general cargo was sunk by U64 140 miles south south east of Malta. Eleven persons were lost. He was aged 24, the son of Henry and Mary Ann Phillips of 125, Porthkerry Road, Barry.
Gunner John Thomas, 29th Trench Mortar Battery, Royal Field Artillery, formerly of 17 Milward Road, Cadoxton was killed in action on the 18th February, 1917. He is buried in Faubourg D’Amiens Cemetery, Arras, France. He had been employed by the Barry Railway Company and had served in France more than a year aged 21.
Private Sidney M. Booker of the 19th Pioneer Battalion, Welsh Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs Booker of 11, Evelyn Street, Barry Dock was reported killed in action 20th February 1917, and is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium. Previous to his enlistment on 14th August, 1915, Sydney was employed by Messrs. C. H. Bailey as an apprentice joiner.
Private H. F. Close, 2/5th Battalion, Loyal North Lancashire Regiment
killed in action 26th February, 1917, buried Rue-Petillon, Fleurbaix Military Cemetery, France.
Lieutenant Bramwell G. Adams, 9th Battalion, Australian Infantry
was killed in action on 25th February, 1917, shot by a sniper. He has no known grave and is remembered on the Viller-Bretonneux Memorial. He was the son of A. G. Adams, the Barry undertaker, and was married with one son. The family lived at 51, Maesycwm Street, Barry Dock. Before the war, he had taken up teaching positions in Australia where he met his wife, also from Barry.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.