LEST WE FORGET
List of Barry’s War Dead – June 1917
Driver William Richard Conibear of “D” Battery, 106th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
was killed in action on the 4th June, 1917. Aged 20, the son of William Richard and Ellen W. Conibear, of Teegoffe Cottage, Linkinhorne, Callington, Cornwall. Native of St. Neot, Liskeard. He was born in Barry, Glamorgan, and is buried in Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm), Belgium.
Corporal (Gunner) John Benjamin Bartlett of "A" Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Heavy Branch), was killed in action in the Battle of Messines on the 7th June, 1917. He is buried in grave A18, Underhill Farm Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium. Aged 29, he was the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. David Bartlett, of 49, Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun, Glamorgan, and husband of Edna Myfanwy Bartlett, of Pen-y-Bryn, 55, Tynewydd Road, Barry, Glamorgan.
Private Richard G. Chilcott of 16 Platoon, “D” Coy, 6th Battalion Somerset Light Infantry, was killed in action on the 9th June, 1917. The youngest brother of Mr. H. J. Chilcott of 24, Harvey Street, Cadoxton, Barry, he is buried in the Heninel Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Correspondence with his sister Mrs. A. M. Palmer of 23, Hunter Street, Cadoxton, survives and includes his last letter to his sister dated 30th May and her last letter to him dated 12th June which was returned unopened. The local paper reported: “Official news has reached the family of their brother’s death in action. He was previously wounded (gunshot wound left thigh) on the 26th August, after treatment at Harlow Hospital returned to the front on March 21st and was killed by a shell on the 9th June 1917. He was 20 years of age and prior to the war was employed by the Barry Railway Company and resided with his sister at 23, Hunter Street.”
Fireman and Trimmer George Thomas of the SS Marie Elsie, Mercantile Marine, died on 10th June, 1917 as a result of an attack by an enemy submarine. Aged 49, he was the son of William and Mary Thomas of 2, Lombard Street, Barry, born at Lisvane, Cardiff. On June 10th, 1917, the SS Marie Elsie on a voyage from Penarth to Archangelsk with a cargo of coal was sunk by the German Submarine U-28 (Georg Schmidt), 125 miles north west of Cape Teriberski. Three persons were lost.
Private Charles William Brown of the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 14th June, 1917. Aged 31, the son of Bessie Hill (formerly Brown), of 298 Holton Road, Barry Dock, and the late William John Brown, he is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery, near Ypres, Belgium.
Private John Hybart of the 9th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment, and was killed in action on the 16th June, 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial to the Missing, Ypres, Belgium. He was born in Barry, the son of Henrietta Hybart.
Private Richard Hayne of the 1st Battalion, the Rifle Brigade
was killed in action on the 23rd June, 1917. He has no known grave and thus is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. On the night of the 23rd June at 10.30 pm “B” Company of the 1st Battalion, the Rifle Brigade, attacked German positions. Initially all went well, seven German prisoners were taken and numerous casualties inflicted, but as the attacking force withdrew over no man’s land they took many casualties including Hayne, whose body was not recovered. Aged 22, he was the son of Edmund and Martha Hayne of 100, Queen Street, Barry.
Private Charles Elmer Williams of the 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, was killed in action on the 25th June, 1917. He has no known grave and thus is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France. Aged 23, he was born in Barry Dock, Glamorgan, the son of John Williams of 150 Arran Street, Roath, Cardiff, and the husband of Edyth Williams.
Lance Corporal Arnold Dickens of the 19th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, was killed in action on the 26th June, 1917. He is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium. The Barry Dock News reported: OUR BRAVE HEROES AT THE FRONT – FORMER POLICE OFFICER KILLED. “Captain J. D. Black, adjutant of 19th Welsh (Pioneer) Regiment, has written to Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Dickens, 83, George Street. Barry Docks, informing them of the death of their eldest son, Corporal Arnold Dickens, of the same Battalion, which occurred on the night of June 26th when the deceased at his post of duty, was struck by a shell, death being instantaneous. Corporal Dickens, who was 24 years of age, previous to enlisting two years ago was a member of the Glamorgan Constabulary, stationed at Oystermouth, near Swansea. Mr. and Mrs. Dickens have had two sons-in-law discharged from the Army, one having been disabled at Mons, and the other physically unfit.”
Private Charles Osborne of the 123rd Field Company, Royal Engineers, was killed in action on the 28th June, 1917.Aged 46, he is buried in Bard Cottage Cemetery, Belgium. The Barry Dock News reported: SOUTH AFRICAN VETERAN KILLED IN FRANCE. “Lieutenant W. A. Evans, the officer commanding No. 3 Section, 123rd Field Company, R.E., France, writes to inform Mr. Sidney Osborne, 46, Kingsland Crescent, Barry Docks, that, his brother, Sapper Charles Osborne, has been killed in action in France, by a shell. "He was without doubt one of the best and most reliable sappers in the company," Lieutenant Evans states, and was a favourite with the men. He refused to take non-commissioned rank, and did excellent work at Mametz Wood, during raids, and other dangerous work in our present area. The N.C.O.'s and men of the section wish to extend their deepest sympathy to you.” Sapper Osborne served throughout the South African War with the Grenadier Guards. He was 46 years of age and re-joined the Army when war broke out.”
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.