LEST WE FORGET
List of Barry’s War Dead – March 1917
New Sapper William B. Reece, 12th Field Company, 4th Canadian Division Engineers,
was killed in action on 1st March, 1917. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. From the Canadian records of the circumstances of the casualty: “He took part in a raid with the 72nd and 73rd Battalions on 1st March, 1917, South East of Souchez. The party to which he was detailed failed to reach its objective and Sapper Reece together with several men of another unit took shelter in shell holes in front of the German frontline and carried on the fight with rifles from this position. Just prior to the withdrawal order being given, Sapper Reece was hit in the head by a rifle bullet and killed. His comrades were unable to get him out, owing to the intensity of fire prevailing at the time he was hit.” Born on 16th October, 1894, the son of George and Kate Reece formerly of 174, Holton Road, Barry, he had immigrated to Canada with his parents prior to the war and worked as a plumber. (22 years old.)
Driver Mark Pulsford, M.T. L/B Horse Transport, Army Service Corps, died 3rd March, 1917 and is buried in Mont Huon Cemetery, Le Treport, France. He was 35, the son of John and Elizabeth Pulsford of Dinas Powys.
Bombardier Tom Simpkins of “D” Battery, 58th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery,
died of wounds on 5th March, 1917 and is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery, France. He was the brother of W. J. Simpkins, of 4, Kendrick Rd, Barry.
Reginald Henry Mattravers, Merchant Navy,
drowned on 6th March, 1917 when he was swept overboard from his ship SS Decasin.Aged 18 he lived at 1, Cardiff Road, Barry.
Eustace Green, Fireman, Mercantile Marine.
He died on the 8th March, 1917 when his ship, the SS Dunbarmoor, on a voyage from Rosario to Manchester with a cargo of wheat, was sunk by the German submarine U-44 (Paul Wagenführ), 180 miles west north west of Fastnet. Twelve persons were lost. Aged 36, he was the son of the late Mrs. Martha Ann Green; and husband of Philippa Green (nee Kennedy), of 23, Beverley St., Cadoxton, Barry, Glamorgan. Born at Barbados, March 8th, 1917.
Johan Karlson, Marine Engineer, SS Folia Merchant Navy,
aged 27, the son of Karl and Kristine Karlson, husband of Florence Karlson of 13, Brickyard Terrace, Cadoxton. On Sunday, 11th March, 1917, the SS Folia, commanded by Captain F. Inch, was torpedoed and sunk off the Irish coast, while on a voyage from New York to Bristol. The SS Folia was torpedoed by the German submarine U-53 which surfaced and sunk the vessel by gunfire. Seven of the crew were lost, 68 survived.
Second Lieutenant Arthur William Martin of the 61st Reserve Battalion, Welsh Regiment
died at Kinmel Park Camp Hospital, North Wales, on 14th March, 1917 from the effects of a bomb-throwing mishap. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Martin of 95, Main Street, Cadoxton. He had immigrated to Canada and had joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force on the outbreak of the war and after serving in France for 12 months had been commissioned in the Welsh Regiment.
Nicholas Patinios, Fireman, SS Frimaire, Merchant Navy drowned when his ship was torpedoed in the Bay of Biscay on the 15th March, 1917. Aged 24, he was the husband of Bridget Patinios of 48, Graving Dock Street (now St. Marys Avenue), Barry. On 15th March on a voyage from St. Nazaire to Bayonne his ship was sunk by German submarine UC21, 21 miles south-south east of Belle Ille. Twelve persons were lost.
Gunner Luke William Howard of “D” Battery, 83rd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery.
Born in Barry and aged 28 he was killed in action on 16th March, 1917. He is buried in Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy, France.
Gunner Charles Edward Victor Wheeler of the 121st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery, was killed in action on 16th March, 1917, and is buried in Ferme-Olivier Cemetery, Belgium. Aged 20, he was the adopted son of Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Wheeler of Cadoxton.
Gunner Charles J. Koller of “B” Battery, 70th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery
died of wounds on 22nd March, 1917 and is buried in Harbarcq Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Private William Victor David of the 5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
was killed in action in the First Battle for Gaza on 26th March, 1917.
Aged 18, he was the stepson of Mr and Mrs Pimm of 30, Gilbert Street, Cadoxton and is commemorated on the Jerusalem Memorial, Israel.
Second Lieutenant Evan W. Davies, 1st/7th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
was killed in action on 26th March, 1917. He is buried in the Gaza War Cemetery, Israel.
Lieutenant Vivian Gwynne James of the 12th Battalion, (attached to 7th Battalion) Royal Welsh Fusiliers
was killed in action on 26th March, 1917. He was buried in the Gaza War Cemetery, Israel.
Rifleman Robert John Morris 1st/5th Battalion London Regiment (London Rifle Brigade)
died of his wounds on 30th March, 1917 and is buried in Achicourt Road Cemetery, France. Aged 23, he was the son of M. E. and Elizabeth Morris, Plasdeon, Llanuwchllyn, Merioneth.
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.