SARNAU - WALES
War Memorial
War Memorial
Sarnau lies astride the A487 road from Cardigan to Aberystwyth, about ten miles east-north-east of Cardigan. The men of the area who fell during both World Wars are commemorated on several war memorials which are housed inside the Memorial Hall. These memorials commemorate the seventeen men of the village who fell during the Great War; a scroll commemorating the men and women who served and survived; and a memorial for the ten men who fell during World War Two. Another plaque inside the hall was removed from Glynarthen School after its closure, and commemorates the nine former pupils who fell during the Great War. - West Wales War Memorial Project
Private David John THOMAS 561
Born: St. Dogmaels, Cardiganshire, Wales
Enlisted: 25-1-1916, Perth, Western Australia
44th Battalion Australian Infantry
Occupation prior to Enlistment: Labourer
Departed Australia 6-6-1916
Killed in Action 1-6-1917, Belgium aged 34years
Resting: Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Wallonie, Belgium
Son of Elizabeth Thomas, of Brynteg, Rhydlewis, Henllan, Cardiganshire, Wales, and the late Lewis Thomas.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Panel 138
Born: St. Dogmaels, Cardiganshire, Wales
Enlisted: 25-1-1916, Perth, Western Australia
44th Battalion Australian Infantry
Occupation prior to Enlistment: Labourer
Departed Australia 6-6-1916
Killed in Action 1-6-1917, Belgium aged 34years
Resting: Strand Military Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Wallonie, Belgium
Son of Elizabeth Thomas, of Brynteg, Rhydlewis, Henllan, Cardiganshire, Wales, and the late Lewis Thomas.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Panel 138
David was born at St. Dogmaels, the son of Lewis and Elizabeth Thomas, later of Brynteg, Henllan. He had emigrated to Australia prior to the war along with his brother James Louis Thomas, and after the declaration of war, both brothers enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force. David attested at Perth into the 44th Battalion, AIF, and embarked at Fremantle on 6 June 1916 aboard the HMAT Suevic, bound for England. David was then posted to his Battalion in France on 16 March 1917, after spending two months in hospital in England. The Battalion spent most of May 1917 training near Armentieres, and at the end of the month moved to Ploegsteert, where they took up billets in the catacombs, providing working parties within the wood. David was killed during his first day at Ploegsteert on 1 June 1917. He was 34 years old, and is buried at Strand Military Cemetery, Belgium. His Brother, James Louis Thomas, died the previous year. - West Wales War Memorial Project
Private James Louis (Lewis) THOMAS 2936
Born: Cardigan, Wales
Enlisted: 23-7-1915, Black Boy Hill, Western Australia
48th Battalion Australian Infantry
Occupation prior to Enlistment: Miner
Died 6-8-1916, France
Honoured: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France
Son of Elizabeth Thomas, of Brynteg, Rhydlewis, Henllan, Cardiganshire, Wales, and the late Lewis Thomas.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Panel 147
Born: Cardigan, Wales
Enlisted: 23-7-1915, Black Boy Hill, Western Australia
48th Battalion Australian Infantry
Occupation prior to Enlistment: Miner
Died 6-8-1916, France
Honoured: Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Picardie, France
Son of Elizabeth Thomas, of Brynteg, Rhydlewis, Henllan, Cardiganshire, Wales, and the late Lewis Thomas.
Honoured Australian War Memorial Panel 147
James was born at St. Dogmaels, the son of Lewis and Elizabeth Thomas, later of Brynteg, Henllan. He had emigrated to Australia along with his brother David prior to the war, and enlisted there at Blackboy Hill into the Australian Imperial Force. James was posted to the 48th Battalion, AIF, which was in France attached to the 12th Australian Brigade, 4th Australian Division. On 5 October 1915 James embarked at Fremantle aboard the HMAT Hororata, and arrived at Ismailia on 8 January 1916. On 9 June 1916 the 48th Battalion landed at Marseilles, and moved to Bailleul. The Division moved to the Somme at the end of July 1916, and took up positions in Sausage Valley, while the 2nd Australian Division was fighting at Pozieres, and got ready to move into the line to replace them. James was killed just days after, when his battalion moved through the battered ruins of Pozieres, to attack the German positions near the Windmill on 6 August 1916. He was 33 years old, and is commemorated on the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, France.- West Wales War Memorial Project