The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

Alfred Richards, A Richards on the Ystradgynlais War Memorial, served with the Suffolk Regiment and was killed in action in September 1918.

The information on Alfred Richards has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

Name	Alfred Richards
Date of Death	28th September 1918
Place of Death	Flanders
Age at Death	27
Unit and Regiment	Suffolk Regiment; 12th Bn.
Rank	Private
Service Number	57474
Personal Information	Born Neath: Son of John (Born Neath 1860-1910) and Lydia Richards nee VICKERY (Born Briton Ferry 14/01/1864-1942) of 6 Hendreladis Cottage, Brecon Road, Penrhos Ystradgynlais, Swansea. Prior to war Haulier at Colliery. After his father died his mother remarried John Alfred THOMAS (Born 1875-1936)
Memorial	TYNE COT MEMORIAL - BELGIUM; Panel 40 to 41 and 162 to 162A.
Local Memorials	Ystradgynlais War Memorial
Remembrance Grave	Remembered on family grave:- Also Pte Alfred Richards, who fell in action in Flanders, Sep 28th 1918, aged 27 years
Known Brothers	William G RICHARDS (born Neath 1885) Miner John RICHARDS (born Neath 1890) Engineer at Colliery Surface
Known Sisters	Lydia RICHARDS (born Neath 4th February 1884, died 1943) Domestic Servant Married Mr Harry SMITH at Pontardawe in 1901:     - Son Morgan John SMITH (born Ystradgynlais 1904).     - Son David Walter SMITH (born Ystradgynlais 2nd February 1908)     - Son Brinley SMITH Jane RICHARDS (born Neath 1897) Daughter [Lizzie] Elizabeth Mary RICHARDS (Born Ystradgynlais 25/05/1902) Daughter Beatrice Maud RICHARDS (Born Ystradgynlais 11/12/1904-1970) Possibly Married Latimer Edwin JOHN (Born 09/08/1903-1980) Underground Haulier Living 1939 = Llanelly

Alfred Richards joined the Army Service Corps in 1915, as part of Kitchener's 2nd New Army, working as a driver in horse transport as evinced by his service number beginning with T/2/. He then transferred to the Northumberland Fusiliers, with the service number 55634. After being wounded, he was home on leave in January 1918 (see below). It would seem that on being declared fit, he was transferred to the Suffolk Regiment, whose 12th Batallion formed part of the 43rd brigade, in the 14th (Light) Division attached to the XIX Corps in the Second Army for the advance in Flanders that became the 5th Battle of Ypres, beginning on 28th September 1918.

Thank you to Owen Payne for proof of his service record

His death on 28th September 1918, would have been right at the start of the battle, but the issue of the Llais for 5th October 1918 is missing from the national archives, so if that issue contained notice of his death, it is currently unavailable for transcription.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 26th January 1918:-

Private Alf Richards Northumberland Fusiliers, who has been in France for 23 months and has since been in hospital under treatment, has been home at Penrhos on leave. He joined the colours in 1914.

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Area I in Saint Cynog's churchyard	The Richards family grave

Family Details

The Llais records the death of Alfred's father John in 1910, his mother's remarriage in 1911, the death and subsequent funeral of his brother John in 1936, and the death and funeral of his mother Lydia in 1942, and of his sister Lydia in 1943. From the reports on his mother's death, it can be noted that her second husband, John Alfred Thomas, had also predeceased her.

LABOUR VOICE SATURDAY 23rd JULY 1910

DEATH: MR JOHN RICHARDS

We regret to record the death of Mr John Richards Ynys Uchaf at the age of 50 years. He had been suffering for a considerable time from asthma and this was the cause of his death.
The interment took place on Thursday last at Ystradgynlais Cemetery.

LABOUR VOICE SATURDAY 10th JUNE 1911

WEDDING: THOMAS-RICHARDS

A quiet wedding was solemnised at the Ystradgynlais Parish Church on Sunday morning when Mr J H Thomas of Ynys, bank foreman at the Ystradfawr Colliery was married to Mrs Richards, widow of the late Mr John Richards, of Ynys Uchaf. The best man was Mr John Earland and several friends were in attendance.
The happy couple subsequently motored to Mumbles, where the honeymoon was spent

SOUTH WALES VOICE SATURDAY 15th AUGUST 1936

DEATH: MR JOHN A THOMAS

The death occurred on Wednesday after a long illness of Brother John Alfred Thomas ROH PPG P, secretary of the Loyal Edmund Walsh Lodge of the RAOB. Mr Thomas was 61 years of age and was one of the most prominent members of the Buffalo Order in the district.
The funeral takes place at 4.30 on Saturday at the Parish Churchyard with Buffalo Rites.
All Brother Buffs are asked to attend

SOUTH WALES VOICE SATURDAY 22nd AUGUST 1936

FUNERAL: JOHN ALFRED THOMAS

Buffalo Honours were accorded Brother John Alfred Thomas ROH PPGP Hendreladis Terrace, when he was laid to rest in the Ystradgynlais Churchyard on Saturday. The deceased was a prominent member of the RAOB, being secretary of the Edmund Walsh Lodge and one of the founders of the E R Whittington-Moe Lodge.
The chief mourners were: Messrs William John Richards, Morgan, David Brinley Smith sons; John Richards and Ronald Roberts grandsons; Arthur Richards, Jack Richards, Owen Fisher and Tom Jones nephews; George Vickery brother in law.

SOUTH WALES VOICE SATURDAY 18th APRIL 1942

DEATH: LYDIA THOMAS

The death occurred on Saturday of Mrs Lydia Thomas, wife of the late Mr John Alfred Thomas, 6 Hendreladis Terrace, at the age of 78. She is survived by a grown-up family. The deceased lady was a member of the Parish Church.
The funeral took place on Wednesday at the Parish Churchyard.

SOUTH WALES VOICE SATURDAY 25th APRIL 1942

FUNERAL: LYDIA THOMAS

The funeral of Mrs Lydia Thomas, widow of Mr John Alfred Thomas of 6 Hendreladis Terrace, took place at the Parish Churchyard on Wednesday. The deceased was 78 years of age.
The mourners were: Messrs George Vickery brother; John Richards, son; Morgan, David, Brinley Smith, John Richards; Ronald, John and Wyndham Robert grandsons; W J Roberts and L John sons-in-law; Arthur and Jack Richards, Jack, David and George Vickery nephews; H Thomas brother in law.
Mourners at the house were: Lydia, Sal, Lizzie Mary and Beattie daughters; Mrs D Davies, Mrs W Richards and Mrs H Thomas sisters; Mrs J Richards, Mrs D Smith daughters in law; Brenda Roberts, granddaughter; Mrs Gwyn Hughes niece.

SOUTH WALES VOICE SATURDAY 2nd JANUARY 1943

FUNERAL: MRS LYDIA SMITH

The funeral of Mrs Lydia Smith, 6 Hendreladis Terrace whose tragic death occurred at her sons' home in Ystalyfera, took place on Sunday at Ystradgynlais Parish Churchyard.
The mourners were: Messrs Morgan, David and Brinley Smith sons; John Richards, brother; W J Roberts, Latin mere John brothers-in-law; John Richards, Ronald, John and Wyndham Roberts, nephews; George Vickery, Henry Thomas uncles; Arthur and Jack Richards, David Hughes cousins.
At the house were: Sal, Lizzie, Mary Ann Beattie sister; Mrs D W Smith daughter in law; Mrs J Richards, sister in law; Mrs M Richards, aunt; Mrs Gwyn Hughes cousins.

*Daughter of John and Lydia RICHARDS: Lydia SMITH nee RICHARDS (no 1888b) died 1942 Buried St Cynog's UNKNOWN YEAR