Fishguard WW1

About 100 American working men arrived at Fishguard recently, 60 of whom are stated to have now joined the British forces, while the remainder have found employment at Pembrey. Some curiosity is aroused by this introduction of New World methods at Pembrey. The men pool their food and earnings. In a large basket are about 20 loaves of bread, milk, sausages and other foodstuffs, and, when hungry, the men help themselves. A bucket of water is kept near by, and from this they drink.

(Cambria Daily Leader, Tuesday 9th February 1915)
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The Rev. George Thomas, B.A. (Oxon), Calvinistic Methodist minister at [Berachah C.M. Church] Goodwick, Fishguard Harbour, took leave of his congregation last evening previous to joining the Army.

Mr. Thomas stated emphatically that he was joining the Army because the country called for more men, and as he was unmarried and within two weeks of his fortieth year, he felt it his duty to answer the call. Ever since war was declared he had persistently urged young men to join the forces, and he could not consistently refuse to go now that the age limit had been extended. Although he might be the first Welsh Nonconformist minister of religion to take the step he needed no commendation. Duty called - that was all. "I am a bantam," he added, "and far from robust, but I have passed the medical examination all right."

Previous to entering the Calvinistic Methodist ministry, Mr. Thomas practised as a solicitor at Pembroke Dock.

(Cambria Daily Leader, Thursday 3rd June 1915)
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J/27364 Boy 1st Class Frederick Clifford Jenkins, Royal Navy. H.M.S. "Viknor" Died 13th January 1915, aged 16. Son of W. S. Jenkins, J.P., and Margaret Jenkins, of The Cottage, Fishguard. CWGC database gives his age as 19.



Amongst the crew of the ill-fated armed liner Viknor was seaman Freddie Jenkins, son of Mrs. Jenkins, The Cottage, Penslade, Fishguard, and of the late Mr. W. S. Jenkins, J.P., Fishguard, who represented the Ambleston Division on the Pembrokeshire County Council for several years. Seaman Jenkins was sixteen years of age, and was serving an apprenticeship in the Navy. At the outbreak of war he first served on H.M.S. Edgar, and witnessed the sinking of the Monmouth. At the beginning of December he joined the liner Viknor, and though he was in the habit of regularly writing home, nothing has been heard of him since the vessel sailed.

(Cambria Daily Leader, Monday 12th July 1915)
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The Great Western Railway quaymen at Fishguard Harbour came out on strike on Saturday, demanding an increase in wages of 1d. per hour. They refused to unload cargoes on the vessels from Ireland, and so a number of soldiers set to work and discharged and reloaded the ships with admirable celerity.

The strike is opposed to the wishes of the Union leaders. The local secretary, Mr. E. Fitzmaurice, of the National Labourers' Union, to which most of the strikers belong, endeavoured to prevent a cassation of work, but without avail. A telegram from Mr. J. Twomey, Swansea, asking the men to remain at dut was also disobeyed.

Mr. J. Rees, G.W.R. Divisional Superintendent, Mr. C. Trickey, and Mr. Powell, of Swansea, held a consultation with the harbour officials on Saturday evening at Fishguard. Interviewed subsequently by our Fishguard correspondent, Mr. Rees stated that, as far as the Great Western Railway Co. was concerned, the demands of the strikers could not be conceded, but the men would be allowed to resume work on the former terms, viz., 5d. per hour, with 3s. weekly war bonus. The strikers, Mr. Rees added, enjoyed the usual advantages of the regular railway worker - coal at 18s. per ton, working clothes, and free "privilege tickets" on the line.

Further drafts of soldiers are expected to relieve their comrades.

(Cambria Daily Leader, Monday 12th July 1915)
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There was a remarkable scene at a Fishguard recruiting meeting, when Sergeant Fuller, V.C., entered a cage containing two African lions attached to a menagerie.

Fuller was telling the men if they were not fit to die they were not fit to live. When challenged to enter the lions' den Fuller threw off his cap and calmly entered the cage and stroked the lions amidst tremendous excitement.

The proprietors awarded Fuller a gold medal as a memento. Many enlisted as a result of the incident.

Recruiting speeches were also delivered in the menagerie by the Vicar of Fishguard (the Rev. David Davies, B.A.) and Major Glossop, chief recruiting officer for the 41st area.

(Cambria Daily Leader, Wednesday 21st July 1915)
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The Rev. J. Morgan Gibbon, speaking at the Congregational Union, Merthyr, said he was disgusted by the Fishguard crowd who enlisted only after a V.C. had entered a lion's den.

(Abergavenny Chronicle, Friday 30th July 1915)
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A recruiting party returning from a tour met with a serious motor mishap near Fishguard on Sunday.

The occupants of the car were Captain Cuffe, recruiting officer for the 41st area; Lieutenant T. S. Bowen, of the Welsh Regiment (recently returned from Ypres wounded by a bullet through the head); Sergeant Fuller, V.C., and Sergeant Longman, D.C.M. Whilst proceeding down a hill the chauffeur lost control of the car and all the party were thrown out. Lieutenant Bowen, who had a miraculous escape, was thrown over a bridge, falling 20 ft. He sustained cuts on the head and leg. Sergeant Fuller's back was badly injured and although in much pain he assisted Sergeant Longman, who was unhurt, to help Lieutenant Bowen. Capt. Cuffe also escaped injury. The party were medically attended, and are now making good progress towards recovery.

(The Carmarthen Weekly Reporter, Friday 27 August)
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11829 Private Sidney George Wood, 8th Welsh Regiment. Killed in action in France on 8th August 1915, aged 27. Son of J. H. and Sophia Wood, of 11, Victoria Avenue, Fishguard.

R/3414 Serjeant Ernest Edwin Goddard, 9th King's Royal Rifle Corps. Killed in action in France on 25th September 1915.

Casualties to several Fishguard soldiers have been reported during the past few days. Corporal Ernest Goddard, King's Royal Rifles, of Harbour Village, Goodwick, is reported killed in action in France. He enlisted at the outbreak of the war, and was previously employed on the Fishguard Harbour Quay. He leaves a wife and three young children. Corporal William Vittle, Welsh Regiment, of Dyffryn, Goodwick, has been wounded. Corporal Mansel George, Gloucester Regiment, of 71, High-street, Fishguard, has been wounded, and is now in hospital in Sheffield. Private Sydney Woods, Welsh Regiment, is reported missing after being in action in France. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Woods, Victoria Avenue, Fishguard, whose eldest son was killed in action early in the war. They have a third son also serving with the colours. Private David Griffiths, South Wales Borderers, of High-street, Fishguard, has been wounded in the hand.

(Haverfordwest and Milford Haven Telegraph, 13th October 1915)
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Second Lieutenant James Douglas Tombs, 7th Border Regiment. Killed in France on 18th February 1916.

LIEUT. J. D. TOMBS
Lieutenant James Douglas Tombs, 7th Border Regiment, reported killed in France, was the second and only surviving son of Mr. James S. O. Tombs, M.A., of Greenwood House, Fishguard. He received his early education at Haverfordwest School, under his father, then headmaster, at Durham School, under the successive headmasterships of the Rev. H. W. McKenzie (afterwards headmaster of Uppingham), and the Rev. R. D. Budworth. From Durham he proceeded to Keble College, Oxford, and graduated B.A. After a short experience as a schoolmaster he obtained a commission in the 7th Border regiment. He was a vigorous and hard-working Rugby footballer, and played forward in two of the best teams that Durham School, renowned for its exponents of the Rugby code, has had in recent years.

(Westmorland Gazette, 18 March 1916)