Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Births Dec 1887 Morgan John Haverfordwest 11a 945

John was the son of Jonathan and Margaret Morgan, of Yetwen, Boncath. He had emigrated to Australia to work as a miner prior to the war and enlisted at Warwick Farm, New South Wales on 6 September 1915 into the 13th Battalion, Australian Imperial Force. After training John was posted to the 54th Battalion, AIF which was being raised in Egypt early in 1916. On 4 March 1916 he was reposted to the 5th Battalion, Australian Pioneers, which was attached to the newly formed 5th Australian Division and sailed for France with the division in May 1916. John saw his first major action during the 5th Division’s attack at Fromelles on 19 July 1916, and was with the Division when it moved south to the Somme. He was obviously a brave man, as early in 1917 his Commanding Officer recommended him for the Military Medal: 'Near Flers on the 31st October 1916 Pte Morgan was with a party detailed to dig a trench to Company Headquarters. The site was in full view of the enemy's lines and many casualties had already occurred to officers and men crossing the open and also to parties who had previously attempted to cut this trench. Private Morgan showed great courage and endurance which inspired the remainder of the party which greatly contributed to the task being carried through-this was done under continuous shell-fire. Also near Guedecourt on the 24th Feb Pte Morgan was acting as section commander and with his men was engaged in the cutting of a communication sap from our original line to a German trench that had just been captured. Although under machine-gun and rifle fire Pte Morgan until the completion of the job did much to bring about success by his personal example to his men in which his coolness, his devotion to duty and his cheerfulness were most marked.' Unfortunately John did not receive an award for his gallantry. He was killed in action by a shell while working at Westhoek Ridge on 12 October 1917, aged 30, and was buried on the ridge by a pillbox. His grave was never located after the war.

He is remembered on the Carregwen (St Davids Church) War Memorial

Carregwen is a hamlet located in the parish of Manordeifi and lies on the northern edge of the county of Pembrokeshire, in the Hundred of Kilgerran, bordered by the River Teifi. The parish is rural and incorporates the villages of Newchapel and Abercych, a small village which lies along the western side of the Cych valley. The River Cych runs into the River Teifi on the outskirts of the village. The Church contains several war memorials. The Church also contains a brass memorial plaque, which is identical to one located within Abercych Memorial Hall, which was erected to commemorate the men of Manordeifi who served and died during the Great War. The photograph of the memorial is by  Ray Jones.