BRIDLE, PERCY WILLIAM, Private, No. 265518, 2nd Battn. The Monmouthshire Regt. (T.F.), s. of the late William Bridle, by his wife, Charlotte (High Street, Winsham, near Chard, co. Somerset), dau. of Daniel Singleton. of Winsham; b. Winsham aforesaid, 3 April, 1891; educ. there was a Gardener: enlisted 15 Aug. 1914; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the following Nov.; was wounded and taken prisoner at Armentières on 12 April, 1918, and died at Stargard, Germany, 20 May following, from wounds received in action. Buried there unm.

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 5

Fraser A E Lt 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment

LIEUTENANT ALEXANDER EVAN FRASER  Monmouthshire Regiment, was the youngest son of James Campbell Fraser and was born in the year 1880. He was educated at St. Mark’s, Windsor, and commenced his business career with the London and County Bank, Watford.

He joined Charles Kerr on the Stock Exchange and continued in the same position with Kerr, Ware and Co. until the year 1913 when he became a Member.

At the outbreak of the War he immediately enlisted, not waiting for the opportunity of obtaining a commission. Later he was offered a commission which he accepted in the 2nd Monmouthshire Regiment. He went to France with his Battalion 5 November 1914 and endured all the hard fighting and hardships of the first winter in Flanders.

He was Adjutant at the time he met his death, during a German gas attack in the battle of Ypres, on 2 May 1915. A shell burst a few yards from him as he stood talking to his Colonel and a fragment entered his head.

His Colonel (with whom he completed the whole of his short service) wrote: “He had been my Adjutant since January, and I can honestly say that never had anybody a better Adjutant. He was a magnificent soldier and, in the true sense of the word, he was a great friend and comrade to me. . . . He had all the best qualities of a soldier and a gentleman.”

“All through he has been sound and undisturbed by any difficulties, thoughtful and unselfish, and adored by every soldier with whom he came in contact. I have had expressions of regret from every Battalion in the Brigade, for everybody who knew him liked him.”

Source : The Stock Exchange War Memorial 1914-1918

Stewart W V 2nd Lt 1st Monmouthshire Regiment

STEWART, WILLIAM VICTOR, 2nd Lieut. 1st Battn. Monmouthshire Regt. (T.F.), only s. of William Stewart, of Brodawel, Caerleon, co. Monmouth, Mining Engineer, President of the South Wales Institute of Engineers, and late Chairman of the South Wales Coal Owners’ Association, by his wife, Margaret, dau. of Hopkin John. of Tonypandy, Glamorgan; b. Abertillery, co. Monmouth, 10 Jan. 1897; educ. Blundell’s School, Tiverton; enlisted, 28 Aug. 1914, and was killed in action at Festubert, near Ypres, 8 May, 1915; unm.

On the previous evening the 1st Monmouths had been moved up into the trenches, in which it was found there was little shelter. The battn. was thereupon engaged throughout the whole of the night in improving the trenches. At daybreak the enemy commenced fiercely bombarding the 1st Monmouths, and continued doing so all the morning until about midday, when they broke through our lines to the right of Mons, and it was then that Lieut. Stewart was killed by a bullet wound in the forehead. An incident which occurred on the day of the charge at Neuve Chapelle (12 March, 1915) is thus related in a letter which appeared in the “South Wales Argus” of 13 April, 1915: “Our time at the redoubt was 24 hours, and our next 24 hours was spent at a farm about half a mile from the line. It was at this point that I essayed my most dangerous exploit. Our Capt. asked for volunteers to carry ammunition to the trenches as their stock was getting exhausted. No sooner had the words been spoken than the volunteers were ready and I am pleased to say I was one of them. First we had to get back to headquarters to obtain the ammunition. Well, our party, under the direction of Lieut. Stewart, safely fulfilled this part of our duty. Then our task began in earnest, and slowly we approached the danger area along the road. On arriving at a certain point our officer, Lieut. Stewart, ordered us to open the boxes and carry 10 bandoliers each. Truly this was far more favourable for moving about, and at this juncture we crept on to the side of the road and then right into the ditch. What with the heavy going, the excitement of being spotted, I can tell you it was far from pleasant. Step by step we advanced until we got to the communication trench, which was also knee deep in water. Still keeping up heart and receiving encouragement from our officer, we plodded on. With our goal in sight we were spotted, and didn’t the lead fly! Still, there were no hits and we arrived safely, every man completely exhausted. After a brief spell we soon revived, only to stop with damp pants for some eight or nine hours, until darkness set in, when we marched back to our billets.”

Source : De Ruvigny’s Roll Of Honour Vol 1