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Private Penry Morgan 12980
3rd Co., 1st Grenadier Guards
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Private Penry Morgan of the Grenadier Guards was mortally wounded in France on March 12, 1915. He received serious leg wounds and died from these injuries at the Hammersmith hospital, London on March 31, 1915. He was given a full military funeral and was buried in St. Michael's church at Llantarnam, nr Cwmbran, Monmouthshire on April 4, 1915.
Pte Penry Morgan
In this photo, Penry can be seen seated and it is believed that the soldier standing is his brother Ernest who has no known grave. ____________________
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Memorial to Penry Penry's grave
Penry, buried with full military honours. The soldiers are marching in the funeral procession towards St. Michaels church, Llantarnam with 'Arms Reversed', the greatest honour one soldier can pay to another.
This photo (November 2003) is taken from approximately the same position as the one above.
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These are three pages of the Military service record of Pte Penry Morgan
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Below are Penry's dog tag and medal's, front and reversed. Penry's name is engraved on the first medal.
The Medals are... 1914 Star and Clasp, British War Medal and the Victory Medal
This tobacco box dated Christmas 1914 is used to keep Penry's medal in. ______________________
Two photo's of Penry's daughter Doreen visting St. Michael's church and the grave of her father (Nov.2003) _______________________
This is an account of the funeral of Penry Morgan from one of the local newspaper's.
Military Funeral - Penry Morgan Funeral of Private Penry Morgan, formerly of the Grenadier Guards took place at Llantarnam Churchyard on Tuesday with full military honours. Called up at the outbreak of war, he went through many stirring fights, but one day a German shell dropped amoungst a number of men, killing all except the deceased, who was sent to the West London Hospital, Hammersmith with a shattered leg. Here he was visited by his wife (and daughter) and mother and appeared to be progressing favourably but a relapse set in and he passed away on Wednesday last at the early age of 26. The funeral attracted great interest, the route from Oakfield to Llantarnam being thronged with people and the greatest sympathy was expressed on all hands with the sorrowing relatives, the blinds at nearly every house en route being lowered as a token of respect to a brave soldier. Heading the procession was a firing party, consisting of the 3rd Dragoon Guards from Newport Barracks with arms reversed, followed by the Cwmbran Brass Band (under Bandmaster Lewis Edwards). The chief mourners were the widow, the father, mother, brothers and sisters, followed by the rank and file of numerous Monmouthshire regiments, from which the bearers were drafted. A short service was held at the house and the Rev. C. E. Morgan (Penywaun) officiated at the graveside and a prayer was offered by the Rev. W.E. Robinson (Ebenezer). The firing party fired three volley's over the grave and the "Last Post" was sounded by buglers, beautiful wreaths were sent by "Sorrowing wife and child", "Father, Mother, Brothers and Sisters", "Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters-in-law", "Friends in Woodland Street and Clomendy Road" and "In memory of Private Penry Morgan, who died nobly for his country, from Army comrades in the wards of Devonshire and Mary Adelaide, of the West London Hospital" Died 12th March, 1915 (This is in fact the date that he was wounded) ___________________
Free Press of Monmouthshire, April 9, 1915 Military Funeral With full military honours the funeral took place on Tuesday last, of Private Penry Morgan, of the 2nd Grenadier Guards. The deceased, whose home was at Oakfield Road, Cwmbran, had served his term with the Colours and was in the Reserve when war broke out. He rejoined his regiment and after passing unscathed through several engagements, was severely wounded in the fighting at Neuve Chapelle, the lower part of his leg being shattered by a shell, necessitating amputation. He was being treated in West London Hospital and recovering nicely when a relapse set in. He was wounded on March 12 and died on March 31st. The body was conveyed to Cwmbran on Sunday. Long before the hour appointed for the funeral the streets and lanes from Oakfield to Llantarnam were crowded with the inhabitants, making their way to the old churchyard, where several hundreds of people had already congregated. The cortege was preceeded by police officers and a contingent of soldiers from Newport Barracks, with arms reversed. These formed the the firing party at the graveside. Then followed the relatives, upwards of 100 local men in khaki and prominent townsmen and inhabitants. The Rev. C. E. Morgan (Penywain) and Rev. W. E. Robinson (Baptist) officiated at the graveside and each spoke a few words to the assembled crowd and paid tribute to the deceased. The Last Post was sounded and a salute fired over the open grave. After Private Morgan who was 26 years of age, left for the war, his only daughter, who has been named Nelly Doreen was born. He would never have seen his child had his wife not taken it to London with her when she went to see her husband. Private Morgan was very cheerful when in hospital and said he had seen in the papers that a military hospital was being opened at Newport and that as soon as he could, he would get permission to be transferred there. The Grenadier Guards were represented at the funeral by Private Geo. Hutchings, a native of Cwmbran, who, as a lad, played with Private Morgan and who had fought by his side in the war. It is noteworthy that eight members of the deceased family are at present with the Colours. There were beautiful floral tributes at the funeral from the widow, relatives and neighbours and the West London Hospital. ____________________
This is the British Legion memorial to men from the Cwmbran area that made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War. It is now housed in St. Gabriel's church Cwmbran. Morgan P can be seen clearly on it.
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