GAMMON Samuel Thomas
Samuel Thomas GAMMON
Private 29149, A Company, 14 Welsh Regiment, 'Swansea Pals'
Killed in Action, aged 29 on 10th July 1916, MAMETZ WOOD
Remembered on THIEPVAL MEMORIAL, France. Panel 7A
Born 27 February 1887, Wife Gladys (née MASON) of George Bank, Southend, Married 1910
Father of three sons, Thomas (Tom), Richard (Dick) b. 26 Jan 1912 & Frederick R (Fred) b. 1915
Son of Samuel Gammon, John Street
From Mumbles to Mametz
The appeal in the South Wales Evening Post was simple and direct. 'Does this picture of four World War One comrades stir any memories? Asked Frederick Rhyl Gammon, aged 88 in 1995, now of Kent.
All four men were members of the 14th Battalion (The Swansea Pals), of the Welsh Regiment. The photograph was taken in Rhyl before their departure for the Somme in December 1915, when every man was presented with a pipe and the good wishes of the Mayor of Swansea.
The man on the right immediately excited our interest. We recognized him as Samuel Thomas Gammon, 5, George bank, Mumbles, one of the 98 men researched by members of the War Memorials Research Project, who quickly contacted Fred.
Fred, the baby in the photograph shown below, recounted this poignant story. "In early summer 1916, my mother, Gladys, received crucifix from my father in France. She decided to take my brothers and myself into Swansea to Gwalia Studios in Collage Street, where the portrait was taken.
Mrs. Gladys Gammon and her three sons, Left to Right - Samuel Thomas, (Tom) Richard (Dick) and Frederick Rhyl (Fred) the baby aged 10 months.
Mother is shown wearing the crucifix and I am the baby, aged 10 months, sitting on my mother's knee. A copy of the photograph was promptly despatched to my father, but sadly it is not known if it arrived before his untimely death during the battle of Mametz Wood aged 29 years. "His mother's crucifix remains of his one most treasured possessions father's Buoje with medals his pue remembrance plaque which, after 84 years, is still kept in its original wrapping.
Local men depart from the George Hotel, Southend.
The men of the Welsh Regiment, the ‘Swansea Pals’ left for further training in North Wales, in December 1914 and the photograph shows ‘H’ [sic] actually ‘A’ Company, 14th (Service) Battalion leaving Mumbles from outside the George Hotel, Southend. As there wasn't a 'H' Company.
Fred Gammon, the baby in the earlier photo, explained that the photo included his brother, Tom, on the left, most probably standing near to his father.
The Swansea Pals later departed for the Western Front in December 1915 and became part of the 38th Welsh Division. The battalion participated in the attack on Mametz Wood in France during the First Battle of the Somme. One hundred men were lost and 300 more wounded in a single day.
D Company Welsh Regiment, leaving The George Hotal, Mumbles, Photo: MA CLare
G Company at Mumbles negative 97. Photo: MA Clare
THe caption says ‘H’ [sic] but is actually ‘A’ Company at Mumbles. Part of 14th (Service) Battalion, opposite the George Hotel, Southend. Photo: MA Clare.
During The Battle for Mametz Wood, three Mumbles Men were killed on the same day, The casualties were Samuel GAMMON, John O THOMAS, son of Mrs. F Thomas from Mill Lane, born Blackpill and George Herbert Franklyn WALTERS.
John Thomas and George Walters, enlisted in Swansea.
In later battles, they were followed by Richard BEYNON and Clifford STEEL.
They are remembered on the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL which bears the names of more than 72,000 men who have no known grave.
John & Carol visit Kent
As a result of the Appeal in the newspaper and after various comunications over a long distance, John and Carol Powell visited Fred at Falmouth, in Kent and was shown his collection of memorabilia,, including his fathers medlas, still in their original wrapping. 'Fred, with his daughter, visited Mumbles in 1995.
Fred and his daughter visit Mumbles
Fred also visited the Rood Screen, at All Saints' Church, Oystermouth and laid his finger on his father's name, 1995.
Fred Gammon, the baby in the photo with his mother and brothers above, visits Swansea Cenotaph carrying flowers, in 1995
At his remembrance service, his wife chose the poem-
"There on the field of battle, he bravely took his place,
He fought and died for England, honour and his race.
He sleeps not in his native land, but 'neath the foreign skies,
Far from Wife and Children dear, in a hero's grave he lies,
No one knows the silent heartache, only those can tell,
Who have lost a Husband and Father dear, without saying farewell."