The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

James Edward Bamford

James Edward Bamford was lost at sea in March 1943 when the ship which he was serving aboard was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine.

The information on James Edward Bamford has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

NameJames Edward Bamford
Date of Death19th March 1943
Place of DeathLost at Sea
Age at Death19
Unit and Regiment Royal Navy, HMS President III - *Note
RankAble Seaman
Service NumberD⁄JX 349851
Remembrance Grave  St Cynog's churchyard, Ystradgynlais  
MemorialPlymouth Naval Memorial, UK (Panel 78, Column 3.)
Local Memorials Ystradgynlais War Memorial
NotesSon of William & Annie Bamford of Filton, Bristol, formerly of Oddfellow Street, Ystradgynlais. Prior to joining the Navy, Jim was employed at Harris Stores, Ystalyfera.
BrotherRobert Bamford

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 31st July 1943 :-

DIED AT SEA
Gunner James Bamford, the 19year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Willie Bamford, formerly of Gurnos and Ystradgynlais and now residing at Filton, near Bristol, was reported missing in April last. The parents have now received the sad tidings that he died at sea. James was a nephew of Mrs. Bessie Williams of Ivy Cottage, Gurnos.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 4th September 1943 :-

FORMER YSTALYFERA BOY'S DEATH AT SEA
A month ago we published the news that Gunner James Bamford son of Mr. and Mrs. William Bamford, Bristol, formerly of Ystradgynlais and nephew of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Williams of 25, Gurnos Road, Ystalyfera, had been killed at sea. Last weekend, Mrs. Williams received a letter from her brother and sister in law stating that they were informed that the ship in which James sailed was sunk with only three survivors. Two of them were picked up by an Allied ship and the other was a prisoner. After spending 50 days on a raft, 12 of the 14 men who got to it died. It is thought that Gunner Bamford died on or about April 16. He was 20 years of age.

* HMS PRESIDENT III was a shore base near London, holding the accounts of merchant seamen, and being the listed facility for many of those, rather than the ship they were on at the time. The Steam Freighter Lulworth Hill was torpedoed on March 19th 1943 and 14 men survived the torpedoing but only 2 of them survived the following ordeal of 49 days on a raft. The name of James Edward Bamford is recorded as one of the casualties.

James Bamford died on 19th March 1943, a death followed 15 months later by that of his mother, Annie Bamford, in August 1944, and in March 1946 of his father, William Bamford.

The South Wales Voice newspaper of 4th August 1944 reported the death of Annie Bamford in Bristol, and the South Wales Voice of Saturday 12th August 1944 recorded the details of the funeral.
 

DIED IN BRISTOL
News was received on Tuesday by Mrs D Williams, 25 Gurnos Rd, Ystalyfera, that Mrs Annie Bamford, wife of Mr William Bamford, formerly of Oddfellows Street, had died at Bristol. Prior to leaving for Bristol 3 years ago, the family had resided at Ystradgynlais.
Mrs Bamford, who was 45, was a daughter of the late Mr and Mrs Dan Jones, Oddfellows Street. Her husband is the eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Frank Bamford, Gurnos Road, Ystalyfera. This is the second bereavement in the family in 15 months. In April, 1943, their eldest son Jim, was lost at sea while serving with the navy. Mrs Bamford is survived by her husband and four children.
The funeral, men only, will take place on Saturday at 4:30 for Ystradgynlais churchyard, from the home of her brother, Mr T M Jones, 4 Temperance Buildings, Oddfellow Street.

FUNERAL
The funeral of Mrs Annie Jane Bamford, wife of Mr Will Bamford, 69 Wades Road, Filton, Bristol, late of Oddfellows Street, whose death at the age of 45 was reported in our last week's issue, took place on Saturday at the parish churchyard.
The Reverend T W Davies, curate, officiated.
Mourners were husband; Bob and Danny, sons; Iris and Patricia, daughters; T M Jones, Danny Jones, Ted Jones, Johnny Jones, Mervile Jones (overseas) brothers; Will Lewis, Rees Bamford, brothers-in-law; TR Evans, Daniel R Evans, Phil Flook, uncles; Gil Flook, George Flook, Llew Flook, Stan James, Fred Evans, Jack Jones, Aberayron, Trevor Evans, T R Evans, Lewis Evans, Danny Evans, Abraham Lewis, W L Thomas, cousins; Gerwyn and Rhyslyn Williams, G E Clark, Tom Rees, Donald Bamford, Danny Lewis, Johnny Lewis, nephews.
At the house were Mrs T M Jones, Mrs Danny Jones, Mrs Ted Jones, Mrs Johnny Jones, Mrs Will Lewis, Mrs Edgar Williams, Mrs Rees Bamford, sisters-in-law; Mrs T R Evans, Mrs Mary Evans, Mrs Merick, Mrs Phil Flook, aunts; Mrs Jane Terry, Mrs Abraham Lewis, Mrs Stan James, Mrs Fred Evans, Mrs Jack Jones, Aberayron, Miss Pat Thompson, Mrs Kathleen Clark, Mrs Tom Rees, Mrs Sarah McNeil, cousins

The South Wales Voice newspaper in March 1946 recorded the death of James' father, Mr William Bamford at only fifty years of age. The 'Obituary' article is from the 23rd March 1946 and the 'Funeral' article from the 30th March 1946:-

OBITUARY
The death took place on Sunday at Bristol of Mr William Bamford, eldest son of the late Mr and Mrs Frank Bamford Gurnos Road. Deceased who was 50 years of age, passed away after a short illness. The funeral will take place on Saturday, men only and will leave his sisters residence, Mrs B Williams 25 Gurnos Road, for burial at Ystradgynlais parish church at 3.30 o'clock.

FUNERAL: WILLIAM BAMFORD
The funeral of Mr William Bamford of 69 Wade Avenue Filton Bristol, took place from the home of his sister Mrs B Williams Gurnos Road on Saturday. Deceased who was 50 years of age, passed away as stated in our last issue after a short illness. This is the third bereavement in the family during the last three years. First: his son who was drowned at sea: and then his wife.
Burial took place at Ystradgynlais Parish Churchyard and was largely attended, many friends meeting the cortege at the churchyard.
The chief mourners were: Messrs Robert Bamford son; Rees Bamford brother;...
At the house were: Mrs Bessie Williams sister; Mrs Doris Bamford, Mrs T Jones sisters in law;.....



Showing the location of the Bamford grave within the churchyard of Saint Cynog's Church, Ystradgynlais

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