Looking back at Barry's veterans for Remembrance Sunday 2024

Here are some of the brave soldiers from Barry that served their country.

Private John Joseph Collins (Image: Millie Collins) Private John Joseph Collins was born in Barry on March 1st, 1895. He joined the 16th Battalion at age 19 and survived Mametz Wood.

During battle he was sent to deliver a message and wounded his elbow in the process. Luckily, he took shelter in a foxhole and survived this ordeal.

He helped raise money to build the Barry War memorial hall and lived a long life, dying at age 92 in 1987.

Joseph Dyke with his family before leaving to war (Image: Shelley Dyke) This is the last photo of Joseph Dyke before he left for World War Two. He died in a foreign grave in Burma and left a left a wife and 3 young children behind. His name is on the remembrance wall in the memorial hall.

Robert W Burbidge (Image: Rachel Burbidge) Robert W Burbidge was a 1st Class Stoker for the Royal Navy.

He was sent to Singapore and was based at HMS Sultan, a shore-based establishment.

When Singapore fell to the Japanese on 15th February 1942, Robert evaded capture and made his way to Sumatra.

With other Servicemen, he avoided being captured until 17th March 1942.

With a large number, approximately 1200 mixed service personnel, they were to become known throughout their POW days as the British Sumatra Battalion.

Richard Thomas Taylor (Image: Patricia Davies) Richard Thomas Taylor from Somerset Road, Barry joined the Merchant Navy.

 Before age 18 he had sailed to India and Buenos Aires, and Argentina.

In May 1941 joined Richard joined the Royal Air Force and eventually in March 1944 qualified as Flight Engineer on Stirling bombers.

In June 1944 he then qualified as a Flight Engineer on the Lancaster Bombers. And became a Sergeant posted to the 75 New Zealand Squadron at RAF Mepal, Cambridgeshire.

He died after failing to return from an operation in 1944.

Corporal O.E.L Lambert (Image: John Lambert) Pictured here is Corporal O.E.L Lambert who served in the Royal artillery during World War Two.

Kieth malcome Treweeke (Image: Mandy Mason) Pictured here is Kieth Malcome Treweeke who served as a chef during World War Two. 

Many people online also paid tributes to relatives who served.

One online user commented: “My Father William John Morgan born in 1893 was one of the first to go to France as a member of what Germany called "Britain's Contemptible little Army.”

“He was captured soon after and spent the next 4 years as a POW in Germany. Apparently, he was a mess when he returned home.”

Another user wrote: “My husband’s great grandfather lost two brothers due to WW1.”

“The first was called Stanley Herbert Williams and he was on the last gun at the Dardanelles. He was 21 years old and far too young he is buried abroad.”

“His Brother Lance Corporal Wyndham Walter Williams died in 1920 so is not remembered in the Memorial Hall. He died as a result of shell shock.”

For more information on local veterans Barry War Museum is open to members of the public.