Who were the Swansea men who fought in the First World War?

They were men drawn not only from Swansea and its surrounding communities, but also from further afield, as many travelled to Swansea specifically in order to enlist at local recruitment centres. Together, they represented a wide range of ages, occupations, and social backgrounds, including industrial workers, seafarers, tradesmen, and professionals. Some were already serving when war broke out in 1914, while others joined in response to the call to arms during the early months of the conflict and throughout the war.

These men served with the British Army, the Royal Navy, the Mercantile Marine, and the Royal Flying Corps/Royal Air Force, undertaking duties both on land and at sea, and in the air. Their service took them far beyond Swansea, to training camps, ports, and battlefields across Britain and overseas, where many faced the hardships and dangers of modern warfare. Their experiences form an important part of Swansea’s social and military history, reflecting the scale of the town’s contribution to the First World War and the profound and lasting impact the conflict had on the local community.

The list compiled on this site includes the name of each man, the service with which he served, the date of his death, and details of where he is buried or commemorated.

More comprehensive information can be found in 

Central Library (Y Storfa)

277–278 Oxford Street

Swansea

SA1 3EL