Information still needed about WW1 hero

NO-ONE has come forward with information about a World War One hero from Llanelli despite a public appeal.

Gunner William Thomas Rogers fought with the Royal Field Artillery and was one of the few Llanelli men to receive the Military Medal.

It is one of the highest honours given for special acts of bravery in battle on land, and was awarded to Gunner Rogers for “Gallantry & Devotion to duty in arresting the spreading of fire to adjacent dumps when enemy shell fire caused the loss of about 25,000 rounds of ammunition in the forward area on July 8th”.

That medal, along with others, is now on show at Parc Howard after being bought by Carmarthenshire County Council’s museum service with the help of Friends of Llanelli Museum.

However, little is known about Gunner Rogers or how his medal ended up at auction.

Gunner Rogers was one of many young men from Llanelli to join up and fight in the First World War.

Before the war, he was employed at the Old Castle Works, and was one of the town’s first volunteers, going to France in December 1915.

Staff at Parc Howard would be interested in hearing Gunner Rogers’ story after his return from war.

Heritage executive board member Cllr Meryl Gravell said: “We would really like someone who knew Gunner Rogers or his family to give us information about his life.

“He was a highly decorated World War One hero and we would like to be able to give museum visitors more information about this special son of Llanelli.”

Anyone with information about Gunner Rogers or his family is asked to contact pressoffice@carnarthenshire.gov.uk or call 01267 224037.