Ystalyfera Fallen

This is the memorial page for Benjamin Ambridge, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the First World War.

The information on Ben Ambridge comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

Ambridge Family Grave Above is the Ambridge family grave in Holy Trinity cemetery.	The family grave shows that Edward Charles Ambridge died in 1918

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 2nd November 1918 :-

Mr. Charles Ambridge Fruiterer and Greengrocer Ystalyfera, has received the news that his brother Stoker Benjamin Ambridge, has been drowned at sea through his ship being torpedoed by enemy action. Stoker Ambridge was a married man, his wife residing at Morriston. He had been with the Navy for a considerable time and had seen service in Russia.

From the later editions of the Llais, and an overview of the graves at Holy Trinity come the following information :-

The brother of Benjamin, Edward Charles (Fruiterer and Greengrocer) died on 13th November 1918 and is buried with his wife Bessie Millicent, their daughter Adelina Violet and her husband Norman Lloyd Baker.

These can be seen on Charles Ambridge's family grave pictured above right.

Full details of Charles Ambridge and his family, including his wife, children, and her second husband, can be found by clicking this link.

The father of Benjamin also named Benjamin, of Wind Road Ystradgynlais who had resided at Canal Terrace Ystalyfera for many years, died 14th January 1928 aged 77 years. He was buried on 17th January in Holy Trinity Churchyard the Plot Unknown.

From the website for the Royal Fleet Auxiliaries, comes the following information on the fate of RFA Industry, upon which Benjamin Ambridge was serving:-

RFA Industry
On 18 October 1918 RFA Industry, a store ship, was torpedoed and sunk near the Strangford Light Bouy, Irish Sea by German submarine UB 94. Twenty of the crew were killed.