Edward Arthur Smallcombe was born in Bristol in 1879, he was one of the 10 children of John William and Sarah Morton Smallcombe.

By 1891, the family had moved from Bristol to Swansea and were living at 5 Phillips Parade. ‘Edwin Arthur’ was a 12-year old scholar and his father John was working as General dealer in a shop.

Ten years later in the 1901 census, Arthur had left home and was working as a coal miner in Abersychan, Monmouthshire and ten years after that, at the age of 32, he had returned to Swansea to live with his parents at 143 St. Helens Ave. For the first time he was listed as A.E Smallcombe and was working as a Milk Vendor.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Great War, Arthur enlisted in the Royal Artillery. A newspaper later reported that at that time he was working for the [Swansea] Corporation, Parks and Cemetery Department.

It is likely Arthur would have had the opportunity to return home on leave several times between the time he enlisted and November 1915 when the Brigade went overseas. Sadly, his last leave would have been the last time his family saw him, Arthur was killed on 3 November 1917.

On 23 November 1917, the Cambria Daily Leader reported; Mr J.W. Smallcombe, of 143 St. Helens-avenue, Swansea, is advised by the War Office that his son, Driver Arthur Edward Smallcombe, R.F.A., was killed in action in Egypt.

2 years later, his parents paid a touching tribute in their local paper; SMALLCOMBE – In memory of our dear boy, Driver E.A. Smallcombe, Royal Field Artillery, who was killed in action on November 3rd 1917. Some may think that we’ve forgotten. Some may think the wound is healed; But our thoughts are always wandering To his grave on the battlefield. Mother and father. 143 St Helens-avenue, Swansea.

Footnote: Following the war, Arthur’s father John became the park-keeper of Cwmdonkin Park. He was made famous by Dylan Thomas as ‘Old Smalley’ the park-keeper who ‘Dylan took pleasure in raising his blood pressure.’

Arthur Edward Smallcombe enlisted in the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade in Swansea as a Driver shortly after the start of the Great War and was given the Service Number 1016.

Unfortunately, his Service Record was destroyed during the Blitz. However, it is still possible to piece together much of his service using other surviving records.

Based on his Service Number, Dvr Smallcombe enlisted on either the 14 or 15 September 1914 in the first wave of war-time recruits. He would have undertaken his basic training at the Brigade Depot in Swansea and he appears in the photo of the Brigade recruits published in the Cambria Daily Leader on 9 December 1914.

At the end of his basic training, he would have joined the Brigade in Cambridge, either in late 1914 or early 1915. In May, the Brigade moved to Bedford where they continued their training, readying themselves for Active Service.

The Brigade finally received orders to move to France in November 1915, and according to surviving records, Dvr. Smallcombe was one of the 401 men who travelled from Southampton to Le Havre on 22 November 1915.

From Le Havre, the Brigade travelled to the Somme to undertake frontline training in an area close to Albert which would mark the Southern edge of the Somme battlefield just 6 months later.

It is known that Dvr Smallcombe served in Egypt, so it is reasonable to assume that he made the dangerous 5-day crossing between Marseilles and Alexandria with the rest of the Brigade in February 1916.

From Alexandria, he would have moved to Beni Salama, where the Brigade acclimatised to the desert conditions. Being close to Cairo, he would also have had the opportunity to visit the city; many of the men took the opportunity to visit the pyramids and sent photos home to their families.

In May 1916, the Brigade took over a segment of the Suez Canal defences in the area of Ismalia. The Brigade’s time there was hot and uneventful.

During that period, General Murray, commander of the Expeditionary Force took the decision that attack was the best form of defence and in November, his army started the long and difficult march across the Sinai Desert. Conditions were hot, the men had little water and marching across the sand was difficult.

At the start of 1917, as part of the renumbering of the Territorial Artillery, Dvr Watkins was given the new, 6-digit number of 725366. Shortly after, the Brigade marched with the army towards Gaza, a Turkish stronghold and the gateway to Jerusalem and Palestine.

The Brigade took part in both of the unsuccessful Battles of Gaza, the first in March 1917 and the second in April. It is likely that Dvr Smallcombe served in both of these battles.

After a change of leadership (General Murray was replaced by General ‘Bull’ Allenby), preparations were made to take Gaza. Murray’s plan was to initially attack East of Gaza at Beersheba on 31 October 1917 as a prelude to the attack on Gaza on the night of the 1-2 November.

By this time, the men of the Swansea Howitzers had been split between 265 Brigade and 266 Brigade and Dvr Smallcombe was serving in C Battery of 266 Brigade.

266 Brigade fought at the successful Battle of Beersheba and continued to push the Turkish Army back at the start of November. On 3 November 1917, the 266 Brigade War Diary recorded; 0230. Brigade ready to move off with Right Column of Division. CO reconnoitred route for march on E of hills to support mounted troops who were held up at KUWEILFEH. He reported good road + 1/5 RWF + 266 Bde detailed to march northwards. CO + A/266 acting as advanced guard. 5th Mounted Brigade were held up 2½ miles S. of KUWEILFEH by Enemy holding TEL EL KUWEILFEH Ridge strongly. A/266 came into action about 12.30, remainder of Brigade about 1400 + commenced How bombardment of enemy positions. Practically no information available as to enemy strength or dispositions. Enemy ranged on C/266 + one shell wounded 2nd Lt. RICHARSON S.A. and killed/wounded 4 OR all removed by motor ambulance to hospital. Ammn expended: 18pdr 441: 4.5 104.

Driver A.E. Smallcombe of C/266 was killed in action on 3 November 1917, most likely by that shell.

The location of Dvr Smallcombe’s grave is unknown and so he is remembered on the Jerusalem Memorial.

For his service, Driver Albert Edward Smallcombe was awarded the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His family would have also received the bronze ‘Death Penny’ as well as a memorial scroll to recognise his sacrifice.

AE Smallcombe, RFA is also remembered on the Swansea War Memorial.