Robert George Beynon (known as Bob) was born in Rhossili, Gower in early 1896. He was the 4th son of George and Ruth Beynon.

In the 1901 Census, he is recorded as being 5 years old and living with his parents and 4 brothers on his Grandfathers Farm in Rhossili. Ten years later, he had left home and was boarding in a house in Cockett while he continued his education.

In July 1915, he voluntarily enlisted in the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade and after that time, other than a few short periods of leave, he would have seen little of his family until he was demobilized at the end of the war. In December 1916, the Gower Church Magazine Roll of Honour gave his address as 16, Worms Head Cottage in the Parish of Rhossili.

Bob was demobilized in around March/April 1919 and returned home. Shortly after, he travelled to Canada to join his elder brothers, John/Jack and William/Billie. He is listed as arriving at St John, New Brunswick on 11 February 1920 and gave his occupation as a Joiner. The following year, in the Canadian 1921 Census, he is shown living with John in Cochrane, Calgary and working as a Labourer in a brickworks.

Bob returned to the United Kingdom on 15 December 1926, landing at Liverpool. Shortly after, in early 1927, he married Edith Magdalene ‘Maggie’ Hill in Kettering and the couple returned to Canada on the ‘Cedric’, arriving at Halifax on 3 April 1927.

Whilst there is no evidence to confirm this, it is possible that Bob and Maggie had met when his Brigade was based in that area during the war.

His Great Niece added; On returning from the war he worked as a carpenter in Collins Brickyard and worked as a carpenter for the remainder of his working life. He was a charter member of the Royal Canadian Legion. He served as secretary and treasurer for the St. Andrews United Church, Cochrane, Alberta for 42 years.

Robert George Beynon passed away on 6 January 1976 in Cochrane, Calgary. He is buried with his wife, Maggie, at Saint Andrew’s Cemetery, Cochrane.

Robert George Beynon enlisted as a Driver in the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade in July 1915. At that time, he would have been given a Brigade service number which most likely would have been between 1471 and 1480.

Unfortunately, his service record was destroyed during the Blitz, however it is possible to piece together elements of his service using other surviving records.

The Gower Church Magazine, published December 1916 includes the following in its list of parishioners on active service; Gunner Robert G. Beynon, 16, Worms Head Cottage, Welsh R.F.A., Bedford.. Bedford was the home of the 2/1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade from November 1915 to November 1916, so it is reasonable to assume for that period he served with the 2nd Line Brigade.

His Grand-Niece also kindly provided the following; With regards to Uncle Bob, a community history book stated that he joined the Imperial Army in 1915 and served in Egypt for four years as a lead driver of the Royal Field Artillery Gun Team. On completion of war duty he was held in Egypt for six months on guard duty before he returned to Wales.

This confirms that Dvr Beynon served in the Egypt campaign, possibly with the Welsh Howitzers. It also gives points to his discharge date being around March/April 1919 in line with most other members of the Brigade who served in Egypt.

For his service in the Great War, Driver Robert George Beynon was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal. On the medal rolls, his name was incorrectly spelt Benyon.

Footnote: Bob’s brother, John also served in the Great War, enlisting in Cochrane on 17th February 1916. According to his surviving service record, 808673, L.Corpl John A. Beynon served with the 137th (Calgary) Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force in France. Interestingly, John travelled to the UK in August 1916 on Her Majesty's Transport 2810, better known as the SS Olympic, sister ship of the Titanic.