John Malcolm Roberts
This is the memorial page for John Malcolm Roberts, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the Second World War.
The information on John Malcolm Roberts comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | John Malcolm Roberts |
| Date of Death | 25th June 1940 |
| Place of Death | St Nazaire |
| Age at Death | 18 |
| Unit and Regiment | Royal Air Force |
| Rank | Aircraftman 1st Class |
| Service Number | 634663 |
| Personal Information | Born Ystalyfera 1921. Son of George Ernest** (Born 15/01/1893-1948) Coal Hewer and Steel Erector and Elizabeth Roberts nee WILLIAMS (Born 07/01/1894) The Souvenir Programme of Ystalyfera Victory Parade and Sports, lists address in 1946 as 8 Minyrafon, Ystalyfera. Grandson of George and Jennet ROBERTS – Grandfather Buried Holy Trinity Pantteg Member Unknown Roberts 1074 |
| Cemetery | |
| Memorial | Runnymede Memorial, Surrey; Panel 26
Swansea Cenotapth; Panel WWII under R.A.F. |
| Remembrance Grave | |
| Local Memorials | Ystalyfera War Memorial |
| Family Details | |
| Known Brothers | Kenneth ROBERTS (Born 03/09/1927) Married Brenda HANCOCK in 1951 [Thomas[ Gerald ROBERTS (Born 03/09/1927) [George] Vivian ROBERTS (Born 27/04/1931) |
| Known Sisters | Mair ROBERTS (Born 12/07/1924) Married David PARKER in 1950 |
The South Wales Voice newspaper of Saturday 24th August 1940 records that John Malcolm Roberts is listed as Mising:-
MISSING
Mr and Mrs Ernest Roberts have been officially informed that their eldest son, First Class Aircraftman John Malcolm Roberts, is missing since the withdrawal of the BEF from the continent.
It was also stated in the RAF communication that no effort would be spared in tracing the exact whereabouts of their son, who, is a first class gunner.
REF: THE FORGOTTEN TRAGEDY THE STORY OF THE SINKING OF HMT LANCASTRIA by Brian James CRABB Lists John Malcolm ROBERTS as being on the ship at the time of its sinking.
Whilst the most famous evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from France in the late Spring and early Summer of 1940 is the evacuation from the beaches of Dunkirk, other British units within the country were evacuated in more conventional means from ports further West.
On DATE, the transport HMT Lancastria loaded at St. Nazaire with somewhere between 5500-8000 of British service personnel on board, but deciding not to leave the port unescorted due to the risk of submarine attack, the ship was bombed in a Luftwaffe air raid and sunk, with between 3000 and 5800 fatalities. Due to considerations of moral, and state secrecy, the story was not immediately broken by the UK press, hence the relatives of the deceased initially receiving notification only that their loved ones were 'missing'.
The death of John Malcolm Roberts' father is recorded in the South Wales Voice newspaper of Saturday 28th February 1948:-
PASSING OF WELL KNOWN LOCAL MAN
We regret to report the death at the age of 55 of Mr George Ernest Roberts 8 Min yr Afon, on Saturday last at the West Glamorgan County Hospital Neath, where he had been admitted the previous Monday, after an illness lasting several months.
Mr Roberts during the last ten years had been very unfortunate, being twice severely injured in colliery accidents and undergoing two serious internal operations but because of his indomitable spirit the suffering which he must have endured was not apparent except to those who were very intimate with him.
An ex-Serviceman of the First World War, he took part in the Gallipoli campaign and also in France, sustaining severe wounds in both theatres.
After being demobbed he and his family resided for a while in Pontardawe, where he was employed at Gilbertson’s works; returning to Ystalyfera he associated himself with several public organisations such as the Ystalyfera R.F.C.; the Ystalyfera Public Band of which he was a member when a youth. He also did valuable work as a committee member of the Ystalyfera Hospital Contributory Association. A staunch member of the British Legion, he was one of the founders of the local branch.
He is survived by his widow, a daughter Miss Mair Roberts, a staff nurse at the West Glamorgan Hospital and three grown up sons; his eldest son John Malcolm, lost his life in France while serving with the RAF as an air gunner in 1940.
The funeral took place on Thursday and a report will appear in our next issue.
The funeral of the father of John Malcolm Roberts was subsequently recorded in the next issue of the South Wales Voice on Saturday 6th March 1948:-
FUNERAL OF ERNEST ROBERTS
The funeral of Mr Ernest Roberts 8 Min yr Afon, whose death was reported in our last issue, took place on Thursday of last week. Burial was at Alltygrug Cemetery, the Revs Iorwerth Jones Pantteg and J. G. Hughes St David’s Church, officiated.
Mourners were: Kenneth, Gerald, Vivian Roberts, sons; Frank, Charles, Edgar, Howell, Henry Roberts, van Rees, H Ll Davies, Benjamin Thomas cousins; T Emrys Jones, Jack Williams, William Clarke brothers in law; Charlie Clarke nephew.
At the house were: Mrs E Roberts, widow; Mair daughter; Mrs A Roberts mother; Mrs K Edmunds, Mrs May Roberts cousins; Mrs M Clarke sister in law; Mrs C Clarke, Miss K Clarke nieces.
The wedding of the sister of John Malcolm Roberts was recorded in the South Wales Voice newspaper for Saturday 25th March 1950:-
WEDDING: ROBERTS-PARKER
The wedding took place at Swansea on Saturday last of Miss Mair Roberts SRN, only daughter of Mrs Roberts and the late Mr Ernest Roberts 8 Min yr Afon Road Ystalyfera to Mr David Parker, only son of Mr Parker and the late Mrs E Parker 13 Collins Street Briton Ferry.
The bride, who was given away by her brother Mr Kenneth Roberts, looked very attractive in a moss crepe two piece of beige and brown, with beige and brown accessories and wore a spray of pink carnations.
She was attended by her friend and colleague, Sister Margaret Smith SRN who was attired in a beige frock of wool georgette with beige and brown accessories and wore a spray of pink carnations.
The duties of best man were carried out by Dr John Dennis, friend of the groom.
The reception was held at the Ystalyfera Hotel Ystalyfera.
The happy couple will reside in London, where the groom is a student in the Royal Academy of Music.
The bride’s going away outfit consisted of a dove grey coat in whip cord, over a cherry red corduroy dress, with navy accessories.
The bride, prior to her marriage was a Sister at the Neath General Hospital.
The wedding of Kenneth, one of the brothers of John Malcolm Roberts was recorded in the South Wales Voice newspaper for Saturday 17th February 1951:-
YSTALYFERA – GLAIS WEDDING
The wedding took place on Saturday 3rd February of Brenda, youngest daughter of Mr and Mrs A Hancock Neuadd Wen, Ynisymond Toad Glais and Kenneth, son of Mrs E Roberts and the late Mr E Roberts 8 Min yr Afon Ystalyfera.
The bride, who was given away by her father, was attired in a royal blue outfit with matching accessories and wore a shoulder spray of pink carnations. She was attended by her sister, Mrs L Evans, Milford Haven, who wore a light blue dress. The best man was Mr G Roberts, groom’s brother.
After the ceremony the bride was presented with a silver horseshoe, silver shoes and a silver boot by her nieces and nephews Ann and Valerie Evans and Russell Evans.
Following the reception which was held at the Haven Restaurant, the happy couple left for their honeymoon which was spent at London, the bride travelling in a grey coat over a blue dress with accessories to tone.
The bride was formerly on the nursing staff of Morriston Hospital, while the bridegroom is employed with the British Railways.
Mr and Mrs Roberts were the recipients of numerous gifts and telegrams.
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The plot in Alltygrug Cemetery for the grave of Ernest Roberts; there appears to be no visible memorial above ground.