The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

Harkless Welltion Rowe served in the Merchant Navy and was killed in November 1940 when the ship he was on, MV Kolchis, was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-123.

The information on Harkless Welltion Rowe has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the South Wales Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

	Harkless Welltion Rowe To the left is a photograph of Harkless and his brother Lorraine, from the South Wales Voice newspaper. Click on it to see it full-sized.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 1st September 1942 :-

FAMILY'S BEREAVEMENTS
An Ystradgynlais family that has been sorely stricken in the last 20 months, is that of Mr. and Mrs. Horace Rowe of 5, Station Road. They have just been notified by the War Office that their second son, Lorraine, has been missing in the Middle East, since 20th June. He was a driver in a tank regiment, and, before enlisting two years ago, was a clerk in a London bank.
The eldest son, Harkless, was in the merchant service, and 20 months ago his nephew, and grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Rowe, Cyril Gorgon, the 19 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. William Jenkins of 165, Graig Road, Godrergraig, joined his uncle on the same vessel, which proceeded to Canada. The last communication received from both was from Halifax, Nova Scotia, since which nothing has been heard of the vessel of any of its crew. Before going to sea, Cyril had been a very promising pupil at Pontardawe Technical School.
In addition to the loss of the two sons and grandson, a daughter, Mrs. Evan Jones (nee Miss Maude Rowe) of Swansea, died at Swansea Hospital last June after a short, but severe illness. It will be remembered that she had a milliner's business for some time at Ystradgynlais.

MV Kolchis was sunk by U-123 on 22 November 1940, as one of 6 ships torpedoed by this U-boat that day.

From the South Wales Voice newspaper, 6th January 1945 :-

ROLL OF HONOUR
ROWE. - In loving memory of our dear son, Harkless Rowe, 5, Station Road, Ystradgynlais who was lost at sea in 1940.

A token of love and remembrance
Of a son we'll never forget,
His memory to us is a treasure,
His life was love and labour,
His loss, a life time regret.


From Mother, Father, Brothers and Sisters.