[Tribute by the Rev. W. RICHARD ROBERTS, Wesleyan Minister, Newtown.]

The cost of the war in money and material becomes more staggering every day, but even more deplorable are the losses that cannot be tabulated; the loss to brothers and sisters of an idolised brother; the loss to parents of a noble son who never caused them a moment’s pain or anxiety, and in whom so many bright hopes were centred; and the irreparable loss to the community of a man destined to play his part well and fill a wide sphere of usefulness. This is the nature of the loss sustained in the death of Captain Humphreys.

He was born in a happy Christian home at Llanfaircaereinion in 1882. His parents, Ald. C. W. Humphreys, J. P., and Mrs. Humphreys, are natives of the parish, and belong to some of the oldest and most respected families in the county. After receiving a good education at the local elementary and intermediate schools, Percy Lloyd entered the service of the North and South Wales Bank, first at Liverpool, for a few months, then Denbigh, Pwllheli, Colwyn Bay, Llangollen, and Llandilo.

He would have excelled in almost any calling or profession; but his tact, courtesy, winsomeness, integrity, and his keen judgement of men seemed to qualify him in a special manner for the banking profession. This is verified by the fact that he became a member of the Institute of Bankers at an early age, and was appointed manager of a new branch of the London City and Midland Bank at Llandilo, being at the time one of the youngest managers appointed by the company. His subsequent success justified the appointment.

Soon after the war broke out he heard the stern call of duty to enlist, and joined the first band of volunteers to defend his Fatherland. He made his choice speedily and decisively. None who knew his chivalrous nature were surprised to hear of the step he had taken. We all knew that fighting was not congenial to him, except as a last resource of those who set honour and righteousness above a dishonourable ease when infamous injustice had been committed.

He joined the Welsh Army as a private, soon became second-lieutenant, and by the end of his training at Llandilo and Rhyl, had been promoted to the rank of captain. He was drafted to France, and fought in many engagements on the Somme, Mam-- Wood, and latterly in Belgium, in the neighbourhood of Ypres. Although he led in these bloody conflicts with a fearless calm that bordered on recklessness, he came through without a scratch.

His commanding officer Col. Parkinson, who personally felt ---W--- very keenly, states that “he was ---W--- remaining hands in the battalion ---W--- been with the battalion so long ---W--- worked so hard and earnestly that he came to regard him as one who would never go under, and would be with us to the end.”

His parents and friends ---W--- ---W--- come to the same conclusion. He came over on short furloughs several times and was so full of life and hope that he thought it impossible that such a store ---W--- ??ant light could be extinguished. The ---W--- Colonel and his bereaved parents ????? disappointed – we were all disappointed ???? all miscalculated on the chances of his “remaining to the end,” and “never to go under.” The tragic end came, and the brave Captain “went West,” preceding a large number of his comrades who were to follow on that fatal day.

Adjutant Lieut. Silk shall tell the story: “In the first place, I should like you to know that your son was the idol of the men, and his death came as a severe shock to all. As a soldier, he was one of the coolest and bravest men I have ever met, and as a man a good thorough Christian.

He did excellent work, organising and getting things in order for the attack we made on the morning of the 31st. For four days previous to this we had a most trying time, and one of the best of his subalterns and two other officers were killed on the 27th. The battalion were in position ready for the advance on the morning of the 31st, having taken up position overnight. At a fixed time just before dawn, other battalions started to advance.

Twenty minutes afterwards our men were to go over. Just as time arrived to start off, Capt. Humphreys, who was with his company, was looking over the parapet to see where the enemy barrage was falling, in order to avoid it if possible in the advance. It was not imperative that he should do so. It was his care and love for his men that prompted such an action.

While so doing, the end came. An enemy shell dropped quite close, and death was absolutely instantaneous. When I think of his sterling character, and his purity in thought, word and deed, I have not the slightest doubt but that he rests in peace in that little cemetery between the ---W--- – that spot which is for ever Britain.  .   .   . What made matters worse was the fact that Capt. Humphreys was to have been in charge of the battalion in one phase of the attack.

The Colonel had to take supreme command, only one subaltern remained in the company, and many of the men and sergeants were casualties. We have had scarcely any rest since you son was killed. The second in command, Major Helme, intended writing you, but he was wounded three days ago.

Your son was given proper Christian burial, and his grave is marked by a cross. I hope to place a bigger cross with a suitable inscription, if God spares me. May God be with you all and comfort you.”

Major Rhydderch, who has since been put out of action, wrote: “He was loved by all the officers and men, and admired as a brave, conscientious, good-hearted soldier. He is missed by all, but his death has only taken away his body; he still lives in the battalion, and his fine spirit will never be forgotten. Yr oeddem yn ffryndiau mawr iawn. Yr wyf wedi colli ffrynd annwyl a chydwladwr hoff. Gymraeg oedd ein haith, a theimladau Cymreig oedd gennym ein dau.

I trust God will comfort you in this hour of trial, and you can take it from me that all the old folk of the battalion, so few of whom are now left, join with me in this wish.”

Capt. D. H. Thomas, another officer of the battalion writes: “I had the privilege and pleasure of acting as second in command under your son while in training at Rhyl and Winchester, and later for nine months in France (until I was wounded), and as such came to know him, perhaps, better than any other officer in the 15th Welsh Regiment.

Our association was the happiest, and I valued him as my greatest friend. Thus it came to me as a great personal blow and loss to learn of his death, and I know I shall not be able to replace him by another. In his death, the county lost a most courageous, hard-working, and competent officer – an officer that was too valuable to lose. He knew no fear, and applied himself with the greatest energy and diligence to his work and duties. May God comfort you all.”

Rev. Arthur Hughes, B. A., chaplain, writes: “I was chaplain to his battalion for fifteen months, twelve of which were spent together in France. I was deeply grieved to hear of his death, for we were good friends, and I held him in great esteem. He was a good soldier, but, more than that, he was a good Christian. No officer was as faithful at my services as he was, I believe that his calmness and coolness in the trenches under heavy fire was the result of his Christian spirit. Yours was a fine son.”

We could multiply the testimonies; they are all in the same strain. All testify to his transparent and tireless nature, his unswerving loyalty to truth and noble ideals. Beloved, and admired of all, a hater of shams, and as we all, a thorough Christian.

The Rev. Richard Morgan, Swansea, said: “For the last twenty years I have held him as a pattern of holy life, before my own sons; his charity and gentleness sweeten our tears today. I have seen three men from his battalion, who said that the glory of their battalion was gone. He was a king wherever he went. His body rests a the foot of Pilkem Ridge, and the gallant young Captain will never return, but his remembrance of his noble life and heroic death will live for ever in the thoughts of all who came in contact with him. He was continually receiving some promotion in the Wesleyan Church, in the Bank, in the Army; but on July 31st, on the dawn of the battle, described by one of the officers as the biggest battle in the history of the world, Capt. Humphreys received his divine promotion. His men had to fight and die and win without his aid that day; nevertheless, his victory was supreme. It was a grand finale to a harmonious and beautiful life. – (From “Montgomery Express”).

On September 3rd, at St. Paul’s Wesleyan Chapel, Llandilo, a memorial service was held in memory of the late Capt. Humphreys. The Rev. D. Corris Davies, the pastor, preached to a large congregation. The following also took part in the service : —

Rev. W. Davies, Tabernacle and Capel Newydd; Rev. W. Harries, Penrheol; Rev.
W. Evans, Walsaw, Birmingham; and Mr. W. Hopkins, J. P. Mr. Tom Williams, Ammanford, sang a solo, “Mae f’enw i lawr.” Mrs. Hopkins played the “Dead March,” and Mr. Oakley Rees was the conductor of the singing.