"A gloom has been cast throughout the Parish."

On Saturday, Blaenporth marked the centenary of the death of the first man from the village to be killed in action in World War One.

The death was all the more poignant as Corporal William Griffith James had been the first man from Blaenporth to volunteer to fight.

William James had signed up to fight for King and country in October 1914, but was killed in action on January 21, 1917.

He was 32.

William was initially stationed at Barry after enlisting in the 8th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Regiment.

William and his comrades were sent to the Middle East as part of the Mesopotamia Expeditionary Force where they found themselves involved in the ill-fated Gallipoli landings.

In December 1915 the battalion were evacuated from Gallipoli, arriving in Mesopotamia two months later.

Regimental diaries from early 1916 describe the battalion's pioneering work, with William and his fellow soldiers largely engaged in building railways and roads for the transportation of guns and repairing trenches.

However, on January 21, William was shot and killed by a sniper.

A letter from William's commanding officer to the family described him as conscientious and trustworthy.

The letter reported that Cpl James had died instantly after being shot by a Turkish sniper.

The Tivyside Advertiser ran a report of William's death under the heading: First to join and first to fall

The report read as follows:

"Quite a gloom has been cast throughout the Parish and district by the sad news received by Mr and Mrs James, Esgairwilyn from the War Office stating than there son, Corporal WG James 8th WELSH Regiment had been killed in action on January 21 in Mesopotamia.

"He was the first from the Parish to volunteer his services in October 1914, to fight for his King and country and it is sad to relate that he is the first to fall.

"He, like parents and family was loved and respected by all and to think that ‘Willie Esgair’ is no more seems but a dream.

"Universal sympathy is extended to the heart-stricken parents throughout the district in their deep sorrow in the loss of whom they looked forward to seeing on the day of his return."

William is buried Amara War Cemetery in modern day Iraq.

Now 100 years later, William's great-nephew Huw James would like to commemorate his sacrifice.

Mr James has treasured the medals and death penny, won by William, which have been handed down through the generations.

Mr James said: “I just wanted to remember my great uncle on the 100th anniversary of his death.

"The memory of him will remain with this family and the brave sacrifices he made to support the country.

"He was the first to join from Blaenporth and the first to fall from Blaenporth.”

A memorial service was held at St Cynwyls Church in Aberporth; organised by the Aberporth Community World War One Remembrance Committee, and a cross was laid in the remembrance garden of Aberporth school.