The Second World War engulfed the globe in turmoil, calling countless young men from across Wales to leave behind their homes, families, and dreams to rescue a world in peril. From the quiet fishing villages of Pembrokeshire to the historic streets of Caernarfon, they ventured into the unknown, driven by a shared conviction that freedom was worth every sacrifice. Week after week, they faced brutal trials, unimaginable loss, and the constant shadow of death—yet they stood firm. Among the brave men who left their Welsh homeland but never returned was Sergeant Clifford Owen Bevan.

Born in 1924 in Swansea, Clifford was the youngest son of Thomas William and Elizabeth Mary Bevan. Shortly after his birth, the family left Swansea and settled in the village of Osbaston, near Monmouth. With its winding country lanes, quiet fields, and the gentle rhythm of rural Welsh life, Osbaston was an idyllic place to grow up. It was there, surrounded by his brothers and sisters, that Clifford found a deep sense of belonging and purpose.

Like many young men of his generation, Clifford had hopes and plans for the future. But with tyranny sweeping across the globe like a relentless tide, he felt it was his duty to defend the values he believed in and protect the country he loved. He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and trained as an air bomber. His training was intense and demanding, both physically and mentally, as he readied himself for the challenges and battles to come.

In the spring of 1944, Clifford was assigned to No. 190 Squadron and based at RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. There, he and his fellow airmen prepared for D-Day, fully aware that it would be a turning point in the war—one that could determine the fate of Europe. On 6 June 1944, he flew aboard a Stirling aircraft as part of Operation Mallard, a mission to tow gliders carrying troops into Normandy in support of the Allied landings.

The operation was a huge success. All gliders were released over the Caen area, and the aircraft began the return journey to England. But on the way home, the British aircraft came under heavy enemy fire. Though the crew managed to reach RAF Fairford, Clifford was struck by a single machine-gun bullet, killing him instantly. He was just 20 years old—with so much life ahead, and so much still to give.

Back in Wales, news of Clifford’s death sent shockwaves through his family and community. The quiet lanes and familiar hills that had once echoed with his footsteps now stood silent. While the world would come to remember 6 June 1944 as a day of victory, for his parents, siblings, and friends, it remained a day frozen in time—a poignant reminder of what an unforgiving war had taken.

Today, Clifford rests in peace at St James’ Churchyard in Wyesham, not far from the cottage he once called home. His grave stands as a lasting tribute to a young man who gave everything he had for everything we have.