MEMBERS of the Aberporth community gathered to remember two teenage World War One sailors from the village who died together when the hospital ship they served on struck a mine off France.

Quartermasters Selwyn James, 18, and John Rees, 19, were commemorated on Monday – exactly 100 years to the day HMHS Salta sank with the loss of 52 lives off Le Havre on 10 April, 1917.

Despite managing to reach a lifeboat in heavy seas, James swam back to the stricken vessel to try and save the ship’s flag.

The flag – a Civil Jack – was found tied securely to his wrist when his body was recovered.

Monday’s service at St Cynwyl’s Church and subsequent visit to Aberporth’ Primary School’s garden of remembrance was attended by the sailor’s grand-nephew Gethin James who later displayed the ship’s flag – donated to the family by the Merchant Navy in recognition of his relative’s valour – at Cwtch Cafe near the family home of Glanmordy.

Despite the efforts of the Aberporth World War One committee, descendants of Quartermaster Rees could not be traced.