One of the units which recruited volunteers in Penarth was the Glamorgan Royal Garrison Artillery. The task of this regiment originally was to man heavy guns around the coast of Glamorgan to provide defence against attack from the sea. This is a photograph of the number 4 company in the camp on Penarth Head, training with a practice gun. Third from left in the front row is John Regan. Sergeant John Regan was born in Penarth on 1 May 1882. He enlisted as a volunteer to fight in the First World War. At the time he was called away he was the father of a large family of four boys and a girl. His wife was also expecting another child, who was born on 6 May 1916 while John was preparing to cross over to France. Sadly, he never had the chance to meet his youngest daughter. He was killed in action on 31 July 1916. He was buried at Peronne Road Military Cemetery near Maricourt on the Somme, close to the spot where he died.