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OWEN JOHN ROBERTS
57439 Machine Gun Corps
My grandfather.
Like so many thousands of his generation, Owen John Roberts joined up to fight in the French battlefields of The Great War. They all thought it would be over quickly.
Many lied about their age. There is one well known story of a young boy enlisting, giving his age as 16. The recruiting officer told him to come back in an hour, when hopefully, he would be 18!
In which regiment he first enlisted is as yet unknown, nor whether he served overseas with his first regiment.
On the 7th December 1915 he transferred, willingly or otherwise into the Machine Gun Corps and allotted the number 57439.
57439 P.T.E. M.G.C. OWEN JOHN ROBERTS
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He served in The Great War and
soon joined the Machine Gun Corps.
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57439 P.T.E. M.G.C. OWEN JOHN ROBERTS is pictured here with pals at Grantham on duckboards, by a corrugated asbestos building.
He is standing in the middle of the back row.
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Individuals who enrolled in the Machine Gun Corps at the same time were;
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57432 HALL Bernard John
57433 JONES Albert Edward
57434 HERRICK Arthur Cecil Cpl.
57435 MORRELL Alfred
57436 PETT Thomas William Frank
57437 WARD Percy Haddon
57438 BARKER Graham
57439 ROBERTS Owen John
57440 ROBERTS Hugh Henry
57441 WILSON Albert
57442 WOODBRIDGE Leonard
57443 ROBBINS John
57445 GRIFFIN Eric Cpl. M.M.
57446 ALDER Edward Thomas
57447 BARNES Joseph
57448 TURNER Arthur
57449 WOOLLEN George Clarence
57452 MEADOWS Leonard
57454 HEWETT Wallace Horatio A/Sgt
Some may appear in the above photograph.
If that is the case, I would be very interested to hear from any relatives.
Most of the brave soldiers listed above were tragically killed in active service.
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There is a Boy David
Memorial to the Machine
Gun Corps in London.
The Vickers Guns on each side
of the Boy David (which each
have a laurel wreath laid over
them) are actual Vickers Guns.
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All were entitled to the Victory and / or British War Medal.
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Owen John and these men were sent overseas, most to France and Flanders.
On arrival at the Machine Gun Base Depot, Camiers, they were sent forward to
units in the field as reinforcements.
Camiers Church pictured right.
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It is not known in which Machine Gun Company he served, but he saw action at Ypres, Arras and Cambrai.
THE MACHINE GUN CORPS
Visit the link below to read about the M.G.C.
http://www.1914-1918.net/mgc.htm
In November 1917, he was hit by shrapnel.
The following telegram was sent home to Cae Merddyn from the French battlefields. It erroneously mentions husband, and not son.
November 30th, Dear Mrs Roberts
You may have hard by now that your brave husband has been wounded. I just write at his request to say it is not a dangerous wound. It is in the chest.
He was very brave and did grand work. We have God to thank that his life has not been asked for.
Yours sincerely, C.C. Griffiths C H E Chaplain.
3 Cavalry Brigade B.E.F. |
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I have found these details about the Chaplain who sent the telegram.
Canon Cuthbert Cyril Griffiths
Military Cross 1918
Curate of St Weburgh, Bristol 1914-15
Temporary Chaplain to the Forces (TCF) 1915-19
Vicar of St Johns Fishponds Bristol 1919-21
Vicar of St John with St Stephen Reading 1921 - 27
Chaplain to the Forces (Reserve of Officers) from 1927
Asst Sec C.C.C.S. 1927-29
Rector of St Leonards on Sea 1939 -47
Canon of Chichester in Chichester Cathedral from 1941 -
Proctor Conventional of Chichester 1945 - 55
London Gazette 18 July 1918 Supplement
Rev Cuthbert Cyril Griffiths
Army Chapls. dept.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He went forward with stretcher bearers to the captured postion and dressed and removed the wounded. Though he was blown up by a bursting shell, he continued at his work throughoout the night, setting a fine example of coolness and devotion to duty.
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| This picture is of my grandfather, front, astride a motorcycle with a pal as his passenger. Both men wear the standard 'hospital blues', pale blue uniforms, with white shirt and scarlet tie. |
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Servicemen injured during The Great War were awarded
the Silver War Badge and Certificate
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Some of the individuals who were entitled to the War Badge
with their badge numbers;
B15537 BAYMAN William
B15538 WILLIAMS James Henry
B15539 TURNER James Williams
B15540 DICKINSON John
B15541 BENNINGTON Geo Stanley
B15542 KARL George
B15543 MUNCEY Herbert
B15544 ROBERTS Owen John
B15545 CHALLIS George
B15546 SPIERS William
B15547 McWILLIAMS Alexander
B15548 FULCHER Frank
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Owen John Roberts was discharged 19th August 1918, aged 23 and 9 months.
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WILLIAM RICHARD JENKINS
was my great uncle
and lived in Penmaenmawr
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Willie was a colour sergeant/ quartermaster sergeant during the First World War and served in Egypt.
Below he is pictured with some of his fellow soldiers.
Willie survived the Great War.
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THOMAS GOODMAN WILLIAMS
57081 NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT
(my grandfather, O.J. Roberts' cousin)
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Thomas Goodman Roberts was born around 1900 and was the son of John and Ann Jane Williams, living at 31 Wexham Street, Beaumaris.
He enlisted with the Liverpool Regiment, 96335, in Beaumaris and trained at Aldershot. He later joined the Prince of Wales's North Staffordshire Regiment, 9th Battalion, 57081 and died of his wounds in France, on the 18th May 1918.
He buried at the Rouen War Cemetery.
I had the honour of meeting Charles' sister Esther in July 1997. She proudly showed me a photo of Charles' grave in Rouen.
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Photo copyright and courtesy of Christopher Pratt.
With thanks to Clive Hughes.
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57081 PRIVATE
THOMAS (GOODMAN) ROBERTS
NORTH STAFFORDSHIRE REGIMENT
18TH MAY 1918
AGED 18
THE LORD GIVETH AND
THE LORD TAKETH AWAY
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I am very grateful to Clive Hughes for the following information KD;
I was very interested to know that Thomas Goodman Williams, Beaumaris, was a relative of yours. I was uncertain as to whether he was the T.Williams recorded in the official casualty list as enlisting at Bangor as 96335 in the King's (Liverpool) Regt..
He served overseas with them, later transferring to the 9th North Staffordshire Regiment as no.57081. Died of wounds (gas) 18 May 1918, next of kin was resident in Beaumaris. Incidentally, the War Graves people list the family address as 20 Steeple Street rather than 31 Wexham Street, but the former address was the one current years later, when the War Grave Registers were printed, which might explain why.
Rouen was a base area with major hospital facilities, so having been gassed it wouldn't be unusual for him to have survived long enough to be evacuated that far. 80 per cent of British gas casualties in the latter part of the war were caused by mustard gas. It was designed to debilitate rather than to kill, but a large dose could lead to a painful death, sad to say.
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I am very grateful to Clive Hughes for supplying me with John G. Williams's very detailed military record during the Great War. KD
JOHN GOODMAN WILLIAMS was born at Beaumaris in 1886. On the 8 July 1916 he was called up at Menai Bridge where he was medically examined. He was then apparently aged 30 years 3 months, and a coachman by trade. He was a married man, his wife being Annie Williams (maiden name Parry), the ceremony having taken place on 26 September 1912. There was one child in 1916-19, Kenneth Goodman Williams, born Beaumaris 30 July 1914. Their home address was 39 Wexham Street, Beaumaris.
David Lloyd George |
He had previous military service with the 14th (Carnarvonshire and Anglesey) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. This was formed locally in 1914 as part of Lloyd George's "Welsh Army Corps", and went over to France in December 1915. However, it seems certain he didn't go with them, and my guess is that he had been discharged some time previously, probably on health grounds.
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His overall health on rejoining in July 1916 was classified as "BII" (B2).The medical grades were altered at several dates during the War, but in general rran from A1, "can undergo severe strain, can serve in any area through A2, B1 -B5, C. D. to E permanently unfit". Category B2 was described as "can see to shoot or drive. Can undergo considerable exertion, not involving severe strain. With defects of locomotion. Base or garrison service home or abroad.
He was 5 feet 7 and a half inches in height, and had an expanded chest measurement of 35 and a half inches (2 inch expansion). Eye and hair colour not stated. Religion - Church of England.
On 10 July 1916 he was formally accepted at Wrexham and posted the following day to "H" Company of the 17th (Reserve) Battalion, Cheshire Regiment as Private 46679. He had asked to be sent to the Royal Garrison Artillery, but perhaps on health grounds or the need being greater elsewhere, this did not happen. The 17th was formed at Bebington in August 1915 to supply reinforcements to other battalions (on 1 September 1916 it moved to Prees Heath Camp, Shropshire and became the 74th Training Battalion, 17th Reserve Brigade). The file includes his "Recruit's Pass" to go by rail from Wrexham to Whitchurch, Salop.on 11 July to join them.
He didn't stay with them long, probably on account of having already been fully trained with the RWF, because on 23 July he was posted to France. He may have gone to the 15th or 16th (1st and 2nd Birkenhead Bantams) Battalions of the Cheshire Regt. at this point as they were the natural destination for men from the 17th Reserve, but the papers are vexingly silent on the point.
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On 9 Feb 1917 he was transferred to the "23rd Works Company" of the King's (Liverpool) Regiment. Actually, 23rd (Works) Battalion is more likely, formed in May-June 1916 at Prescot and still there in March 1917. It became the 1st Labour Battalion the following month. So it seems John G. Williams had returned to the UK (some health problem is the most likely reason). On two documents this entry is followed by a very faint note "Attached A.?P. C." (??Army Pay Corps - rather unlikely).
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There is surprisingly no note of his regimental number in the Liverpools, and indeed on 26 Sept 1917 he was transferred back to the Cheshire Regiment, so one wonders whether his connection with the Liverpools was more in the nature of a temporary attachment. His return transfer was effected under Army Order 204 of 1916.
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He was only back with his old Regiment for a day, because on 27 Sept 1917 he was transferred to the 2nd Battalion the West Riding Regiment (Duke of Wellington's) again under an Army Order 204 of 1917. This time he was numbered 26129 which seems rather low to me for that stage in the War, and I may have misread it. This is an odd posting for a "B2" man - a frontline Regular Army battalion!
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And one in the thick of the Third Battle of Ypres: in action at Polygon Wood 26 Sept-3 Oct; Broodseinde 4 Oct; Poelcappelle 9 Oct; First Battle of Passchendaele 12 Oct. Even more curious, this posting is not mentioned as it should be on his Medal Index Card.
On 5 December 1917 he was wounded, being gassed, and presumably evacuated back to the UK. He recovered sufficiently by 12 March 1918 to be posted to the 3rd Battalion West Ridings at their Depot (probably Halifax). On 1 April 1918 he initiated his first claim to compensation for disability. He was certainly not fit for frontline service now, and on 10 April under Army Council Instructions 611 & 1396 of 1917 he was transferred to the Labour Corps, as Private 551462.
The Labour Corps was a 1917 formation, which regularly employed soldiers who had been sick or wounded as labourers, if they weren't going to be sufficiently fit to return to full active overseas service. In his case, he was posted to the 548th Agricultural Company to begin with, then on 27 April 1918 to 532nd Agric. Coy. with whom he stayed for the rest of his service.
With the war over in November 1918, the Army was demobilised. Still at B2 health, he was demobbed at No.1 Dispersal Unit, Oswestry on 7 February 1919, being given 28 days leave and a final pay advance of #2. Whilst still at home, on 7 March 1919 he was transferred to Army Reserve Class Z (a ghost formation, intended to re-mobilize the Army in the event Germany refused to sign the Peace Treaty). His character was classed as "Good", and indeed his "Crime Sheet" on file is nicely blank!
On 28 March 1919 his papers were forwarded to Chelsea for pension details to be worked out. He had submitted a second claim on that day. On 14 August and 9 September the Ministry of Pensions made awards in respect of his gas injury, classifying him as 30% Disabled and therefore worthy of 12 shillings weekly from 3 September-9 December 1919, with 5/3d allowance for a wife and one child.
Clive continues; and there the file ends - an untidy collection of information, compared to others I have analyzed. There should be a subsequent Pensions file, but I'm still looking for it. The theory was to have annual Medical Boards which could easily reclassify the casualty as they "improved" with time, and the allowances got less in consequence. The lack of the usual dates of service in France & UK, and rather messy record keeping overall made this file a bit frustrating. One last bit of info - he was duly awarded the British War and Victory Medals in about May/July 1922.
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Thomas Williams 1890-1918
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Thomas was the grandson to Owen Williams, Tan y Graig, Nant y Rhiw, Llanrwst. Thomas's father, William, was a brother to my great grandfather, Thomas Williams, of Gorsedd Grucyn.
Thomas Williams was the youngest of William's children. He served and died in the 1st World War.
Thomas was a Private in the 6th Battalion of the East Kent Regiment who are nicknamed "The Buffs". He enlisted in the Buffs as an early volunteer during the first week of September 1914. He was posted to the 8th Battalion but for some reason didn't go overseas with them in 1915. At some stage he transferred to the 6th Battalion.
He died on 9th August 1918 at, I think, the Battle of Amiens. Amiens is in Picardy, North West France. The 6th Battalion of the Buffs became part of the 37th Brigade which was itself part of the 12th (Eastern) Division, one of the Kitchener's Army divisions raised from volunteers by Lord Kitchener. It fought on the Western Front for the duration of the First World War.
 The Battle of Amiens, which began on 8 August 1918, was the opening phase of the Allied offensive later known as the Hundred Days Offensive that ultimately led to the end of World War I. Allied forces advanced over seven miles on the first day, one of the greatest advances of the war. The battle is also notable for its effects on both sides' morale and the large amount of surrendering German forces. This led Erich Ludendorff to famously describe the first day of the battle as "the black day of the German Army." Amiens was one of the first major battles involving armoured warfare and marked the end of trench warfare on the Western Front, fighting becoming mobile once again until the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918.
There are two puzzles here:
a - Why did a Welshman choose the East Kent Regiment
b - Why didn't he go overseas until after 1/1/1916
The War Diary records the following for the day that Thomas died:
"At 17:00 on the 9/8/1918 the 6th Buffs moved off to capture the village of Morlancourt and consolidate on the ridge beyond. The Brigade was preceded by 7 tanks. The enemy were surprised and despite heavy machine gun fire from Villers Chapel, The Buffs reported that they had reached their objectives and that the enemy were in full retreat at 20:00. The Germans counter attacked at 03:30 the following morning but were beaten back. The Buffs casualties were fairly modest given the success of the attack. Three officers were killed and 11 wounded. Other ranks casualties were 168 including 17 killed."
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Thomas is buried in France at Franvillers; it is a village and district in the Department of the Somme, and stands on high ground above the River Ancre across the river from the scene of the battle in which Thomas fell. It is on the D929 Amiens (19 kilometres) to Albert (10 kilometres) road. The Communal Cemetery and Extension are south-east of the village on the C201 road. The Commonwealth Graves Commission looks after the cemetery.The communal cemetery at Franvillers was used at intervals from May 1916 to May 1918. It contains eight Commonwealth burials of the First World War. The adjoining extension was used from April to August 1918 by units and field ambulances engaged in the defence of Amiens. It contains 248 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and five German graves. The extension was designed by W C Von Berg. Thomas is buried in Grave 9 of Row C of Plot II. In the photo this will be the first row in front of the Great Cross
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ALFRED RICHARD JENKINS
LIVERPOOL REGIMENT
ROYAL ARMY MEDICAL CORP.
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Alf was born about 1896, he was the eldest of Sarah (nee Claridge, formerly Michell) and Isaac Jenkins' sons. Sarah had previously been married to Sampson Michell, who had died in 1885, aged 29. In 1901, Alf was living at Ponterwyd
He is pictured here with his brother Sidney
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Alf Jenkins joined the Liverpool Regiment during the Great War.
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Alf was then transferred to the Royal Army Medical Corps. Here is a photograph which he had sent home, he was in a field hospital where an amputation was going to take place.
On the back of the photo is written "Operating Theatre. Amputation below knee. Staff: 4 Doctors, 2 Sisters, One Orderly. Richborough Military Hospital, Kent", and the date. I can't make it out, it's either 1917 or 1919 - more likely to be 1917.
Alf survived The Great War, and died in 1981
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DAVID SWAIN WILSON
1889-1943
(son of William Tills Wilson and Jane Swain)
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David Swain Wilson was born on the 12th November 1889 when his parents William Tills Wilson and Jane Wilson nee Swain, were residing at 167 Rommany Road, Norwood and his birth was registered at Lambeth, London.
The 1891 census shows David living at 167, Rommany Road, Lambeth, with his parents. The family moved to Aberhafesp between 1892 and 1896 and lived at Penyglannau in 1901. David's parents William and Jane, were both aged 34. Their family consisted of David 11, Roderick Edward Wilson 9, and Dorothy Wilson 4.
David Swain Wilson - Montgomeryshire Yeomanry.
David Swain Wilson was first posted to the Montgomery Yeomenry. He enlisted on the 8th September 1914. He served 4 years and 132 days, and was described as 5' 9.5" tall, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and fair hair. He served in France during the Great War. The Montgomeryshire Yoemenry later became part of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He was wounded in the War and later discharged on the 17th January 1919, being no longer fit for War Sevice.
The wedding of David Swain Wilson and Eliza Davies at Aberhafesp Church on the 8th October 1919. Witnesses to the wedding were David Swain and Esther Catherine Davies..
In 1921, the estate of Glanhafren near Newtwon was sold. Two of the lots for sale were Middle Scafell and Upper Scafell or Waenybricks. Middle Scafell, famous for the field of blessing, was where son Stanley William Wilson was born. David Swain Wilson and Eliza Wilson nee Davies worked there for Eliza's brother, Uncle Pryce Davies
Much of their life stories have been recorded by their son Stan, and were published in The Newtonian, the magazine of Newtown History Group. The articles have been reproduced with their permission, and appear in full in the link, NEWTOWN (YSGAFELL) NOSTALGIA.
Part is reproduced here;
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Upper Scafell or Waenybricks, Lot 8, in the sale of Glanhafren properties, described as a freehold small farm, was brick built and slated, containing a barn and bay, stable for three horses, cow house for five cattle, wain house, piggery and yearling shed. The sitting tenant, Mr Richard Lloyd was issued with a notice to quit, and my parents moved to their new home in 1923. Mr Lloyd moved to be a tenant at Upper Rhydfelen.
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During these difficult times, mother kept the farm going with her produce, selling eggs, butter and boilers, or old hens which had gone past laying age. They would however make wonderful broth, and were sold for 1/6 each (7.5p). She would take two at a time to town, then come back home to dress another two. When I was old enough, I delivered these boilers to people who had ordered them. Mother's produce would pay for hen food, coal and lamp oil.
Monies made by father through farming were saved to pay for buildings, repairs, corn and fertiliser. Generally, everything he worked for, in a way, went back into the ground to repay what was taken out of it.
Our first tractor was a David Brown, purchased from Neal's Garage, Llanidloes Road. We had been on a long waiting list as tractor supplies were limited. New tractor cultivating implements were therefore required to undertake the work. Petrol was difficult to obtain, but farmers were allowed an additional amount due to the nature of their work.
My father died in 1943, leaving my mother and I to farm our 60 acres.
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OBITUARY NOTICE,
Montgomeryshire Express and Radnorshire Times 18 September 1943
The death took place suddenly on Tuesday of Mr David Swain Wilson, Wainybricks, Llanllwchaiarn age 53. Son of Mr and Mrs Wilson, Wernfach, Aberhafesp, Mr Wilson had lived the whole of his life in the neighbourhood. Farming Penyglannau, Aberhafesp before moving to Wainybricks many years ago. As a member of the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry, which later became part of the Royal Welch Fusiliers, Mr Wilson served in France throughout the last war, when he was wounded and subsequently discharged.
He is survived by his widow, one son, on brother, Mr Roderick Wilson and one sister, Mrs Dora Brandrick. The funeral took place yesterday, Friday.
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Following my father's death, we requested the services of land girls and Prisoners of War. The land girls worked in groups, although some worked individually and were I believe, based in Welshpool. They were mostly employed by us to plant and later pick potatoes, and were paid directly by us.
There were Italian, German and Polish POWs stationed at Glandulas. Farmers signed an agreement when employing them, not to fraternise with the POWs, nor let them handle guns, nor be allowed out late at night. They lodged on the farms, and were "paid" for their services, although the money went to the Government. They had to be shown how to sow seeds.
Eliza moved to lived at 9 Old Church Street, Newtown in April 1949, and later moved to St Elmo, Newtown.
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OBITUARY NOTICE; County Times 28th October 1967
The funeral of Mrs Eliza Wilson, St Elmo, formerly of Waenybricks took place at Aberhafesp Parish Church on Wednesday week. The Rector of Newtown, Rev Cledwyn Owen officiated, assisted by the curate Rev S.V. Gange, organist was Miss Betty Jones, Bella Vista. Bearers;- David Wilson (grandson), David Brandrick (nephew), Eric Swain and E. Lloyd (cousins).
Chief mourners;- Mr and Mrs S. Wislon, D. Wilson (grandson), Marian Wilson (granddaughter) Mr & Mrs W. Ashton (brother in law and sister), Mr T. Brandrick (brother in law), Mr W. Corfield, Mr & Mrs J. Jerman, Mr D. Brandrick, Mr N. Davies (nephews and niece in law), Mrs E. Pilot, Mrs M. Jerman, Mrs H. Andrew, Mr & Mrs S.C. Howman, Mr D. Jones (nephew in law and niece), Mr E. Swain, Mr & Mrs E. Lloyd (cousins) and other close relatives.
Floral tributes;
With fondest love to mother, Stanley and Cissie; With love to our Gran, David and Marian; To our dear sister, Agnes and Will; In Loving Memory Mary and family, Cloddiau; In Loving Memory of Auntie Eliza, Sue and Cyril, Wellington; With all our love, Hilda, Eric and Jim; In Loving Memory, David, Joan and Jane; Treasured Memories of Auntie Eliza, Fred and Anne; All my love, Shirley; In kind remembrance, Mrs Gertie Davies; In Loving Memory, Ted and Betty, Aston Piggott; From Pryce, Jean and Diedre
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County Times, Saturday 21 October 1967.The family of the late Mrs Eliza Wilson, St Elmo, Newtown wish to thank all relatives and friends for the kindness and sympathy shown to them in their bereavement, for attendance at the funeral and for the floral tributes and donations received. Special thanks to the Doctors, Matron and staff of Newtown and Shrewsbury Hospitals, also Sister Lloyd Jones.
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RODERICK EDWARD WILSON
1892 - 1946
(son of William Tills Wilson and Jane Swain,
brother of David Swain Wilson)
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The family moved to Aberhafesp from London between 1892 and 1896 and lived at Penyglannau in 1901. Roderick's parents William and Jane, were both aged 34. Their family consisted of David 11, Roderick Edward Wilson 9, and Dorothy Wilson 4.
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He left Aberhafesp for America in 1912 and served with the Canadian Army in France during the Great War.
He was also a member of the Royal Observer Corps. He was a kindly, knowledgeable man.
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It is thought that when abroad, he married a widow, although his obituary notice in the paper states he was unmarried.
He died at Ty'r Afon on the 26th June 1946, his sister Dora's home. He is buried at Llanllwchaiairn Church.
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Mourners at Roderick Edward Wilson's funeral were Mr W.T. Wilson, Mr & Mrs T. Brandrick, brother in law and sister, Mrs Wilson and Mr Stan Wilson Waenybricks, aunt and nephew, Mrs Edith Swain, David Swain, Newtown, Richard Swain, Pentre, Rod Swain, cousins, Mrs Swain, Hollybush, aunt.
Bearers were T. Benbow, Fachwen, T. Nutting, Glanrhyd, A. Davies, Thimble Hall, S. Evans, The Lodge.
Wreaths; Dad, Dora, Trev; All at Waenybricks; Ron, Dorothy and David; Edie; All at Hollybush; Dave, Maggie and the boys; Mrs Rees; Morfy and Dorothy; Stan and Sybil; All at Ty'n Celyn, Aberhafesp; Mrs Woosnam, Aberhafesp Hall; Mary, 12 Bridge Street; Royal Observer Corps; Mr and Mrs Owen and family, The Dingle; All at Bwlchyffridd P.O.; J. Mostyn and family; Mr and Mrs Brinley Harris, Hillcrest, Dolfor Road; All at Fairfields; Mr and Mrs Rees and Mrs Humphreys and family, Plantation Farm; Mr and Mrs Astley, Dingle Cottage.
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WILLIAM COOPER
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William was a relative through marriage to Donna Cooper, whose family details can be found on the
CONWAY VALLEY CONNECTIONS link
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William Cooper was born on the 20th June 1888, at Great Harwood, Accrington, Lancashire and was christened on the 25th July 1888 at St. Bartholomew, Great Harwood, Lancashire, the son of James ans Caroline Cooper, 6 Stopes Fold, occupation was a spinner.
William joined the army in 1916. He started off in the 2nd 5th East Lancs. Had 12 weeks training then out to the front where he was wounded, and then sent back with the Suffolks Regiment.
Military Award: Medal Card. William Cooper
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East Lancashire Regiment. Rank; Pte. Regiment no' 241548
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2nd Suffolk R Regiment no; 235290 |
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William died of throat cancer in 1959, at Queen's Park, Blackburn aged 71, and was buried on the 19th November 1959, at Dill Hall Lane Cemetery, Church, Lancashire
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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT THE COOPER FAMILY
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LIEUTENANT BERTRAM LESTER HOLME
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The following is placed inside Penmon Church
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In memory
of
BERTRAM LESTER HOLME M.A.
Lieutenant Royal Welch Fusiliers
Served in Gallipoli
Took part in the evacuation of Suvla and Helles
Died in Mesopotamia April 25 1916
from wounds received at Sanna-y-yat April 9th.
Aged 27 years
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I was honoured to receive the following correspondence from Anne Pedley, Regimental Archivist, Royal Welch Fusiliers, KD;
I am the RWF archivist and I am compiling biographies on officers who died in the First World War.
Here is our officer entry for Lt Bertram Lester Holme:
He was born on the 22nd August 1888, at Park Road, West Birkenhead, the only son of Geoffrey Gosset Holme, latterly of Bryn Afon, Penmon, near Beaumaris and his wife Jessie.
Educated at Marlborough College & Queen's College, Cambridge, he was later employed as a tutor to the son of a Russian Admiral of the Black Sea Fleet and Governer of Sebastopol.
At the outbreak of the Great War, he was living in Petrograd, holding a post in a law school there. He returned home in November 1914 and was commissioned as Temporary Second Lieutenant on the 18th of December, 1914, to the 12th Reserve Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers (RWF).
He was then attached to the 8th Battalion RWF and joined the battalion at Gallipoli at ANZAC November 1915 where he saw action and was involved in the evacuations of Sulva Bay and Helles. He embarked with 8th Battalion RWF to Egypt in January 1916 and on to Mesopotamia in February 1916.
He was then employed as a Temporary Staff Captain and joined the expedition for the relief of Kut-el-Amara. He was in the fighting at the battle of Sanna-i-Yat where he was wounded on the 10th April 1916 and died of his wounds on 25th April, 1917, aged 27. He was buried at Aligherbi in the Amara War Cemetery, near the River Tigris, Iraq.
Anne adds; He sounds as though he had a fascinating life, so sad that it was cut short by the war.
When Bertram was aged 2, he lived with his parents Godfrey 32, a building contractor and Jessie 25, at 188 Parliament Square, Toxteth. Both were Liverpool born. Bertram was born in Claughton, Cheshire. Margaret Williams, 29 of Liverpool was the family's domestic servant.
Jessie was the daughter of the late Rev. Canon Major Lester
At the age of 12, Bertram was a boarder at Lime House, a school in Wetherall.
His parents were living at Heimath, Prescot Road, Aughton West Lancashire at the time. Godfrey and Jessie, by then, had a daughter, Gladys N., aged 9, born in Liverpool. A certain Mary J. Hough, 18, was their domestic servant, born in Aughton.
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Richard Thomas remembers his great grandfathers;
I am happy to report that both survived the "Great War" and returned to these shores to live long and happy lives!
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EDWARD WILLIAMS
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Edward Williams, my great grandfather on my mother's side, is also pictured here in his cobbler's workshop in Rhyd Cottage, Llangoed. I know very little about the detail of his army service.
I believe that this photo was taken in the grounds of "Bryn Mel" - Llandegfan - (date unknown).
Edward Williams is buried in "Capel Ty-Rhys" Llangoed, along with his wife Margaret Ellen.
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JOSEPH RICHARD THOMAS
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My great-grandfather on my father's side - Joseph Richard Thomas.
He was recruited to the Army in Clive, Shropshire.
He was then garrisoned at "Kingsbridge Camp", Llanfaes before being deployed to the trenches in France during late 1915.
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He is pictured here outside Beaumaris Gaol, with other members of his troop circa 1915, front row - right (sitting).
Joseph Richard Thomas is buried in Beaumaris Cemetery.
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GERAINT WYN MADOC JONES
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Anne Pedler, Regimental Archivist for the Royal Welch Fusiliers, has been in contact. She mentions that the Archive hold two boxes of letters and ephemera relating to Lieutenant Geraint Wyn Madoc Jones.
His father was the Headmaster of Beaumaris Grammar School, and he survived the Great War. He went out to France with the 16th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers but was sent to hospital and spent the rest of the War recuperating.
He was not wounded and no reason is given, though his letters held at our archive are interesting to read. He returned to Beaumaris, but then we know nothing of him.
His sister donated the letters in the 1970s, I believe and she was living in Colwyn Bay.
Anne would appreciate any information relating to Geraint Wyn Madog Jones, as she is compiling the biographies of officers who served in the Great War. Anne can be contacted via mail@penmon.org
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GEORGE HAROLD BEADLES
ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS
featuring brothers
Ewart and Ernie Beadles
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Private George Harold Beadles, later Lance Corporal
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George Harold Beadles was born on 28th September 1897 in Commercial Street, Newtown, Montgomeryshire. He was one of six boys and a girl, born to Thomas and Sarah Ann Beadles (nee Pearce).
Upon the outbreak of WW1 in August 1914. Harry along with two of his elder brothers Ewart and Ernie, enlisted immediately into the first regiment formed in Newtown, the 1st/7th Royal Welch Fusiliers (later part of the 53rd Division). Whilst Ewart and Ernie were of age Harry was only 16 years old, yet must have felt a sense of duty to King and Country, along with a wish to enlist with his brothers. The authorities must also have turned a blind eye!
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Harry, Ewart and Ernie Beadles |
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Soldiers of the 7th Royal Welch Fusiliers march through Newtown as they prepare to leave the town
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Harry's two eldest brothers Tom and Charlie were both Police Officers at the time and so unable to enlist, their job seen as critical to the Home Front. Tom appeared happy to remain in the Police, however Charlie was frustrated with the bureaucracy which prevented him from joining his brothers. He apparently became an "administrative nuisance", appearing on Police Parade, unshaven with dirty boots, tins of fruit in his uniform pockets etc. The Police apparently eventually dispensed with his services and he finally got his wish to en-list with the County Palatine Regiment, where he served in Cambrai, where he and others were gassed.
Harry was initially enlisted as a Bugle Boy whilst the regiment was under-going training courses in the UK.
| However by August 1915 they had been sent to Gallipoli, landing at Suvla Bay on 9th August 1915. Harry was now listed as a Rifleman and despite being underage, actively served on the front line. |
British soldiers at Suvla Bay, August 1915
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It was during this time Harry was awarded the Serbian Gold Medal for "Gallantry". He saved a Serbian Observer Officer who had been hit in no-mans land and unable to return to the line. During the rescue Harry's uniform cap and epilates were shot off, yet he miraculously remained un-injured, despite extreme heavy artillery fire. The officer took his name and number and apparently said "You will hear more about this lad". However as a young boy at the time, he didn't expect to hear anything again, and just continued with the war.
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Montgomeryshire Express
March 7th 1916
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Newtown streets in the days of yore used to frequently ring with the music of the Newtown Silver Band. The last time it was heard was when the men of the 7th (Royal Welch Fusiliers) went to Conway following a few days stay in the town after mobilisation and alas, a large number of the lads who then gaily marched to the station are no more.
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Several Newtown band members were ordered to Gallipoli during the war. They were H. Beadles, D. Clayton, J. E. Harper, G. Hibbott, S. Humphreys, C. Lloyd, J. Leach, H. Morris, F. Morris, D. Morris, W. Pugh, W. Richards, W. Roberts, H. Stephens, J. Turner and B. Nock.
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Also during this time his elder brother Ernie was shot in the foot and sent back to the UK. Local press reports show letters from Ewart to his mother stating, "Ernie has been shot in the foot, but nothing serious don't worry. Also Harry is in hospital but will be okay soon".
Sadly Ernie died of his war wounds in 1918 probably due to blood poisoning. Ernie is buried in Llanllwchaiarn cemetery, in the same grave as his 12 year old brother Albert and their mother. The grave is marked with an official Grey/blue Military Headstone for Ernie, with a ground stone in recognition of Albert. The grave is next to that of Harry's life long friend, Capt George Latham M.C..
The regiment suffered terrible casualties and extreme hot weather conditions, so bad both sides had an armistice for a day just to bury the dead, due to the flies and stench.
By December the weather was so cold, that many, including Harry,were suffering from frost-bite. Upon the eventual evacuation in December 1915, Harry was found floating and unconscious in the water due to frostbite and dehydration. He was fortunately spotted and pulled out of the water, and with a "stiff dose of whiskey", sent on a hospital ship to a Military hospital in Malta. Otherwise Harry could possibly have been the only casualty from the "successful evacuation!".
Upon recovery in Malta, Harry was immediately returned to his unit who were now in Palestine. He was involved in all three battles for Gaza and the push by General Allanby to capture Jerusalem. During the first battle, he along with others were cut-off behind enemy lines in the desert. Desperate for food/water they approached a Bedouin tribe who were fortunately friendly. They were looked after and returned to the nearest British Unit. They happened to be a Ghurkha Unit and lived with them for 2 weeks. Harry had nothing but praise for the way they were treated, plus the professionalism of the Ghurkha's as soldiers.
During the 2nd Battle for Gaza, Harry's brother Ewart was awarded the Military Medal and promoted to Sergeant. However sadly during the same battle, Harry's Uncle Dick (Richard Pearce) was fatally shot in the head whilst next to Harry in action.. Ironically he had just told Harry to "keep your head down lad" and Harry had to continue with the line despite suffering this trauma.
When the war finally ended, Harry's regiment was left in Palestine until mid 1919. The Forces organised Football competitions between the various Battalions, where Harry shone as a player. He soon came under the influence of a fellow Newtonian, Captain George Latham M.C, and the 7th Royal Welsh Fusiliers won the British Forces (Egypt) Football League Cup Final in 1919.
7th Batallion Royal Welch Fusiliers
British Forces Champions 1919
George Latham is seated front row 3rd left and
Harry 2nd right with dog in Egypt.This experience and friendship with George Latham proved a significant factor to Harry's future football career, plus it was the beginning of a life long friendship
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WELSH INTERNATIONAL
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Harry won
2 Welsh International Caps
in 1925.
v Scotland
(lost 1v3 at Edinburgh
14th February 1925)
v England
(lost 1v2 at Swansea
28th February 1925).
Click here to read about Harry's life and remarkable football career
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| SCOTLAND 3 v |
1 WALES |
William Harper
James Nelson
William McStay
Davie Meiklejohn
David Morris
Robert Bennie
Alex Johnson
James Dunn
Hughie Gallagher
Thomas Cairns
Alan Morton |
Albert Gray
John Jenkins
Moses Russell
Stanley Davies
Fred Keenor
William Williams
William Davies
John Nicholls
Len Davies
Harry Beadles
Fred Cook |
| WALES 1 |
2 ENGLAND |
Bert Gray
Ernie Morley
Moses Russell
Eddie Jenkins
Fred Keenor
Edgar Thomas
Willie Davies
John Nicholls
Jack Fowler
Harry Beadles
Fred Cook |
Dick Pym
Bill Ashurst
Alf G. Bower
Jack Hill
Charlie
Len
Bob
Frank Roberts
Tommy Cook
Billy
Arthur Dorrell |
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ELLIS HUMPHREY EVANS
1887 - 1917
HEDD WYN
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Ellis Humphrey Evans was the oldest of eleven children, born to Evan and Mary Evans. Born on the 13th January 1887, his first home was Pen Lan, Trawsfynydd. A few weeks later the family moved to Yr Ysgwrn.
In 1891 he was still living with his parents at his grandfather's home, Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd.
Lewis Evans was aged 80, widowed and farmed Ysgwrn. His son Evan was 37 and working on the farm with his wife Mary, 26. Ellis Humphrey Evans was aged 4, siblings David 2, and Mary 1
Lewis had another grandson Robert Evans 32, living at his home. All were Trawsfynydd born.
Mary Ellen Welsh 16 of Manchester worked as a domestic servant.
Ellis went to the elementary and Sunday Schools and soon showed he was a gifted poet. He left school at 14 to work as a shepherd for his father.
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Yr Ysgwrn
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Evan Evans 47 was head of the household at Yr Ysgwrn in 1901. His wife Mary was 36, and Ellis was 14, recorded as a famer's son. David was 12, Mary 11, Kate 9, Maggie's age is unclear and Robert Llewelyn Evans was 2.
Evan's brother Robert was 42, working as a farmer on his own account. Kate Kilner was 14 and a domestic servant at the farm.
Ellis won his first chair at the Bala Eisteddfod in 1907, other chairs followed in 1913 at Pwllheli and Llanuwchllyn and again in 1915 at Pontardawe and a second time at Llanuwchllyn.
The Great War loomed and he enlisted in 1917, joining the 15th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers as Private 61117 Ellis Humphrey Evans, in June that year, and was sent to Flechin in France. During this time, Ellis had an ambition to win the Chair at the National Eisteddfod, which that year was being held outside the Principality, in Birkenhead. He posted his entry in France on the 15th July, just as he was moved to the front line at Passchendale.
Ellis and his pals came under heavy fire at Iron Cross, and he was hit in the chest by shrapnel. He was taken to a first aid post and died later that day of his injuries on the 31st July 1917.
The chairing ceremony at the Birkenhead Eisteddfod took place on the 6th September 1917. Ellis' poem 'Yr Arwr', under the "ffug enw" of 'Fleur de Lys', was declared the winner. No one stood up to the sound of the 'cutgorn' to acknowledge themselves as the successful bard. The bard had died six weeks earlier. The chair was draped in black.
Hedd Wyn is buried at the Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boezinge.
Click here to see the Memorial Certificate in Ellis Humphrey Evans' honour by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ellis Humphrey Evans' grave.
Photo -Wikipedia - reproduced by common license
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MORIAH CHAPEL, TRAWSFYNYDD
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WALLACE HORATIO HEWETT
57439 Machine Gun Corps
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Wallace Horatio Hewett
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The following enlisted with the Machine Gun Corps at the same time;
57438 BARKER Graham
57439 ROBERTS Owen John
57440 ROBERTS Hugh Henry
57441 WILSON Albert
57442 WOODBRIDGE Leonard
57443 ROBBINS John
57445 GRIFFIN Eric Cpl. M.M.
57446 ALDER Edward Thomas
57447 BARNES Joseph
57448 TURNER Arthur
57449 WOOLLEN George Clarence
57452 MEADOWS Leonard
57454 HEWETT Wallace Horatio A/Sgt |
Bob Lewis has been in touch, KD;
My sister found your site by chance, and we believe that the Wallace Horatio Hewett listed as having enlisted alongside your grandfather (Owen John Roberts) was our grandfather. The name is correct, including the unusual spelling of Hewett (more normally Hewitt), and our mother says he was in the Machine Gun Corps, and talked of serving at Ypres and Passchendaele. Wallace survived the war, and finished with the rank of Sergeant Major. He lived in North London when I remember him, and two of his four children survive (my mother and the youngest brother), the other two having only recently died.
My mother has been collecting information and, with others in the family, putting together a family tree, and although he never spoke of it, we now believe that Maurice - Wallace's eldest son, fought in the Battle of Britain.
Bob can be contacted via mail@penmon.org if you can help his family, with their research.
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Photo courtesy of Richard Griffith
Morris Griffith and mates in hospital
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Morris was one of four Griffith sons born in Poultney Vermont as first generation Americans, and joined the Army in World War I to fight with his British cousins. Morris was wounded twice.
Once a German felled a tree on him and he was shot through the hand while trapped under the tree. The second time was at the Meuse Argonne offense, October 3rd 1918 when he was machine gunned while trying to go through barbed wire to attack the German line.
He served as a Private in L company of the 307th infantry, and had he not been wounded, probably would have been part of the company to rescue comrades of K company, known as the 'Lost Patrol'. The Lost Patrol successfully reached their objective which got them cut off from Morris's company, 'L' which took major casualties and stopped short of their objective.
Morris was nursed back to health against all odds by his future wife, British Army nurse Hilda Robinson from Liverpool.
He never received a pension.
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Read more about about Morris Griffiths's wartime experiences and family, who originated in North Wales, by clicking on the following webpage ;
GRIFFITHS IN WORLD WAR I
(please note - when there, click on 'HOME' for full website)
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JOHN PARRY
Telegraphist. R.N.V.R.
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I am very grateful to John Hughes, for supplying this very moving account of his grand uncle. KD.
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John writes; Firstly may I congratulate you on a fascinating website. I grew up in Penmon and Beaumaris and I have very much enjoyed browsing the site.
On your photograph of the War Memorial at Beaumaris church you can make out the name John Parry.
John's home was 1, Alma Street, Beaumaris. He was a grand uncle of mine and died on his ship during the Gallipoli campaign. |
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John Parry was born in Beaumaris in 1893, and was the son of John and Ann Parry. When he was 7 years old, the family lived at 12 Town's End.
The 1901 census shows that his father, John was 28 and worked on his own account, recorded as a stable car. (carriage?) proprietor. He and his children were all Beaumaris born, but his wife Ann, 35 was from Llansadwrn. Their family consisted of Annie M. 9, John 7, Catherine 6, Elizabeth 5 and 7 month old William.
A Henry Parry, 30, cab driver, annotated 'groom', was boarding with the family
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By the time the next census of 1911 had taken place, the family were living at Glandon, Beaumaris. John was then 17, and employed as a grocer's assistant.
His father, now 38 was still a car proprietor, and his wife Ann was 46. Daughter Anne had left home, Catherine was 16, Elizabeth 15 and William 10. The census mentions that John and Ann had been married 18 years.
The Great War loomed and John became a Royal Naval Volunteer Reservist.
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Details of the Enrolment form for Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, Division Mersey; number Z / 541 with additional observations by Clive Hughes.
John Parry, date of birth 29 April 1893 occupation Grocers Traveller
Engaged on 26 July 1915 for a standard "3 years or the Duration of Hostilities, whichever is the longer" engagement.
Description: Chest 31 inches; Height 5ft. 2ins. ; Hair black; Eyes brown (this was originally recorded so as to be able to issue a description of him to the police if he deserted!)
Ships served etc.:
"RND" (Usually the Royal Naval Division - the RNVR supplied as many men for service effectively as soldiers as it did for service at sea. He may have gone to the RND Depot for basic training and to discover any aptitude for specialist work. In his case he could be trained to operate morse wireless telegraph equipment which was very useful at sea).
Rating- AB (Able Seaman) - but the entry has been overwritten with "O.Tel." - Ordinary Telegraphist. Served under RND until 4 Feb 1916, then posted to:
HMS SABRINA (IMELDA) - from 5 Feb 1916. The first ship is the man's administrative or pay ship (pay & post etc. all went through her), the next in brackets is the actual ship to which he was posted. SABRINA was the name of an old 1876 gunboat which was used as a diving tender from 1916 but renamed SABINE that year; and also a new M-class destroyer launched in 1916. Whichever he joined, it was just a technicality as his actual posting was to IMELDA but I have yet to discover what sort of vessel she was. He left her on 29 April 1916, for
HMS PEMBROKE - from 30 April to 5 May 1916. This was a shore or administrative base.
HMS OSIRIS II - from 6 May 1916. OSIRIS was another destroyer launched in 1916, but the Roman "II" after the name once again suggests that in his case it was used for administration. Just under this name is another - Prince Palatine - which is probably the vessel he was sent to. The crew would be merchant navy men under Admiralty direction, but with the addition of Naval gunners to man the defensive weapons and Naval telegraphists/ wireless operators like John Parry for communications work. He stayed with her until 10 July 1916.
HMS St.GEORGE (ERMINE) - from 11 July 1916. The St. GEORGE was a cruiser launched 1892, but clearly another administrative ship as far as Parry was concerned. He was actually sent as telegraphist to the Mercantile Fleet Auxiliary vessel ERMINE. She was a former Glasgow/Dublin ferryboat, earlier being used as a troopship at the Suvla Bay landings, Gallipoli 1915, and likewise for the Salonika campaign in Greece/Macedonia at the time she was sunk.
While he was with this ship he was promoted on 30 October 1916 to full Telegraphist. On 31 December 1916 his "Character and Ability" were assessed as usual annually, and his officer rated him as "Very Good" for character, and of "Satisfactory" ability.
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In 1916, he was serving with the Mediterranean Fleet.
I have in my possession a letter that John wrote to his sister Lizzie, on the 11th November, whilst serving in the Eastern Mediterranean. Lizzie is pictured on the right.
The 'Willie' referred to at the end is my grandfather.
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With the Mediterranean Fleet
11. 11. 16
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My Dearest Sister and All at Home,
Here I am once again glad to have the pleasure to write and tell you that I am in the best of health, and pleased to learn by your last letter that all at home are in the same spirits.
Before I go any further let me give a line or two in thanks for the parcel I received last week, or really I should say this week. The parcel arrived in good order and yesterday I had some of the cake for tea. This cake was very good, it was really fine, and I enjoyed it imensely. I used to sell them when I used to be at Charles Owen's, and thought they had the icing on, that inside was no good, but it was the best cake I have tasted for a very long while.
Please thank Dad for some same also the Skippers sardines and envelopes. The paper arrived alright and am very pleased to have same, for I like plenty of reading matter. Sue sends me books from time to time, and in her last letter said her Dad arrived home with a book for me, which he bought at some bookstall in Liverpool. I recieved a parcel from Bootle friends last week also, so you see the good folk I had left behind have not forgotten me. I read in the North Ws. C. of the Baron Hill Garden Party. Sorry that you are having such bad weather, out here it is quite hot in the sun, and the sea is calm. We have been in harbour for 2 weeks now, cleaning etc for our new job, in our next letter all being well I will be able to tell you what our ship is going to do.
I received a letter and two nice postcards from Enoch Evans, the postcards were made in silk by French women. You will receive them from E. Evans a photo taken in France which he is sending home for me to keep till I return. Please let him kmow that it has been received when you get same. We write to each other regularly this last four years or more, and he is a very nice chap, and when I was laid up in London he was very good to me. Well Lizzie I have no further news to send this week so will come to a close. Please remember me to one and all relations, Friends and chaple folk and my best Love to Mam Dad Katie Annie Willie and your dear self and kisses for baby.
Yours Truly Brother
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On the 2nd August the ship he was on, the Ermine, hit a mine. John did not survive.
I don't know whether he lived with his parents in Alma Street, but he was only 24 when he died and there is no reference to a wife in the letter to his sister.
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John's father wrote to the Admiralty on the 24th August 1917, to try and find out more about his son's death. He received the following reply;
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Telegrams - 'Navy Accounts London'
In reply please quote;
No. 9. N.P. 6437/17
and address letter to;
The Accountant General of the Navy
Admiralty, London, S.W. 1
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Admiralty
14th September 1917
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Sir,
In reply to your letter of the 24th. August, relative to the late John Parry, Telegraphist R.N.V.R., Official No. Mersey Z/541, I have to state for your confidential information that he lost his life when H.M. Merchant Fleet Auxilliary "ERMINE" was sunk on the 2nd August in the Mediterranean, as the result of an explosion. It is not definately known whether this was caused by a mine, or by a torpedo fired by an enemy submarine.
I am, Sir,
Your obedient servant
Accountant General of the Navy
Mr John Parry,
1, Alma Street,
BEAUMARIS
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The official paper seems to be a standard Admiralty casualty letter (with a "confidential" clause just to deter his parents from making it known in the Press); and a Royal condolence slip bearing the cyclostyled signature of Sir Edward Carson, the famous Ulster barrister and politician who was First Lord of the Admiralty from 12 December 1916 to 17 July 1917
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The Admiralty's emphasis on "confidential" suggests that elements of the MOD were probably reticent in those days to give information in relation to tragic incidents.
I also have in my possession a letter written by a shipmate, David Jamieson to John's parents describing the circumstances of his death.
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Harries Cott
Halfway Cardonald
Glasgow
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Aug 21st 1919
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Dear Mr & Mrs Parry,
I have just been informed that you never received any news of the death of your son Jonny. Well, I being one of the crew I will explain to the best of my ability.
The Ermine was a Steamer that sailed between Glasgow and Dublin, and she carried 300 Saloon passengers and 700 cattle. She was a new ship and very up to date. We were trooping in the beginning of the war to France. We carried horse and guns. We even took over the General Staff and their servants.
Then we come home to Glasgow, were Commissioned for an unknown destination, were sent to Mudros, the Naval base for the Dardanelles. We took part in the landing of Sulva Bay and were their, until the Evacuation. Then we carried on back and forward to Salonika and all the Islands in the Grecian Isles. There were an island for every every day of the year. On the ship's log we shifted about two hundred thousand troops and 3,000 horse. We carried fresh men to the firing line and brought down sick and wounded.
In the morning we always went in in the cover of darkness at night. We were very fortunate we never got struck, although the Turks kept an incessant fire from the Forts all night. Coming to the night of the disaster to the Ermine, we had been at Salonika and returned to a place called (Stavros) near the mouth of the Strume. This is where the British were holding the line against the Bulgars.
We left Stavros at 12 o'clock at night and was struck at 5minutes to one. On the 2nd August she was struck, in the forward stoke hold and sank in two minutes and a half just an hour under way.
The most of the Officers and crew were in bed, and they had just time to make for the boats. The most of the men ran to the Port boats, that is the 2 boats you see in the Photo. Well they could not get them away from the ships side with the tide and the suction and 60 men went under with the ship.
Your own John was in one of them. I ran past him over starboard side, he was standing in his night dress. We got three boats away, their were 7 in my boat, 3 in the next and 5 in the after after end of the ships boat. John came up all right and was hanging on to a bit of wreckage and our boat was making for him, but in the delay, with the wreckage there, was so much, he sank before we got to (him). Half a minute more and he would have saved. We had a crew of 56 men and 30 sailors and soldiers travelling.
The Chief Officer lost his life by stepping back into his room for his gold watch. His room was just beside the boat that I got into. The 3rd Engineers refused to go into a boat and he went down with the ship quite cool. The Carpenter, your son, 8 firemen, 3 sailors, 3 greasers, 2 Stewards, 20 of the Crew all together. A fleet surgeon, a Warrant gunman, a Merchant seaman who was going to Malta to jail and a wireless operator were also drowned.
The Surgeon was going home on leave. He came on board after getting a hearty send off from the Battleship. Being in a jolly mood he went straight to bed and the hours time he went with the ship. The Warrant gunman, he was coming home to get married, very sad.
All hands were in ther water expect 15 and these men pulled 60 out of the water. It took us four hours in the darkness to make our way back to Stavros, and we fired 40 rockets. But the smart Navy people did not know what they were for. We were not Navymen men, but Merchant Seaman, and I have never put my foot on a sailing ship since.
I work in the Shipyards and don't intend to sail any more. I am enclosing 2 Photos which I got taken in pre war days and happened to have them lying about. Dear Friends if you care to write to me, I will let you know what some of the wives and mothers got for compensation and the struggle we had to get our wages. I think this is all I have to say, but if ever you happen to be in Glasgow, I will be very pleased to see you. I reside with my sister halfway to Paisley,
I remain,
Yours sincerely,
David Jamieson.
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ERMINE FATALITIES
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Thursday, 2 August 1917
Ermine, fleet messenger, mined and sunk in Aegean Sea
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BAYES, Albert G, Trimmer, MMR, 884591
CARD, Thomas P L, Gunner (Abercrombie, monitor, O/P)
CROSS, Thomas, Donkeyman, MMR, 67070
EDGAR, Robert, Greaser, MMR, (no service number listed)
GOWAN, John, Carpenter, MMR, (no service number listed)
JOHNSON, William C, Fireman, MMR, 882032
KERR, John, Trimmer, MMR, 748372
MACCALLUM, Hector, Seaman, MMR, (no service number listed)
MACDONALD, Norman, Seaman, MMR, (no service number listed)
MCCALLUM, Hugh, Seaman, MMR, (no service number listed)
MCLAUCHLAN, William, Fireman, MMR, (no service number listed)
MCNAB, Frederick, 2nd Steward, MMR, (no service number listed)
MOORE, David, Fireman, MMR, (no service number listed)
MUIR, David, Ty/Sub Lieutenant, RNR
O'DONNELL, Edward, Greaser, MMR, 741282
PARRY, John, Telegraphist, RNVR, Mersey Z 541
ROBSON, John, Fireman, MMR, (no service number listed)
SHARPE, Charles, Boy 1c, J 54193, (St George, submarine depot ship, O/P)
TALLANT, Hugh, Stoker, RNR, U 2280
TAYLOR, Hugh, Greaser, MMR, (no service number listed)
THOMSON, John, 3rd Engineer, MMR, (no service number listed)
THURLOW, John, Assistant Cook, MMR, (no service number listed)
TOULMIN, Stewart N, Ty/Surgeon
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The aft end of the Ermine, whilst under construction
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John is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.
John Hughes concludes; I used to briefly live with my maternal Grandmother in Tyn Caeau in Penmon before moving to Rosemary Lane in Beaumaris where I attended the primary school in New Street and the new school before going to the David Hughes Secondary School. Regrettably both my parents died some time ago, probably just before the point in time when I suddenly realised how little I knew about my antecedents!!
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I was delighted to meet John and his wife Ann in mid Wales in June.
Here, John shows me his great uncle John Parry's original letter,
sent to his sister Lizzie in 1916
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Lance Corporal
JOHN HENRY JONES
19138
16th Battalion
Royal Welch Fusiliers
(Jack Jones, Holyhead)
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| I received the following simple request from Ann Hughes: |
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I have just visited the PENMON The Great War-In Memoriam site and found it very, very interesting and also very moving.
I wondered if you would please consider including a feature on my great Uncle Jack who was killed in action in 1916 in France. He was known locally as Jack Jones, Holyhead.
I am passionate about Jack's story. My dad, Evan Emlyn Hughes, passed away about eight years ago. He started the research from reading the two inscriptions inside Uncle Jack's poetry book, with much encouragement from my mother who is now seventy seven. It leaves us both on an emotional quest to try and find a photograph of John Henry Jones.
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Using Ann's dad's research, what Ann herself has since discovered with the support of historian Clive Hughes and RWF Archivist Anne Pedley, we have put this item together in memory of L/Cpl John Henry Jones.
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The Family
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John Henry Jones is my great uncle, on my dad's side of the family. My dad Evan Emlyn Hughes was born in February 1926 and raised in 24 Moreton Road, Holyhead.
His father was Robert Hughes who was a steam engine driver and he drove the Irish Mail Train from Holyhead to London. Robert Hughes married Margaret Jones, my Nain Holyhead.
Nain Holyhead had two brothers, and one sister;
Hugh Humphrey Jones (later the Reverend H. H. Jones) who continued to live at 'Craigle';
John Henry Jones a teacher who was killed in action in 1916. He was known as Jack Jones Holyhead, and my dad always referred to him as Uncle Jack;
Annie Jones, also a teacher who married Ivan Roberts, headmaster at Llanfechell School.
Nain Holyhead's father was Hugh Jones a Police Sergeant in the Anglesey Constabulary who eventually came to live at 'Craigle', Moreton Road, Holyhead. He was married to Mary Jones.
Hugh Jones originated from Bodgedwydd, Aberffraw. Born in 1851, I have his birth certificate, I think that he was from farming stock but also had woodworking skills - I mention this as my dad told me that when the 'Death Penny' came to the family, Hugh Jones made a special mount for it, and he also made some huge wardrobes that had a very detailed carving.
At the age of 26, Hugh Jones, John Henry's father, joined the then Anglesey Constabulary retiring around 1904 as a Police Sergeant. His police service saw him stationed at Menai Bridge, Beaumaris (there is a photograph of him in the exhibition at Beaumaris Gaol), Bodedern, Valley, Bryn Seincyn, and Holyhead. I believe that he had a nickname (not sure if he knew about it!) on the lines of 'Jones Y Bol'. He was a large man.
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In 1881, Hugh Jones, 30, was stationed at Bodedern, and living with his family at 18 London Road. His wife Mary was 28, and their new baby Margaret was under one month old. Margaret's sister Hannah Jones, 23, was also living with them. She is recorded as a former housemaid and was born in Bethel
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Hugh and Mary Jones' eldest son was Hugh Humphrey Jones, born in 1886. He later became Rev H.H. Jones, lived at Craigle, Moreton Road, Holyhead; to his parishioners I believe that he was known as Rev HH and HH.
The family were very prominent in Holyhead.
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Great Uncle Jack
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About twenty five years ago my dad, came across a poetry book called The Golden Treasury of Poetry by Francis T. Palgrave. I have the book.
This book belonged to Uncle Jack. On the inside cover are two inscriptions; one written by Uncle Jack himself in beautiful long hand;
and written in equally beautiful long hand by my great Uncle Hugh (the Rev H H Jones, Holyhead).
My mum encouraged my dad to try and find out more, and they visited John Henry's grave some years ago. Even though my dad has given me a head start, and also in his memory, I am determined to try and locate an obituary but equally as important to me, a photograph of John Henry.
I remember as a child seeing a photograph of a soldier in a frame on the piano at Nain Holyhead's house. She had died by that time and dad's brother John Ivor Hughes and his wife Eirwen were living there then. Aunty Eirwen is in her 90s and living in a residential home in Holyhead. We visit her a couple of times a year. We are due for one soon. As far as I know the photograph no longer exists but I cannot say where it has gone to.
John Henry Jones was born in Valley 1891, (probably the police station which is still standing) the youngest son of Hugh and Mary Jones (my great grandparents) of Craigle, Moreton Road, Holyhead, Anglesey. Uncle Jack was known as Jack Jones, Holyhead.
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The 1891 census was taken when John Henry was only 5 months old. He was living at the Police Station Valley, where his father, Hugh Humphrey Jones 40, born in Aberffraw, was the Police Constable. Hugh's wife Mary, 37, was born in Llangristiolus. Daughter Margaret Jane, 10 was born in Bodedern, whilst Anne Mary, 6, Hugh Humphrey 4 and John Henry were born in Valley.
The family had a domestic servant, Jane A. Parry, 14, of Merionethshire living with them.
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By 1901, Police Constable Hugh Humphrey Jones 50, and his family had moved to live at 12 Station Road, Holyhead. Wife Mary was 48, Maggie Jane, 20, a dressmaker, worked on her own account at home, Anne Mary 16, was an Elementary school teacher, Hughie H. was 14 and John Henry 10 them.
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He was a pupil of Holyhead County School, student at Normal College, Bangor.
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In 1911, John Henry, 20, was a student at W.C. Bangor His father Hugh 60, had retired from the police force and worked as a rent collector. Mary was 58. Their daughters Maggie Jane 30, still dressmaking and Anne Mary 26 still an Elementary school teacher, both lived at home. Similarly, Hughie H 24, a C. M. Student at Bangor and John Henry were living at home, which was 31 Moreton Road, Holyhead.
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John Henry became Assistant Master at Llangefni County School, Anglesey. He also taught at Bethel/Bodorgan School.
About 28th December 1914 John Henry Jones enlisted at Holyhead with the 16th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers, along with his long time friend, George A. Thomas, also a teacher. Their army numbers were L/cpl 19138 Jones and Pte 19137 Thomas.
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Photos courtesy Anne Pedley RWF Archivist
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16th Battalion R.W.F. Llandudno 1915
Training before leaving for France.
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The 16th RWF while undergoing intensive training at Winchester, went by train for two courses of field-firing at Salisbury Plain.
His Majesty the King inspects the troops on Salisbury Plain
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Both entered the Theatre of Operations-France-2nd December 1915.
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I am very grateful to Anne Pedley, Official Archivist of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. She has very kindly supplied details of the 16th Battalion, R.W.F.'s War Diary for December 1915 and January 1916.
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On the 2nd December, 1915, at 6.30 am, an advance party left Winchester for Southampton by road to embark on active service in France.
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Photo courtesy of Anne Pedley, R.W.F. Archivist
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16th Battalion R.W.F., 3rd December 1915
before going over to France
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On the 4th December, the Battalion and Headquarters left Winchester for Folkestone, proceeded to France and disembarked at Boulogne, and marched to a rest camp at Osterhove.
On the 5th December, they detrained at Aire, and marched to billets at Mametz.
The 10th December saw the battalion move on to Lavenite. 'A' Company were attached to the 2nd Grenadier Guards, 'B' Company to the 2nd Coldstream Guards, 'C' Company to the 3rd Coldstream Guards and 'D' Company to the 1st Irish Guards. A and C Companies proceeded directly to the front line trenches.
From the 11th December at Lavenite, B and D companies would relieve A and C companies , and vice versa over the next few days.
The Battalion marched out of Lavenite to Mametz on the 18th December 1915.
The Battalion underwent routine in billets up to the 31st December and then training in billets on the 1st and 2nd of January, 1916.
The whole battalion marched out of Mametz to take up billets on Richebourg St Vaast, the reserve area of the 58th Brigade, on the 5th January.
The following day the whole Battalion moved out of billets and relived the 6th Battalion Kings Own on the front line trenches.
On the 7th January, the artillery cut enemy wire in front of our line. Enemy artillery retaliated on our front line. Casualties on that day were 33398 Pte R.F. Day, 31456 Pte A.C. Day, and 18875 Pte J. Wilson. 'B' Company all wounded.
It was very quiet on the 8th January.
9th January. Our artillery shelled enemy wire at 3.16A.5.8. enemy artillery retaliated on our front line and 2 men were killed and wounded. An officer's patrol went out after dark, but could find no gap in the enemy wire. The usual fatigue parties were supplied at night. Casualties - 19138 L. Cpl J.H. Jones. 19137 Pte. G.A. Thomas 'B' Company killed, 18815 Sgt J.H. Matthews, 19813 Pte L. Hodgkinson, 18885 Pte. R.R. Pritchard, 31719 Pte G. Whittaker, 19196 L/C. W.E. Eldridge, 18838 L/C F. Rowlands, 23225 Pte E.L.F. Baines. 23176 Pte W.T. Edwards "B" Company wounded.
10th January. Very quiet. Casualties. 19872 Pte H. Humphreys, "A" Company, killed by a ricochet bullet at Boars Head. 2nd Lieutenatnt T. Thomas "A" Company killed by a sniper at Farm Corner. The Battalion was relieved by the 15th Battalion R.W.F. and returned to Billets in the Brigade Reserve Area at Richebourge St Vaast.
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John Henry Jones and George A. Thomas were both killed in Action at Richebourg, France, on Monday 10th January 1916 by shrapnel from the same shell.
They are buried side by side at La Vaaste Military Post Cemetary, Richbourg L'Avoue, France, following a funeral service that took place at 04.15 hrs (dawn), on Wednesday 12th January 1916, conducted by the Rev W. Llewelyn Lloyd.
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John Henry lies in Plot 2, Row L, grave 6.
G A Thomas is lying by his side.
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We are extremely grateful to Clive Hughes for the following information;
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John Henry Jones earned the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. His rank for all three medals is stated to be Private. This may be a technicality - "Lance-Corporal" is an Appointment, not a Rank, and for the last two medals it was the highest Rank which was marked on the rims. But for the Star, any Appointment held at the time he landed should have been marked. The only conclusion I can draw from this is either that he was promoted after 2 Dec 1915, or that there was an admin mistake somewhere! One curiosity about the card is that there was some activity in 1985-86 which was marked on it.
The entry of death comes under 9th December and they were the only two killed in the bombardment (8 others were wounded, all in "B" Company). This isn't necessarily a mistake - the official dates used for casualties are those on which a report of the event was made. So for example, if losses were caused at night then the men were recorded as casualties in the next roll-call the following morning. This casualty system is separate from that used for the War Diary, which records events under the actual days they occurred. 2nd Lieut. Trevor Thomas (Llanfechell) of "A" Company was killed later on the 10th and is so recorded. His father Brigadier-General Owen Thomas would have been the former 113th (North Wales) Brigade commander, in which the 16th RWF served.
Just for context, at full strength a Section comprised 12 men and an NCO. Four sections made up a Platoon, under a junior officer. Four platoons made up a Company, under a Captain or Major, 214 NCOs and men not counting their officers. Four companies made up a Battalion such as the 16th RWF, 1,007 NCOs and men (including specialists), and 30 officers.
John Henry appears on the Holyhead County School war memorial (now in the modern school) in addition to the town's memorial
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La Vaaste Post Military Cemetery
Richebourg
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Research
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My research has taken me to uncle Jack's grave three years ago where I paid my respects on Armstice Day which happened to fall on the actual date of 11th November. I must say that it still moves me to think about that experience.
I took great pride in placing the Ddraig Goch on both their graves, and noted the inscription on Uncle Jack's as 'Annwyl Fab, Hugh a Mary Jones, Craigle, Moreton Road, Caergybi' (that's how Creigle is spelt on the Portland Stone gravestone).
His name is listed on the cenotaph in Holyhead.
George A Thomas originated from the Rhyl area.
About two years ago, en route to Holyhead to visit aunty Eirwen, I called in at The Normal site on the 'old' Bangor Road to enquire if there might be any archived documents relating to John Henry Jones ( and also Rev H H Jones - also a student there)
Since then I have corresponded with Professor Gareth Roberts at Bangor University who very kindly sent me copies of The Normalite where in 1911 John Henry Jones is referred to as the Sports Editor for the magazine.
In a later version of the Normalite, in 1916 he is mentioned in the Roll of Honour. Sadly there are no photographs at Bangor University Archives.
Gareth also took the time to take a photograph of the Marble Roll Of Honour Plaque which is fixed to the wall in one of the lecture rooms in the older building, that overlooks the Menai Straits. John Henry and G A Thomas are included in the Roll of Honour along with other young men who gave their life in the Great War, and were students at the College.
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In memory of the old Normals
who fell in the Great War
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Copyright Professor Gareth Roberts
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"We shall remember them"
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Hugh and Mary Jones are buried in the graveyard at Bethel Chapel, Bodorgan, where there is also an inscription on their headstone in memory of John Henry Jones.
Around 1994 my parents had been visiting family in Holyhead when they digressed on their journey and went to Bethel Chapel, Bodorgan trying to find the grave of Hugh and Mary Jones; they did! ( it is right next to the chapel itself) ...and by absolute chance came to talk to Mrs Jennie Owen also from Bodorgan. At that time, she was caretaker at Bethel Chapel. Hugh and Mary Jones died within months of each other in the early part of 1933. They got talking and Jennie Owen told my dad that there had been a photograph of Uncle Jack hanging up at the school after he had been killed in the Great War. Sadly Jennie Owen has since passed away. I have often wondered where that photograph is now.
That first meeting with Jennie Owen, and the information that she shared was reciprocated by my parents when she stayed in my parents' house in Mold, when the town hosted the Welsh National Eisteddfod.
Following that, Jennie very kindly sent some newspaper cuttings in the post to my dad. I would imagine that they will have come from the newspaper local to Bodorgan.
These newspaper cuttings, all written in Welsh take the form of letters from the front line. My dad translated them. :-
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"God watch over them."
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Dated 13th January 1916, letter written by L/Cpl J. Jones, Council School, Pentraeth. He refers to the death of Lieut T. Thomas, who was killed by a sniper, youngest son of General Owen Thomas. Two teachers from Anglesey were also killed, that is Jack Jones who was a teacher in Bethel and Llangefni, and Geo. Thomas from Holyhead.
Part of a letter written by L/Cpl Lewis Samuel Jones, son of Mrs Jones, The Furniture Shop, Church Street, Llangefni. He writes to his mother and sister...'my dear friend Jack Jones of Holyhead, who'd been a teacher at Bodorgan and Llangefni was one of those killed, and the other was his 'chum' George Thomas, he also was a teacher in Holyhead'.
He goes on to describe the scene, 'immediately this shell dropped, I went towards our dugout and to my horror immediately in front of the opening there I found Jack Jones lying flat on his back his soul escaped to eternal peace.
I moved inside the dug out and there I found George Thomas lying peacfully. I was completely shattered. I didn't know what to do. Jack and George were the 'pals' of the company.
I recall many a time Jack saying to me, ''If the worst comes to the worst, I will have died with the clear knowledge that I came out here, to fight for Freedom and Peace, and for my King and Country''. Lewis Samuel Jones goes on, 'The whole company are deeply saddened at the loss of these two dear pals, and are deep in thought at the tragic loss to their families.
God watch over them and comfort them in their grief'.
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"Three Anglesey Lads"
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Dated 13th January 1916 in a letter written by the Rev W. Llewelyn Lloyd, Chaplain to the 16th Battalion RWF, BEF France, referring to the deaths of Lieut Trevor Thomas;
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Held dear to us
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All three were killed on Monday, January 10th and arrangements had been made for their burial to take place at dawn Tuesday at 4.30am.
As we were altogether talking about the terrible events of the past four days in the trenches, that the enemy started shelling our billets.....
The rearranged burial took place at dawn Wednesday at 4.30am and the Rev Hugh Hughes, RC and I attended (three Anglesey Lads by the way). Five in all were to be buried - the Army was represented by some of our high ranking officers, and also present were some very close associates of General Owen Thomas.
The service was very solemn and moving.....'I am sure that everyone will understand my feelings - losing Trevor Thomas, one of our well known and respected officers, losing Jack Jones who was held dear to us here; and held very close to my family at Bethel, and George Thomas who always had a smile on his face, and I being thrown down by the blast of a shell known as Jack Johnsons, and yet alive and unscathed'
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There is also a piece of prose called Llinellau penned by 'Treflyn', dedicated to Mr and Mrs Jones and family, Craigle, Moreton Road, Holyhead on the loss of their youngest son in the war. I have tried to find out who Treflyn was. Gareth Roberts suggests it could be a local bard and probably well known to the family. It transpires that he was Treflyn Jones, of Holyhead.
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Llinellau
gan
'Treflyn'
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Cyflwyniedig i Mr a Mrs Jones a'r teulu,
Creigle, Moreton Road, Caergybi,
yn eu profedigaeth lem o golli'r mab ieuengaf yn y rhyfel.
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P'le mae'r glocwlano annwyl hwnnw
Yma fu'n pelydru'n wyn?
Ai machludo wnaeth yn welw
I dywyllwch bedd y glyn?
Gwelais ddail eich haf yn syrthio
Yn wywedig yn y ffos
Lle y cwympodd John, wrth frwydro
Tros ei wlad ddiniwed, dlos.
Wylo i chwi'n troi'n hyfrydwch,
Cysur byd o'ch calon ffodd:
Heb eich mab fy'n haul diddanwch,
Angau yn y nos a'ch clodd.
Na, 'doedd angau ddim yn gorchudd,
Dynwyd dros ei dirion wedd,
Tra'r ai drwodd I fyd newydd,
Yno 'does ryfel, glyn na bedd.
Yno, ffrindiau, mae e'n heini,
Yno mae e'n fythol gun,
Wedi'i wisgo a goleuni,
Tn prydferthu'r nef ei hun!
Peidiwch gw'rafun, yn eich tristwch,
Iddo ef y fath fwynhad-
Newid dieithr, flin, anialwch,
Am ei garter 'ng Nghannan wlad.
Edrych wna oddiar y bryniau,
I'r hen dy yn Moreton Road,-
Gwel chwi yno ar eich gliniau'n
Ceisio rhoi i'r Arglwydd glod.
Chwardd yng ngwen yr Iesu'i Hunan!
Ni raid holi y paham:
Nid yw'r nef yn gwisgo allan
Gariad neb at dad a mam.
Pa'm yr wylwch? Pa'm 'rwy'n gofyn
Am y gwn na ellwch chwi
'Nawr amgyffred (d'wed pob deigryn)
Maint ei gyfoeth, maint ei fri.
Ond cyn hir chwi gewch rhedeg
Ato, fry ty hwnt i'r hedd,
Lle bydd dagrau'n peidion rhedeg,
Lle sirioli'r fyth eich gwedd.
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Presented to Mr and Mrs Jones and family,
Creigle, Moreton Road, Holyhead,
in their bereavement of losing their youngest son in the war.
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Where is that dear shining lad
Who used to gleam so white here?
Has he set* from paleness (*as in sunset)
To the darkness of the valley's grave.
I saw the leaves of your summer falling
Withering in the trench
Where John fell when fighting
For his harmless, beautiful country.
Your weeping will turn to beauty
And comfort will come from your heart:
Without your son who sowed happiness
Death locked you in the night.
No, grief was not veiled
As it was pulled over his gentle appearance
Whilst he went to a new world
Where there's no war, valley nor grave.
There he's lively with his friends
There is his everlasting
He is dressed with eternal light
To beautify heaven itself.
Do not forbid, in your sadness
The pleasure he is having -
Change the strange, bitter, desert
For his home in Canaan's world.
He is looking from the hillside
Towards his old house in Moreton Road, -
He sees you there on your knees,
Try to praise the Lord.
There's a laugh in Jesus' smile,
You do not have to ask why
Heaven does not wear out
Anyone's love of their father and mother.
Why do you cry? Why I'm asking
Is because I know you can't
Yet understand (each teardrops says)
It's richness, it's pride
But before long, you will run
To Him, beyond, to peace,
Where tears no longer fall,
Where your future together will be cheered.
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I don't know what happened to the Death Penny or Uncle Jacks medals, but they are certainly not still in the family.
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ALSO
REMEMBERING
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.JPG)
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Private
GEORGE A THOMAS
19137
16th Battalion
Royal Welch Fusiliers
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John Henry Jones and George A. Thomas were both killed in Action at Richebourg, France, on Monday 10th January 1916 by shrapnel from the same shell.
They are buried side by side at La Vaaste Military Post Cemetary, Richbourg L'Avoue, France, following a funeral service that took place at 04.15 hrs (dawn), on Wednesday 12th January 1916, conducted by the Rev W. Llewelyn Lloyd.
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2nd Lieutenant
TREVOR THOMAS
'A' Company
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Llanfechell
War Memorial copyright
Eric Jones
and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
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2nd Lieut. Trevor Thomas (Llanfechell) of "A" Company was killed a day later on the 10th of January. His father Brigadier-General Owen Thomas would have been the former 113th (North Wales) Brigade commander, in which the 16th RWF served.
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List of the fallen of the Llanfechell area in Two World Wars.
Sixteen men, including five commissioned officers, are listed as having fallen in WWI and two in WWII. Three of the officers were the three surviving sons of Brigadier-General Owen Thomas. All but one of the fallen of 1914-18 were, or had been, members of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. The grave of Sapper William Williams of 24 Bomb Disposal Section, Royal Engineers, who was killed at Bexley Heath on Oct 3rd, 1940, lies near to that of Owen Thomas at Ebenezer Chapel Cemetery.
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Dated 13th January 1916 in a letter written by the Rev W. Llewelyn Lloyd, Chaplain to the 16th Battalion RWF, BEF France, referring to the deaths of Lieut Trevor Thomas, George A Thomas and John Henry Jones;
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Held dear to us
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All three were killed on Monday, January 10th and arrangements had been made for their burial to take place at dawn Tuesday at 4.30am.
As we were altogether talking about the terrible events of the past four days in the trenches, that the enemy started shelling our billets.....
The rearranged burial took place at dawn Wednesday at 4.30am and the Rev Hugh Hughes, RC and I attended (three Anglesey Lads by the way). Five in all were to be buried - the Army was represented by some of our high ranking officers, and also present were some very close associates of General Owen Thomas.
The service was very solemn and moving.....'I am sure that everyone will understand my feelings - losing Trevor Thomas, one of our well known and respected officers, losing Jack Jones who was held dear to us here; and held very close to my family at Bethel, and George Thomas who always had a smile on his face, and I being thrown down by the blast of a shell known as Jack Johnsons, and yet alive and unscathed'
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