Arthur Llewelyn Williams, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

The Battalion was formed in Newtown in August 1914 as part of North Wales Brigade, Welsh Division. On 13 May 1915 the formation became the 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. In July 1915 it sailed for Gallipoli, via Imbros, and disembarked at Suvla Bay on 9 August 1915. After enduring much loss from the fighting and the severe conditions, it was evacuated from Gallipoli in December 1915 and moved to Egypt. The 158th Brigade took part in the First Battle of Gaza (26-27 March 1917), which was an unsuccesful attempt to capture Gaza from the Turks to make way for an invasion of Palestine. The attack was directed against the key defensive ridge of Ali Muntar, positioned directly in front of Gaza. The attack almost suceeded but due to poor communication and misunderstandings the infantry was withdrawn under the threat of heavy Turkish reinforcements. In all the British suffered 4000 casualties during the battle (523 dead, 2,932 wounded and 512 missing).

Born at Bangor, Carnarvonshire on 22 June 1891, the youngest son of the Rev. John and Jane Williams of Southern Lodge, Deganwy, Llandudno. He was educated at Holyhead County School and prior to the war he was engaged in business in Liverpool. He volunteered for army service at the outbreak of hostilities but was rejected as physically unfit. After undergoing a serious operation he was accepted and enlisted in the 6th Battalion (The Rifles), The King's (Liverpool Regiment) on 14 September 1914. He arrived in France on 4 June 1915. In October 1915 he was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant into the 1/6th Battalion, RWF. He joined his battalion in Egypt in January 1916 and served in Palestine from January 1917.

He was killed during the First Battle of Gaza and was buried where he fell. His fellow officers had high regard for him. Captain E Evans wrote for his Commanding Officer: "He, at the head of his platoon, took a keen interest in it, and was much liked and respected by his men". Capt. J Morgan wrote, "I had the highest opinion of him as an officer and a gentleman. The men of his platoon mourn for him and a friend who never turned a deaf year to their complaints. He was very musical, and his services were in constant demand as an accompanist for the battalion".

Awarded the 1914-15 Star (Liverpool Regiment), Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Buried in Gaza War Cemetery. Grave location II.D.15. (probably reburied from the original grave).