Hughie Williams, Royal Anglesey Royal Engineers

The 517th Field Company were a territorial unit attached to the 47th Division (2nd London). At the end of the war the Division took part in the final advance in Artois and the forward units of the Division reached Franses-lez-Buissenal / Moustier, north of Leuze, on 10 November 1918. The next day the Division marched back to Tournai and on 26 November moved on to the Bethune area with the Royal Engineers located at Raimbert and Burbure.

He was the son of Henry and Margaret Williams (nee Hughes) of Holyhead. Although he is listed on the CWGC "Debt of Honour", he is not included in the list of "UK, Soldiers died in the Great War 1914-1919". (His death is recorded under the GRO War Death Army Other Ranks (1914 to 1921) Register as E2.360).

In 1911, aged 18, he was employed as a Deck Boy on the LNWR Steamers and was living at 8 Porthdafarch Road, Holyhead with his step-father, Owen Jones (40), a widower, employed as a Gas Labourer. At the house were his two brothers, Henry Williams (21), employed as a Goods Porter for the LNWR and Richard Williams (15), employed as a Grocery Shop Messenger. Also living at the address were Richard Jones (19), a LNWR Hotel Page Boy and Owen John Jones (2). These were the sons of Owen Jones. The eldest was from a previous marriage. The youngest was from his marriage to Margaret Williams, the mother of Hughie, Henry and Richard. Their father, Henry, had died in 1900, aged 38. Their mother, Margaret, died in 1910, 18 months after giving birth to Owen John Jones.

After 1911, Hughie and possibly one of his brothers, went to live at 10 Tyn Pwll Road, Holyhead with his mother's sister, Emma, and her husband, Anthony Williams. His cousins, Robert and Henry Williams also served with the Royal Engineers and survived the conflict. He entered France on 7 March 1915, probably with the Royal Anglesey Royal Engineers as his original service number suggests. The Division History notes that the last casualties suffered by the Division were five men killed on the night of the 8th November 1918. It is probable that Sapper Williams died, from illness or accidental injury, at one of the Base Hospitals close to Boulogne, where the cemetery is located.

Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal. (The Medal Index Card records that he died on the 26 November 1918).

Buried in Terlincthun British Cemetery, Wimille, France. Grave location XI.E.32.

Grateful thanks to Andy Wright for supplying the photographs and family information and also to Aled L Jones for the additional research.