John Henry Williams, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

The Battalion was formed in August 1914 in Wrexham as part of the North Wales Brigade, Welsh Division and was one of the few Territorial units ready for immediate service overseas at the outbreak of war. It moved immediately on mobilisation to Conway and at the end of the month to Northampton. On 6 November 1914 it left the Brigade and landed at Le Havre, France. On 7 December 1914 it was attached to the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division.The Battalion spent the 1914/15 winter in trenches at Festubert. In May 1915 the 4th Battalion took part in the unsuccessful assault on Aubers Ridge and suffered heavily.

On 1 September 1915 it transferred to 47th (2nd London) Division with a new role as Pioneers, due to the large number of miners in its ranks. It spent the remainder of the war digging and repairing trenches, roads and tramway lines, often in the Front Line and in hazardous situations. They worked in all the hot spots, and were used as front line consolidators, and as moppers up during attacks. In March 1918 the Battalion was again employed as infantry. On April 6 1918 it was charged with the retaking of Aveley Wood, just north of Albert. The attack failed with significant loss of life. On 6 June they took part in the final defence of Aisne.

John Henry Williams was born at Burrell Street, KIrkdale, Lancashire on 27 May 1877, the son of Thomas H and Mary Williams (nee Griffiths), both from Anglesey. His father was a Painter and Decorator and worked in Liverpool on new building projects. He married Caroline Jones at Bangor in April 1898. In 1901 he lived at 11 Brittania Street, Bangor with his wife Caroline (26); sons John Richard Williams (21/2) and Thomas Henry (11/2); brother George Thomas Williams (16) and three borders. He was employed as a General Labourer.

In 1911 the family lived at 7 Millbank Gardens, Holyhead and he was employed as a Railway Goods Porter. Recorded with him was his wife, Caroline (36), adopted son John Richard Williams (12), son William Lewis (3); daughters, Margaret Isabella (9), Annie Lizibeth (7), May (5) and Caroline (1).

His best friend serving with the Royal Anglesey Royal Engineers, supporting the 4th Battalion, was William Evans. It is reported that they were both gassed at the same time early in the war. They agreed to look after each others family if anything happened. At the end of the war William Evans returned to Holyhead and married John Henry Williams' daughter, Margaret Isabella.

The Battalion History records "On 1 June 1918, they left Bresle on the Ancre, and slept in the new cuppolas they'd just finished building outside the town. Early in June a rumour went around that the Bosch were planning a new attack on Amiens. If so, he would be bound to attack the high ground to the North of the Ancre. Tanks had been seen by our aircraft concentrating behind his lines. On June 6th, the whole battalion were used to dig a trench of unusual width, which could serve the purpose of a tank trap, about 600 yards north of Buire sur ancre. This entailed the removal of a huge quantity of soil, so the three companies were kept digging for four nights. It was subsequently completed, and bridged by B Company after several interuptions caused by occasional heavy bombardments of gas and high explosives. On the night of 8th-9th June the working parties were shelled out of the tank trap, and several shells obtained direct hits upon the trench where B and C companies were billeted, killing 5 men, and wounding 15."

The War Diary similarly records for early June 1918.

"6th Fine. The three Companies worked at night on a broad trench designed to fulfil the purpose of a tank trap.

7th Fine. Work as usual.

8th Fine. Work on tank trap interrupted shortly before midnight by hostile gas and H.E bombardment which continued up to 2am making work impossible. The valley to the North of Buire was heavily shelled during this period, several shells falling among B and C Coy billets. 5 ORs killed. 16 ORs to hospital wounded.

9th Fine. Work at night was continued on tank trap. 1 O.R missing."

The family history records that William Evans wrapped his friend John Henry Williams in his trench coat and buried him.

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Buried in Franvillers Communal Cemetery Extension, Somme, France. Grave location I.E.18.

I am grateful to Michael Woodfin who had already completed much of the research into his Great-Grandfather's life, war experience and loss and kindly allowed me to replicate it here. Also to the members of The Great War Forum who helped him in his research. - BRH