John Herbert Rees, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Sergeant, 20147, 3/6th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers (also Sergeant, 26355, 311th Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps). Died of Asthenia agravated by Arterial Stenosis, aged 43, on 20 July 1917 at Douglas, Isle of Man on Home Service.

The 3/6th Battalion was formed in Carnarvon in May 1915. On 8 April 1916 it became the 6th Reserve Battalion. On 1 September 1916 it was absorbed with the 5th and 7th Reserve Battalions into the 4th Battalion and became the Welsh Reserve Brigade at Oswestry. In March 1918 it moved to Kinmel (Rhyl) and in July 1918 to Herne Bay, Kent.

Sergeant Rees first joined the 3rd Voluntary Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Carnarvon on 1 July 1893, aged 18 with the service number 5161. He lived at 79 Pool Street, Carnarvon and was employed as a Painter. In 1900 he was promoted to Serjeant. He re-enlisted into the RWF in 1908, aged 33, and given the service number of 2001. At the time he was living at 6 Cybi Street, Holyhead.

Born in Carnarvon in late 1874, the only son of David Thomas Rees and Sophia Rees (nee Francis). In 1881 he was living at 20 Hendre, Carnarvon with his parents and sisters, Francis A (8) and Margaret (3). His father (40) was employed as a joiner and came from Owestry, Shropshire. His mother (30) originated from Montgomery. In 1891 the family had moved to 7 Tithe Barn Street, Carnarvon. His mother was now a widow, as his father had died in 1888 aged 47. Francis had left home but there were three other sisters - Mary E (9), Louisa (7) and Sophia (5). His mother now ran a boarding house. He was employed as an Apprentice House Painter.

In 1901 his mother had remarried to John Griffith in Carnarvon and moved to 6 Cybi Street, Holyhead. Meanwhile he lived with his three sisters, Francis, Lizzie (Mary E), Louisa and Sophia at 3 Alexandra Terrace, Carnarvon. Francis was employed as a Bookshop Assistant. Sophia was a Confectioner and he was a House Painter. In 1909 he married Maude Primrose Ackerley of 56 London Road, Holyhead. (She was the sister of Harold Owen Ackerley, killed in action on 3 October 1918, whilst serving with the Royal Irish Rifles on the Western Front). They lived at 6 Boston Street, Holyhead and had three children - Iris M Rees (b.1910), Violet S Rees (b.1912) and Thomas K Rees (b.1916). Thomas was killed in 1942, aged 25, whilst serving as a Flying Officer Instructor in the RAF. He is buried next to his father in St. Seiriol's Churchyard, Holyhead.

No record could be found of an award of any campaign medals. This suggests that because of his age he did not serve overseas. The Isle of Man was the location of two Prisoner of War/Internment Camps, where Sergeant Rees may have served as a member of the RDC.

Buried in Holyhead (St. Seiriol) Churchyard. Grave is located near to the east gate.