Private, 44366, 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died, killed in action, age 25, on 26 October 1917 on the Western Front.
In August 1914 the 1st Battalion was stationed in Malta. It returned to England, landing at Southampton on 3 September 1914 and immediately attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division. It landed at Zeebrugge on 7 October 1914. The Battalion later moved with the Division to Italy in November 1917.
Private Williams was called up under the Military Service Act and signed on at Wrexham on 25 August 1916, aged 24 years and 8 months. His height was recorded as 5'-31/2" and he weighed 118 lbs. His occupation was Assistant Repairer (Colliery). At the time of enlistment he was married with one child and living at Tyn Y Bendy, Bodfordd, Anglesey. He was posted to the BEF on 17 January 1917. On 28 February 1917 he joined 258 Company, Royal Engineers (5th Infantry Brigade) as a driver. On 3 September 117 he was transferred to the Support Base Depot at Rouen. He joined the 1st Battalion, RWF in the field on 10 September 1917.
He was to lose his life on the outset of the Second Battle of Passchendaele. The offensive had been launched on 31st July 1917 and continued until the fall of Passchendaele village on 6th November. Although it resulted in gains for the Allies it was by no means the breakthrough General Haig intended, and such gains as were made came at great cost in human terms. The area had suffered the heaviest rains it had seen for 30 years and this, combined with intensive shelling from both sides, had turned the ground into a hellish morass.
The Battalion War Diary records that Private Williams was one of 14 replacements received on 10 September 1917 whilst at La Longue Croix in the Staple area. On 25 October the Battalion moved from their rest camp to "Hedge Street and Bodmin Copse in reserve to 20 Brigade for operations against Gheluvelt on the following day. Heavy rain all night." The Second Battle of Passchendale commenced at 05.40 am on 26 October. Later that day the Battalion, still in reserve, moved forward to the front line, previously occupied by 20 Brigade. Casulties received during the day amounted to 6 Ordinary Ranks killed, 46 wounded and 5 missing. It is presumed that Private Williams among those killed or missing. Sadly his body was not recovered for burial. The Battalion was relieved on the 28 October 1917 and saw no more action on the Western Front before commencing its transfer to Italy on 17 November 1917.
Private Williams was born at Holyhead during the winter of 1891/92. In 1901 he was living with his mother Jane (49) and brother William Henry (6) in a two roomed house at 8 Back Jew Street, Holyhead. His mother was unmarried and was employed as a Charwoman. In 1911 he was still living at the same address with his mother and brother. Both he and William Henry were employed as Farm Labourers. He married Jane (Jennie) Hughes on 16 November 1914 at Caerau, South Wales. A son, Richard, was born at Maesteg, South Wales on 24 August 1915. A daughter, Jennie May, was born at Bodfordd, Anglesey on 20 September 1917. At the time of Private Williams' death his wife was probably living at Tyn Y Gongl, Bodfordd. She lived also at Pen Rhyd, Bodfordd. She was awarded a weekly pension of 25s 5d for herself and her two children.
Awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
Commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium on Panel 63 to 65. He has no known grave.