Serjeant, 265755 (formally 2260), 'D' Company, 1/6th (Carnarvonshire & Anglesey) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died of wounds, aged 29, on 9 November 1917 at the Egyptian Theatre of War.
The Battalion was formed in August 1914 in Caernarvon as part of the North Wales Brigade, Welsh Division. On 13 May 1915 the formation became the 158th Brigade, 53rd (Welsh) Division. It sailed on19 July 1915 for Gallipoli, going via Imbros and disembarking at Suvla Bay on 9 August 1915. In December 1915 the Division was evacuated from Gallipoli and moved to Egypt. On 3 August 1918 the Battalion amalgamated with 1/5th Battalion to form the 5/6th Battalion.
Serjeant Lloyd enlisted into the 6th Battalion, RWF on 27 May 1909 whilst living at 20 Upper Baptist Street. He was employed as a Winchman for the LNWR Company. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 27 January 1915, to Corporal on 11 August 1915 and then to Serjeant on 4 March 1916. He left the UK on 14 July 1915 on HMT Caledonia and arrived in the Balkans 8 August 1915. He served at Gallipoli and was admitted into RW Field Ambulance with Dysentry on 30 August 1915 and then to 26th Casualty Clearing Station on 31 August 1915. He rejoined his unit at Warden Camp on 27 December 1915. He embarked at Alexandria on 28 April 1916 for the UK at the end of expired service. Rejoined the RWF on 16 May 1916 and arrived back in the Egyptian Theatre of War on 22 June 1916.
By October 1917, General Allenby's force had been entrenched in front of a strong Turkish position along the Gaza-Beersheba road for some months, but they were now ready to launch an attack with Beersheba as its first objective. The Third Battle of Gaza took place between 27 October - 7 November and included the capture of Beersheba on 31 October. This was followed by the capture of Tell Khuweilfe (3-7 November) where the 158 Brigade was heavily involved. The Official History describes what happened ".....there were few casualties as the infantry moved forward behind an excellent barrage. In the centre the left company of the Hereford and the 6/R. Welch Fusiliers carried their objectives with the bayonet; then pressing forward down the slope beyond, surprised and captured nine field guns with their detachments. But the companies which had made this advance were now far ahead of the troops on either flank, and, suddenly counter-attacked from three directions, were compelled to abandon the guns and withdraw to higher ground. To crown their misfortune they were mistaken in the mist for Turks and fired on by the British artillery, so that they fell back once more, portions of their line in some confusion. The Turks followed up quickly and captured some prisoners at this point before the troops were rallied and had taken up a new line, on which a company of the 5/R. Welch Fusiliers was moved up to support them. On the left the 7/R. Welch Fusiliers and 4/R. Sussex both captured their objectives, Hill 1706 and the spur to the west." It was during this action that Captain John Fox Russell, MC, RAMC of Holyhead, and Medical Officer for the battalion, won a posthumous Victoria Cross for bringing in and treating wounded under fire. Gaza was found to be evacuated by the Turks the next day.
It is probable that Serjeant Lloyd was injured during this action and died later of his wounds. At the end of the day the 158th Brigade had lost 36 officers 584 men.
He was born at Holyhead the only son of John and Louisa Lloyd of 20 Upper Baptist Street, Holyhead. In 1901 he lived with his parents at 11 Penrhos View, Holyhead. His father was employed as a Railway Goods Porter and came from Chester. His mother originated from Dawley, Shropshire. In 1911 he lived with his widowed mother at 20 Upper Baptist Street and was employed as a Goods Porter.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Buried in Beersheba War Cemetery, Israel. Grave location G.87.