William Edward Griffiths, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Private, 73007, 'C' Company, 24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died of wounds, aged 21, on 27 December 1917 in the Egyptian Theatre of War.
The 1/1st Denbighshire Yeomanry was established in Wrexham in August 1914. It was part of the Welsh Border Mounted Brigade in the Mounted Division. In November 1915 it became a dismounted unit and in March 1916 moved to Egypt and formed the 4th Dismounted Brigade with the South Wales Mounted Brigade. In February 1917 it converted to the 24th (Denbighshire Yeomanry) Battalion, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and joined 231st Brigade in the 74th (Yeomanry) Division.
Private Griffiths enlisted at Bangor, Caernarvonshire. In late 1917 the Division was involved in the capture of Jerusalem from the Turks, which involved some very severe fighting. The city was spared bombardment and direct attack. By 8 December the 53rd (Welsh) Division on the south, and the 60th (London) and 74th (Yeomanry) Divisions on the west, had captured all the city's prepared defences. Turkish forces left Jerusalem throughout that night and in the morning of 9 December, the city surrendered. However, from 26 to 30 December severe defensive fighting took place to the north and east of the city but it remained in Allied hands. Private Griffith died defending the city. He was born at Holyhead, the son of Thomas and Hannah Grace Griffiths (nee Jones) of 10 Cambria Street, Holyhead. In 1901 he lived with his parents, older sister and younger brother at 16 Cambria Street, Holyhead. In 1911 the family lived at the same address and comprised Thomas Griffith (42), Grace Griffith (42), Eliza (17), employed as a Dressmaker, William (14), Thomas (11) and Jane (9). May also have lived at Lucerne (Luzerne), Holyhead. His father was from Holyhead and a Joiner by trade. His mother originated from Liverpool.
Awarded the Victory Medal and the British War Medal.
Buried in the Jerusalem War Cemetery, Israel. Grave location E.24. Also commemorated with two others on a Memorial Plaque at Elim Chapel, Thomas Street, Holyhead.
