William John Williams, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Private, 265729 (also 265113 and 888 (TF)), 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died, killed in action, aged 21, on 31 July 1917 at the Western Front.

The 17th (Service) Battalion (2nd North Wales) was formed at Llandudno on 2 February 1915 and initially attached to 128th Brigade, 43rd Division. In April 1915 the Division was renumbered as the 38th (Welsh) Division. In July 1915 the Battalion transferred from the 113th to the 115th Brigade of the Division. The Division arrived in France during December 1915 and fought at Armentieres before moving to the Somme, where they were decimated at Mametz Wood. They took a year to rebuild in readiness for the battles of 1917.

Private Williams and was killed on the opening day of the Battle of Pilkem (31 July - 2 August 1917), part of the Third Battle of Ypres (31 July to 10 November 1917). The Battalion War Diary for 31 July 1917 records - "Battalion left the assembly trenches at 'zero' plus 1 hour at 4.50 am with C Coy on the right directing and D Coy on the left in the leading waves. B Coy in support and A Coy as carriers moving in rear. Objective STEENBEEK and Green dotted line. Brigades right and left - 114 Inf Bde and 113 Inf Bde respectively. Casualties not assertained". The next day the War Diary recorded - "Battalion in the STEENBECK. Casualties 346 Ordinary Ranks and 16 Officers".

Son of Grace Williams and the late John Williams. Born in Holyhead he also enlisted at the town. In 1901 he lived at 26 Kingsland, Holyhead with his parents John L (40) and Grace Williams (31) together with his younger brother Owen Henry Williams (3). His father was employed as a Railway Porter and was born in Holyhead. His mother was born at Llanfigael, Anglesey. In 1911 the family lived at 2 Greenfield Terrace, Holyhead. His father was now employed as a Railway Signalman. Private Williams was himself employed as a Shop Assistant. The family now included three younger brothers, Owen Henry (13), Edgar (6) and Robert Buckley (3) together with a sister Ellis (9).

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal. Also awarded the TFM.

Buried in the New Irish Farm Cemetery, Belgium. Grave location XXV.F.6.