William Williams, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Private, 44043, 11th (Service) Battalion, Royal Fusiliers. Died, killed in action, aged 31, on 18 September 1918 at Salonika, Balkan Theatre of War.

The Battalion was formed at Wrexham on 18 October 1914 as part of K3 and attached to 67th Brigade, 22nd Division. It moved to Seaford and by December 1914 was in billets in St Leonards. It returned to Seaford in April 1915 but moved on to Aldershot in June 1915. The Battalion landed in France early September 1915 but by 5 November 1915 was at Salonika.

The following extract taken from the Royal Welsh Fusilier Museum website (www.rwfmuseum.org.uk) describes the experience of the 11th Battalion in Salonica.

"Conditions in Salonika were appalling. Many men had arrived in light summer khaki, but in November 1915 they faced blizzards and dense fog. There was a lack of roads so the state of the ground meant terrain was impassable in parts with army vehicles sinking into the mud. When summer arrived in 1916, they were faced with soaring temperatures. Consequently disease set in and spread like wildfire. In Salonika, for every casualty in battle, three died of malaria, influenza or other diseases.

The Battle of Doiran took place on the 18th and 19th September 1918 in the area of Dora Tepe-Doiran-Karasuli Railway and the river Vardar. The 22nd Division was ordered to take Doiran Hill, Teton Hill and the Petite Couronne. This would be no easy task. The enemy was tactically at an advantage with a good network of well dug in trenches, the terrain was difficult to cross and the wire entanglements were exceptionally good. Also, due to an extremely hot summer the Battalion was struck by an epidemic of influenza, malaria and dysentery. Facing the gloomy prospect of no reinforcements, the troops were exhausted. The Battle of Doiran was a disaster for the British. In attack after attack the British lost many lives due to an enemy which had a far superior vantage point and prior knowledge of the terrain. The British attempted to take various enemy lines but were met with heavy counter-attacks and gas. During the 18th September 1918 the 11th Battalion RWF was ordered to leave Senelle and move to take enemy trenches near Dagger and Sabre Ravines. After meeting heavy counter attacks it then moved on with remaining troops to the Hilt where it faced even heavier opposition. A few men managed to secure the Hilt but were later pushed back. It was impossible to re-take the Hilt due to a lack of sufficient manpower. Instead they chose to consolidate the line crossing Jumeaux Ravine and Root Ravine. They beat off a weak counter attack by the enemy and dug in for a quiet night. Sadly, they had experienced huge losses throughout the day. Out of 20 officers, only 3 survived and out of 480 soldiers, only 100 survived".

Born at Tyddyn Teilr, Holyhead the son of Thomas and Mary Williams. He was the husband of Lizzie Williams, of Brynia Llithrig, Caergeiliog, Valley, Anglesey. In 1891 he lived at 3 Bont Hwfa, Holyhead with his parents Thomas (36) and Mary (34), also brothers Thomas (12), Robert (8), John (7 months) and sister Elizabeth (10). All the family were born at Holyhead. His father was employed as a Collier. In 1901 the family lived at Tyn y Feilir (Tyddyn Teilir). His father was now employed as a Waterworks Labourer and his brother Thomas (22) was a Stone Quarryman. His other brother Robert had left home. William was living at Tresiefian Farm, Holyhead and was employed as a Cowman.

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Dorian Memorial, Greece. (Memorial image from the CWCG website at www.cwgc.org)