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WORLD WAR ONE

The Men Who Died

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David was born in Brecon on February10th, 1895, the eldest son of David Williams, a labourer, and his wife Elisabeth, nee Hinks. His parents had him baptised at St Mary's Church, Brecon on April 24th of that year.

In 1901 the family were living at 3, London Row, Brecon and David, 6 has a younger brother George, 4, and sister Violet, 2. Siblings Harold and Ivor soon followed. All the family were born in Brecon.

David's father dies during the 1900s but the family are still at 3, London Row in 1911 with Elisabeth, now a widow, head of the family. David is not at home at this time, but is working at Christ College in 1911 and probably living in. The family is later recorded as living at 1, London Row.

David enlisted and is initially with the Brecknock Battalion, South Wales Borderers arriving with them at Aden on July 3rd, 1915. He later transfers to the Cheshire Regiment.

The 10th Battalion of the Cheshires fought with the 7th Brigade as part of the 25th Division and fought in France and Flanders from 1915 through to 1918.

In late May 1918 the 25th Division was called up from reserve to a closer support position, in anticipation of a heavy German attack.

arms, a gunshot wound in the left and a shrapnel wound in the right elbow. Arthur was later promoted to lance corporal.

The Battalion fought with the 29th Division in the Battle of Arras in Spring 1917, and later that year at the Third Battle of Ypres, where Arthur was mortally wounded, dying at the Casualty Clearing Station at Dozinghem.

It is likely that Arthur received his fatal wounds in the Battle of Broodseinde, near Ypres. as that battle commenced on October 4th, 1917.

His brother Ivor, a driver with the Royal Engineers had been in France since the beginning war, seeing service at many of the major battles. Brother Tom was with the South Wales Borderers and wounded in the hip at the advance on Kut.

Arthur's father had become foreman at Evan Morgan's Tannery in Llanfaes by this time and the family later lived in Dinas Row, Llanfaes.

Private David Thomas Williams

Cheshire Regiment, 10th Battalion, service no. 315646

Killed in action on May 30th, 1918 in France, aged 23 years

Commemorated on the Soissons Memorial, Aisne, France