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WORLD WAR ONE

The Men Who Died

WORLD WAR ONE

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The First Division were involved in a number of important battles at this early stage of the war, including Mons, Marne and Aisne. They also took part in the first Battle of Ypres which continued from October 19th to November 22nd, 1914, including the battles of Langemarck, Gheluvelt and Nonne Bosschen. The last of these commenced on November 11th and is almost certainly where William was killed.

William was born in Battle, Breconshire in about 1897, the son of John and Hannah Williams. He was baptised there in 1889 when his father's occupation is given as labourer. William's parents and younger sister were all born in Battle also.

By 1891 the family had moved to Llangranog, Newcastle Emlyn in Cardiganshire where John now works as a gardener. The family later move to Brecon and are living in 9, Lion Terrace in 1911, although the family address in later army records is shown as 9, Bethel Terrace, Lion Yard, Brecon.

William had left the family home by 1904, when he is shown working as a cattle boy on a farm back in Battle, although it is Penycraig, in the Rhondda Valley he enlists, presumably before the war as he is already trained and ready to embark.

He joins the Welsh Regiment, 2nd Battalion and moving to Bordon on August 4th, 1914 as part of the 3rd Brigade in the First Division they land at Le Havre on August 13th, 1914 before moving to Fresnoy le Grande.

Private William Morgan Williams

Welsh Regiment, 2nd Battalion, service no. 9337

Killed in action November 13th, 1914 at Ypres, Belgium

aged 27

Commemorated at the Ypres Memorial, Menin Gate, West

Vlaanderen, Belgium