Todays' Remembering Today Feature 26/6/1917

[Hywyn]

Felix Watkins was 22 years old and from Brownlow Villa, St Asaph when he enlisted in the Royal Welsh Fusilers in early November 1914. He went over to France with the 38th Welsh Division in December 1915 and was one of three Killed in action with the 13th Battalion on 26/6/1917.

The War Diary of the 15th Battalion who were in the same Brigade states

" At dawn as usual CANAL BANK was again shelled. A great number of the shells being blind little damage was caused. At 1.15pm and 4.30pm shelling was renewed. Back area received attention during the night. "

Felix Watkins, remembered by the Great War Forum.

Not Forgotten

Hywyn

[clive_hughes]

There must have been a small but continuous drain of casualties in the Canal bank positions in the lead up to 31 July 1917 and the opening of Third Ypres, to judge by Anglesey casualty dates.

Bard Cottage contains so many of them. More Anglesey casualties (11) buried there than any other cemetery on the Western Front, and the proportion of Welsh fatalities there must be significant.

F.N.Watkins and 22 others from St.Asaph / Llanelwy are named on the North Wales Memorial Arch in Bangor, Gwynedd.

Cofiwn / We will remember

LST_164

[matthew lucas]

always remembered the men from St Asaph, including my Taid's 2 brothers.

was the 13th battalion RWF in the line on the 12 may? and the 10th battalion? if so was it in that canal bank area?

matt

[Hywyn]

Matt

The 10th were in 76th Bde 3rd Div. On 12th May 1917 they moved to Monchy and relieved 13th King's Liverpool, That day 56783 W Wroe, a native of St Helens and ex 1758 of Denbighshire Yeomanry was killed.Four platoons were attached to the 1st Gordon Highlanders for a while that day.

The 15th were in Canal Bank on the 12th May so it's likely that the 13th were as well.

Hywyn

[matthew lucas]

thanks for that ,the reason i ask, i have recently aquired a pair (missing star) to a soldier of 10th RWF (soldiers died) and 13th (cwgc), no service record went france in dec 15 killed on that date (may 17), buried at essex farm, pte Lloyd williams 18899, i wonder if he was an original member of the 1st north Wales pals?

matt

[Hywyn]

He is on the Bethesda Memorial. Got a photo if you want it.

Enlisted early Dec 1914 and certainly within the 13th rough set of numbers

The 10th Battalion are unique inasmuch as their War Diary provides a name and number for all their casualties inc wounded. He does not appear on it at all. The only one for that day is Pte Wroe as above.

This could be a typo on CWGC (which happens) and possibly a PM to Terry Denham outlining the facts i.e SDGW (13th)/date of entry (13th) and esp not on the 10th War Diary and he may be able to verify the battalion for you.

The only way to know for sure of course is to look up the medal roll.

I'd be interested in the outcome of your enquiries.

Hywyn

[matthew lucas]

many thanks, will do

matt

[Ladypd44]

Please can anyone help me to obtain information about my great uncle.

My Grandfather - John William Williams,family lived in Bethesda in North Wales and my Grandad was a Gunner in WW1. My mother sadly passed away last year and yesterday I was going through some papers when I found an envelope with photos and papers inside.

My great uncle was Lloyd Williams - brothers Dave, Glynn and John William - and I found a photo of him in uniform with 'killed 1914-18 war' written on the back. I found letters from Lloyd to my grandad John, who was based in Southampton and cards saying he was in good health. I also found a photo of a grave which reads 18899 PRIVATE LL. WILLIAMS ROYAL WELCH FUSILIERS 12TH MAY 1917 AGE......I cant read the age as there is a branch covering it, but he was 26. I found the entry on Essex farm cemetry thanks to the information on here.

I have tried tonight to research what happened to him because the family did not discuss him. I found his name when I researched the family tree a few years ago.

I notice on here the Matt Lucas has his medals? Matt - please can you let me know any information you have about Lloyd. Where did you get the medals? I have my Grandads medal.

My son is in 1st Battalion Royal Welch based in Chester and has just returned from his second tour in Afghanistan. My father was also in the Royal Welch.

If anyone has any information regarding Lloyd Williams I would be extremely grateful if you could forward this to me.

I will go to the cenotaph in Bethesda to see his name - as stated above - as its not far away.

Any information would be gratefully recieved and any information regarding May 12th 1917 specifically. Was he wounded as Essex Cemetry has a very high number of identified soldiers, as it was behind the Essex Farm Field hospital and most of those identified would have died from wounds in the hospital?

Thank you

[keithmroberts]

Hi there

You can try sending a PM (personal message) to Matt to draw his attention to your post, or to ask him for information. You might at some stage be better starting a new thread.

Keith

[clive_hughes]

Ladypd44,

if you can send a PM to Hywyn, he has an excellent fund of information on both RWF soldiers and Bethesda & district!

Failing that, you can also try posting a query on the Royal Welch Forum http://www.rwf-forum.co.uk/vBulletin/forum.php

Clive

[Ladypd44]

Keith - Thank you. I sent a PM to Matt last night, and hopefully he will pick this up.I will start a new thread tonight.

Clive - Thank you. I will PM Hywyn and post on RWF forum.

Much appreciated.

Paula

[Ladypd44]

Thank you for letting me buy the medals Matt Lucas. They mean a lot to me.