jaldj634 Posted 8 September , 2012 Share Posted 8 September , 2012 Dear anyone who may be able to help, I have been searching army records for my great uncle but not getting much joy. I have only recently found out about him and would love to know more about his service in WW1. His name is William Davis Griffiths. He was born in approx. 1891, at 16 Lord Street, Blaenau Festiniog, Merionethshire, Wales. When he was 20, 1911, he worked in Cheshire, England, as a painter. He was in WW1, I am presuming France. I have just found out he got 2 medals (I don't know yet which ones they were) and that sadly he was killed. My great grandfather was in the great war, he was in the RWF. I was wondering if William would have been in the RWF too as they knew each other. But, I'm only guessing. Any help will be so appreciated, :-) JJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPT Posted 8 September , 2012 Share Posted 8 September , 2012 Is this him? Name: William Davies Griffiths Birth Place: Festiniog, Merioneth Death Date: 24 Nov 1917 Death Location: France & Flanders Enlistment Location: Blaenau Festiniog, Merioneth Rank: Private Regiment: Royal Welsh Fusiliers Battalion: 19th Battalion Number: 20272 Type of Casualty: Killed in action Theatre of War: Western European Theatre GRIFFITHS, WILLIAM DAVIES Rank: Private Service No: 20272 Date of Death: 24/11/1917 Age: 27 Regiment/Service: Royal Welsh Fusiliers 19th Bn. Panel Reference Panel 5. Memorial CAMBRAI MEMORIAL, LOUVERVAL Additional Information: Son of Richard and Margaret Griffiths, of 38, Lord St., Blaenau-Festiniog, Merioneth. The two medals will be the Victory Medal and the British War Medal. This simply means that he didn't enter a theatre of war until some time after 1915 and so wasn't entitled to a star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PFF Posted 9 September , 2012 Share Posted 9 September , 2012 Link to memorial wall http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Griffiths&GSiman=1&GScid=1993478&GRid=56026795& Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asanewt Posted 9 September , 2012 Share Posted 9 September , 2012 Nice image here too. www.bangorcivicsociety.org.uk/pages/arch/index.htm He' on the second entry for Ffestiniog from the drop down select a town/village menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 9 September , 2012 Share Posted 9 September , 2012 Assuming it is him, then he was killed the day after the attack described here: http://www.stockport1914-1918.co.uk/soldier.php?name_id=646 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaldj634 Posted 14 September , 2012 Author Share Posted 14 September , 2012 Oh my goodness!! Yes that is him!! I can't thank you enough THANKYOU!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asanewt Posted 14 September , 2012 Share Posted 14 September , 2012 Are you local to Blaenau Ffestiniog ? If not I will have a look at the memorial in the hospital and the separate Oakley boys toget some photo's if you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaldj634 Posted 15 September , 2012 Author Share Posted 15 September , 2012 I live in London. I would love some photos!! Do you live near there then? It is my aim to go and visit Blaenau Ffestiniog some day. I would love to know how you found him. I found one piece of document (I think it's the medal one?) of him after you gave me the info. Hope to find more, if there is any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asanewt Posted 15 September , 2012 Share Posted 15 September , 2012 I'm in North Wales but can detour via Blaenau on one of many trips out that way so watch this space but don't hold your breath. I have a soft spot for the place anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hywyn Posted 15 September , 2012 Share Posted 15 September , 2012 Jane I have sent you some stuff about the battle during which he was killed Hywyn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaldj634 Posted 16 September , 2012 Author Share Posted 16 September , 2012 Thank you gentlemen :-) Truly wonderful! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asanewt Posted 18 September , 2012 Share Posted 18 September , 2012 Hello, here is W D Griffiths again on the panels inside the War Memorial Hospital Blaenau Ffestiniog along with William Griffiths who is a from Tan y Grisiau village close by. William is on the Oakley Quarry Memorial but W D is not. I have taken quite a few shots to include,the Oakley Memorial in case William turns out to be a relative, the hospital, 16 Lord St etc. If you want them contact me pistyllg@btopenworld.com I'll send the file. I am also looking elsewhere for info. but it's rainy day research so may take some time. If I get anything you'll be the first to know. Best rgards P.S. All special but note bottom right corner shows how the misery is felt by all sections of the community. This is just one of at least four panels in the hospital. It's a tricky camera handling exercise across a narrow corridor so apologies for the poor quality. I can try again sometime if you are dis appointed. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaldj634 Posted 19 September , 2012 Author Share Posted 19 September , 2012 Just amazing! Thank you so much for taking the trouble to go there and take photos.I can't believe you got there so quick! I would definitely love the file, I'll email you. Seeing all these names and more must have been awful for a small area of Wales to lose so many men. I look forward to any info you find.....anytime. Thank you once again! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaldj634 Posted 23 September , 2012 Author Share Posted 23 September , 2012 I have been trying to find documents on William in Ancestry. I've put in his information but only got his medal roll card. Is it possible his documents might have been in the fire in WW2? Help and advice much appreciated............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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