william lewis rees

[BUCKLEY]

Hello.  I'm just researching whether William Lewis Rees (born in 1879 Pengam Bedwelty Monmouthshire) served in WW1

Father - William Rees

Mother -  Naomi Rees (nee Walters)

He would of been approx 35 in 1914

I'm not sure if he was married or not

He previously worked in the coal mines.

Thank you.

Elaine

[kenf48]

 

2 hours ago, BUCKLEY said:

I'm just researching whether William Lewis Rees (born in 1879 Pengam Bedwelty Monmouthshire) served in WW1

Hello and welcome to the GWF - it's complicated!

If new to researching soldiers of the Great War we always recommend studying the Long Long 

Although many Welsh miners (including my grandfather and his brother also from Bedwelty) enlisted in the first 'rush to the colours' in August/September 1914 an equal number did not.  It was soon realised that the mining of coal was just as important as training to be a soldier and therefore after this initial period a coal miner needed permission from his employer to enlist.  This was not readily given

Moving on from the 'voluntary period' of enlistment to the Military Service Act March 1916 and conscription coal mining was deemed to have been work of national importance and below ground miners were, therefore exempt from military service.  Women could be employed in above ground non-specialist roles.

Coal miners sought exemption through specialist 'Coal Tribunals' rather than the Local Tribunal.  Moving further on in the timeline due to manpower shortages in 1917 50,000 miners were 'combed out' with the consent of the union.  The first to go were single men, especially those who had come in to fill the places of the early volunteers.

That, in very brief terms was the recruitment situation for Welsh Coal miners. Those who enlisted in 1914 almost invariably went to Welsh Regiments recruited locally indeed Lloyd George wanted to raise a 'Welsh Army' but it never happened.  My grandfather joined the South Wales Borderers, other relatives went to the Welsh Regiment and the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, that's probably where you should be looking first.  Unfortunately it is a very common name and the Army tended not to use middle names but even saying that there are many "William L." in the records, specifically the Medal Rolls as you may have already found.

I would suggest the Absent Voter List if it survives may be the best bet for you to establish if he served.

https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/soldiers/how-to-research-a-soldier/finding-soldiers-through-the-1918-absent-voters-lists/

I have found a William Lewis Rees born 1879 in Pengam Monmouthshire living at Llanwonno and working (actually not working due to a strike) at Nixon Navigation Colliery, married to Lilian and three sons two of whom were (not) working at the colliery alongside him.

 I would make the observation Navigation collieries tended to produce coal for the shipping and the Royal Navy, in fact it was coal from Nixon's that allegedly powered the Titanic.

Good luck with your research

 

 

[Matlock1418]

5 hours ago, BUCKLEY said:

William Lewis Rees (born in 1879

Given that WLR was a more mature man it is possible that he held a relatively high rank at some stage in his possible military career

I have found two pension index cards for a Company Sergeant Major William Lewis REES / Lewis William REES, 290017, Welsh Regiment. [also recorded as 330 - an earlier number I would suggest] - for an unspecified disability claim which was Rejected.  He is recorded as Transferred to Class Z Army, possibly c. 7.4.19.  Sadly no address or other personal details given.

I have not found a MIC for this soldier either = possibly Home Service only.

I cannot access service records or other documents as I have limited access to the likes of Ancestry or Find My Past =  perhaps someone could try to check out if this is your man.

I probably would also suggest looking out for an Absent Voter List from 1918 [possibly early 1919??]

???

M

Edited 26 April , 2024 by Matlock1418

[Dai Bach y Sowldiwr]

4 hours ago, Matlock1418 said:

I probably would also suggest looking out for an Absent Voter List from 1918 [possibly early 1919??]

Monmouthshire (Abertillery, Bedwellty, Ebbw Vale, Monmouth and Pontypool divisions) lists are held by Gwent Archives in Ebbw Vale.

[chaz]

1901 census has him living with parents and siblings.

there is a 1911 census for a William Lewis married to Lilly  both age 32 with son Gorden age 1 , living at 11a Penybryn Terrace, LLanwonno,   Penrhiwceiber. Married for 3 years. Occupation: Coal Miner Hewer.

there is a service paper for William Rees married to a Lilly., but married in 1902 so probably not him.

as has been suggested probably a reserved occupation due to his age , the younger miners might well have gone into Tunnelers.