Arthur Williams
Arthur Williams on the Ystradgynlais War Memorial, served with the East Yorkshire Regiment and was killed in action in November 1916.
The information on Arthur Williams has been compiled from a number of sources, including the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | Arthur Williams |
| Date of Death | 5th November 1916 |
| Place of Death | The Somme |
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Unit and Regiment | East Yorkshire Regiment; 13th Bn. |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Service Number | 13/664 |
| Cemetery | DOUCHY-LES-AYETTE BRITISH CEMETERY - FRANCE; III. E. 12. |
| Local Memorials | Ystradgynlais War Memorial |
| Family Details | Born at Hull Yorkshire 1898. Son of Thomas Richard (Born Ystradgynlais 1865) Head Master School Board and Rachel Williams (Born Llanguick 1864) 0f 17, Granville Gardens, Jesmond, Newcastle-on-Tyne Formerly 87 St. George’s Road Hull Yorkshire |
| Known Brothers | Richard Myrddin WILLIAMS (Born Hull 1891) Undergraduate Evan C WILLIAMS (Born Hull 1893) Thomas G WILLIAMS (Born Hull 1896) |
| Known Sisters | Rachel Enid WILLIAMS (Born York 1895) Part Time Student |
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 23rd December 1916 :-
YSTALYFERA NOTES
Sergeant Arthur Williams, East Yorkshire Regiment, was killed in action on November 13th, during the great attack in the Somme region. He was the youngest son of Mr. T. R. Williams H.M. Inspector of Schools, 17, Granville Gardens, Newcastle-on-Tyne and Mrs. R. Williams, formerly Miss Rachel Evans, of Gilfachyrhaidd, Ystalyfera, a teacher at the Wern Schools. Sergeant Williams and his three brothers joined the forces at the outbreak of the war. He and his brother Captain E. C. Williams went to Egypt a year ago and returned to France in March last. From details now coming to hand it appears that all Sergeant Williams’s senior officers fell and he was left to lead his platoon and succeeded in capturing the position, but at great cost. It was a brilliant piece of work and the surviving sergeant who carried on after Sergeant Williams was hit on the head by a shell splinter is reported for high distinction.