The War Graves of Ystradgynlais

Llewellyn Oswald Williams served with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers on the Western Front and was killed in action in October 1918.

The information on Llewellyn Oswald 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	Llewellyn Oswald Williams
Date of Death	8th October 1918
Place of Death
Age at Death	22
Unit and Regiment	Royal Welsh Fusiliers; 17th Bn.
Rank	Lance Corporal
Service Number	53984
Additional Information	Born in Ystradgynlais. Enlisted at Brecon originally in to the Brecknock Battalion SWB
Cemetery	PROSPECT HILL CEMETERY, GOUY - FRANCE; Grave VI.D.5
Local Memorials	Ystradgynlais War Memorial Ystalyfera War Memorial Scouts Memorial in St. David's, Ystalyfera
Family Details	Son of Griffith and Jane Williams Penrhiwfarteg, Ystradgynlais, Breconshire
Known Brothers	William G. Williams, Daniel Williams, David Williams, Moses Flood Williams
Known Sisters

	Llewellyn Oswald Williams To the left is a photograph of Llewellyn Oswald Williams, from the Labour Voice.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, Wednesday 12th May 1915 :-

YSTRADGYNLAIS SONS WITH THE COLOURS
Mr and Mrs Grffith Williams, Penrhiw Varteg, Ystradgynlais have five patriotic sons. William G. Williams and Daniel Williams were out in British East Africa, and on the outbreak of war immediately joined the colours, but the parents do not know what regiment. Private Griffith Williams is with the Brecknock Territorials, and Sergeant David Williams is also with the Brecknock Territorials. Prior to the war the latter was assistant-master at the Yniscedwyn County School, Ystradgynlais. Private Llewelyn Oswald Williams is with the 2nd Brecknock Territorials, and another son, Moses Flood Williams of Johnstown flood fame, contemplates returning home from Scranton (America) in order to join the colours.

Above, is the full scan of the article in the Labour Voice as quoted here, showing the additional photographs of the Williams family.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 26th October 1918:-

Mr. and Mrs. Griff Williams, Varteg (the death of one of whose sons is reported elsewhere) having received no news of their son Mr. Dan K. Williams since August, received a letter from him on Thursday to the effect that he has been accepted as a volunteer in the South African Infantry. He had previously seen fighting in East Africa and suffered from malaria, enteric fever and pleurisy, after which he was discharged. He started for home on May 28th but offered himself for service on reaching Durban.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 16th June 1917:-

Private Oswald Williams, son of Mr and Mrs Griffith Williams Penrhiw Varteg has been invalided home after having been in hospital for four months. Whilst on service at the front, he spent many months in a weary vigil on the Ypres salient, which has now been in the scene of so much activity. He joined the colours at the outbreak of the war.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, Saturday 26th October 1918:-

FRONT PAGE
Deepest sympathy will be felt throughout the district with Mr. and Mrs. Griffith Williams Varteg, in the loss of their son, Lance Corporal Oswald Williams of the 17th Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who has been reported killed in action. He was in charge of a party that volunteered to rush a dangerous position, when eight of their numbers, including Williams, were killed by a "whiz-bang". He was only 22 years of age, and was one of six brothers serving, the other five being Adjutant Griffith Williams, Corporal Moses Williams of the American Forces, Second Lieutenant David Williams and Privates Dan and Will Williams.
The deceased was a scoutmaster at Ystradgynlais before his enlistment. A Church of England chaplain writes stating that Corporal Williams fell mortally wounded, and was buried in a grave behind the lines. His platoon sergeant says he was very popular with his fellow N C O's and men, and also held in high esteem by the officers of his company.

The above is a quote from "Still Glow The Embers" by Skip Morgan, referring to the deceased as 'Oswald Williams'.