William A Williams
William A Williams was a reservist, working at Yniscedwyn Colliery, Ystradgynlais, when war broke out and he was called up. He served with the 17th Lancers on the Western Front and was killed in action at Ypres in May 1915.
The information on William A 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 | William A Williams |
| Date of Death | 13th May 1915 |
| Place of Death | Battle of Ypres |
| Age at Death | 28 |
| Unit and Regiment | 17th Lancers (Duke of Cambridge's Own) |
| Rank | Corporal |
| Service Number | 6356 |
| Additional Information | Born Mayos Pembrokeshire. Enlisted Swansea. Lived Ystalyfera. Former worker in Ynyscedwyn Colliery |
| Memorial | MENIN GATE YPRES MEMORIAL - BELGIUM; Panel 5. |
| Local Memorials |
Ystradgynlais War Memorial
Ystalyfera War Memorial |
| Family Details | Husband of Gladys Buttler (formerly Williams) of 4, Emmas' Buildings, Hill Street, Hull Son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. G. Baber, of Canal Terrace |
| Known Brothers | |
| Known Sisters |
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 29th May 1915 :-
Page 2
With sorrow we hear of the death on the battlefield of a local soldier in the person of Private W. A. Williams, a son-in-law of Mr. and Mrs. G. Baber, of Canal Terrace, news of which arrived at the beginning of the week. His wife received a letter from deceased’s friend describing the sad event. He stated that Private Williams was shot whilst on duty in the trenches in the neighbourhood of the Yser. The writer of the letter then obtained Private Williams papers and creeping away from an exposed position when he too was shot but unfortunately not fatally.
Although the news is not official there is no doubt as to its accuracy and sympathy will be felt with the young widow in her loss. Deceased, some of whose letters have appeared in our columns, was well known in Ystradgynlais and in Ystalyfera. He was a reservist, called up from his work at the Yniscedwyn Colliery when war broke out.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 5th June 1915 :-
YSTALYFERA NOTES
Mrs. Williams of Ystalyfera, widow of Private W. A. Williams who, as reported last week has been killed at the front, received official intimation of her loss on Monday, when the following message came to hand from the Cavalry Record Office, Canterbury: “The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of His Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow – Kitchener.” Another message from the same address read as follows: “Madam – It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of 6356 Wm A. Williams, 17th Lancers (2nd Life Guards), which occurred May 13th and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss.”
Mrs. Williams who is now residing with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Baber, Canal Terrace, has been the recipient of numerous other sympathetic messages in her loss.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 13th May 1916 :-
WILLIAMS – In ever loving memory of Corporal W. A. Williams, the dearly beloved son of Mrs. Thomas Rees Wind Road, Ystradgynlais, who fell in action at the Battle of Ypres May 13th. 1915 aged 27 years.
“Greater love hath no man than this: that a man lay down his life for his friends”