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PTE: WILLIAMS, ERNEST

Parents: John, a Stone Mason, age 43 and Sarah Williams, age 21. Sons: David J. Williams, age10, Ernest, age 9, Willie P. age 4 and Trevor, age 1. John spoke both Welsh and English; the rest of the family spoke only English. They were all born in Swansea, Glamorgan Lived at Gendros, Fforestfach, Swansea.1


Parents: John, a Stone Mason, age 54 and Sarah Williams, age 36, Married: 16 years, 8 children born alive and 7 still living. Daughter: Rachel Ann, at School, age 3. Sons: David John, a Collier Haulier underground, single, age 20, Ernest, a Collier Haulier underground, single, age 19, Emlyn, a Collier Labourer underground, single, age 17, William Price, a Collier Tramer underground, age 14, Thomas Glanffwd, at School, age 8 and Ivor, at School, age 6. John was born in Cilferrau, Pembroke and the rest of the family was born in Gendros, Swansea, Glamorgan.  The family spoke both Welsh and English, except Rachel Ann who only spoke Welsh.  They lived at Gendros, Swansea.2  


Ernest Williams, Son of John Williams, of 1, Williams Terrace, Gendros, Fforest Fach, Swansea, Glam.  Died age 24, 19th March 1916, Grave Reference III. N. 14. Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy, Pas de Calais.3


Private, 14th Welch Regiment, Service Number 17580.4

“OUR ROLL OF HONOUR
RECRUITS FOR THE NEW ARMIES.
NAMES OF LOCAL MEN SERVING KING AND COUNTRY.
FFORESTFACH’S QUOTA.
We have pleasure in publishing a further list of local recruits who have joined various units of the new armies. Employers are invited to assist us in compiling a complete record by supplying us with the names of their employes who have enlisted.”
FFORESTFACH.

“Pte. Ernest Williams, Swansea Battalion.”5

 “Private Aaron Williams, Mile End, has written home conveying the sad news that Private Ernest Williams, of the Swansea Battalion, has fallen in action. A short time ago his brother Private Emlyn Williams, King’s Royal Rifles, fell in action. They are sons of Mr. and Mrs. John Williams, Gendros.  A third son, Private David Williams, is also with the Swansea Battalion.”6

“FFORESTFACH.

A reception to two local soldiers— Private George Rice, Middlesex Regiment, and Seaman Edward J. Evans—was held at Calfaria Vestry. District Councillor James Jones, on behalf of the committee, presented both with wallets and Bibles. Addresses were delivered by Messrs. Tom Williams (Llwyn Onen), D. Jones, school- master (Cockett), Ben Jones, and J. Davies (Bleak House). A vote of sympathy was passed with the families of Privates Alfred Rice (Swansea Battalion), Ernest Williams (Swansea Battalion), and Willie Field, being proposed and seconded by the chairman and Mr. Percy Sobey.  Solos were rendered by Miss Sybil Llewellyn, and recitations given by Hilda Hodges and May Nicholas.  A vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by Mr. T. Thomas, and seconded by P. S. Taylor.”7   

Medals: Victory, British & Star.8 

SOURCE
1 1901 Wales Census
2 1911 Wales Census
3 Commonwealth War Graves Commission
4 UK WW1 Service Medal and Award Rolls 1914-1920
5 Cambrian Daily Leader 13.11.1914
6 Cambrian Daily Leader 25.03.1916
7 Cambrian Daily Leader 30.03.1916
8 British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920