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William Oscar Briggs
38486, Private, 10th South Wales Borderers
Killed in action, 28 August 1917, aged 19
No known grave (Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium)
CWGC registered (no family details)
William Oscar Briggs was born in Llandudno in 1898. He was the son of William Bristol Briggs and Elizabeth Briggs (née Tarrant). In 1901, the family of three lived at 3 Gloddaeth Street, Llandudno; William (senior) was described as a master draper. Ten years later, the family lived at 3 South Parade with Elizabeth’s aunt Helen Tarrant. William’s (junior) occupation is not mentioned but it is known that he attended John Bright School in Llandudno.
William’s service record is a little obscure. He enlisted in Bangor and his first known regimental number was 26045 in The King’s (Shropshire Light Infantry). A soldier with a consecutive number, having been attested and transferred to the Reserve in 1916, was mobilised in February 1917 and posted to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion KSLI. A month or two later, both William Briggs and his brother in arms were transferred to the 3rd (Reserve) Battalion of the South Wales Borderers. William’s new regimental number was 38486. In July 1917, William was posted to the 10th (Service) Battalion SWB which had been in France since December 1915 as part of the 115th Brigade in the 38th (Welsh) Division. It is noted that he was at some time attached to the 115th Brigade’s Trench Mortar Battery.
The 38th Division played a minor role in the latter stages of the Battle of Langemarck attacking on 27 August. Heavy rain had fallen and the ground was saturated. The attack failed and there were many casualties. William Oscar Briggs was killed in action on 28 August 1917 aged 19. He has no known grave.
Known memorials:
- Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
- Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy
- Ysgol John Bright Roll of Honour
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