Thomas, William

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William Thomas

2408, Private, 2/6th Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Territorial Force)
Died of illness, 19 July 1916, aged 19
Buried at the Great Orme’s Head Cemetery, Llandudno

CWGC registered (“Caersalem”, Llewynon Gardens, Llandudno)

The son John Thomas and Ellen Ann Thomas (née Roberts), William Thomas was born on 10 September 1897 at Llandudno. The 1901 Census records the family living at 5 Tyn-y-Coed Terrace; John Thomas was employed as a bricklayer. In the Census, William (3) was recorded as having two brothers: Thomas (7) and Robert, and a sister Jenny (1). William transferred from St. Beuno’s School to St. George’s National School, transferring again to Lloyd Street School in February 1907. The Census for Wales of 1911 recorded the family, now including David (8) living at “Caersalem Chapel House”, Cwlach Road.

William Thomas was too young to enlist in the Regular Army. In October 1914, aged 17 years and one month, William joined the 6th (Carnarvonshire and Anglesey) Battalion Territorial Force at Caernarfon which accepted recruits from the age of 17. His Territorial Force service number was 2408. The 6th Battalion had split in two in November 1914: the 1/6th destined for overseas service and the 2/6th destined for home service. William joined the latter. In April 1915, the battalion was at Northampton and it moved to Bedford in July 1915.

William Thomas contracted peritonitis and died at the First Eastern General Hospital in Cambridge on 19 July 1916 aged 19. His body was returned to Llandudno and was buried in the Great Orme’s Head Cemetery. His gravestone records his parents’ address as 31 Madoc Street, Llandudno and that he was known as “Willie”.

Known memorials:

  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
  • Siloh a Hyfrydle, Llandudno (Address: St. Leonards)

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