Davies, William

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William Davies

26208, Private, 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Died of wounds, 3 August 1917, aged 25
Buried at Étaples Military Cemetery, France

CWGC registered (no family details)

William Davies, the son of William and Ellenor Davies, was born in Llandudno on 29 July 1892. In 1901, William (junior) lived with his parents, two brothers including David (qv) and a stepsister at 2 Bay View Terrace, Llandudno; his father was a general labourer. William attended St. George’s National School which he left in July 1906. In 1911, the family lived at 13 Alexandra Road, both Williams were described as carters working for a cab proprietor.

On 4 June 1915, William volunteered to join the Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Llandudno. He was given the service number of 26208 and allocated to the 17th (Service) Battalion which he joined two days later. On 27 November 1915, William was posted to the 20th (Reserve) battalion and deserted the following day from the Morfa Camp at Conway. He was apprehended by the civil police at Llandudno on January 21, 1916. A district court martial sentenced him to nine months detention though he rejoined the 20th RWF on 5 July 1916 and returned to duty a month later.

William disembarked at Rouen on 20 August 1916 and joined 5 Infantry Base Depot the same day. He was slated to join the 14th (Service) Battalion but was posted to the 1st Battalion on 2 September 1916 and joined it the following day. On 9 January 1917, he received a gunshot wound to the left forearm and was evacuated by No 11 Casualty Clearing Station and No 21 Ambulance Train to 4 General Hospital at Dannes Carnier and then to Fulham Military Hospital where he was admitted on 22 January 1917. Once declared fit for active service, he embarked at Southampton on 18 March 1917 and joined 5 Infantry Base Depot at Rouen the following day. He joined the 2nd Battalion RWF on 3 May 1917 only to receive multiple gunshot wounds on 27 May 1917 during an attack on the German lines near Arras. He was evacuated by 101 Field Ambulance and 20 Casualty Clearing Station to 26 General Hospital at Étaples. William Davies died of his wounds on 3 August 1917 aged 25. He was buried at Étaples Military Cemetery.

Known memorials:

  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno

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