Rawling, Jonathan

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Jonathan Rawling

20152, Colour Quartermaster Serjeant, 14th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Died of wounds, 21 June 1918, aged 32
Buried at Varennes Military Cemetery, Somme, France

CWGC registered (Mrs M Rawling, 2 Gwynfron Cottages, Brook Street, Llandudno)

Jonathan Rawling, the son of Jonathan Rawling and his wife Margaret Rawling (née Jones) was born in Llandudno on 8 June 1886. Jonathan Rawling (senior) was a plasterer and the Census of Wales for 1891 records the family living at “Ty Newydd Cottages”, Old Road, Llandudno. Jonathan (junior), who had four siblings recorded, was described as a scholar – he attended St. George’s National School and the school register for 1893 records the family living at “Tanyrallt Cottages”. He left school in March 1998. Jonathan Rawling (senior) died in 1900 and the Census of the following year indicates that the family, now headed by Margaret, lived on Cwlach Road; Jonathan (14) was described as a general labourer. On 2 February 1907, Jonathan married Maggie Davies at Llanrhos Parish Church. Their sons Jonathan and David were born on 1 June 1908 and 6 July 1909 respectively. Both sons were born in Llandudno though the Census of Wales for 1911 records the family living at 21 Penn Street, Treharris, Glamorgan, Jonathan being described as a colliery worker below ground.

Jonathan Rawling returned to Llandudno to enlist into the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He joined the 14th (Service) Battalion as it formed in November 1914. Jonathan Rawling’s regimental number was 20152. The battalion, formed by the Welsh National Executive, was initially based at Llandudno but moved to Winchester in August 1915 and disembarked in France in December 1915 as part of the 113th Brigade, 38th (Welsh) Division. When Jonathan Rawling entered the theatre of war on 2 December 1915, he held the rank of acting corporal. The division suffered severe casualties in 1916 when it assaulted Mametz Wood during the Battle of the Somme and it did not return to action for over a year when it took part in the Third Battle of Ypres.

Jonathan Rawling must have been a good soldier for he achieved the rank of Colour Quartermaster Serjeant and he was holding that rank when he was wounded by incoming shellfire on 20 June 1918 near the village of Hamel shortly after a raid into German lines. He was evacuated to a casualty clearing station but died the following day of his wounds aged 32. He was buried at Varennes Military Cemetery.

Known memorials:

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

2 comments to Rawling, Jonathan

  • admin

    Thank you for your comment Stacey. I have taken the opportunity to review Jonathan Rawling and have added a little extra information.

  • stacey

    Jonathan was my great great grandad, to read this is amazing i am so proud to be related to such a man.
    Thank you for such a detailed insight into his life and sadly his death <3

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