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Llewelyn Rathbone Roberts
6679, Private, 2nd Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Killed in action, 9 September 1914, aged 34
Buried at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Communal Cemetery, France
CWGC registered (no family recorded)
Llewelyn Rathbone Roberts was born in Llandudno on 18 November 1880 to Edward Roberts, hotelier at the Albert Vaults, Madoc Street, Llandudno and his first wife Jane. The Census of Wales for 1881 reveals that Llewelyn had three elder brothers and one elder sister all born at Colwyn Bay. In March 1890, Llewelyn entered St. George’s National School. The Census for Wales in 1891 indicates that Edward Roberts had remarried – Llewelyn was recorded as a scholar. Ten years later, Llewelyn was living with his stepmother, Mary Anne, now widowed and described as a lodginghouse keeper at “Lincoln Villa”, Trinity Street (now Trinity Avenue). He was a joiner and carpenter.
Llewelyn Roberts’ service record no longer exists, but judging from his service number of 6679, he joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in the summer of 1901. His engagement would most likely have been for a number of years with the colours followed by a period in the Reserve. He enlisted at Wrexham which was the depot of the regiment. In 1906, Llewelyn became a postman at Oswestry but transferred to Llandudno in 1908. The 1911 Census records him, living with his stepmother at “Lincoln Villa”. Later that year, he married Ada Annie Ryman who came from Handsworth, Staffordshire.
On the outbreak of war on 4 August 1914, the 2nd Battalion of the RWF was stationed at Portland in Dorset. Llewelyn was undoubtedly recalled and the battalion landed at Rouen on 11 August. The battalion fought at the Battle of Mons and later at the Battle of the Marne, and it was during the latter engagement when Llewelyn Roberts was killed in action on 9 September aged 34. He is buried at La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Communal Cemetery, France.
Known memorials:
• Llandudno Roll of Honour
• Llandudno War Memorial
• Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
• Annibynnol Chapel, Llandudno
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