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Thomas Hugh Roberts
34674, Private, 17th Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Killed in action, 10-12 July 1916, aged 31
No known grave (Thièpval Memorial, Somme, France)
CWGC registered (Son of Mary Roberts, of “Oaklands”, Caroline Rd, Llandudno, and the late Samuel Roberts)
Born at Llandudno on 16 December 1884, Thomas Hugh Roberts was the son of Samuel Roberts and Mary Roberts (née Griffiths). When Thomas was baptised on 11 February 1885, the family’s address was “Evelyn Cottage”, Caroline Street, Llandudno, Samuel Roberts being described as a labourer. In the 1891 Census, Samuel Roberts was now described as a pier porter and Mary Roberts as a lodging house keeper. The family had moved to “Oaklands”, Caroline Street. In March 1893, Thomas was admitted to Lloyd Street School and remained there until March 1899 when he left for work. In 1911, the family lived at the same address and Thomas (16) was described as a draper’s assistant. However, by 1911, Thomas had left home and gone to live in London. His address was 34 Eastbourne Terrace, Paddington; he was described as a draper.
Thomas Roberts volunteered to join the army on 1 November 1915. He enlisted at Holborn into the 18th (Reserve) Battalion (2nd London Welsh) of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. His service number was 34674. He gave his address as 29 Bywater Street, Chelsea. The battalion had formed at Gray’s Inn in February 1915 as a Service (New Army) Battalion and moved to Bangor in June 1915. However, in August 1915, it was converted into a Reserve Battalion and moved to Kinmel Park: its subalterns and men being destined to reinforce other battalions which had suffered heavy casualties.
Thomas Roberts left Folkestone for Boulogne on 28 May 1916. He held for a while at the 38th Infantry Base Depot at Étaples and proceeded to join the 17th Royal Welch Fusiliers at Chelers on 16 June 1916 and was posted to B Company the following day. The 17th (Service) Battalion had been in France since December 1915, part of the 38th (Welsh) Division.
John Roberts’ tour of duty was a short one because he was killed in action between 10 and 12 July 1916 during the attack on Mametz Wood, Battle of the Somme, aged 31. His has no known grave.
Known memorials:
- Thièpval Memorial, Somme, France
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
- Family memorial, St. Tudno’s Churchyard
- Siloh a Hyfrydle, Llandudno
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