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Leonard Williams
21343, Corporal, Royal Welsh Fusiliers Depot
Died of illness, 16 February 1917, aged 32
Buried at Llanrhos Churchyard
CWGC registered (Son of Mrs Rachel Williams, of “Bryn Marl”, Clifton Rd, Llandudno)
DUTY NOBLY DONE
Born in Llandudno on 2 June 1884, Leonard Williams was the son of John Williams and his wife Rachel (née Clinch). John Williams was a plumber and the family lived at “Bodhyfryd Cottage”, Cwlach Street, Llandudno. In November 1888, Leonard was admitted to St. George’s National School. The Census for Wales for 1891 sadly records John Williams as a patient at the asylum at Denbigh whilst Rachel with seven children, including Leonard (6), still lived at “Brynhyfryd”. Leonard left school in April 1897. In 1901, Rachel, now a widow, and the family were living at 3 Claremont Villas, Curzon Road. Ten years later, the Census of 1911 recorded the family living at 14 Victoria Avenue, Craig-y-Don, Leonard being a gardener.
Leonard’s service record no longer exists. Soldiers Died in the Great War tells us that he enlisted at Llandudno and was in the 14th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers; his regimental number was 21343 and he died in the home theatre of war. His regimental number indicates that he volunteered to join the army at the end of 1914, the 14th (Service) Battalion RWF having formed at Llandudno on 2 November 1914. In August 1915, the Battalion moved to Winchester and it landed in France on 2 December 1915.
At a place and time unknown, Leonard Williams was repatriated, presumably on medical grounds, and was placed on the strength of the RWF’s depot which was at Wrexham. He died on 16 February 1917 aged 32 at Llandudno of epileptic convulsions. He was buried at Llanrhos (Ss. Eleri and Mary) Churchyard.
It is not presently known whether his condition was a result of his service though the Commonwealth War Graves Commission register says that he “died of wounds” which implies that he was injured in France.
Known memorials:
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
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