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William Benjamin Williams
591323, Rifleman, 1/18th London Regiment (Territorial Force)
Killed in action, 27 May 1917, aged 24
Buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium
CWGC registered (Son of William and Mary Williams, of “Bod Gwilym”, Vaughan St, Llandudno)
IN THE MIDST OF LIFE WE ARE IN DEATH
William Benjamin Williams was born in Llandudno in 1892. He was the son of William Williams, a joiner, and his wife Mary. The family lived at “Bodgwilym”, Vaughan Street, Llandudno and remained there throughout William’s life. The Census for Wales of 1911 records William (junior – 16) living at home and employed as a draper’s apprentice.
It seems possible that William moved to London for he joined the 18th (County of London) Battalion (London Irish Rifles), Territorial Force at Chelsea in May, 1915. His training was almost certainly with the 2/18th (the second line battalion) because the 1/18th had disembarked in France in March 1915. As 3335, William disembarked on 3 March 1916 and joined the 1/18th. He was renumbered as 591323 in 1917.
William Benjamin Williams was killed in action on 27 May 1917 aged 24. His battalion was in reserve trenches at Swan Château, near Ypres. He was buried at Bedford House Cemetery.
Known memorials:
- Llandudno Roll of Honour
- Llandudno War Memorial
- Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
- Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy
- Memorial stone, St. Tudno’s Churchyard, Great Orme
- Ireland’s Memorial Records 1914-1918
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