Frederick Griffiths

Gunner Frederick Griffiths – Royal Artillery, 452 Battery, 67 (6^th Battalion The Welch Regiment) Searchlight Regiment

Early Life

Frederick Griffiths was born in 1893 in Swansea, the son of David Griffiths and Elizabeth Braithwaite, who were married in 1890.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Griffiths family lived at 43 Rodney Street. David, aged 43, worked as a Marine Engineer, while Elizabeth was 36. Their children were Hettie (23), Daniel (19), a Blacksmith Striker; James (17); William (9); Fred (7); Sidney (5); and Beatrice (3).

1911 Census

By 1911, the family had moved to 103 Rodney Street. David, then 44, was employed as an Engine Driver, and Elizabeth—recorded as “Lizzie”—was 42. Their children at home included James (25), a Motor Driver; William (19), a Fireman; Fred (17), who worked as a Bottler at a stout works; Lindsey (15), a Mason’s Labourer; Beatrice (13); and Ernest (9), both still in school.

1921 Census

Frederick married Beatrice Louisa Rice in 1916. By the 1921 Census, they were living at 105 Rodney Street. Frederick (27) was employed as a Plasterer’s Labourer by Lloyd Bros., Contractors, Argyle Yard, while Beatrice (26) worked as a Housekeeper.

1939 Register 

The 1939 Register records the couple living at 16 Fleet Street, Swansea. Frederick was employed as a Constructional Erector Worker and was listed as serving with the 6th Welsh Searchlight unit. Beatrice undertook unpaid domestic duties, and their son, Frederick G., worked as a Hydraulic Crane Driver.

Military Service

During the Second World War, Frederick served as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, 452 Battery, 67^th (6^th Battalion The Welch Regiment) Searchlight Regiment.

The Royal Artillery, 452 Battery, 67^th (6^th Battalion The Welch Regiment) Searchlight Regiment originated from the 6^th (Glamorgan) Battalion, The Welch Regiment, a Territorial Army infantry unit based in South Wales. In response to the growing threat of aerial warfare in the late 1930s, the battalion was converted to an air defence role. It redesignated as the 67^th (Welch) Searchlight Regiment on 1^st November 1938, with its headquarters and companies (later batteries, including 452) located in Cardiff. The unit’s purpose was to operate searchlights to detect and track enemy aircraft during night raids. On 1^st August 1940, all searchlight units were transferred from the infantry to the Royal Artillery, marking the regiment’s full integration into Britain’s Anti-Aircraft Command.

This unit’s duties involved operating searchlights to illuminate enemy aircraft during air raids, aiding anti-aircraft batteries and Royal Air Force night fighters in engaging hostile targets over Britain.

Death

South Wales Evening Post 

South Wales Daily Post

Tragically, Frederick’s service was cut short early in the war. The South Wales Evening Post reported on 30^th October 1939 that a Swansea soldier, Frederick Griffiths, had been fatally injured and admitted to Swansea Hospital. The South Wales Daily Post later published the results of the inquest into his death on 3^rd November 1939.

Burial

Frederick Griffiths
St. Peters Church
credit - findagrave

Frederick Griffiths was laid to rest at St. Peter’s Church, where his interment in November 1939 became the first Second World War burial in the churchyard.

Legacy

Although his life ended in the early months of the Second World War, Gunner Frederick Griffiths’s service stands as a reminder of the sacrifices made by Swansea’s sons and daughters. His name endures among those who gave their lives in defence of their country, commemorated at St. Peter’s and remembered in local records of wartime service.