Frederick Griffiths
Gunner Frederick Griffiths – Royal Artillery, 452 Battery, 67 (6th 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, 67th (6th
Battalion The Welch Regiment) Searchlight Regiment.
The Royal Artillery, 452 Battery, 67th (6th
Battalion The Welch Regiment) Searchlight Regiment originated from the 6th
(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 67th (Welch) Searchlight Regiment on 1st
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 1st
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 30th 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 3rd November
1939.
Burial
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.Frederick Griffiths
St. Peters Church
credit - findagrave
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.
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