James Cilia

Private James Cilia – Welch Regiment, 17^th (Home Defence) Battalion

James Cilia was born in 1893 in Swansea, the son of Mr. and Mrs. James Cilia. Unfortunately, no census records for him or his family have been located.

In 1934, James Cilia married Margaret Evans in Swansea.

burial register
St. Peter's Church

The principal record of his life comes from the burial register of St. Peter’s Church, Swansea, where he is interred.

Private James Cilia served with the Welch Regiment, 17^th (Home Defence) Battalion, a unit formed during the Second World War for domestic defence duties within the United Kingdom. The battalion was created in 1940, composed largely of men who were either veterans of the First World War or those considered over the age for overseas service. Its role was to guard key military and industrial sites, airfields, railways, and communication centres across South Wales, ensuring the security of vital wartime infrastructure during a period of heightened invasion threat.

James Cilia
St. Peter's Church
credit - findagrave

Private James Cilia died on 9^th January 1941 at Bridgend, aged 47, while serving with the battalion. His body was brought home to Swansea for burial at St. Peter’s Churchyard, where he is laid to rest.

Legacy

James Cilia
Brookwood 1939–1945 Memorial
credit - findagrave

For many years, James Cilia was recorded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as having no known grave, and his name was therefore commemorated on the Brookwood 1939–1945 Memorial in Surrey, which honours service personnel who died in the United Kingdom and have no identified resting place.

Following later research confirming his burial at St. Peter’s Churchyard, Swansea, Private Cilia’s final resting place is now known, ensuring that his service and sacrifice are properly recognised where he lies.