William Henry Rees

Private William Henry Rees – Welsh Regiment, 14^th Battalion

Early Life

John Henry Rees and Margaret Williams
marriage certificate
St. Peter’s Church, Cockett

William Henry Rees was born in 1893 in Sketty, Swansea. He was the eldest son of John Henry Rees and Margaret Williams, who were married in 1892 at St. Peter’s Church, Cockett. William grew up in a close-knit working family in Sketty, surrounded by relatives from both the Rees and Williams families.

Family

1901 Census

In the 1901 Census, the Rees family was recorded as living at 4 Llewellyn Street, Sketty. The household was headed by Sarah Williams, aged 59, a widow and grandmother to William. Also present were her sons Alfred Williams (23), a Domestic Gardener, and Henry E. Williams (19), a Labourer at the Flour Mill.
Living with them were John Rees (33), an Engineer at the Flour Mill; his wife Margaret (32); and their three young sons — William H. (8), George (6), and Frederick (3).

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family remained at the same address. John Rees (44) was a Millwright, and Margaret (42) managed the household. William (18) worked as a Gardener; George (16) assisted in the business; and Frederick (13) was still at school. Also residing with them was Alfred Williams (33), continuing his work as a Gardener.

Military Service

Following the outbreak of the First World War, William enlisted to serve his country. He joined the Welsh Regiment, 14^th Battalion — known locally as the Swansea Pals — as a Private. The battalion was part of the 38^th (Welsh) Division, which was formed in 1915 and sent to the Western Front later that year.

By March 1916, the 14th Battalion was stationed in the Givenchy sector of northern France. This was a quiet but dangerous stretch of the front, where soldiers faced constant shellfire, sniper activity, and trench raids. The battalion’s duties included manning front-line trenches, repairing defences, and carrying out night patrols in no man’s land. Even when no major battles were underway, casualties were frequent from the daily hazards of trench warfare.

Death

Private William Henry Rees was killed in action on 16^th March 1916, aged 23, while serving with his battalion in the trenches near Givenchy. There was no major offensive that day, but the 14^th Welsh suffered casualties from enemy shelling and sniper fire during their routine front-line duties. His death occurred during one of these relentless periods of attrition that claimed so many young lives long before the great offensives of the Somme later that year.

Burial

William is buried at Guards Cemetery (Windy Corner), Cuinchy, France — one of the cemeteries established near the front lines where many soldiers of the Welsh Regiment and other British units found their final resting place.

Legacy

Private William Henry Rees is remembered as one of Sketty’s own — a son, brother, and comrade who gave his life in service to his country. His name is proudly inscribed on the St. Peter’s Church War Memorial, Cockett, alongside those of other local men who made the ultimate sacrifice. His memory also lives on in local rolls of honour, family records, and community memorials, standing as a testament to the courage and devotion of a generation lost to war.