John William Williams

Lance Corporal John William Williams – Royal Engineers, 282 Field Company

John William Williams was born in 1919 in Bristol, the son of William Evans Williams and Elizabeth Annie Williams (née Williams), who were married in 1917 in Bristol.

1921 Census

By the time of the 1921 Census, the Williams family had moved to Swansea, where they lived at 84 Terrace Road. John’s father, William, aged 29 and originally from Herefordshire, was employed as a Police Constable with the Borough of Swansea Police Force, while his mother, Elizabeth Annie (“Bessie”), aged 33 and born in Caernarvonshire, was recorded as carrying out household duties. Their children were Gaynor Elizabeth, aged 11, who attended school, and John, aged one.

Few records survive of John’s early life, but by the time of the Second World War, the family were residing at The Bookshop, Mumbles, Swansea.

During the war, John served with the Royal Engineers, 282 Field Company, a unit responsible for vital engineering and construction work supporting the British Army. Field Companies of the Royal Engineers undertook a wide range of duties, including building bridges, roads, and defensive structures, laying or clearing mines, and maintaining military infrastructure. The 282 Field Company was stationed in Northern Ireland in 1941, where Royal Engineers units were engaged in strengthening home defences, constructing airfields, and preparing military training facilities. Their work was essential to Britain’s readiness during a period when the threat of invasion remained very real.

South Wales Daily Post

South Wales Daily Post

The South Wales Daily Post reported on 8^th April 1941 that news had been received of Lance Corporal John William Williams’s death in Northern Ireland on 7^th April 1941. His body was brought home to Swansea, where his funeral took place at Oystermouth Cemetery. The newspaper later carried a further article on 15^th April 1941, describing the funeral service and those who attended to pay tribute to the young soldier.

John William Williams
Oystermouth Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Lance Corporal John William Williams is remembered with honour at Oystermouth Cemetery. His name endures among those of the Royal Engineers who gave their lives in service of their country during the Second World War.