Abiatha John Rees – King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 7th Battalion

Private Abiatha John Rees – King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, 7^th Battalion

Family Background

Abiatha John Rees was born in 1897 in Swansea, the son of Mr Rees and Mary Elizabeth Packwood.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, four-year-old Abiatha was living at 34 Fabian Street, Swansea, in the home of his grandfather. His grandfather, Abiatha Packwood, aged 64 and born in Worcestershire, was employed as a foreman railway plate layer. Also present in the household was a servant, Mercy E. Thomas, aged 34.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, Abiatha was recorded under the surname Jones, following the remarriage of his widowed mother Mary Elizabeth to Charles William Jones. The family were living at Owls Lodge, Blackpill. Charles Jones, aged 36, was an army pensioner and collector, who had previously served with the 2nd Battalion, South Wales Borderers during the Boer War, and had been wounded at Karee on 29 March 1900.

The household included Abiatha, aged 14 and described as working at home, along with William Ernest Jones (8), Mary Annie Jones (6), Jessie Jones (4), and Cynithia Evaline Jones (2). Also present were William Jones, aged 80, a widowed old age pensioner, and the family servant Mercy Emily Thomas, aged 48.

Military Service

Abiatha travelled to Mumbles in order to enlist, joining the Army under his birth name Abiatha Rees. He served as a Private in the 7^th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

7^th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry – March 1918

In late March 1918, the 7th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry was heavily engaged during the German Spring Offensive, known as Operation Michael, which began on 21^st March 1918. German forces launched massive attacks in an attempt to break through the British lines before American reinforcements could arrive in strength.

By 28^th March 1918, the fighting had become extremely fluid and chaotic. The 7th KSLI, like many British units, was involved in desperate defensive actions and fighting withdrawals, often under intense artillery bombardment and repeated infantry assaults. Units were frequently required to hold improvised positions, act as rearguards, or counter-attack to delay the enemy advance.

Conditions were exceptionally dangerous. Communications frequently broke down, formations became scattered, and casualties were heavy from shellfire, machine-gun fire, and close-quarter fighting. In the speed and confusion of the fighting, many bodies could not be recovered or properly buried.

It was during this period of fierce fighting on 28^th March 1918 that Private Abiatha John Rees was killed in action.

Death and Commemoration

Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects

Abiatha John Rees 
Arras Memorial, France
credit - findagrave

According to the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, Private Abiatha John Rees was killed in action on 28^th March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France, which honours those who fell during the later stages of the First World War and whose burial places are unknown.