Ernest John Williams – Welsh Regiment, 10th Battalion (“C” Company), attached Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 38th Battalion

Private Ernest John Williams – Welsh Regiment, 10^th Battalion (“C” Company), attached Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 38^th Battalion

Birth and Family Background

Ernest Albert Williams and Mary Elizabeth Guy
marriage certificate
St Mary’s Church, Swansea

Ernest John Williams was born in 1895 at Mumbles, the son of Ernest Albert Williams and Mary Elizabeth Guy. His parents were married in 1892 at St Mary’s Church, Swansea.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the family were living at Dawrfroal Row, Newton Nottage, Bridgend. Ernest Albert Williams (34), born in Radnorshire, was employed as a groom and gardener (not domestic), while his wife Mary Elizabeth (28) managed the household.

Their children were Eveline (8), Ernest J. (6), William A. (4), and Philip Guy (1).

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 12 Philadelphia Road, Porthcawl. Ernest Albert Williams (45) was employed as a labourer on the golf links, and Mary Elizabeth (39) managed the home.

Their children were Ernest John (16), employed as an assistant golf professional; William Alfred (14); and Philip Guy (11), who was still attending school. Also present in the household was a visitor, Ruth Guy (25), a dressmaker.

Military Service

Ernest John Williams enlisted in the British Army and served as a Private with the Welsh Regiment, 10^th Battalion, “C” Company. He was later attached to the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), serving with the 38th Battalion, a role that placed him in particularly hazardous front-line conditions.

In April 1918, the 10^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment, as part of the 38^th (Welsh) Division, was engaged in defensive operations on the Western Front during the aftermath of the German Spring Offensive. British units were under constant pressure as they worked to stabilise the line following the major German attacks launched in March.

At this time, the 38^th Battalion, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) provided concentrated machine-gun support to infantry formations. Men attached from infantry battalions, such as Private Williams, operated machine guns from forward and often exposed positions. These detachments were frequent targets for enemy artillery and snipers, and casualties among machine-gun teams were particularly high.

On 19^th April 1918, fighting consisted largely of artillery bombardments, machine-gun engagements, and local infantry actions, rather than major set-piece attacks. Units were engaged in holding defensive positions and repelling continued enemy pressure under extremely dangerous conditions.

Death and Burial

It was during these operations that Private Ernest John Williams was killed in action on 19^th April 1918.

He is buried at Senlis Communal Cemetery Extension, France, where many soldiers who fell during the final year of the war are laid to rest.