George Herbert Franklyn Walters – Welsh Regiment, 14th Battalion

Private George Herbert Franklyn Walters – Welsh Regiment, 14^th Battalion

Birth and Family Background

William Walters and Mary Jane Gwyther
marriage certificate
Holy Trinity Church, Swansea

George Herbert Franklyn Walters was born in 1896 at Swansea, the son of William Walters and Mary Jane Gwyther. His parents were married in 1866 at Holy Trinity Church, Swansea.

1901 Census

The 1901 Census records the family living at 19 Brynmill Avenue, Swansea. William Walters (36) was employed as a joiner and carpenter, while his wife Mary Jane (35) managed the household.

Their children were Coral Brauda (14), Ocean James (12), Jenny Brail (11), William Jasper (8), and George (5), all attending school, along with Myrtle (2) and Lucy (6 months).

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family were residing at 22 Delabeache Road, Sketty. The head of the household was Pering Gwyther (74), a widower born at Narberth, employed as a bath attendant.

Also living in the household were his son-in-law William Walters (45), employed as a joiner in the building trade, and his wife Mary Jane (44). Their children were Coral (24), Ocean (22), also a joiner in the building trade; Jenny (20); Morgan L. (17), an ostler; George (15), a plasterer’s helper; Myrtle (12) and Ivey (10), both attending school; and Perry (7).

Military Service

George Herbert Franklyn Walters enlisted in the British Army and served as a Private with the Welsh Regiment, 14^th Battalion.

In July 1916, the 14^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment was engaged in the opening phase of the Battle of the Somme as part of the 38^th (Welsh) Division. During this period, the battalion was positioned opposite the heavily fortified village of Mametz, and was involved in preparatory operations including trench holding, working parties, and enduring frequent enemy artillery and machine-gun fire.

On 10^th July 1916, the battalion was holding front-line positions under sustained shelling and sniper fire. Casualties were frequent, with men killed or wounded during routine trench duties, supply carrying, and bombardments. These operations took place just days before the division’s costly assault on Mametz Wood.

Death and Commemoration

Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects

According to the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, Private George Herbert Franklyn Walters was killed in action on 10^th July 1916.

George Herbert Franklyn Walters
Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France
credit - findagrave

He has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France, which honours those who died during the Battle of the Somme and whose burial places are unknown.