Harry Radcliffe Williams – Lancashire Fusiliers, 2nd/7th Battalion

Private Harry Radcliffe Williams – Lancashire Fusiliers, 2^nd/7^th Battalion

Birth and Family Background

Harry Radcliffe Williams was born in 1880 at Mumbles, the son of Thomas Williams and Mary Hughes.

1881 Census

At the time of the 1881 Census, the family were living at Lansdown Place, Oystermouth. Thomas Williams (36) was employed as a mariner, and his wife Mary (29), born at Laugharne, managed the household.

Their children were Rose A. (6) and William T. (4), both attending school; Zephena M. (2); and Harry R. (8 months).

1891 Census

During the 1891 Census, Harry Williams (10) was residing at the home of his grandparents at St Peter’s Road, Swansea. The household was headed by William Hughes (63), a general labourer, and his wife Margaret (64).

Also present were their children Elizabeth (26), a domestic servant; Margaret Jane (12); Thomas (22), a fisherman; and Harry Williams, who was attending school.

1901 Census

By the time of the 1901 Census, Harry had returned to live with his parents at 11 Victoria Avenue, Oystermouth. Thomas Williams (57) was employed as a fisherman, and Mary (48) managed the home.

Their children were Harry (19), a mason; Nellie (16), in domestic service; George (13), a grocery assistant; Christine (11); and Mary (8).

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 26 Victoria Avenue, Mumbles. Thomas Williams (67) was working as a fisherman (oysters), while Mary (64) managed the household.

Children still living at home were William (35), a builder’s labourer; Harry (29), a mason; George (23), a house painter; Christine (21), employed as her mother’s help; and Mary (18), a dressmaker.

Military Service

Harry Radcliffe Williams enlisted in the British Army and served as a Private with the Lancashire Fusiliers, 2^nd/7^th Battalion.

On 17^th November 1917, the 2^nd/7^th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers was serving in the Ypres Salient during the final stages of the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) as part of the 66^th (2^nd East Lancashire) Division. At this stage of the campaign, operations focused largely on holding and consolidating ground gained during earlier fighting.

Conditions were among the worst experienced during the war. Persistent heavy rain had reduced the battlefield to deep mud, collapsing trenches and flooding shell holes, while evacuation of wounded men was often impossible. Front-line and support positions were subjected to frequent German artillery bombardment, including high-explosive and gas shells. Even without major assaults, casualties were sustained daily due to shellfire, trench collapses, and the extreme conditions.

Death and Commemoration

Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects

According to the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, Private Harry Radcliffe Williams was killed in action on 17^th November 1917.

Harry Radcliffe Williams
Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium
credit - findagrave

Many men killed during this period were buried by shellfire or lost in the mud, leaving no recoverable remains. Private Williams has no known grave, and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium, which honours those who died in the Ypres Salient and whose burial places are unknown.