Robert Crowest Griffiths – Royal Field Artillery, 108th Battery, 23rd Brigade

Gunner Robert Crowest Griffiths – Royal Field Artillery, 108^th Battery, 23^rd Brigade

Early Life

Robert Crowest Griffiths

Thomas Griffiths and Matilda Crowest
marriage certificate
St. Peter’s Church, Cockett, Swansea

Robert Crowest Griffiths was born in 1898 at Swansea, the son of Thomas Griffiths and Matilda Crowest, who were married in 1895 at St. Peter’s Church, Cockett, Swansea.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Griffiths family were living at No. 1A Clifton House, Swansea. Thomas, aged 30, was employed as a Shipping Agent, and his wife Matilda was recorded as 28 years old. Their children present were Robert, listed with the middle name “Ernest” and aged 3, and Doris, aged 2.

1911 Census

By the time of the 1911 Census, the family were living at 128 Milton Terrace, Swansea. Thomas, then aged 40, was employed as a Sampler, and Matilda was recorded as 38 years old. Their children were R. C. (Robert Crowest), aged 13, and Doris, aged 12, both noted as attending school. Also present in the household were two boarders: Margaret Crowest, a 65-year-old widow and servant, and George Tilley, aged 27, employed as a labourer.

Military Service and Death

Robert later served as a Gunner with the Royal Field Artillery, 108^th Battery, 23^rd Brigade. The 23rd Brigade was originally a pre-war regular army artillery brigade and, during the later stages of the conflict, operated as an Army Field Artillery Brigade. This meant that the batteries under its command, including the 108th, were not tied to one infantry division but moved as required, providing heavy field-gun and howitzer support wherever operations demanded. By 1918 such brigades were heavily employed during the Allied advance known as the Hundred Days Offensive, supplying intense artillery support to break German resistance, conduct counter-battery fire, and assist the push forward as the German Army withdrew.

Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects

On 4^th September 1918, the date of Robert’s death, artillery brigades such as the 23rd would have been in constant engagement, supporting infantry advances by bombarding enemy strongpoints, disrupting German positions, and moving forward as ground was gained. For gunners in batteries like the 108th, this meant serving close to active front-line operations, exposed to shelling, counter-battery fire, and rapidly changing battlefield conditions. It was during this crucial phase of the late-war offensive that Robert was killed in action, as recorded in the Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects.

Western Mail

He is buried at Assevillers New British Cemetery, France. His death was reported in the Western Mail, which also recorded that at the time of publication his parents were residing at Overland Road, Mumbles.