Daniel Williams – Welch Regiment, 1/5th Battalion
Warrant Officer Class II Daniel Williams – Welch Regiment, 1/5th Battalion
Birth and Family Background
Daniel Williams was born in 1910 at Carran,
Glamorgan. He was the son of William Williams and Hannah Bella Lewis,
who were married in 1905 at St David’s Church, Merthyr Tydfil.William Williams and Hannah Bella Lewis
marriage certificate
St David’s Church, Merthyr Tydfil
Early Life
 |
| 1911 Census |
At the time of the 1911 Census, the Williams family were residing at 5 Turberville Row, Penygraig, Glamorgan. William Williams, aged 27, was employed as a colliery haulier below ground, while his wife Hannah, aged 30, undertook household duties. Their children were Harold, 5; Lilian, 5; William Henry, 3; and Daniel, aged 11 months.
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| 1921 Census |
The 1921 Census records the family living at 15 Treharne Terrace, Treharris, Glamorgan. William Williams, now 37, was an underground haulier, formerly employed by the Treharris Ocean Coal Company, but recorded as out of work. Hannah, aged 40, undertook household duties. Their children were Harold, 15, a coal hewer’s assistant (out of work); William Henry, 14, an errand boy with motor car employed by the Co-operative Society Ltd., Treharris; Daniel, 11; Alfred James Lewis, 8; Leslie, 6; Clarice, 5; all attending school; and Beryl, aged 5 months.
Marriage and Civilian Occupation
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| 1939 Register |
In 1938, Daniel married Ellen Elaine Jenkins at Warwick, Warwickshire. At the time of the 1939 Register, Daniel Williams was employed as a male attendant at Warwick and Coventry Mental Hospital, while Ellen E. Williams undertook household duties. They were residing at 50 Park Street, Mumbles, the home of Ellen’s parents.
Military Service
Daniel served with the Welch Regiment, attaining the
rank of Warrant Officer Class II. He was posted to the 1/5th
Battalion, a Territorial Army unit that served in north-west Europe
following the Allied landings in Normandy.
Welch Regiment, 1/5th Battalion 21st July 1944 – Normandy Campaign
On 21st July 1944, the 1/5th Battalion,
Welch Regiment was engaged in intense fighting during the Normandy
Campaign, as British forces sought to break out from the narrow
bridgehead established after D-Day. This period followed the initial
landings and coincided with a series of costly operations aimed at
capturing key ground and wearing down German defensive positions.
The battalion was operating in terrain dominated by bocage
countryside—a patchwork of small fields enclosed by thick hedgerows,
sunken lanes, and wooded areas. This landscape strongly favoured the German
defenders, who had established well-camouflaged positions supported by machine
guns, mortars, artillery, and anti-tank weapons.
As an infantry battalion, the 1/5th Welch
Regiment was tasked with front-line assault, consolidation of
captured ground, and holding positions under counter-attack.
Fighting was often conducted at close quarters, with limited
visibility and little opportunity for rapid movement.
On 21st July 1944, losses among British
infantry units were severe. Many men were killed, wounded, or went
missing during engagements where ground changed hands repeatedly or where
units were subjected to prolonged bombardment. In numerous cases, bodies
could not be recovered due to ongoing fighting or the destruction
caused by shellfire.
Death, Missing Status, and Commemoration
Daniel Williams
Bayeux Memorial, France
credit - findagraveDaniel Williams
Bayeux Memorial, France
credit - findagrave
Warrant Officer Class II Daniel Williams was killed
on 21st July 1944. As his body was never recovered, he
was initially reported missing before being officially presumed
killed, a process common for many soldiers lost during the fighting in
Normandy.
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