Stephen Rees Williams – Royal Artillery, 64 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 4 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Serjeant Stephen Rees Williams – Royal Artillery, 64 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, 4 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Birth and Family Background

Stephen Williams and Susannah Phillips
marriage certificate
St Peter’s Church, Swansea

Stephen Rees Williams was born in 1904 at Swansea. He was the son of Stephen Williams and Susannah Phillips, who were married in 1903 at St Peter’s Church, Swansea.

Early Life

1911 Census

At the time of the 1911 Census, the Williams family were residing at 48 St George’s Terrace, Swansea. Stephen Williams, aged 42, was a retired master mariner, while his wife Susannah, also 42, undertook household duties. Their children were Hilda, 12; Stephen, 7; Trevor, 6; all attending school; Mary, 3; and twins Gwyn and Gwyneth, both aged 3 months.

1921 Census

The 1921 Census records the family still living at 48 St George’s Terrace. Stephen Williams, now 52, was employed as a harbour pilot with the Swansea Harbour Trust. Susannah, also 52, undertook household duties. Present in the household were Hilda, 22, undertaking household duties; Stephen Rees, 17; Mary S., 13; and twins Gwynn and Gwyneth, both 10, all of whom attended school.

Later Family Circumstances

1939 Register

Stephen Williams senior died in 1935. By the time of the 1939 Register, the family were residing at 332 Llanfair, Mumbles Road. Susannah Williams was recorded as incapacitated. Hilda M. G. Williams was a State Registered Nurse, serving as an Assistant Commandant with the British Red Cross Society and as a V.A.D. Stephen R. Williams was employed as an estate agent and was also serving as a Gunner with the 34/64 Anti-Aircraft Royal Artillery. Stanley G. Williams was a sanitary inspector with Swansea County Borough and also served as an ambulance driver for the casualty services. Gwyneth G. Williams undertook domestic duties and was also a member of the British Red Cross Society and a V.A.D.

Military Service

Stephen Rees Williams served with the Royal Artillery, attaining the rank of Serjeant. He was posted to 64 Light Anti-Aircraft Battery, part of the 4 Heavy Anti-Aircraft Regiment. Units of this type were responsible for the defence of ports, airfields, shipping, and supply installations against low-level enemy air attack and were frequently moved between theatres as operational demands required.

Death and Commemoration

Stephen Rees Williams
Brookwood 1939-1945 Memorial, Surrey
credit - findagrave

Serjeant Stephen Rees Williams was reported missing and presumed lost at sea on 30^th October 1942. Stephen Rees Williams was lost during a wartime sea movement at a critical stage of the North African campaign, a fate shared by many Royal Artillery personnel deployed overseas in 1942. As his body was never recovered, he has no known grave.

His name is commemorated on the Brookwood 1939–1945 Memorial, which honours members of the Commonwealth forces who died during the Second World War and have no known place of burial