Second Lieutenants John Howells and Denzil Howells

John Howells and Annie Williams
marriage certificate
 St Peter’s Church, Swansea

Brothers John Howells (born 1894, Swansea) and Denzil Howells (born 1898, Swansea) were the sons of John Howells and Annie Williams, who were married in 1889 at St. Peter’s Church, Swansea.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Howells family were residing at 33 Mirador Crescent, Swansea. John (34) was Chief Clerk at the Post Office, and Annie (33), who had been born in Chile, managed the household. Their children were Ronald (9), John H. (7), Graham (5), Denzil (3), and Kenneth (2). Also present was a servant, Alice Greaves (21).

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 27 Mirador Crescent, Swansea. John Howells (44) was now a Superintendent in the Post Office, and Annie (43) remained at home. Their children were Ronald (19), a Civil Service student; John Hubert (17), an architect’s articled pupil; Graham (15); Denzil (13); Kenneth (12); Lyndon (8); Beryl (3); and Esme (11 months). A servant, Martha Margaret Brock (19), was also part of the household.

John and Annie were to suffer grievous losses during the war, losing three sons — John, Denzil, and Graham — in the conflict. Graham Howells – Welsh Regiment, 14th (Service) Battalion (Swansea)

Second Lieutenant John Howells – Royal Field Artillery / Royal Horse Artillery

John Howells
Canada Farm Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
credit - findagrave

John served as a Second Lieutenant with the Royal Field Artillery, 15^th Brigade, attached to the Royal Horse Artillery. He was killed in action on 9^th October 1917 and is buried at Canada Farm Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

On 9^th October 1917, during the Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele), Royal Horse Artillery units were heavily engaged in supporting infantry assaults through shattered ground and relentless rain. Gun positions were subjected to intense German counter-battery fire, and officers were required to direct barrages from exposed observation posts. The hazardous nature of artillery command placed officers like John at continual risk during this critical phase of the campaign.

Second Lieutenant Denzil Howells – East Lancashire Regiment, attached York and Lancaster Regiment

Denzil Howells

Denzil served as a Second Lieutenant with the East Lancashire Regiment, 1/5th Battalion, attached to the York and Lancaster Regiment. He was killed in action on 13^th April 1918 and is buried at Locre Hospice Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

On 13^th April 1918, during the German Spring Offensive (Battle of the Lys), units of the York and Lancaster Regiment were engaged in desperate defensive fighting. Following heavy artillery bombardments, German stormtrooper assaults forced British units into fighting withdrawals around Bailleul and the Wytschaete Ridge. Communications were frequently destroyed by shellfire, and officers were exposed while reorganising defensive positions under extreme pressure.

Denzil Howells
Locre Hospice Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium
credit - findagrave

The deaths of Second Lieutenants John and Denzil Howells reflect the profound sacrifice endured by one Swansea family during the First World War — a household that gave three sons to the conflict