John Watkin John – Welsh Regiment, 9th Battalion (“D” Company)

Private John Watkin John – Welsh Regiment, 9th Battalion (“D” Company)

John Watkin John was born in 1888 in Swansea, the son of David John and Elizabeth Ann Richards. His childhood unfolded in the industrial neighbourhoods of Caepark Terrace and later Quarry Road, where the family lived among stokers, boiler firemen, and colliery labourers typical of Swansea’s working communities.

Family Life

1891 Census

The 1891 Census records the John family at 61 Caepark Terrace, Swansea, where David John, aged 29, worked as a Stoker in the Steel Works, and his wife Elizabeth A., aged 28, managed the home. Their children present were Thomas, 5, attending school; Anne M., 4; John W., 2; and Ruth, 5 months. The census depicts a young family in the early years of its growth.

1901 Census

By the 1901 Census, the family had moved to 51 Quarry Road, Treboeth, Swansea. David, now 40, was employed as a Boiler Fireman, and Elizabeth A., aged 37, continued to oversee the home. Their children present were Thomas, 15, a Coal Man; Annie J., 14; John W., 12, attending school; Ruth, 10; Hannah M., 8; David R., 7; William R., 5; Mary, 2; and Fred, 1 month old. The household had grown considerably, reflecting the large families common in industrial Swansea.

1911 Census

The 1911 Census shows the family still at 51 Quarry Road. David, aged 49, was working as a Fireman on Lancashire Boilers, and Elizabeth, aged 48, remained at home. Their children present were Thomas, 25, a Colliery Labourer (below ground); John Wathen, 23, a Colliery Labourer (below ground); David P., 17, a Mason (apprentice); William R., 14, a Stone General Labourer; Samuel Frederick, 10; Magdaline, 7; and Elizabeth A., 5, the younger ones attending school. Also present were visitors: Annie Maud, 24, a widowed housewife, and her infant son John Edmund, aged 2 months.

In 1911, John married Sarah Charles, establishing his own household shortly before the outbreak of war.

John Watkin John
Cwmgelli Cemetery, Swansea
credit - findagrave

Military Service

John Watkin John enlisted in 1915 and served as a Private with the Welsh Regiment, 9th Battalion (“D” Company). The 9th Battalion was one of the regiment’s service battalions raised for the First World War, seeing action in major theatres including Gallipoli and the Western Front. John’s service was cut short when he was discharged in 1916, recorded as unfit for further duty.

Death and Burial

John died on 29 October 1918 in Swansea. His body was laid to rest at Cwmgelli Cemetery, where he is commemorated among the city’s wartime burials.