William Mark Draisey – Royal Field Artillery, 85th Battery, 11th Brigade

Gunner William Mark Draisey – Royal Field Artillery, 85th Battery, 11th Brigade

William Mark Draisey was born in 1892 in Swansea, the son of Frederick Draisey and Emma Jane Stephens, who married in 1890 in Swansea. His childhood unfolded in the busy neighbourhoods of Llangyfelach Road and later Brynhyfryd, where the Draisey family lived among colliery platelayers, shopkeepers, and school‑age children typical of Swansea’s industrial communities.

Family Life

1901 Census

The 1901 Census records the Draisey household at 68 Llangyfelach Road, Swansea, where Frederick Draisey, aged 42 and born in Gloucestershire, worked as a Foreman Plate Layer at the Colliery. His wife Emma Jane, aged 37 and born in London, was a Sweet Shop Baker Dealer, running a small business from home. Their children present were Elizabeth A., 13; Frederick, 11; William M., 9; Joseph, 7; Mary, 5; Thomas J., 3; and George H., 1. Also living with the family were Harriet Stephens, 66, a widowed mother‑in‑law, and Lenia Stephens, 22, a sister‑in‑law. The census reflects a large, industrious household combining colliery work with small‑scale trade.

In 1907, Emma Jane Draisey died, leaving Frederick a widower with a growing family.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family were residing at 68 Brynhyfryd, Swansea. Frederick, now 52, continued his work as a Platelayer at the Colliery. His children present were Elizabeth A., 23; William Mark, 19, employed as a Labourer Above Ground; Joseph, 17, a Labourer Below Ground; Mary, 16, doing Home Work; Thomas, 13; George, 11; Earnes, 9; Herbert, 6; and Harold, 4. The younger children were still attending school. The census shows a household adapting to the loss of its mother, with older siblings taking on increased responsibilities.

Marriage

William Mark Draisey and Esther Jane Spiller marriage certificate St John‑juxta‑Swansea

In 1913, William married Esther Jane Spiller at St John‑juxta‑Swansea, establishing his own household shortly before the outbreak of the First World War.

William Mark Draisey
Cwmgelli Cemetery, Swansea
credit - findagrave

Military Service

William Mark Draisey served as a Gunner with the Royal Field Artillery, 85th Battery, 11th Brigade. Gunners were responsible for operating field guns, managing ammunition, and supporting infantry operations with mobile artillery fire. The 11th Brigade formed part of the British Army’s divisional artillery, serving in major theatres of the war and providing essential fire support during offensive and defensive actions.

Death and Burial

William died on 5 November 1918 at the Central Military Hospital, Chatham, his death recorded as the result of wounds sustained during service. His body was brought home to Swansea and laid to rest at Cwmgelli Cemetery, where he is commemorated among the city’s wartime burials.