William Edward Bartlett - Driver - Royal Field Artillery – 15th Reserve Battery

William Ernest Bartlett

William Edward Bartlett was born in Swansea in 1896, the son of William Henry Bartlett and Annie Ridge, who had married in Swansea in 1884.

Tragedy struck the family in 1901 when William's father, William Henry Bartlett, died, just a month before the census was taken. William was only about five years old at the time, leaving his mother, Annie, to care for her young family.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Bartlett family were living at 144 Rhyddings Park Road, Swansea. Annie, aged 46, was employed as a laundress, an occupation that would have involved long hours of physically demanding work. Her place of birth was recorded as Shirwell, Devon.

Five children were living at home: Ada, aged 15, Barte, 12, Robert, 9, John, 6, and William, the youngest, who was just five years old.

1911 Census

Ten years later, the 1911 Census recorded the family still living at 144 Rhyddings Terrace, Swansea. Annie, now aged 56, continued to earn her living as a laundress. Interestingly, despite the earlier record of her husband's death, her marital status was recorded as married.

Three of her sons remained at home, all of whom had entered employment. Robert Henry, aged 19, was working as a driver for a meat purveyor, while John Herbert, 16, was also employed as a driver, delivering goods for a clothier. William, recorded as William Ernest, was now 15 years old and working as an assistant in a grocery business.

Growing up in a working-class household, William would have been familiar with the demands of everyday life from an early age. Following his father's death, his mother had continued to support the family through her work as a laundress, while her sons gradually entered employment and began contributing to the household.

With the outbreak of the First World War in August 1914, William was among the many young men from Swansea who volunteered for military service.

He enlisted in September 1914, when he was approximately 18 years old, and joined the Royal Field Artillery, serving as a Driver with the 15th Reserve Battery.

Drivers played an essential role in the Royal Field Artillery, being responsible for handling the horses that transported guns, ammunition wagons and other equipment. Their duties were physically demanding and often dangerous, particularly when operating in difficult conditions or under enemy fire.

During his military service, William was sent to Salonika, where British forces were engaged in operations in the Balkans. The conditions experienced by soldiers serving in the region were frequently harsh, with disease and illness presenting dangers alongside those of military operations.

While serving overseas, William contracted a fever and was subsequently sent to Malta for medical treatment. Malta served as an important centre for the treatment and recovery of sick and wounded servicemen during the First World War, with military hospitals receiving casualties from several theatres of war.

Unfortunately, William's health had deteriorated to such an extent that he was considered unfit to continue his military duties. He was eventually discharged from the Army in September 1915, bringing his military service to an end.

Following his discharge, William returned to Swansea, where he attempted to resume civilian life after his experiences overseas.

Despite the illness that had interrupted his military career, William had begun looking towards the future. He was engaged to be married to Elsie Smith, and the couple were making plans for their wedding.

Sadly, their hopes of a life together were never to be realised.

William tragically lost his life when he drowned at Langland Bay, near Swansea, at the age of just 22.

South Wales Daily Post

The circumstances of his death were reported in the South Wales Daily Post, which also recorded that William had been preparing to marry his fiancée, Elsie Smith, at the time of his passing.

The news of his sudden death would have been particularly distressing for his family, who had already endured the loss of his father and the uncertainty surrounding William's illness and military service.

Following his death, arrangements were made for William to be laid to rest at Danygraig Cemetery, Swansea.

His funeral was attended by family members, friends and former military comrades, who gathered to pay their final respects to the young soldier.

The funeral cortege departed from his mother's home at 144 Rhyddings Park Road, the house where William had spent much of his childhood and where the family had lived for many years.

The South Wales Daily Post described the funeral as an impressive and deeply moving occasion. Numerous floral tributes were placed in his memory, reflecting the affection and respect in which he was held by his family, friends and members of the local community.

William Edward Bartlett
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

William was laid to rest at Danygraig Cemetery, where his grave remains a reminder of a young life lost in tragic circumstances.

For his mother, Annie, who had worked for many years to support her children following the death of her husband, William's passing brought another devastating family loss.

His fiancée, Elsie Smith, was also left to mourn the man she had hoped to marry, their plans for a future together brought to a sudden and heartbreaking end.

Although William did not lose his life on the battlefield, his story illustrates the wider human cost of the First World War. Many servicemen returned home having suffered serious illness or injury, their lives permanently affected by their experiences in military service.

William had answered the call to serve his country at a young age, endured illness while serving overseas, and returned home hoping to rebuild his life. Tragically, he was never given the opportunity to enjoy the future that lay ahead of him.