John Angel Williams was born in Bagillt, Flintshire during 1895. His parents were John and Mary Williams and they lived at Spring Hill, Top Works, Bagillt.
The 1911 Census tells us that the head of the family was John Williams aged 59. He was employed as a County Council Labourer (Road Worker). His wife was Mary aged 52 and their 3 listed children were Samuel Williams aged 21, a Coal Miner at Bettisfield Colliery. John Angel Williams aged 16 and Margaret Ann Williams aged 13 years.
On Monday 19 July 1915 John sailed from Devonport with the Battalion for Gallipoli, going via Alexandria. He disembarked at Sulva Bay on Monday 9 August 1915 and was killed in action the very next day on Tuesday 10 August 1915.
Flintshire Observer. Thursday 14 October 1915 – Bagillt Territorial Killed. Private John Angel Williams of Bagillt who was killed in action at the Dardanelles on the 10 August. He was a member of the 1/5th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
A telegram to Mr J Williams, father of John Angel Williams read as follows:-
Sir, It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of No. 2231 Private J A Williams 1/5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers, which occurred in the field on 10 August 1915, and I am to express to you the sympathy and regret of the Army Council in your loss. The cause of death was Killed in Action.
If any articles of private property left by the deceased are found, they will be forwarded to this office, but some time will be probably elapse before their receipt, and when received they cannot be disposed of until authority is received from the War Office.
Application regarding the disposal of any such personal effects, or of any amount that may eventually be found to be due to the late soldier’s estate, should be address to “The Secretary, War Office, London, S.W.” and marked outside “Effects”. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, Captain T.C.Hunt. Officer in charge of Records.
Many thanks to Mr Steve Davies for sharing the above Telegram. Thanks to him also for sharing the photograph of John Angel Williams which can be seen below. Scroll beyond the map.
On 30 November 1915 a payment of £2.9s.8d was made by the War Office to John Williams, this being monies owed to his son John. On 26 July 1919, a further payment which is recorded as a War Gratuity of £3.0s.0d was also made to him.
He is also remembered on the North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales.
There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for John Angel Williams at the County Archives Office, Hawarden, which was completed on 8 September 1919 by his father John Williams.
