Edwin Williams was born in Flint, Flintshire during 1879. He was baptised on 28 March 1879 in St. Mary’s Parish Church, Flint. His parents were Thomas John Williams and Mary Ann Williams (nee Jones) of Pentre, Flint.
The 1901 Census states that the head of the family was Thomas John Williams aged 40 who was employed as a Chemical Worker at the United Alkali Factory, formally Muspratt Chemical Works, Flint. His wife Mary Ann Williams was aged 40 and their 7 (seven) listed children were, Edwin Williams aged 22, who was employed as a Coal Miner, Ernest Williams aged 18, who was employed as a General Labourer, David Williams aged 15, Annie Williams aged 12, Sarah Williams aged 9, Joseph Williams aged 5 and Elizabeth Williams aged 3 years.
Edwin subsequently married a Susannah Jones and they lived at 7 Powell’s Terrace, Bagillt, Flintshire.
Edwin Williams enlisted in Flint. he arrived in the Balkans with the Battalion on Sunday 8th August 1915. He died in a hospital in Alexandria, Egypt on 16th August 1915 from a wound received in the back of the neck.
An article appeared in the local newspaper headed ‘JUST SHIFTED’, AND HIS BROTHER WOUNDED. In our last issue there was recorded the death of Private Edwin Williams, of 1/5th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, whose wife resided at Bryn Cottages, Bagillt. The deceased soldier was a brother of Mrs Sara Davies. 1 Court, Holywell Road, Flint, and to whom Private Joseph Williams, another brother, wrote informing her of Edwin having been wounded. They were together in the Dardanelles, and Edwin died in hospital from the effects of the wound received. Private Joseph Williams, in a letter sent to Mrs Davies, said that his brother had given him a hand out of the trenches, and he (Joseph) had only just shifted when Edwin got bowled over by a bullet, which entered the back of his neck. He had a lot of history to relate, but he would leave it all until he arrived home. The deceased before joining the 1/5th was an Ironworker and resided with Mr Ernest Williams, at Maesgwyn Bach, Flint.
On 7 February 1916 a payment of £2.19s.11d was made by the War Office to Susaahan Williams, this being monies owed to her husband Edwin. On 24 July 1919, a further payment which is recorded as a War Gratuity of £3.10s.0d was also made to her.
He is also remembered at St. Mary’s Parish Church, Flint and on the North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales.
There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for Edwin Williams at the County Archives Office, Hawarden, which was completed on a date unknown by his wife Susannah Williams.
