William Henry Davies. 1st Brecknock, South Wales Borderers

[kenandjulie]

Hello. Can anyone give me anymore information on William Henry Davies born 1895 Nantyglo, Monmouthshire?
He joined the 1st Battalion Brecknocks, South Wales Borderers, at the start of WW1, I don't have his service number or when he enlisted. I believe he did not fight in Europe but was sent to Steamer Point, Aden, they did not have an easy there. A number of his fellow soldiers were to die of heat stroke and various diseases.
Can anyone tell me his service number, I also served at RAF Steamer point 1965-1967 during the troubles, initially our barracks (old Turkish blocks)  were probably the same ones as William Henry was billeted in. It was not a nice posting even in the 60's.
Any help much appreciated.
Ken Williams

[CaroleW]

Have you checked the Medal Roll Index which will give you his service number

[kenandjulie]

Hello Carole.

Thanks for responding yet again, you're usually one of the first. I must be getting old (Which I am) where do i find the medal Roll and can you point me in the right direction?

Best
Ken

[CaroleW]

It's on Ancestry & probably on FindMyPast as well although I only use Ancestry. 

[Br1gau]

Several soldiers by that name in the FindMyPast records.  Only one shows a specific birthplace of Nantyglo
What was William Henry Davies' father's name?

Birth: 1895/96 Nantyglo
Occupation: coal miner
Enlisted: Brynmawr 6th March 1914
Attested: Brecon 7th March 1914
Father: Edward Davies of 60 King street, Brynmawr
3rd Bn South Wales Borderers.
Service No. 11525

[jim1]

Birth: 1895/96 Nantyglo
Occupation: coal miner
Enlisted: Brynmawr 6th March 1914
Attested: Brecon 7th March 1914
Father: Edward Davies of 60 King street, Brynmawr
3rd Bn South Wales Borderers.
Service No. 11525

It might be worth noting that he bought himself out a week later (£3)
I can see only 1 William Henry Davies in the 1/1 Brecks. & he is Pte. 1649
Re-numbered in 1917 as 200249.
The Brecknocks were TF & all TF Btns. were given 6 digit numbers in 1917.
His 1649 number gives an attestation date of 3/7/15 dis. 30/3/19.
For this he received the 15 Star. Note: ( on the 15 Star medal roll his middle name is given as Hendry)
I haven't looked at the William Davies' without middle name Henry as there
are too many.

The LLT says this:
1/1st Brecknockshire Battalion
August 1914 : in Brecon. Part of South Wales Brigade, Welsh Division.
29 October 1914 : left Brigade and sailed from Southampton with the Home Counties Division, arriving Bombay.
3 December 1914 : moved to Aden, arriving 16 December 1914 and coming under orders of the Aden Brigade.
August 1915 : returned to Bombay. Joined Mhow Brigade in 5th (Mhow) Division and remained in India throughout the war.
According to this he was only in Aden for a month.

[kenandjulie]

Hello one and all. His father was William Davies and on the 1911 census they lived at 43 Market Row, Nantyglo.
He certainly was with the 1 Brecknocks. i am now fairly certain that the info that his number was 1649.

i
I didn't realise he was only in Aden for one month, so I am much obliged for the info.
Meeting his grandchildren tomorrow at a reunion, so it will  be nice to give them some information, i know one of the grandchildren has his medals. thanks again.

Ken

[mmm45]

https://swb1914.uk/index.php/brecknock-2/

this site too

Ady

[tonepad]

According to the site linked below, 1649 William Hendry Davies was in the 2nd Brecknock Battalion:

https://swb1914.uk/index.php/brecknock-2/


The service number of your man should be on his WW1 medals.


Tony