Almost every day I pass by the Ruthin War Memorial of grey granite, backed by a wall of local red sandstone, enclosed by low iron chains and iron gates. It originally contained the names of 71 Ruthin men who were killed during the First World War. In 2005, a further 30 names were added, these being the 'missing' names of other Ruthin men killed in the same conflict but not included on the original monument. A total of 101 men killed in four years from a town with a population of 4,016 in 1914 was a cataclysm.
These were men and boys loved by parents, wives, brothers and sisters; living people of flesh and blood, drawn into the biggest blood-spilling ever seen in human history. Their deaths were only the tip of an iceberg. Those who died 'out of khaki' during the 20s and 30s were not considered as war casualties, and were buried militarily unremembered in the town's graveyards. The amputees who survived; the gassed; the shell-shocked; are not named nor remembered.
In 1914, Ruthin had a strong detachment of part-time Territorial soldiers, attached to D Company, the 4th Battalion of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. The Drill Hall at Borthyn was well attended, and these lads were amongst the first to depart to war. By November 1914, both Ruthin soccer teams had joined and departed! Ruthin also had a handful of Regular professional soldiers, most attached to the 1st RWF. Most Ruthin casualties, however, came from the Kitchener's Army volunteers, who had no military training, and were swept along in the fervour of 1914 anti German enthusiasm. Of the 125 houses at Mwrog Street, 42 men and boys had enlisted by October 1914, mostly with the Royal Welch.
The first mortal casualties were two regular soldiers of 1st RWF at Ypres. Private John Cadwaladr Jones of 65 Mwrog Street, was killed in action and his body never recovered, and Private Edward Hussin Jones, died of wounds, a prisoner in Berlin.
During January 1915, the young solicitor and budding poet Lt John Arthur Elias Hughes, having joined in London, and transferring to the 4th RWF was killed at Givenchy, his death witnessed by the Ruthin GP Dr Anderson, quoted in the Denbighshire Free Press:
"one of his men was wounded, and Hughes got out of the trench to rescue him and dragged the man in. As he was getting in himself he was shot by a sniper".
Corporal Owen Lewis Williams, of the RWF led his section out of the trenches at Neuve Chappelle
"On his lips when he fell; Cymru am byth were his last words. It was most touching to see him lead his men with the words as his battle-cry. Shot thrice, he died as he was being carried by friends to the field ambulance."
On St David's Day 1915, Private Harry Jones of the 2nd RWF of 106 Mwrog Street died at Loos. His letters home show him to be constantly worrying about his wife and young family "write to the War Office, telling them that you've had a baby for you to have some money" poignantly reminds us of the lack of support. "I see in your letter that you have a name for the little baby. It is a very nice name indeed - Mons Jones. You have put this name on it after the Battle of Mons. I like it very much."
The personal tragedies continue relentlessly. The worst occurred in July 1916 at Mametz Wood. The Somme Offensive begun on 1 July, but the Welsh troops were mainly held back until 9 July, in which they were to attack Mametz Wood. Sergeant TD Jones of Ruthin wrote home:
"We advanced in the teeth of withering fire, and the first to go down was our CO, and he called cheerily 'On Welshmen, on!' We cheered him, and nothing could withstand the dash of the Welsh." Private Edward Hughes, again of Mwrog Street, fell near his CO.
The following day, 10 July, another 10 Ruthin men were killed, and by 21 July, when the Battle of Mametz Wood was finally over, 24 Ruthin men had been killed. Harry Moore "a splendid athlete and rugger player"; Harold and Fred Thomas, two brothers from Borthyn; John Richard Roberts from Prior Street who wrote home the day previously stating that he was "in the pink"; two childhood friends Eddie Hughes and George Ellis, both only 17 and both from Borthyn; Hughie Staines, the son of Ruthin Gaol's Governor, among them.
Tales of individual deaths and heroism continued relentlessly throughout the war. Ruthin men fought and died on land, sea and air. Pilots Emyr Thomas, was a veteran fighter pilot, whilst HE Malcolm Owen had barely a few days experiences before being shot out of the skies.
The survivors had remarkable stories. Thomas Bushel, 17, joined the newly formed Tank Corps and drove his tank 'Julie' at Cambria, Wil Teiliwr, taken prisoner three times. Furness Williams, a 'remarkable' tenor from Rhos Street, and understudy to Caruso, joined the Artists Rifles stating: "I am going to the trenches to kill Germans by singing at them in Welsh!"
The oldest killed was Captain Thomas J. Simpson, of Market Street, at 63 years. The youngest, probably Sergeant Henry Hughes of Mwrog Street, enlisted at 14 years of age, and killed at 17 having achieved the rank of Sergeant!
Deaths are as follows:
1914 - 3 deaths
1915 - 15
1916 - 41
1917 - 17
1918 - 27
1918-20 'of wounds' -6
In all 41% of all deaths were from Mwrog Street; 9% Rhos Street; 7% Prior Street; 10% Borthyn Street; Park Road 6%. The working class areas of Ruthin provided 73% of all deaths. The commercial and middle class areas of Well Street, Castle Street, Clwyd Street, Market Street and St Peter's Square only 27%.
At Mwrog Street, it was a rate of one man per 2.9 houses.
Of all deaths, 14 were officers 13%, 19 NCO 17%, and 76 other ranks 70%.
In other words 1 officer killed for every 6.7 NCO/other rank.
They endured what we could not even begin to comprehend. Private RP Jones of Railway Terrace, Ruthin, wrote home in 1915
"...in this charge JP Thomas, the one who used to play football for Denbigh died... he dropped in my arms and never murmured a word. I had to leave him. It's hard to leave a friend like that but you think nothing of it. You in Ruthin do not realise what this war is."
Acknowledgements
Quotes taken from the letters published in the Denbighshire Free Press, 1914-1918.
Harry Jones from his original letters (Denbigh Archives, Ruthin).
your comments
Alison Wood, England
Doing my family tree at the moment and my great grandmother married Edward William Griffiths of 103 Mwrog Street in 1910. My gt gran was Selina Davis residence**Wine Vaults Castle Street** anyone shed any light on this please? Edward's father was also an Edward Griffiths who was a joiner. Would love to hear from anyone with any info,many thanks.
Fri May 8 15:42:15 2009
Tracey Mitchell (nee Lloyd Jones), Southsea
Your article made me feel so sad for all those brave men. My great great uncles came from Prior Street in Ruthin. Private David Roberts of 5th Dorset Regiment was killed on 12 May 1917 and is buried at Vaulx Hill Cemetery, France. Private Albert Roberts of 19th Battalion RWF died 4 Oct 1917 in the VAD Hospital in Essex. My family was lucky enough that that my great grandfather John Roberts was not killed but he died of Spanish Flu on 18th Nov 1918, only one uncle returned and that was Private Edward Roberts of the 13th Battalion who was invalided out after being shot. These brave ancestors of mine left behind their parents and two little sisters and a baby brother who would always mourn their passing. I am lucky enough to have been given their photographs that they sent to each other.
Thu Mar 26 09:57:51 2009
Geraint
Pte Stephen Vaughan Roberts 87666 (note spelling of names)was attached to the Machine Gun Corp having initially joined the Seaforth Highlanders! He died at Thiepval France on 27 April 1918, and is buried at the Connaught Cemetery, Thiepval.
Thu Nov 27 14:19:53 2008
Charles Carson
My grandfather on my mother's side was killed towards the end of the first world war - 1917. Grandfather's name was Steven Vaughn Roberts. He was born and grew up in Ruthin. He was one of a group of brothers, at least 3 of whom were killed in France. One of the brothers had the unusual name of Chrismas. All the dead brothers' names are on the Ruthin memorial. If any of the relatives or extended Roberts family still live in Ruthin, I would be most enthusiastic and grateful if they would consider making contact. My gran, and particularly my mum, even when an old lady close to the end of her life frequently talked of her father, and Ruthin from Black Hill farm. Also, that he was a postman, was in the Machine Gun Corps, and other unconfirmed details. Of all the mementoes that existed I have an important hand written letter from an officer responsible for his group comfirming his death. Any information from Ruthin would be most deeply appreciated.
Thu Nov 20 08:18:44 2008
John Mccall, Liverpool
I am looking for a relation of a PTE Joseph Williams who served under the South Wales Borderers, No.23806 in WW1. I believe he survived the war. I have an item of his I would like to return to the family and I am wondering if there are family links here? Any assistance would be appreciated, many thanks.
Tue Nov 11 08:19:25 2008
John Roberts
My uncle, JW Roberts (who later ran the ironmonger and general store on Market Street), served in the RA as a forward observer. Family legend has it that he was awarded a Croix de Guerre for rescuing a wounded French Officer after both had been cut off by a German advance. Unfortunately any proof of this has been lost. Could any reader cast any more light on this episode?
Mon Oct 20 09:04:49 2008
Craig Hughes, Gloucester
For a couple of years now I have been researching family history and was excited to find that I had two ancestors that served in World War One. A Lcpl Edward Hughes who served in the Canadian Infantry and a CSM Robert Evan Hughes who served in the RWF 13th battalion 1st North Wales. If any one could shed some light on any stories or even if they may have served or knew some who served with him I would be truly grateful.
Wed Oct 8 12:00:24 2008
Geraint
The memorial is easily found at Wynnstay Rd!
Mon Sep 15 08:46:26 2008
Josephine Grimes from St Albans
I'm another of the Williams crew - cousin to Leonora, Peter & many more! I regularly visit Ruthin & was fascinated by this. Can you let me know the location of the memorial, please - I assume great uncle Frederick's name is recorded there. His name is carved onto a family gravestone in St Meugan's Churchyard. Mons Jones was the brother to my great aunt Mary, who married my great uncle George Williams & lived in Haulfryn. I remember George & Mary well but not Mons although I believe he lived with Mary when he was elderly & after George's death. Your work is much appreciated, Geraint.
Tue Aug 19 08:21:04 2008
J Williams, Ruthin
To Tom Green, Kent. Our late father is a Corwen man. I have some WWI related info which you may find interesting.
Thu Jul 24 08:34:10 2008
Geraint
Peter and Lenora, the Williams family were all committed to the war. All the brothers joined up, and the youngest was in the Scouts. Father became a reservist, mother a nurse etc. Only one - Fred - was killed. As you suggest, all were a musical family. It's still recalled in town that Furness brought Caruso with him to Ruthin when they were appearing at Manchester, and would visit the Feathers and White Bear to entertain the locals.
Wed Jun 18 08:30:48 2008
Peter Hazelwood, Wolverley
My grandfather was Tom Wynne Williams, the brother of Furness Williams (tenor). I have also entered showbusiness and have been a pro singer for nearly 50 years.
Tue Jun 3 08:27:30 2008
Leonora Jobson from Tasmania
My great uncle was Furness Williams (real name John Joseph Williams) referred to in your article. He was one of seven brothers and two sisters originally from Ruthin who served in the 1st World War (two brothers served with the Australian Army). The only brother who died was Fred Wynne Williams on 22 August 1916, buried at Mametz. He was a very handsome fellow who, family stories tell us, was on his way over to America to join Charlie Chaplin's troupe of actors, but enlisted instead. He was in the Middlesex Regiment 16th Battalion but was reposted to the 1st battalion.
Fri Apr 4 09:13:59 2008
Geraint
Neil. The Death Plaque or Penny would also contain a little more info on Evan Roberts - his Regiment and soldier's number would usually be included. Do you have more other info on Evan? I'll see what comes up my end here. You can contact me via this page with any further information, and I'll respond.
Tue Feb 19 15:28:04 2008
Neil Roberts, Ruthin
I have in my possesion what is known as a 'Death Penny' that was given to the family of a fallen soldier in WW1 and I wonder if the soldier was a resident in the Ruthin area? The name on the 'Penny' is that of Evan Roberts and if I am able to trace his family I would like to return it to them.
Mon Feb 11 10:19:50 2008
Tom Green, Kent
As a native of Corwen and a student of WW1 I found this article fascinating. I regularly visit WW1 battlefields and accomany organised tours. Mons is particularly interesting but all battlefields and war cemetaries are ultimately sad, however they are a testimony to the bravery of young men who gave their all in the cause of freedom.
Thu Dec 27 08:23:10 2007
Geraint
The 4th RWF became a pioneer battalion in September 1915, and the battalion history states their disappointment in being demoted from frontline infantry status to pioneer. It's hardly surprising when you consider the miners from Rhos, Wrexham and the North Wales coalfields who had joined. On arrival in France, the battalion were noted for their speed in digging trenches; and most were short wiry men having spent their lives at such work. In Loos, the 4th battalion beat the French hands down in consolidating the trenches by digging through a coal tip (crazier) at such speed that it became known as the Wrexham Tunnel. Perhaps C Robert Edwards, your father may well have been involved.
Mon Dec 24 09:43:02 2007
Robert Edwards from Moore, South Carolina USA
Very interesting. My father served in the 4th Battalion (Pioneer) of the RWF, attached to the 47th (London) Divison from 1915-1918. He was from Rhosllanerchrugog.
Fri Dec 21 08:03:54 2007
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