D.C.M. for Bersham soldier
Lance-Corporal Joseph Evans Roberts, of the London Regiment, and son of Mr Isaac Roberts, Bersham, has been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. Some time ago we published a stirring story of his rescue of an officer while under fire, and his bravery has now been recognised.
Extracts taken from Wrexham Advertiser, June 10 1916
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Gallant Welsh Fusiliers
The Royal Welsh Fusiliers taught the enemy a wholesome lesson the day before yesterday. The official communiqué of that date speaks of it as a 'very gallant and successful affair'.
The scene of the affair was the Givenchy Hill. The enemy attacked in three columns abreast, after the usual heavy bombardment. However, quite undemoralised, the Welshmen were waiting for them and there then seems to have followed some really great hand-to-hand fighting. The Germans as is their way on such occasions were armed with bludgeons, daggers and pistols. Our men had their bayonets and rifles. In their hands the regulation weapons displayed their superiority. In 15 minutes from the time the Germans had reached our front line, they had been thrown back again and were caught by machine gun and artillery fire as they went.
Extracts taken from Wrexham Advertiser, July 1 1916
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Hero wounded twice but carried on fighting
How a Broughton soldier met his death in the present great push provides a stirring narrative of British pluck and bravery. The hero concerned was Pte. Hywel Price, of the RWF, and a native of Bwlchgwyn.
Pte Price was wounded, but after having his wound dressed, he returned to the trench. He was again wounded, and stubbornly refused to be conveyed to safety, he again returned to the fray. The third time, however, he was fatally wounded, and died in a short time. The deceased soldier was recommended for gallantry.
Extracts taken from Wrexham Advertiser, August 5 1916
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Context: Britain's big plan to defeat Germany by Christmas 1916 ground to a halt in the Battle of the Somme. The battle lasted from July to November 1916. The British suffered 400,000 casualties and advanced only eight miles.
War years: 1917-1918
DSC for Wrexham man
Pte T Jones, RWF, of Colemere-street, Wrexham, has just been awarded the Distinguished Service Certificate on which is inscribed the following "On 10th July 1916 in Mametz Wood, this man with three others maintained a gallant defence against a counter attack by the Germans when other troops had fallen back. This gallant action saved a critical situation, and he was a fine example to his comrades."
Extracts taken from Wrexham Advertiser, October 6 1917
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Ruabon Naval Officer's daring deeds
Naval Flight Commander Howard Saint of the Royal Naval Air Service has been decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross. The official record of the deeds which merited this high honour is as follows: "For conspicuous bravery in attacking superior formations of enemy aircraft on 21st and 23rd September last. He has also shown great courage in attacking enemy troops and aerodromes with machine-gun fire from very low altitudes."
Extracts taken from Wrexham Advertiser, November 10 1917
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Peace rejoicing in Wrexham
On Monday morning the welcome news came through that Germany has accepted the terms of the Allies in respect of an armistice. The joyful news of Peace was received considerably earlier than anticipated. The persistent buzzing of a hooter at the leather works at about 10.30am was the harbinger of the good tidings. By noon, the town was crowded with delighted citizens, whilst almost every building was decorated with every available article of festoonery.
By common consent tools were 'downed' in all workshops of the Borough and lorry loads of munition girls in their overalls, and groups of male workers on foot were soon to be seen parading the streets of the town.
Extracts taken from Wrexham Advertiser, November 16 1918
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Context: America joined the war on the side of Britain and France in 1917. Although the Russians in effect surrendered to the Germans in early 1918, war weariness and the arrival of US forces forced Germany to agree to an armistice on November 11th 1918. The Allies had won - just!
Further reading
Website: BBC History - WWI
