Thomas WILLIAMS,
Private 17436,
1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Born - Llanfabon, Glamorgan
Enlisted - Merthyr Tydfil

Died - 25^th September, 1915 - Western Front
Aged 40yrs

Son of the late Enoch and Lydia Williams, of 21, Thomas St., Nelson, Glam.

Commemorated at Loos Memorial, France - Panels 50-52

Thomas Williams was one of four children born to Enoch and Lydia Williams. Enoch was originally from the Llanfabon area, born in about 1849 while Lydia came from the Pengam area. Lydia was born around 1855.

The first address for Enoch and Lydia is just shown as Heol Fawr, with no house number. They are shown as having three children at that address:

Thomas Williams - born in 1876
William Williams - born in 1878, and
Margaret Mary - born in 1880

By 1891 their address was shown as 15, Long Row, Nelson.
Long Row is commonly used even now to refer to Heol Fawr which in the small village of Nelson at that time was... a long row of houses. There is also an addition to the family where Gwen Williams is included, having been born in 1882. However, in 1891, there is no record of William Williams who should have been 13 years of age.

Thomas Williams was still living with his parents at this address, both Thomas and his father were coal miners (Thomas was only fourteen years old). At this address, the Williams’ were living next door to the Hadley family who lost their son Reginald during the war.
Go to Reginald Hadley’s page

By 1901, the family had moved to 34 Heol Fawr where they lived near to the Slade family who lost a son, William Edward Slade, during the war.
Go to William Slade’s page

They were also once again living next door to the Hadley family who were now living at number 32 Heol Fawr.