George Llewellyn Williams was born in Welshpool the first child of George and Jane Williams in 1898. In 1901 they lived at Evans Passage, High Street, Welshpool his father George was railway engine worker and stoker. By 1911 the family had moved to Oswestry living at 45 Orchard Street. George was at school and there were 3 younger siblings a brother Alfred, born 1902 at Forden, and 2 sisters born in Oswestry, May and Minnie in. After school George worked as a station porter for Cambrian Railways.

George enlisted at Shrewsbury joining the King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. In the Border Counties Advertizer dated 28 March 1917 is a notice that he was at that time in a base hospital suffering from Diphtheria. The notice also records he had been on ‘active service’ since October 1916. If true, he would have just turned 18 years suggesting he had signed on age 17 years early in 1916. Alternatively, ‘active service’ could mean from when he had enlisted and meaning he had gone over to France early in 1917. Regardless, after his illness he returned to duty and spent time with 5 Bn KSLI before rejoining 7 Bn KSLI.

George died of wounds at 43 CCS at Bailleulval on 22 March 1918. He had probably been wounded the day before and the opening day of Operation Michael during the Kaiser Battle. The 7 Bn KSLI was near Wancourt and Heninsel south east of Arras. It is probable that George was wounded during the shelling on 21 March 1918 and taken back to the field ambulances where he died the next day. He is buried at Bac du Sud British Cemetery. His headstone reads ‘Thy will be done’. George is also commemorated on the Cambrian Railway Memorial, St Oswald’s Church and at Holy Trinity Church, Oswestry.

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