Early years
James Williams was the only son of the late Mr James Williams, of Yarrington’s Farm, Alfrick, and nephew of Mr A G Lewis, builder, West Malvern. James was educated at the Lyttelton Grammar School, Malvern and was a member of the Priory Church choir. He afterwards belonged to West Malvern church choir, and Miss Howl’s singing class held at her residence, Glenbrook. In employment he was apprenticed to Messrs Stevens & Co, grocers, West Malvern.
Overseas service
James joined the colours shortly after the outbreak of War, but because of his age did not go overseas until August 1916. His family received the following letter from Second-Lieutenant A R Swallow, deceased’s platoon commander:
“It is with great regret that I write to inform you of the death of your son. He was struck by a shell while doing his duty in the trenches on February 23rd. Death must have been instantaneous, so it may be some consolation to you to know that he suffered no pain. Please accept my deepest sympathy in your great sorrow. Your son has been in my platoon ever since he came out, and he always been a good soldier, cheerful, and ready to do his duty.
“He was buried close to the spot where he fell, and a small wooden cross marks the place. I am not at liberty to tell you the exact position now, but at the close of the War you will be able to find out through the Graves Registration Committee.”
“Impassable trenches expose men to shelling and accurate sniper fire”
On 23rd February 1917 the men of the 1/8th Worcestershire Regiment occupied trenches at La Maisonette south of the Sommer River near Peronne. The War Diary recorded that: “All trenches were worse in spite of efforts made to clear them.” Therefore men could not move up and down from the front line in the trenches, instead they had to move in the open – “over the top.”
The Worcestershire men presented clear targets to German snipers. Over the previous 24 hours one man was killed and six were wounded by snipers.
Extricating men of the 1/4th Gloucestershire Regiment who had previously held the line continued. The final man being pulled from the mud and reaching Company headquarters in the early evening of the 23rd – over 48 hours after he should have been relieved.
At 7.30pm a heavy bombardment was heard away to the battalion’s right which quickly spread up to the men and beyond. SOS flares were soon sent up in two places on the right and once on the left calling in emergency retaliatory artillery fire. The enemy did not come out of their trenches in front of the on the 1/8th Worcesters but the inter-Company relief got caught in the barrage and suffered casualties.
Among ‘D’ Company who were moving forward in the open 5 men were killed and 7 wounded.
In total 8 men were killed and 32 men were wounded during the day. The battalion’s stretcher bearers worked unceasingly to dress and evacuate the wounded – four of them were subsequently awarded the Military Medal (L/Cpl Walters, Pte Lavender, Pte Amos and Pte Banner).
Those killed were:
241810 Pte Henry Williams – ‘B’ Company
241584 Pte Enoch Edwards – ‘B’ Company
241000 Pte Sidney Weaver – ‘C’ Company
240638 Pte Arthur George Baker – ‘D’ Company
241784 Pte William George Hughes – ‘D’ Company
240888 Pte Harry Mousley – ‘D’ Company
240910 Pte James Edward Williams – ‘D’ Company
242254 Pte Gilbert John Willis – ‘D’ Company
Berrow's Worcester Journal 10/3/1917
Berrow's Worcester Journal Picture Supplement 24/3/1917
