Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The 1914-15 Star awarded to Private T. Williams, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was killed in action on the Western Front in the assault on Mametz Wood, Somme, on 11 July 1916

1914-15 Star (18253 Pte. T. Williams. R.W. Fus:); Memorial Plaque (Tom Williams) in card envelope of issue, memorial plaque with spot of solder to reverse, otherwise very fine (2) £80-£120

Tom Williams, a native of Neath, Glamorgan, attested for the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and served with the 16th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 2 December 1915. He was killed in action in the assault on Mametz Wood on 11 July 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, France.

The 16th (Service) Battalion R.W.F. had been formed by the Welsh National Executive Committee in November 1914, and joined the 113th Brigade, in the 38th (Welsh) Division. The battalion had already been heavily engaged in leading the assault on Mametz Wood, on the previous day 10 July 1916. In the morning of 11 July, 115 Brigade took over this front line. It was not until the following day, 12 July, that Mametz Wood was finally captured.