Pte 15748 Frederick Golding Williams

• Age: 25
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 12th July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

Frederick Golding Williams was born in Toxteth Park, Liverpool in the first quarter of 1891, the son of Frederick James Williams and his wife Mary Ann (nee Hunkin).

The 1891 Census finds the family living at 3 Aspen Grove, Toxteth Park. Frederick is a new born baby living with his parents, 4 sisters and one brother. His father, Frederick is a wheelwright born in Liverpool in 1858, whilst his mother, Mary Ann was born in Cardigan, Wales in 1858. His siblings, all born in Liverpool, are listed as; Clara b.1881, Gertrude b.1883, Bertha b.1885, Galdys M. b.1887 and George H. b.1889.  

By 1901 the Census finds the family have moved to 68 Aspen Grove. Frederick is now shown as 12 years of age living with his parents and 6 siblings. Both parents are present in the household, his father's occupation now stated as a contractor's cashier and his siblings are listed as; Clara now described as an art needlewoman, Gertrude a domestic servant, Bertha a drapers assistant, George a telegraphist, Dorothy b. 1887 and Nora b.1891.

The 1911 Census finds the family living at 47 Kemare Road, Liverpool. Frederick as a 20 year old single man employed as a stockbrokers clerk. he is living with his parents and 5 sisters. His father is described as a cashier whilst his siblings are listed as; Clara Evelyn a shop assistant, Bertha also a shop assistant, Gladys Mary is a governess, Norah is shown as mother's domestic help and Dorothy as an apprentice. 

Frederick enlisted at St George's Hall, Liverpool on 31st Aug 1914 joining the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 15748. He gave his age as 23 years and 270 days and his occupation as a stockbrokers clerk. He was described as being  5' 11" inches tall, weighing 130 lbs with a 35" chest. He was of  fresh complexion, with grey eyes and brown hair. His next of kin was given as his father Frederick James, 47, Kenmare Rd., Wavertree.

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

On 17th April 1916 he was admitted to the Field Ambulance suffering from Tonsilitis. He was discharged back to his unit on 23rd April 1916. 

As part of the 17th Battalion he will have been involved in the successful capture of Montauban on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. The next objective was Trones Wood.  

The murderous fighting that went on inside Trones Wood rendered it impossible to put specific dates on some of the casualties which is why many of the 17^th Battalion losses have been bracketed as killed in action between 10^th – 12th July 1916. The conditions are best described in the following passage from Everard Wyrall’s book The History of The King’s Regiment (Liverpool) Volume II. 

The remembrance of Trones Wood in July 1916 to those who passed through it is of a noisome, horrible place, of a tangled mass of trees and undergrowth which had been tossed and flung about in frightful confusion by the shells of both sides. Of the ghastly dead which lay about in all directions, and of DEATH, lurking in every hole and corner with greedy hands ready to snatch the lives of the unwary.  

The place was a Death trap, and although the attacks were made with great determination,  the presence of snipers who could not be detected and often fired into the backs of our men made the clearing of the wood impossible.

Casualty report states wounded 10-12 July 1916 to Field Ambulance, then strangely wounded and missing 12th July 1916.

He was reported as wounded in the local press on 11th August 1916

STOCKBROKERS CLERK

Private Fred Golding Williams of the "Pals" has been wounded. He is the son of Mrs F.J. Williams and joined at the outbreak of war, going to France in November 1915. He was employed as a stockbrokers clerk.

His family placed an appeal for information in the press on the 12th August 1916

PRIVATE F.G.WILLIAMS

Any information regarding Private Fred Golding Williams (15748), bomber in the "Pals," reported wounded July 12, will be gratefully received by his parents at 47 Kenmare Road, Sefton Park, Liverpool.

He was subsequently reported as amongst the missing in the newspaper of 25th August 1916 

Frederick's body was not recovered or was subsequently lost as his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916.

On 01st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

Soldiers Effects to father Frederick J., Pension to mother Mary Ann

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