Pte 21780 Lewis Griffiths

• Age: 23
• From: Flint N Wales
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Friday 30th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.L.9

Lewis Thomas Griffiths was born in 1893 in Flint, North Wales, the eldest son of William John Griffiths and his wife Martha (nee Pierce) who were married in the December quarter of 1884 the marriage was registered in Holywell.

Lewis was baptised on the 28th June 1893 in Flint, his father was a labourer, Holywell Road.

At the time of the 1901 census the family lived at 56 Bridge Street, Widnes. William, who is working as a chemical labourer, and Martha were both 35, William was born in Flint and Martha in Mold. The couple have five children – Martha Ann aged 14, Lewis Thomas aged 7, William J. 5, Robert Edward 3 and 1 year old Alice.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at the same address. His father, William, is aged 45, a soap works labourer, his mother Martha is also 45. They advised that they had been married for 26 years, and have had 12 children, 7 of whom have survived. The couple have six children at home – Lewis is aged 17, working as an apprentice cooper at the chemical works and his brother William 15, as a cooper’s labourer. Robert 12 and Alice 10 are at school, as are two more children Alfred aged 8 and 5 year old Samuel. Their oldest daughter, Martha, is working as a domestic servant for the Gardner family in Mersey Avenue, Aigburth, Liverpool. The Census also mistakenly lists four other children who have died (there was also another one making five). 

Lewis was educated at Waterloo Road school and a member of St Mary`s Church and the Church of England Men`s Society. Prior to enlistment he worked at Golding Davis Works and was a time served cooper. A good rugby player, he had played for the Widnes A team as a wing three-quarter on several occasions.

He enlisted in the 19th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 21780 on the 14th of November 1914 in Liverpool. He was aged 21 years 180 days, occupation cooper, and described as being 5ft 5.5inches tall, weighed 141 lbs, 34” chest, with fresh complexion, grey eyes and light brown hair. He stated his religion as Church of England and as next of kin washis father William, of 50 Bridge Street. 

Formed on 07^th September 1914 the 19^th Battalion trained locally at Sefton Park and remained living at home or in rented accommodation until November 1914. They then moved to the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 19th 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. 

Lewis arrived in France on 07^th November 1915.

In the new year the Pals battalions took up positions in the south of the Somme line, near Carnoy, and by the end of April are in the front line near Maricourt. The last week in May they move out of the line to Abbeville for specialist training for the ‘Big Push’.

The opening day of the British bombardment for the coming Battle of the Somme was 24th June. According to the battalion war diary, the bombardment continues, with occasional casualties, and on the 28th the battalion is relieved by the 20th K.L.R. and moves to Bray.

On the 30th June the battalion moves, in small parties, to its battle position, commencing at 3.30 a.m. behind Z.1. Nos. 21780 Pte Griffiths, 17706 Pte Rymer, and 17635 Pte Lipton, are killed in action.

Lewis was aged 23, he was killed when a shell landed in a communication trench.

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.

The Runcorn Weekly News of the 21st July 1916 tells of the events under the headline:

Widnes’ Contribution to Victory.

Killed by a Shell:

Private Lewis Griffiths, chief company cook with the 19th King’s (Liverpool) Regiment (“Pals”), and eldest son of Mr and Mrs William Griffiths, 50 Bridge Street, Widnes, was killed in action in France on the 30th June. Official notice was received on Tuesday, and the following letter from Private Horace Matthews, late of the Liberal Club, Widnes, and now wounded in hospital at Whitchurch, Cardiff, was received on Wednesday: -

“I am sure no words of mine can heal the sorrow and grief which you have been called upon to bear, but as I happened to be near to where poor Lew met his death I thought you would like to know the circumstances. He was proceeding along a communication trench when the Germans suddenly began to send heavy shells into our support positions. No doubt he lay flat in the trench which in ordinary times is a practically safe position, but one shell dropped full in the trench, with the terrible result you already know. It may be a comfort to you to know that his death was instantaneous, and he died nobly doing his duty in defence of his country and home. He was beloved and respected by all in his company, and I myself feel I have lost a very near and dear friend. He was an ideal soldier, and one of whom any regiment may be justly proud. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to you all”

The late Private Griffiths was 23 years of age and an old boy of Waterloo Road School. He was a Sunday School teacher at St Mary’s Hutchinson Street Mission, a member of St Mary’s Institute, and of the Church of England Men’s Society. He was also known in sporting circles having played as wing three quarter in the “A” team for Widnes Rugby Football Club and for Waterloo Mission Juniors. Since the age of 14 he had been at the Golding Davies Works where he served his time as a cooper and was a member of the Coopers’ Union. He enlisted in November 1914 and went to France a year afterwards. The last message received from him was written on the 26th June and it said he was then well.

Lewis is commemorated at St Mary`s Church in Widnes.

Grateful thanks are extended to Harry Jones for the biographical information on Lewis.

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