Private 355213 Robert William Williams
Royal Welsh Fusiliers

Robert William Williams was the son of Hugh and Catherine Williams of Glanypwll, Bwlchycibau.  He enlisted in the Montgomeryshire Yeomanry in Welshpool and deployed to the Near East where he initially served in the defence of the Suez Canal. In early 1917 his unit was re-titled the 25th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Montgomeryshire & Welsh Horse Yeomanry).  The Battalion was made part of 231 Brigade within the 74th Division.  The Division first saw action at the Second Battle of Gaza and then remained in Palestine and was engaged in the Third Battle of Gaza (October-November 1917) including the capture of Beersheba (31st October) and the subsequent capture of the Sheria Position (6th November).  The Division then went on to capture Jerusalem (27th-30th December).  At some time in October or very early November Robert William Williams was wounded and died on 1st  November age 23.  He is buried in the Beersheba war Cemetery (Grave Reference: 0.07).

Beersheba is a town on the edge of the Negev Desert, 75 kilometers south-west of Jerusalem.