Trying to track down my grandfather on mothers side

[neville pritchard]

This story was written in the Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald---A Correspondence writes:- The other day I visited Mr Joseph Tate Williams,29 Assheton Terrace Caernarvon, who has been bed ridden for four and a half years.
I found him very cheerful despite his infirmity,Mr Williams is a native of Caernarvon, being now 65 years of age,He was bought up in Siloh Bach Mission,Like many other boys who fought in the Great War.
I gleaned the following information from him: He enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1885 his Regiment was drafted to India where it remained for four years. Among the officers was Lieut Roberts (Who became Field Marshal Lord Roberts),Lieut Charles Dobbell (now General Dobbell). He was attached to the expedition which was sent to the Black Mountains in1891.
In 1894, his time having expired he returned to this country. In 1898 he went to visit his mother,s family in America and when the American Spanish War broke out in that year he joined the U.S.Army. He served all through that war. He also served with the U.S. Army in the Philipine Island War. He was then drafted to China, where the Boxer Rebellion was in progress, that was in1902. In 1903 he was invalided out of the U.S.Army on pension. In 1907 he returned to this country. In 1917 he was at Bodfa, Llangefni
And from there proceeded to London, where he was attached to the U.S. Red Cross Detachment,He was in charge of the billeting Quarters of the U.S. troops till the end of that War. He has been awarded the following medals= Black Mountains, India Expedition medal 1891, Medal for the first 16,000 men who landed in Cuba in1898: American Spanish War:,Army of Occupation Cuba, Phillipine Islands, and the China Medal Sorry thats all for now, another true story soon.

[Baconwallah]

Not a very reliable story, I'm afraid. The Lt Roberts mentioned cannot have been Field Marshal Lord Roberts, as he was already a Lieutenant General in 1883. He was a Gunner, not a Royal Welchman. His son is not really eligible either, as he was commissioned into the King's Royal Rifle Corps in 1881.

No doubt there was a Lt Roberts serving with 1 RWF at the time, but he had nothing to do with "Bobs" of Kabul fame.

Misinformed journalists are of all times.

John

[Hywyn]

Most of the early details above are a bit before my area of interest. What's the date of the article?

The name Tate is familiar to me in connection with Caernarfon but I'm confused as to whether it is a surname or a middle name. I see it used both ways e.g newspaper report (9/1/1916) of Johnny H Tate son of Mr and Mrs Tate of Bryn Alaw, Henwalia in hospital having suffered frostibe is without a doubt Pte 12294 John Williams 36 Henwalia (is that Bryn Alaw?) who was at Galliopli and was indeed on the Admissions Register of the HMHS Assaye off Gallipoli around 8th Dec suffering from frostbite. Another victim of the great storm end Nov which claimed so many men including some local fatalities such as Norman Barber of 3 Marine Terr (Cpl 22 in 1st 6th RWF). John Tate/ Williams had a brother reported in the same article named as Joseph H Tate and being a Driver in ASC (Motor Transport) in France. There is a Joseph H Tate in medal Index who may be him. Are they same family as your Joseph Tate Williams?

Hywyn

edit: clarification & insert re Joseph H Tate

[Aled Roberts]

I have three possible J Williams' for the Black Mountain expedition, however the rolls are prone to errors with initials so there could be more options. Given the details above three men below were only entitled to the Hazara clasp to the IGS :

1353	Pte	Williams	J.
1462	Pte	Williams	J.
1794	Pte	Williams	J.

[Baconwallah]

In view of the 1885 enlistment I would expect a number around 1500. That would make 1462 Williams a very good candidate.

John

[neville pritchard]

Thanks John if 1462 Williams came from Caernarvon I might stand a chance,by the way did Sir Charles Dobbel ever visit Caernarvon,and Lieu Col Radcliffe, I was told that because there so many J Williams it was common practice to give them another middle name,this was a bit of info given to my by the paper.

[neville pritchard]

It has been a confusing few days, there were so many J Williams,s at that time I remember my mother having his medals and we had some visitors from Cardiff and they took the medals back with them,my mother passed away three years ago she was 96 My Grandad was in the American army 1898 American Spanish war, Philipine Island war also the Boxer Rebellion 1902.

[Baconwallah]

I'm sorry, Neville, but I have no idea where 1462 Williams (no doubt in the Army he was "Williams '62") came from, nor do I know anything about visits to Caernarfon. Perhaps others can help you there.

John

[Hywyn]

J Williams 1462 was most probably James Williams born 1867 at Wellington, Shropshire.

J Williams 1794 was most probably John Williams born 1863 at Wrexham.

Struggling on 1353. Is it possible it was a P Richard?