Ystalyfera Fallen

This is the memorial page for William Charles, of Ystalyfera, killed during the First World War. Although recorded on the War Memorial as William Charles, the Ystalyfera County War Memorial records him as Gwilym Charles, which is how he is listed at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

The information on William Charles comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 9th November 1918:-

Mr and Mrs Thomas Charles Penygraig Farm, Godre'rgraig, who received unofficial information from an army chaplain in August last that their son, Private William Charles, was missing and was feared killed, have since received official intimation that the worst has happened. The deceased young soldier - he was 26 years old - previous to going to the army worked at Tarreni.

From the Labour Voice newspaper, 13th September 1919 :-

IN LOVING MEMORY
Willie - the beloved son of Mr and Mrs Thomas Charles, Pen-y-Graig Farm Godre'rgraig, who fell in action in France on August 7th 1918.

Three years we waited, but in vain,
To see his loving face a-gain,
But God, He thought His way was best,
And took him home to Heaven to rest
If we could have raised his dying head
Or heard his last farewell,
The grief would not have been so hard
For those who loved him well.
No brother or sister to say goodbye,
No father or mother to see him die,
No friend or relative to clasp his hand,
But we hope to meet in a better land.

Sadly missed by, Father - Mother - Sisters and Brother.

*HOLY TRINITY CEMETERY - RECORDS A BURIAL for Diana Priscilla CHARLES of Penygraig Farm Kilybebyll (no 403) who was buried 15th February 1911 aged 4 years
Also Mary Hannah CHARLES of Penygraig Farm (no 733) who was buried 5th June 1916 aged 21 months