Robert John's Story.
Birkenhead News 31 October 1914BIRKENHEAD TERRITORIAL’S DEATH.
Well-Known Family’s Bereavement.
FULL MILITARY HONOURS.
We regret to announce the death of Private Robert John Williams, of the 19th Battery Royal Field Artillery, stationed at Bovington, Herts., where he had been under training for some time. He had volunteered for foreign service. He was the fourth son of Mr and Mrs. Owen Williams, of 39, Balls Road, a well-known local gentleman. He was educated at Claughton Higher Grade School, and at the age of 14 years was apprenticed to Messrs. Robb Brothers, going from there to the firm of Messrs. Dickins and Jones, Regent Street, London. Two years ago he joined the Royal Field Artillery Territorials, and volunteered for active service when the war broke out.
After a very short illness, he died in the camp at Bovington, Herts., on Sunday last, the cause of his death being ulceration of the stomach. He was of genial disposition, and greatly liked among all his colleagues in business and the Army. Though Mr. Willliams had for a considerable time been engaged in business in the South the friends he had in Birkenhead were numerous, and the funeral, which took place on Wednesday, was largely attended.
MILITARY HONOURS.
Deceased was interred at Flaybrick Hill Cemetery on Wednesday with full military honours. The cortege left the residence of his father, 39, Balls Road, at 2.30, the coffin being placed upon a gun carriage sent by the officers and men of the 19th Battery R.F.A., stationed at Bovington, Herts., and signed by Lord Gorell. The gun carriage drawn by five horses, was preceded by a party of men of the 1st West Lancs Battery, who marched with arms reversed. The firing party was under the command of Sergt. Lowery, and numbered 15. The divers of the gun carriage were drivers Barnes, Chaplin and Hill. The service at the cemetery was conducted by the Revs. W. M. Jones, W. Owen, O. J. Owen, O. Lloyd Jones, W. O. Jones, John Owen, J. H. Howard, and J. G. Griffiths.
After the burial service the firing party fired three volleys over their comrade’s grave, the clarion call of the bugle mingling with the echoes of the volleys. Bugler J. Gending sounded the last post. The whole service was exceedingly impressive and the large crowd that flocked to the graveside showed how deep a feeling of sympathy prevailed in the town for a family so sadly bereaved.
We reproduce a portrait of Mr. Robert John Williams, which appeared in our “Patriots Picture Gallery” on Sept. 26th, in company with those of his three brothers, Mr. T. H. Williams, now engaged in minesweeping duties in the North Sea, Mr. W. O. Williams serving against the German forces in West Africa, and Mr. H. C. Williams, with the 4th Cheshires at Northampton.