"...died the finest death a man can die." • Sgt Fred Rowlands

The only known photograph of Sgt Fred Rowlands. 

This blogpost was originally posted in early 2016. Since then, I have come across more information about my great-great-grandfather's life. Today is the 105th anniversary of my great-great-grandfather's death and I have decided to update this blogpost. 

Those who have been following my blog since its inception will know that my great-great-grandfather's life is what pushed me to start writing. He has been and continues to be a huge inspiration to me. 

Not much is known about my great-great-grandfather. The following post has been written with information drawn from newspaper articles, family certificates and various census records. 

Fred's Baptism Record.

Fred Rowlands was born on the 22nd of February 1889. He was one of eleven children born to Joseph and Mary Rowlands of Boot Passage, Welshpool. 

The 1891 Census tells us that Fred, then two years old, was living with his parents and four of his siblings at 6 Boot Passage, Welshpool. His father, Joseph was listed as being a 'Sawyer.'

“Illegally Employed School Boy.” 

An article in the “Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Adviser” dated the 17th of November 1900, tells of Fred being an “Illegally Employed School Boy.” 

On the 5th of November, David Breeze spotted Fred walking up New Street carrying some apples during school time. The article describes Fred as “12 years old but being delicate, was only in Standard  2.”

When questioned, Fred told David Breeze that “he was working for Mr Jones.” Mr Jones was John Pryce Jones of the Coffee House, Broad Street. 

As a result of this, John Pryce Jones was summoned to court by David Breeze for employing a child to work in school hours and was fined 2s 6d. 

A view of Broad Street, Welshpool. (Peoples Collection Wales) 

The 1901 Census tells us that Fred, then aged 12, was living with his parents and five of his siblings at 6 Boot Passage. His father was again listed as a 'Sawyer'. His eldest sister Fanny was listed as a 'General Servant'.  

At some point between 1901 and 1911, Fred and his siblings had moved to Pontycymer. Possibly, as family tradition states, for work. 

The 1911 Census tells us that Fred was a 'Border' at the home of the Williams family at 27 Alexandra Road, Pontycymer.  His occupation was listed as “Colliery Labourer – Underground.” 

Fred Rowlands married Bessie Matthews at Bridgend Registry Office on the 24th of March 1913. A local girl, Bessie and her family lived a few doors down from Fred, at 32 Alexandra Road. 

Fred's brother, William and family friend Lizzie Ford were the official witnesses at the wedding. William and Lizzie later married at the same registry office on the 31st of January 1914. 

 

On the 23rd of October 1914, Bessie gave birth to a baby girl named Gwladys Maud Louvain. She was the only child born to Fred and Bessie. Gwladys was born at 86 The Avenue, Pontycymer, the then family home. 

Porthcawl Train Station, 1914. (Peoples Collection Wales) 

A month before the birth of his daughter, Fred enlisted at Porthcawl. He became attached to the 16th (Service) Battalion Welsh Regiment that was formed at Porthcawl in November 1914.

The Battalion entrained from Porthcawl to Colwyn Bay on the 30th of December 1914. It was at Colwyn Bay, that the 16th (Service) Battalion Welsh Regiment became part of the 38th (Welsh) Division. The next eight months were spent in training in North Wales before moving to Winchester in August 1915 with other units of the 38th (Welsh) Division.

While at Winchester they undertook musketry training at Hazeley Down Camp. After the training was complete, the 38th (Welsh) Division was inspected by Mary of Teck at Salisbury Plain. Following the inspection, the 16th Battalion made their way to Cardiff for their final farewell. 

The 38th (Welsh) Division embarked to France on the 4th of December 1915; arriving at Le Harve on the following Sunday. The Glamorgan Gazette notes that Fred was promoted to Sergeant a few days before the division left for France.

Nothing is known about Fred's time in France. The letters he sent his wife, Bessie, are now long gone. The next record we have relating to Fred is his death. 

The Glamorgan Gazette  - July 1916.

Fred was killed on the 7th of July 1916 at the Battle of Mametz Wood. At the time of his death, he was 27 years old, his wife Bessie was 29 years old and their daughter Gwladys was 1 and a half years old. All of his brothers survived the First World War and returned home to their families. 

Below is an extract from the 16th (Service) Battalion Welsh Regiment War Diary written on the day of his death:

“8.30am Bn. under orders drawn up on their own side of slope facing MAMETZ WOOD in lines of platoons with a 2 platoon frontage. 11/SWB in support 10/SWB in reserve. Our artillery ceased firing at wood at 8.30am + first lines of Bn. proceeded over the crest of the slope but came instantly under heavy machine gun frontal fire from MAMETZ WOOD, enfilade fire from FLATIRON COPSE + SABOT COPSE + the German Second System, which now between MAMETZ WOOD + BAZENTIN LE PETIT WOOD, Bn. suffered heavily + has to withdraw to their own side of crest. Bn. made two more attacks but. position was much too exposed for any hope or success + orders were received to cease operation. 11/SWB attempted to approach the wood through a gulley running between CATERPILLAR WOOD, slope mentioned above but machine-gun fire drove them back. Our losses:- 6offs, killed, 6 wounded, 268 OR’s killed, missing or wounded. Weather very wet, this adding greatly to exhaustion of troops Bn. received orders to return to their Bivouac. Moved off 10.30pm Arrived 4.am 8/7/16”

Sgt Fred Rowlands CWGC Grave at Flatiron Copse Cemetery.

Sgt Fred Rowlands is buried at Flatiron Copse Cemetery in Mametz. 

His name can be found on the War Memorial in St David's Church, Pontycymer. He is also remembered in his hometown of Welshpool. His name can be found on the Cenotaph in St Mary's Church, Welshpool. 

(Sources: Peoples Collection Wales - Royal Welsh - Garw Valley Heritage Society -  The Glamorgan Gazette)