William Locke
This is the memorial page for William Locke, native of Ystalyfera, killed during the First World War. Thank you to Mr Peter Walker who is researching the Tunnelling Company attached to the Royal Engineers for additional information on his service record.
The information on William Locke comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
| Name | William Locke |
| Date of Death | January 1918 |
| Place of Death | |
| Age at Death | 23 |
| Unit and Regiment | Royal Engineers Formerly 2/1 Brecknocks SWB (Private 2707) |
| Rank | Lance Corporal ⁄ Sapper? |
| Service Number | 146073 |
| Additional Information | Born (1894-6) Taunton Somerset. Lived Hill Farrance Nr Taunton Somerset and in 1901 was working as a carter on a farm. Enlisted Chatham Kent 16/10/1914 Gave his address as 3 Gnoll Road Godre’rgraig (Probably living there when working in Tarreni Colliery as a Miner prior to war) Discharged from S W B 24/1/1916 Transferred to Royal Engineers 29/1/1916 as Tunnellers mate and became a Tunneller and Lance Corporal a few months later. NEXT OF KIN was his sister Mrs Smith of Hill Farrance Somerset (Elizabeth signed for her brother’s articles (identity Disc) 16/03/1918). |
| Cemetery | |
| Memorial | CAMBRAI MEMORIAL LOUVERVAL – FRANCE; Panel 1&2 |
| Remembrance Grave | |
| Local Memorials | Ystalyfera War Memorial |
| Family Details | Son of Joseph (born Somerset 1852/3) Packer on Railway and Caroline LOCK (born Somerset 1853) living at Hill Farrance Somerset His mother died between 1901 and 1911 In 1911, William was aged 15 and working as a carter on a farm. |
| Known Brothers | James LOCK (born Somerset 1883) General Farm Labourer Robert LOCK (born Somerset 1888) General Farm Labourer |
| Known Sisters | Florence LOCK (born Somerset 1890) Lily LOCK (born Somerset 1893) Gertrude M LOCK (born Somerset 1898) |
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 1st December 1917 :-
On Tuesday also news was received that Private William Locke of Graig Road had also been killed in action. He has served for over two years in France. He was well known in the district and highly esteemed by all whom he came in contact. Previous to joining up he was employed at the Tarreni Colliery.
From the Cambrian Daily Leader newspaper, Wednesday 16th January 1918 :-
YSTALYFERA COLLIER KILLED
Private William Locke Tunnelling Co Royal Engineers, has been killed in action. He joined the forces at the outbreak of war, prior to which he worked as a collier at the Tarreni Colliery.