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Home » War and Rebellion » First World War (1914-18) » Royal Welch Fusiliers

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  • This photograph was taken in 1939 and shows the youngest and oldest members of the Royal Welch Fusiliers in Corwen. Robert Hughes (b. 1869) had served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in the Boer War and in India and France during the First World War. During the Second World War he was a member of the Home Guard. Owen Jones of Plas Cedyrn, Corwen, had just joined the Royal Army Service Corps, and is seen here receiving some advice from the veteran soldier Robert Hughes. Owen Jones was later sent to Egypt where he died in 1939.
Robert Hughes and Owen Jones, the oldest and youngest members of the Royal Welch Fusiliers at Corwen, 1939
  • This First World War recruiting poster was issued in Caernarfonshire in October 1914, on behalf of the Royal Welch Fusiliers. Local men are urged to enlist at the various recruiting stations in the county.
Royal Welch Fusiliers Recruiting poster, issued in Caernarfonshire, 26 October 1914
Pin cushion made by Royal Welch Fusiliers prisoners of war, 1914-18
  • John Michael Basham (Johnny Basham) (1890-1947) was born in Newport, Monmouthshire, and came to Wrexham in 1912 as a recruit with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He was stationed at the barracks in Wrexham for many years and attained the rank of sergeant. However, it was for his boxing career that he became famous with the Wrexham public and he became known as 'The Happy Wanderer'. Several of his bouts were held at the barracks or the Drill Hall. In 1914 he defeated Johnny Summers for the welterweight title which he held until 1920. In 1916 Basham became the first welterweight champion to win the newly-installed Lonsdale Belt and shortly afterwards he won the European Championship. He later moved up to middleweight where he also became European Champion, winning the title in 1921. During his career, he had 91 professional fights, winning 68 and drawing 6. Whilst in Wrexham he was managed by Alderman William T. Dodman. Dodman was born in London on 19 December 1877 and came to Wrexham in 1898 starting a gymnasium in Erddig Road. He later founded a shoe manufacturing and retailing business on Town Hill.
The boxer Johnny Basham and his manager W. T. Dodman, Wrexham, c. 1920s
  • These notes and illustrations were made by Sgt Roberts MM, 13th Royal Welch Fusiliers, when attending a training course at the Western Command Gas School, north Wales, 14 February 1918.
Notes and illustrations made by Sgt Roberts MM, 13th Royal Welch Fusiliers, 14 February 1918 [image 1 of 2]
  • Major G. L. Compton-Smith served with the Royal Welch Fusiliers in France during the First World War. He commanded 10th Royal Welch Fusiliers at the first battle for the Scarpe, 1917 and was twice wounded. He received the DSO and French Legion of Honour. After the war he served with the 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers in Ireland where he was taken hostage by the IRA in 1921 before being shot in retaliation for the execution of IRA prisoners. This cigarette case contains a letter written by Major G. L. Compton-Smith prior to his execution by the IRA.
Silver cigarette case of Major G. L. Compton-Smith DSO, 2nd Royal Welch Fusiliers, 20th century [image 1 of 2]