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Home » War and Rebellion » First World War (1914-18) » South Wales Borderers

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  • Soldiers of Brecknockshire territorials were mobilised in August 1914 at the start of the First World War. The battalion was sent to Mhow in India as a garrison battalion. The Calcutta Cricket & Football Club had introduced Rugby in 1872 and the club provided a Challenge Cup for teams in India. The Brecknocks XV, containing a number of Welsh rugby club players, won the cup in 1917. The same Calcutta Cup provided the trophy which is annually awarded to the winners of the England and Scotland international match.
1st Brecknockshire Battalion South Wales Borderers: winners of the All India (Calcutta) Rugby Challenge Cup, 1917
  • Company Sergeant Major John (Jack) Henry Williams, 10th Battalion South Wales Borderers VC DCM MM, from Nantyglo, Monmouthshire, was the most decorated Welsh First World War soldier. He was wounded in the right arm and, as a result, this letter to his Company Commander, Captain Cobb, was written with his left hand. Williams was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions at Villers Outreaux on 7 October 1918. Transcript: 'Block 2 Ward M Whitecross Hospital Warrington 12/1/18 Dear Sir Just a few lines in answer to your letter which I received today many thanks for your congratulations, I have received about a 100 from all parts, but to have it from such a soldier as yourself seems to add to the honour. I am delighted to see you are back with the Batt, no one missed you more than myself when you was away, your name was mentioned many times by the men that fought with you in worse conditions than we had in the big push, but its over at last and I long for the day when I have the pleasure of seeing you again, this side of the pond. I am pleased to say I am getting about but my arm is still in sticks and I don't suppose it will be of much use again, having it so near the end worried me more than the wounds. I had a few days leave xmas and had a time of my life, I am sending you a piece of the local paper you can see by it what they are doing for me at home. Please excuse the scribbling I hope to be able to use the right hand shortly, trusting these few lines will find you in the best of health. From yours sincerely J Williams PS Please drop a line when you have a chance.
A letter written with his left hand by Company Sergeant Major John Henry Williams, 12 January 1919 (incorrectly dated 1918), to his Company Commander [page 1 of 2]
  • John (Jack) Henry Williams was born at Nantyglo, Monmouthshire, in 1886. He worked as a colliery blacksmith and enlisted in the 10th South Wales Borderers in November 1914. This photograph is signed and dated 12 February 1924. Williams' citation for the award of the Victoria Cross states 'For most conspicuous bravery, initiative and devotion to duty on the night of the 7th-8th October, 1918, during the attack on Villers Outreaux, when, observing that his company was suffering heavy casualties from an enemy machine gun, he ordered a Lewis gun to engage it, and went forward under heavy fire to the flank of the enemy post, which he rushed single-handed, capturing fifteen of the enemy. These prisoners, realising that Williams was alone turned on him and one of them gripped his rifle. He succeeded in breaking away and bayoneting five enemy, whereupon the remainder again surrendered. By this gallant action and total disregard of personal danger he was the means of enabling not only his own company but also those on the flanks to advance'.
Company Sergeant Major John Henry Williams, the most decorated Welsh First World War soldier, 12 February 1924
  • John (Jack) Henry Williams VC DCM MM was awarded his VC in 1918 and John Williams VC was one of the defenders at Rorke's Drift in 1879.
Former Company Sergeant Major Jack Williams and former Private John Williams outside the Guard Room, Brecon Barracks at the Comrades' Reunion, 15 May 1932
  • The South Wales Borderers fielded seven battalions (about 3,500-4,500 men) during the opening stages of the Somme offensive on the Western Front in July 1917. On the 16th and 17th July, the 1st Battalion - part of the 3rd Brigade - was at Bazentin Le Petit Wood, near Mametz Wood. The battalion made significant gains, suffering only light casualties - 4 killed and 10 wounded. These messages are from General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3rd Brigade to Commanding Officer 1st Battalion South Wales Borderers and read as follows: 'Message timed at 0122 hrs 16th July 1916 1st Div wire reads following from 3rd Corps Commander which please convey to all ranks begins aaa well done 3rd Brigade and artillery supporting them aaa. Ends.' 'Message timed at 0122 hrs 16th July 1916 1st Div wire reads following from 3rd Corps Commander which please convey to all ranks begins aaa well done 3rd Brigade and artillery supporting them aaa. Ends.' 'Message timed at 445 hrs 17th July 1916 GOC 1st Div desires to express to all concerned in last nights operations arty [artillery] and infy [infantry] alike his appreciation of their splendid effort as the result of which the whole situation on the 3rd Corps front has been materially altered for the better aaa He feels sure that they will carry through further operations with the same precision and dash as they exhibited last night Ends.'
Two field messages sent to the 1st Battalion of the South Wales Borderers after the start of the Somme offensive in July 1916
  • This field message was written on a German Army Message Form by Lieutenant Colonel Burleigh Leach to Colonel C E Pereira (staff officer), 30 October 1914 and reads as follows: 'Can you push the King's formed astride the road - YPRES - GHELUVELT - to restore the line of trenches - when this is done advise our guns put up their range by 200X - at the present they are firing into our old trenches then the line will be restored. Signed: B Leach, Lt Col 1/24th Regt SWBNote: Sorry impossible to move King's at present. R Grant Capt for Col Westmacott (CO 2nd Worcesters). CMG Received. 2.15 pm'.
Field message sent by the Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion, South Wales Borderers, during the first battle of Ypres, October 1914