Name
Ernest Charles Williams
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/07/1918
32
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Worker
Australian Munition Worker
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HITCHIN CEMETERY
SE. Extn. 773.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Hitchin memorials
Wartime Service
Australian munition worker
Biography
Ernest Charles Williams was born around 1869 in Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, South Wales.
The following information in [ ] are possible details of Ernest Charles Williams’ early life in Wales:
[Ernest Charles Williams was baptised on 9th January, 1870 in Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales to parents Roderick & Mary Williams.]
[The 1871 Wales Census recorded Ernest Williams as a 1 year old living with his family at King Street, Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales. His parents were listed as Roderick Williams (House Builder, aged 47, born Llanbadarn, Cardigan) & Mary Williams (aged 38, born Tunbridge Wells, Kent). Ernest was the youngest of 8 children listed on this Census (all born Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales) – Robert (apprentice Builder, aged 17), (Pupil Preacher’s School (?), aged 14), Eliza M. (aged 12), Richard (aged 10), John (aged 8), Mary (aged 5), Arthur (aged 3) then Ernest. Three others were listed in the household – Mary Jones (Domestic Servant, aged 19) & tow lodgers – John Arthur Murphy (Dental Surgeon, aged 32) & David Francis (Curate of Aberystwyth).]
[The 1881 Wales Census recorded Earnest Charles Williams as a 12 year old scholar, living with his family at 4 King Street, Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, Wales. His father was listed as Roderick Williams (widower, Builder, Master employing 8 men, aged 57). Only one older brother was listed at home – Richard Page Williams (Jeweller & Lapidary, aged 21). Two others were listed in the household – Catherine Jones (General Servant, aged 20) & William Robert Hall, a Boarder (Reporter, aged 31, born Somerset, England).]
[The 1891 England Census recorded Ernest C. Williams as a 22 year old Commercial Traveller, living with his brother & his family at 18 Pickford Street, Stretford, Lancashire, England. Ernest’s brother was listed as John Williams (Ironmonger’s Assistant, aged 28) along with his wife Agnes Williams (aged 27) & their 8 month old son – Ernest C. Williams.]
The 1913 Australian Electoral Roll for the division of Balmain, subdivision of Balmain North, NSW recorded Ernest Charles Williams, Carpenter, of 45 Cove Street. Also listed at that address were Llewellyn William, Mariner; Margaret Jane Williams, Domestic duties & Richard Williams, Mariner.
Ernest Charles Williams applied for enrolment as a Volunteer for Manufacture of Munitions in Great Britain. He was a 43 year old, married, Carpenter living at 47 Cove Street, Balmain. He listed only his wife as a dependant. The application form required a short statement of apprenticeship or training to which Ernest Williams answered: “I served my apprenticeship o the carpenter & joinery work at the above named town (Aberystwyth) which is situated in Cardiganshire, South Wales & worked in different towns in England viz. London, Cardiff, Hereford, Manchester & came to Australia about 23 years ago.” The application form required specifically where engaged and class of work during the past three years to which Ernest Williams answered: “I have worked at Cockatoo Island, also for Messrs Norton Griffiths & Co. Contractors & for Dr. Robert Stopford, Balmain. Ship Painters & Dockers Union.” Names & addresses of two personal references as to character – “ Mr John Storye, M.L.A. Balmain, Police Inspector W. J. Jones, Paddington.” Ernest Charles Williams had also work at Clyde Engineering Co. as a Joiner for 12 months.
Ernest Charles Williams embarked from Australia on S.S. Ulysses on 9th May, 1917 & disembarked at Plymouth, England on 27th July, 1917.
Ernest Charles Williams, Badge No. 1917, was sent to work for P. & W. Anderson as a Joiner. Address listed - 42 Periwinkle Lane, Hitchin, Herts,. He departed from London at 10.30 on Monday 13th August, 1917 & started work at 6.30 on 14th August, 1917.
Ernest Charles Williams contracted Pneumonia & was sent to Hitchin Hospital on Saturday 13th July, 1918.
Munitions Worker Ernest Charles Williams died suddenly at 6 pm on 26th July, 1918 at Hitchin Hospital from Septic Pneumonia following Influenza.
A death for Ernest C. Williams, aged 49, was registered in the September quarter, 1918 in the district of Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England.
The death certificate for Ernest Charles Williams has the informant listed as R. E, Williams, brother of 31 Penybryn Road, Gabalfa, Cardiff.
Newspaper Article (no date or name) located in Ernest Charles Williams’ Munition Service file:
HENLOW WORKER’S DEATH
The death took place on Friday at the Hitchin Hospital, of Ernest Williams, an Australian, who worked at Henlow. The cause of death was pneumonia, and the sad event evoked widespread sorrow among his comrades. The funeral took place at the Hitchin Cemetery on Tuesday, a large number of men attending by arrangement with the contractors, The first part of the service was conducted in St. Saviour’s Church by the Rev. J. G. Williams, and the last rites at the graveside were administered by the Rev. G. B. Gainsford. The principal mourners were Mr J. Williams (brother) and Mr Jones; while the representatives of the allied trades included Messrs J. Kerr and J. Doyle (carpenters), H. French(bricklayers), R. Silvester (plasterers), R. Allen (scaffolders), F. Fish (labourers), J. H. Webb (painters), and Bentley (plumbers). The six bearers were: Messrs Stebbs, West, Coombes, Toombs, Teasel and Laing. The coffin bore the inscription, “Ernest Williams; died July 26, 1918; 49 years.” Beautiful wreaths were sent by the following: Australian mates; Australian workers (two); Messes Stibbs-West and Coombes; joinery and machinery department; shop stewards; Robert and Mag (Cardiff). Mr George Kirby was the undertaker.
Munitions Worker Ernest Charles Williams was buried in Hitchin Cemetery, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England, – Plot number SE. Extn. 773 & has a Commonwealth War Graves Commission Headstone.
Australian Munitions Worker Ernest Charles Williams, number 1917, is remembered on the Commemorative Roll Book, located in the Commemorative Area at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra. The Commemorative Roll records the names of those Australians who died during or as a result of wars in which Australians served, but who were not serving in the Australian Armed Forces and therefore not eligible for inclusion on the Roll of Honour.
Newspaper reports:
Munition Worker’s End
Word has been received by Mrs E. C. Williams, of 26 Stephen-street, Balmain, that her husband, Mr E. C. Williams, died in Hitchin Hospital, England from septic pneumonia, following influenza on July 26. He left Sydney on May 10, 1917, as a munition worker.
(The Sun, Sydney, NSW – 18 August, 1918)
MUNITION WORKER’S DEATH
Mrs E. C. Williams, 26 Stephen-street Balmain, has received news that her husband, Mr E. C. Williams, late of 47 Cove-street, Balmain, died on July 26 at Hitchin Hospital, England, from septic pneumonia, following influenza. He volunteered as a munition worker, and sailed from Sydney on May 18. He was a carpenter by trade, and had worked on many of the principal buildings in Sydney.
(The Sydney Morning Herald, NSW – 8 October, 1918)
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, ww1austburialsuk.weebly.com/, Cathy Sedgewick - https://australianmunitionsworkersww1.weebly.com
