Charles Archibald Rees Williams
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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The birth index and RN records give his first names as 'Archibald Charles Rees' and this is the order of his initials on the Old Southwellians' memorial. Charles was born in 1900 in Monmouthshire, Wales, where his father Rev. John Archibald Williams, was vicar in the parish of Fleur de Lis, in the civil parish of Mynyddislwyn, Monmouthshire. John and his wife, Edith (b. Durham) had four children; Edith Mary, Olive Winifred, Archibald Charles and Alice Gertrude (b. abt 1903). On the 1901 census John and Edith's nationalities were described as 'English' although John had been born in Merthyr. Also in the household at the time of the 1901 Census, apart from their three oldest children, was a servant, Margaret Lloyd (22) and a visitor, Ann Pattison (72). By 1911 John (41), who was described as a 'clerk in Holy Orders' had the living of the parish of St Wilfrid, Low Marnham. He, his wife, Edith (45) and their two youngest children, Charles Archibald Rees, who was now 10 years of age, and his sister, Alice Gertrude, 8 years, were in the vicarage on the night of the census. Also in the household was a general servant, Elsie Winterbottom (17, b. Huddersfield). Rev Williams died on 16 February 1921 while still at St Wilfrid's.
He served in the Royal Naval Reserve and was recorded in the Navy List of October 1916 (Royal Naval Reserve) as Midshipman Archibald CR Williams with seniority 12 June 1916 (tempy). He was serving in HMS King George V when he died of appendicitis and was buried in Lyness Royal Naval Cemetery, Orkney (grave ref B.8). He qualified for the Victory Medal and British War Medal.
The CWGC record incorrectly gives the name of his late father as Rev. TA Williams. Extract from Southwell and Nottingham Diocese Church History Project (website): 'Low Marnham St Wilfrid was visited by Bishop Edwyn Hoskyns on 13 May 1911. The vicar at this time was the Rev. J. A. Williams, and the population of the parish amounted to 223 with the capacity of the church being 230. There were 23 children enrolled in the church day school, and 18 enrolled in Sunday School. In the previous year there had been 13 confirmations, and no baptisms in the church.' Probate: Williams the reverend John Archibald of Marnham Vicarage Nottinghamshire clerk died 16 February 1921 Probate London 30 April to Olive Winifred Williams spinster [daughter]. Effects £748 1s 1d.
