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8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers
8th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham in August 1914 as part of Kitchener's First New Army and joined
40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell's Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a weeks rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa'ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut including the actions fought at Hanna, Fallahiya, and Sanniyat. After taking the first two, the 13th Division was stopped by the Turkish forces under the overall command of Khalil Pasha at the Battle of the Sanniyat on 9 April 1916. During the fighting 5,9 April 1916, four of the 13th Division's soldiers were awarded the Victoria Cross.. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined "Marshall's Column" and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli 'Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the 'Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al 'Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.
7th Dec 1915 Instruction 
8th Dec 1915 Trench Work
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| Want to know more about 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers? There are:5232 items tagged 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers available in our Library
These include information on officers, regimental histories, letters, diary entries, personal accounts and information about actions during the Great War.
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Those known to have served with8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers during the Great War 1914-1918. - Allies Alfric Euan. Lt. (d.16th Aug 1915)
- Blackwell Thomas.
- Cartwright Robert. Pte.
- Cord Robert. Sgt. (d.27th Oct 1915)
- Eddies John. Pte. (d.11th Aug 1915)
- Foster Harry. Pte. (d.17th Feb 1917)
- Jones William. Pte. (d.25th Apr 1916)
- Martin George. Pte. (d.10th June 1916 )
- Mulliniex Harry. L/Cpl. (d.24th Jul 1915)
- Parry Edward Ernest. Sgt. (d.5th April 1916)
- Powell Hugh John. Pte. (d.26th Jan 1917)
- Powell Hugh John. Pte. (d.26th January 1917)
- Pugh Arthur Taylor. Pte. (d.16th May 1916)
- Roberts John Henry. Cpl. (d.15th Feb 1917)
- Roberts William. (d.5th Apr 1916)
- Ryles George. Pte. (d.28th March 1918)
- Smith Frederick. Pte. (d.14th February 1917)
- Williams Edward Samuel Lloyd. Sgt. (d.8th August 1915)
- Williams Edwyn. Sgt.
All names on this list have been submitted by relatives, friends, neighbours and others who wish to remember them, if you have any names to add or any recollections or photos of those listed,
please Add a Name to this List
Records of 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers from other sources.
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Lt. Alfric Euan Allies 8th (Service) Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.16th Aug 1915) Alfric Allies was born October 16, 1890, in Worcestershire, the third of four children of Alfred Edward Allies and Florence McIver (nee Murray) Allies of Bewell, Alfrick, Worcestershire. He was educated at Yardley Court School and Tonbridge School in Kent (day boy, 1905-09). After leaving Tonbridge School he was employed at Eton House for a year before proceeding to Brasenose College, Oxford, in 1910 (B.A. with honours in jurisprudence, 1913).
His intention was to one day practice at the Bar, but after leaving Oxford he practised at the Inner Temple. Before the war he enlisted as a private in King Edward’s Horse, but he was later forced to resign from that formation because he had gained too much weight. On 9th of September 1914, he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 8th Royal Welsh Fusiliers and on 1st of January 1915, he was promoted to lieutenant.
He was killed in action while leading a raid in the vicinity of Cheshire Ridge, Anzac, on 15th of August 1915, aged 24 years (he was originally listed as wounded and missing). His name is commemorated on the Helles Memorial; the Alfrick War Memorial; the roll of honour in St. Mary’s Church, Alfrick, Worcestershire; and the Yardley Court School Roll of Honour, Tonbridge, Kent.
An account follows of Lieutenant Allies’ death, taken from letters from both his company commander and his battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel A. Hay:
”On August 15th, two companies of the Battalion were holding a line of trenches at the head of a dangerous salient, and the Turks were driving a sap up from their main trench some 70 yards distant, with a view to bombing our trench from a ridge that also commanded the bivouac area of the Battalion. On the night of the 15th, a small bombing party had failed to dislodge the Turks, who had even succeeded in erecting four steel loopholes concealed by leaves on the ridge within 30 yards of our trench. After consultation, the C.O. decided to send out a bayonet party of 12 men, and selected Lieut. Allies, ‘an enterprising and capable officer’. Though it was daylight, he hoped that our machine-gun fire would enable them to effect their object in comparative safety. Lieut. Allies charged gallantly 15 yards in front of the enfilade fire. He was the first to reach the loopholes and was seen to fire his revolver into the trench, but then fell over the ridge towards the Turks, evidently wounded. He was seen crawling back up the slope of the ridge, but was again fired on, rolled back out of sight, and has not been seen or heard of since. Six of his men were also missing, and no sign of any of them was discovered by a bombing party that reached the trench on the following night. His Company Commander testified to the universal sorrow at the loss the Battalion had sustained, and to their admiration of the gallant way in which Lieut. Allies had led his men; and both he and the C.O. expressed their conviction that, if he was taken prisoner, he would be well treated by the Turks.”
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Pte. William Jones 8th Btn. Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.25th Apr 1916) William Jones was born in 1891 Glanrafon, Bodwrog, Anglesey, Wales, he was christened 16th March 1891 at Bodwrog, son of Robert Jones a farm labourer and Ann nee Harris.
William enlisted at Llangefni, Anglesey and joined the 8th Royal Welch Fusiliers
He died of wounds on Tuesday 25th of April 1916 in Iraq, aged 25. He is buried at Amara War Cemetery at Maysan, Iraq.
We only found out about William when looking into the death of his youngest brother, Private Owen Jones, 10th Btn., R.W.F., Reg. No. 44349, (Born 1897) who died 27th of June 1917 in the General Hospital Etaples, France.
Their mother Ann Jones nee Harris, aged 66, was on the WWI Pension Ledgers making an application for an increase, dated 28th April 1921, for both her deceased sons William and Owen Jones.
Ann was still living at 1 Tainewydd, Glanrafon, near Llangefni, Anglesey which was the family home address given on Owen Jones Army Records dated 19th Sept. 1919.
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Pte. George Martin 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.10th June 1916 ) George Martin served with the 8th and 12th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers s in WW1. He died in Mesopotamia (Iraq) on the 10th of June 1916 and is buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq. He accidentally drowned in the Tigris River while bathing.
George enlisted at the age of 20 years and 9 months. Height: 5' 5 1/2 inches and his trade was that of labourer. He was single and lived at 17 Prince's Street, Flintshire, Wales.
His service with the Colours was from 6th of July 1915 to 10th of June 1916
He arrived in Mesopotamia on 6th of April 1916.
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L/Cpl. Harry Mulliniex 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.24th Jul 1915) Harry Mulliniex, served with the 8th Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
He was killed in action at Gallipoli on the 24th of July 1915 at the age of 27. Born at Myddlewood, Myddle, he enlisted in Shrewsbury.
Son of William and Eliza Mullinex of 6 Myddle Woodm Myddle he is
commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey and the Baschurch War Memorial.
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Pte. John Eddies 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.11th Aug 1915) John Eddies served with the 8th Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
He was killed in action at Gallipoli on 11th of August 1915, Age 22.
Born at Tilstock near Whitchurch, he enlisted in Wrexham.
Son of John and Elizabeth Eddies of 8 Fenemere, Baschurch, he is commemorated on the Helles Memorial in Turkey and on the Baschurch War Memorial.
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Pte. George Ryles 17th (Service) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.28th March 1918) George Ryles was born in Rhyl on 24th March, 1892 and baptised on 16th May, 1892 at St Thomas's Parish Church, Rhyl. He was the eldest of two children to Thomas Ryles and Elizabeth (Walters).
Thomas was born in Rhyl and Elizabeth in Shrewsbury and they were married. They were living at No 2, Naylors Court, Rhyl at the time of the 1901 census but by 1911 Mr and Mrs Ryles appear to have gone their separate ways. Thomas, a self employed chimney sweep, was living on his own at 22, Queens Court, Rhyl and Elizabeth was living with her daughter and husband, James and Margaret Grant at 9 Mount Street, Flint. George, meanwhile, was boarding at the home of a John and Flora Kitchen at 7 Hill Street, Flint and was employed as a changer at the artificial silk works. When the war began he was living with his mother at Little London Cottages, Cornist Road, Flint.
George enlisted in Shotton with the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and served in the Balkans from 28th June, 1915.
It was reported in the County Herald on 22nd October, 1915 that Private Ryles had been invalided home but there was no reason given. However the newspaper did report the following on 26th November.
Thanks Of The Soldiers To People Of Flint Advantages Taken Of The County Herald Facilities.
We are pleased to mention that we have received letters from soldiers acknowledging the kindness, collectively, of the people of Flint. The soldiers who belong to Flint have been made aware of the efforts of the County Herald to further their interests in the matter of comforts; and we would wish to state that notwithstanding the work of some people in the Borough the thanks of the soldiers are due to the residents who have contributed to the respective funds. Much can be related upon this matter, but for the nonce [sic] it is preferable that the soldiers and sailors who belong to Flint should receive the parcels which are the gifts of the Borough and not of anyone particular individual, however he might have been devoted to the work.
The following letter speaks volumes,
Alma Park Military Hospital, Manchester, 22nd of November 1915.
Dear Editor, Would you be so kind as to allow a small space in your valuable paper to tender my sincere thanks to the residents of Flint for the Christmas present which I received on Saturday last in good condition. The contents of the parcels were just the things which the lads at the Front would appreciate and I wish the people of Flint every success for their kindness and noble work they are doing for the boys, which I am sure will never be forgotten. I should also like to inform you of Sergeant-Major Hughes, who is an inmate of this hospital, and is a Flint man. He is progressing very favourably.
I remain, sir, very sincerely yours,
(12794) Pte G Ryles, 8th Batt. R.W.F., Alma Park Military Hospital, Manchester.
He recovered and went home on several days's leave returning to rejoin his regiment in the first week of January. On the 15th August, 1916 news reached Flint of casualties which was reported in the County Herald three days later.
Up to Tuesday morning this week there was a comparative lack of information in the whole of the Borough regarding any further possible casualties. Considering the size and population of the Borough the war has exacted more than the average toll in casualties, but the number cannot be compared with some other districts in England, where the number of casualties has been greater.
It was stated on Saturday that Private George Ryles, of Little London, Flint and who is a member of the 8th Battalion of the RWF, had been wounded and that Sapper J G Grant (his brother-in-law) of Cornist Cottages, and of the Royal Engineers, had been sent to hospital, suffering from the effects of shock.
Two weeks later it was revealed that George has not been wounded and that he was quite well.
Sometime later he was transferred to the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and while serving in France he was killed in action on 28thof March 1918.
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Pte. Frederick Smith 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusillers (d.14th February 1917) Fred Smith was my great uncle. I would like to know what battle he was killed in. I know only the 8th Battalion fought in Iraq.
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Pte. Harry Foster 8th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.17th Feb 1917) Harry is Foster buried in the Amara War Cemetery in Iraq (Mesopotamia). He gave his next of kin as Mrs. Eunice Foster of 105 Thorndon Road. Sheffield.
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Pte. Hugh John Powell 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.26th Jan 1917) Hugh Powell died of wounds in Mesopotamia
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Sgt. Edward Samuel Lloyd Williams 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.8th August 1915) Edward was the son of Edward Robert Williams, 46 High Street, Denbigh.
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Sgt. Edward Ernest Parry 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.5th April 1916) Edward was the son of Edward and Lucy Jane Parry.
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Pte. Robert Cartwright 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Robert Cartwright was my wife's grandfather. The family lived in Connah's Quay, North Wales. Robert and his older brother were both excellent musicians and played in the local RWF band, even though both were under age for combat. When Robert's older brother was called up in 1914 he said he would only go if Robert went with him, so Robert's details were changed to make him old enough to enlist. They both left for France from Liverpool. Their weeping mother was spotted on the dockside by Lord Mostyn and when he found out she was from north Wales he gave her a lift back home in his limousine. Robert never spoke about his war experiences, but he did say he spent time on leave in India and saw the Taj Mahal.
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Sgt. Robert Cord 8th Btn Welsh Fusiliers (d.27th Oct 1915) Robert Cord was my grandmother's brother, I have no picture or any other details. Robert is buried at Lala Baba cemetery in Sulva Bay
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Sgt. Edwyn Williams 8th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers Edwyn Williams was a teacher who signed up for military service in September 1915 at Wrexham. After basic training on Salisbury Plain he was shipped out to join the 8th Battalion in Alexandria who had just returned there from fighting in Gallipoli. The strengthened battalion was shipped to Basra and joined other British and Indian forces marching to Kut al Amara where the Garrison had been besieged by Ottoman forces for nearly 5 months. Unfortunately they were just too late as the Garrison surrendered just before they arrived.
Edwyn was amongst the 770 soldiers of the 8th Battalion who were struck down by Enteric and other hot climate diseases on the march to Kut. In fact, he was so ill he nearly died 4 times. His war was over, and he was transferred to Wellington Barracks in South India but never fully recovered his health. He remained in India in a rehabilitation role until 1919 when he returned to Leeswod, married and had one child. He died in 1928 aged 37.
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Cpl. John Henry Roberts 8th Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers (d.15th Feb 1917) John Henry Roberts was from Leicester, his family lived at one time in a street just off Welford Road, near the prison, the house next to the old Turks Head pub. John was the son of Nathaniel and Sarah Jane Roberts. At he time of his death in February 1917 his father had already passed away but his mother was living at 14 Oakfield Road. John Henry is commemorated on the Basra Memorial.
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William "Jack" Roberts 8th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers (d.5th Apr 1916) William Roberts was from Glangors Farm, Prenteg (between Beddgelert and Porthmadog). He enlisted in the Royal Welch Fusiliers, but was killed in Mesopotamia (Iraq) on 5 April 1916, aged 26. His name is commemorated on the memorial in Basra. A brother, John, was also wounded in the First World War but survived.
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