Ystalyfera - South Wales
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Val Trevallion
The gravestone for Tom Hughes lists his legal surname of Williams, and also features his father, and his half-sister Bronwen.
This photograph shows the location of the grave (seen here with white flower upon it) behind Saint Cynog's Church, Ystradgynlais.
Tom Hughes
This is the memorial page for Tom Hughes, from Gurnos, who died of the effects of being gassed during the First World War. Although legally called Thomas Williams (and buried under this name), he was known locally as Tom Hughes as he was living with his maternal grandparents.
The information on Tom Hughes comes principally from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, from the Labour Voice newspaper, and the Parish Burial Register (courtesy of the Swansea Archives).
Again Yeargroup has reason to be grateful for relatives contacting the site. On this occasion, courtesy of Ms C. Lewis, we are able to include a photograph (in uniform) and the programme issued at the service in St Cynog’s Church Ystradgynlais when her Great Uncle was buried.
| Name | Tom Hughes |
| Date of Death | 5th October 1919 Buried 9th October 1919 |
| Place of Death | Hen Felin, Gurnos |
| Age at Death | 27 |
| Unit and Regiment | Royal Navy © |
| Rank | Able Seaman |
| Service Number | Discharged |
| Family Information | Son of Mr William Williams and Esther Williams (died 1st April 1894 aged 25) of Penrhos. After her death, William Williams remarried, to a lady called Naomi.
Born Penrhos 1893. Collier Miner Hewer prior to War. Lived with his Grandparents Mr Lewis Hughes (born Carmarthenshire 1844) Collier Miner Hewer and Mrs Margaret Hughes (born Gurnos 1840) of Hen Felin Gurnos Ystalyfera |
| Cemetery | St. CYNOG’S CEMETERY YSTRADGYNLAIS; location 47.6 |
| Local Memorials | Ystalyfera War Memorial |
| Known Brothers | John (Jack) born 1890 |
| Known Sisters | Jane born 1886 Maggie born 1887 |
| Known Half Sisters | (Lizzie) Bronwen (died 9th November 1916 aged 10) Catherine, Sarah, Gwen, Annie, Mary Ethel, Eluned, Glenys, Beryl |
| Known Half Brothers | William, David Lewis, Glyn |
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 12th May 1917:-
Gunner Tom Hughes (Felinfach), who is on one of His Majesty's best known cruisers, is home on leave also. Gunner Hughes, previous to enlistment, was a prominent footballer, and he has also made a name for himself at the game in the Navy. He plays regularly with the crack team of the British Navy, and toured the country during last season with the Tars.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 6th October 1917:-
Seaman Tom Hughes of Hen Felin Gurnos, who is on one of H M most renowned battle cruisers, is home on furlough from the North Sea and was given a cordial reception. Seaman Hughes is one of the many miners from this locality who has entered the “King’s Navee”. He was a prominent rugby football player prior to the war and played for Ystalyfera and Pontardawe and at present is a member of one of the teams attached to the Navy.
From the Labour Voice newspaper, 11th october 1919 :-
The death took place at Hen Felin, Gurnos on Sunday evening of Mr Tom William, son of Mr William Williams Penrhos but who had lived with his grandparents, Mr and Mrs Lewis Hughes Hen Felin. Deceased was 27 years of age and served during the war in the Navy, until about two years ago when he was discharged. He took part in the Battle of Jutland and numerous minor engagements, during one of which he was gassed. This it was that undoubtedly brought about his untimely death. The burial took place on Thursday at Ystradgynlais churchyard.
The photograph of Tom Hughes Williams in his naval uniform, shows his cap as bearing the name 'HMS Warspite', a modern 15"-gunned battleship that was present at the Battle of Jutland (and had quite an eventful time of it when her steering jammed in the face of the enemy). While it was a fast battleship, it was often confused in the public mind with the battlecruisers, due to its speed.
We believe Tom Hughes Williams initially served on board HMS Saint Vincent, an earlier dreadnought battleship before, after a period ashore, being posted to the Warspite.
Deliberate gas weapons were not used at sea, not least because they were not practical in most circumstances and high explosive or armour-piercing was a much better use for the charge of a gun, so the reference to his suffering from the effects of being gassed probably refers to the fumes of battle, exposure to toxic gases from fires from battle damage or something similar.
Above is the order of service at Tom Hughes Williams' memorial service. Click to see it full size.