Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

He was born in 1894 Oswestry. His father was Thomas Williams, who was the owner of Weston Bakery, his mother was Sarah. Reuben.

He was one of 10 children – 4 sisters and 5 brothers. The family lived at Weston Cotton and later at The Firs, Weston. He attended Morda School and was friend of Private 52641 George T Kirk. He became a baker, working with his father and that of George Kirk. In August 1911 the family emigrated to Australia. They set up home in Toowoomba, Queensland where they opened the Newtown Bakery. They lived in a house named ‘Weston’ – probably a reminder to their old home – on James Street. Around this time Reuben changed jobs and became a railway engine driver on Queensland Railways. He enlisted at Brisbane on 28 September 1915 joining 26 Battalion Australian Infantry. After training he embarked for the war in March 1916. He first disembarked at Egypt, on 12 May, where he spent until November when the battalion moved onward to England and then finally went over France to join the battalion as a draft reinforcement.

In early March 1917, whilst in France, he had a hernia. He was admitted to hospital at Rouen and then on 15 April he was evacuated back to England to No. 2 Eastern General Hospital at Brighton. On 1 June he moved to No. 3 Hospital at Hurdcott; he remained there until 10 July when he was classified as A3 and returned to duty. He returned to Australian Infantry Training Battalion and then went back to France on 5 February 1918 and re-joining 26 Battalion Australian Infantry 5 days later. 

In early March 1917, whilst in France, he had a hernia. He was admitted to hospital at Rouen and then on 15 April he was evacuated back to England to No. 2 Eastern General Hospital at Brighton. On 1 June he moved to No. 3 Hospital at Hurdcott; he remained there until 10 July when he was classified as A3 and returned to duty. He returned to Australian Infantry.

On 1 December 1918 a memorial service was held at St Anne’s Church, Morda, also being commemorated was school and family friend – Private 52641 George T Kirk – KIA on 2 September 1918. A large number of friends and relatives were present. Rev. M B Lutener, officiated. Hymns sung were ‘Jerusalem the Golden’, ‘Oft in Danger’ and ‘O Jesus I have promised’. Miss Amy Jones presided at the organ and played the Death March during the service.

He is one of two Australian casualties of Great War remembered on the Memorial Gates  at the entrance to Cae Glas Park, Oswestry, Shropshire, England.

He is  remembered on the Australian National War Memorial, on Toowoomba Roll of Honour, on Queensland Railways Roll of Honour and at St Oswald’s Church, Oswestry.