GUARDSMAN WILLIAM JOHN WILLIAMS
RIFLE BRIGADE
15TH SEPTEMBER 1916 AGE 21
BURIED: GUARDS CEMETERY LESBOEUFS, FRANCE
Initially posted as missing, Guardsman Williams' body was exhumed and reburied in August 1919. His inscription is interesting because of the documentation concerning it that survives in the Imperial War Museum (IWM Misc. 100 item 1556). Carol Acton in her book 'Grief in Wartime', 2007 p 45, relates how ten years after William John Williams' death his family - Dad, Mam and Edgar - visit his grave, an event they describe in a letter to Miss O'Neill who appears to have been William John's girlfriend.
"And it was very easy to find the grave of our Dear William John, as we were going from the entrance ... there stood his name, his rank, regiment and no 13369 quite clear, and every letter correct, as we wish to inscribe on his tombstone ... Now came the burst of tears, but with a hope to meet our dear, brave lad again in a far and better sphear (sic) than this world, where there is no sorrow, nor tears, nor cruel wars, where we shall enjoy everlasting life, when God will wipe every tear. We parted from the Cemetary (sic), very much satisfied and lot better after we seen (sic) his lasting resting place and see the care is taken by our Government of the Cemetary (sic)."
The family leave a wreath on his grave that includes her name:
Father, Mother, Brother, Miss Annie O'Neill
A silent thought, a secret tear
Ten years after their son's death his parents have been able to weep over his grave and this, together with the respectful way in which the cemeteries is maintained, brings them great comfort.