Sgt Isaac Leonard Williams: army service 1912-1916
“KILLED IN ACTION
Sergt. Isaac Leonard Williams, South Staffs, whose mother resides at High Street, Swindon, Dudley, has been killed in action. Sergeant Williams, who joined the Army four years ago, had been on active service for two years. He was 22 years old and received his first wound in June 1915. He fought through many battles. ”
Wolverhampton Express & Star, 17th August 1916
Williams family
My grandfather, William Thomas Williams (known as Bill) was born in Staffordshire, as was his father, Isaac. The story in the family was that his father (whose name was unknown to the family member telling me the story) was born in Wales.
Well, the evidence I uncovered in my research didn’t quite back this up – Isaac senior was actually born in Rotherham, in Yorkshire!
James Williams of Church Aston
I’ve blogged before about my brick wall regarding my 3x great-grandfather, James Williams, born in Aston, Shropshire. It now seems that I’ve made a breakthrough, thanks to the Shropshire Parish Registers, which have recently been added to Find My Past.
Why was Len awarded the Military Medal?
For about 15 years, I’ve been trying to find out why my great-uncle, Isaac Leonard Williams (known as Len), was awarded the Military Medal. The medal is still with the family, but there is no accompanying citation. I have been unable to find anything to shed any light on this. All that is known is that the medal was awarded posthumously. He was killed in action at Delville Wood on 29th July 1916 and the award of the medal was announced in the London Gazette of 19th February 1917 (issue 29953, page 1761).
Isaac
The name Isaac seems to feature strongly in the Williams family. Both my great-grandfather and 2x great-grandfather were called Isaac and my great-uncle was Isaac Leonard. The name was also given to children of several of the daughters who married into other families in the 19th century.
Books and maps about Parkgate
Well, I haven’t had time to do very much over the last few days. I did order a book of old photos of Rawmarsh and Parkgate, though, which looks interesting (Around Rawmarsh and Parkgate by Anthony Dodsworth).
From flicking through it, I have discovered that
- Parkgate increased rapidly in size over 50 years or so from 1823
- Between 1853 and 1861 the Parkgate works was the only one in the country capable of producing huge rolled armour plate for naval ships
- Workers flocked to Parkgate from all over the country but especially from iron-producing counties like Staffordshire
- The name Parkgate is first recorded in a will of 1559 and is likely to refer to a gate to nearby Aldwarke Hall (the hall was demolished in 1899)
- The original ironworks was developed from 1823 on a site to the west of the main Rotherham to Rawmarsh Road, adjoining Taylor’s Lane
- The works relocated in the 1860s to the opposite side of the road to a larger site alongside the LMS Railway
There doesn’t seem to be any mention in the book of the takeover of the works by the Birmingham Tin Plate Company in 1832. I’m interested in this because it does seem possible that James Williams moved there c. 1837 from the Wednesbury area because of this connection (although it could just be coincidental).
Tracey