The Welch Fusiliers was a Territorial battalion based in North East Wales. William as he was known joined the Territorials in April 1911.

The battalion was called to duty on the 4th August 1914 and William joined them the next day and was promoted to Lance Corporal the same day. He transferred to Higham Ferrrers with the battalion and from there on July 1915 they were sent to Gallipoli arriving on the 9th August, with a battalion strength of 26 officers and 811 other ranks. By October 1915 there were only 88 other ranks left.

We do not know for sure exactly when William was wounded by shrapnel in both legs but we suspect that it was only a week or two after landing. He was transferred to Malta on the 17th August 1915 and from there he returned to Devenport on the 5th October 1915 before being discharged on the 25th April 1916.

Prior to leaving for Gallipoli he married Mabel Annie Tailby and before his death in 1937 they had 5 children.

More about the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in Rushden

David joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as a pre war territorial in the Summer of 1912 when he was allocated the number 329. He was given the number 310072 during the First World War, and the Regiment was first stationed in Northampton before moving on to Higham Ferrers. He met his first wife, Miss Maud Mann of 43 Campbell Street, Northampton, and they married at St Sepulchre’s Church, Northampton in January 1916. Tragically in November 1918, Maud died aged 23 years of age (possibly as a result of the Spanish Flu Epidemic).

David married his second wife, Miss Ida Kate Hodson of Windmill Cottages, Burton Latimer, in 1920. They eventually moved to Higham Ferrers where he found work at the Victoria Leather Company in Midland Road. David also played for Higham Town Football Club in the early 1920s.

Together they had two daughters, Mrs Gwendoline ‘Gwen’ Murdin (1921-2015) and Mrs Iris Leeson (born 1926) both of whom served the local community. Mrs Murdin was honoured with the B.E.M. and was Mayor of Higham Ferrers on three occasions and also the Chairman of East Northamptonshire District Council.

Percy wrote: Dear Mother, Thanks for letter, glad to hear Alice is better. I do not know when we are going from here. I suppose you received my letter & enclosed alright. This morning, they say we are going to be here until over Christmas, but I Don’t know whether that is right or not. Love to all from Percy

Percy Lloyd

Percy’s mother had been widowed when he was a toddler, and she had four other children, William aged 13 being the eldest. They were living in Norfolk Place, Welshpool, MON. By the time Percy was eight years old, his mother had married Arthur Lewis and had another son .

At 15 Percy was a shop assistant. Four years later he enlisted in August 1915. His mother's address was 'London House' in Welshpool, MON.

He was demobbed in February 1919, and was living at ‘Inglene’, Moor Road, in 1920.

Percy married Florence Sharwood in 1931. He and Florence soon moved to Kettering, where Percy worked for Timpsons Shoes, as a traveller. They had twins that sadly died, and they had no other children.

Percy died in 1967, aged 70. Florence died in 1996 aged 93. They were buried in Rushden Cemetery, where several of the Sharwood family are commemorated on the gravestone erected on Grave C126/127.

Samuel was born in Llanidloes, Mid Wales in 1890. He came to Rushden in 1915 with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and was billeted in Crabb Street. He became friendly with Miss Ella Chettle who lived at 42 Crabb Street.

When he returned from the war, Bert was unable to get work in Wales and so he went to Bradford. Ella decided to make contact with him, and they eventually married at St Mary’s Church, Rushden on 27th December 1922. They stayed in Bradford for a short time and then returned to Rushden to live. They had four children, Dorothy (later Mrs Rawlings), Eileen (later Mrs Robinson), Clifford, and Megan (later Mrs Laughton).