Trying to find information about William Rees’ parents has encountered difficulties. In an E-mail received from a descendant of William’s sister, a Peter Williams, even he acknowledges that the family know little about William’s parents.
What I have been able to find out is that William appears to be one of only two children born to Ann and Elias Rees, his sister being called Frances. William was born in Tirphil in about 1886 while his sister was born in Aberaeron, Cardiganshire in about 1885.

The 1891 Census report gives this information, and that Ann, William and Frances are living at 7, Graig Rhymney. Elias does not appear on this entry and indeed, I cannot find any certain information about him, having searched in earlier Census reports and marriage records, as well as death records.

William Rees married Margaret Jane Parry in 1908 and by 1911 they were shown as living at 41, Pleasant View, Tirphil with their first two children, David William and Margaret Ann Rees. As a point of interest, the 1891 census report shows William is bilingual, speaking both Welsh and English, but by 1911, he is shown as only speaking English.

William Rees’ World War One medal card shows that he was awarded the British War medal and the Victory medal, indicating that he only entered a theatre of war sometime in 1916. He was killed in May 1916.

In the correspondence from Mr Williams, he informs me that William was a member of Saron Chapel.