Interview with Great War (WW1) veteran Gwilym Blair Williams by David Mathias. Recorded in the early 1980s.

Gwilym Blair shares a vivid and reflective account of his experiences as a Welsh soldier during World War I; serving with the 16th (Service) Battalion, Royal Welch Fusiliers and the 9th (Service) Battalion after being commissioned. Blair fought in the Battle of Mametz Wood, vividly recalling its brutality, tactical challenges, and staggering losses—only 30 of 300 in his company survived the first wave attack. He also describes his experiences in Ypres, the Somme and Givenchy.

Captured during the German offensive of 1918, Blair spent eight months as a POW in Germany; he describes the parcels they received and how they were treated humanely. He details the daily hardships of trench life—gas attacks, lice, harsh winters, and fatigue duties—while also highlighting morale-boosting moments like impromptu rugby games and camaraderie.

After the war, he pursued a varied civilian career and later entered local politics. The account offers a deeply personal yet historically rich view of a soldier’s journey through war, captivity, and postwar life.

[Due to the quality of the original recordings, originally made on portable cassette recorders in the 1980s, this recording has been heavily processed to enhance the voices captured. In some cases, information is unintelligible. You can reference the Full Transcript of the recording to complement the listening experience.]

[00:00:03 – 00:01:17] Early rugby career with Pontardawe and rugby associates
[00:01:30 – 00:02:22] Mametz Wood - Welsh significance
[00:02:23 – 00:03:26] Enlistment
[00:03:34 – 00:03:52] Volunteering. Kitchener’s volunteer
[00:03:55 – 00:06:31] Mametz Assault
[00:06:40 – 00:08:13] Aftermath & Casualties
[00:08:23 – 00:10:12] Battlefield Conditions
[00:10:12 – 00:13:21] Officer Training & Deployment
[00:13:21 – 00:16:26] Frontline & Capture
[00:16:39 – 00:20:53] Prisoner of War
[00:20:55 – 00:24:21] Life in Captivity
[00:24:39 – 00:34:29] Daily Life in the trenches
[00:34:33 – 00:36:27] Routine & Fatigue
[00:36:44 – 00:38:55] War’s Impact on Landscape
[00:38:55 – 00:41:42] War Mentality
[00:42:03 – 00:44:14] Motivation to enlist & Training
[00:44:39 – 00:46:20] Equipment Disparities
[00:47:01 – 00:50:33] Enlistment Story & Regiment
[00:50:44 – 00:55:25] Gas Exposure & Protection
[00:55:25 – 01:00:10] Postwar Career
[01:00:10 – 01:02:15] Move to Devon
[01:02:15 – 01:02:51] Retirement