I did the basic research for this blog series a couple of years ago. Then, as usual, flitted along to the next thing that caught my interest. Now I'm trying to flesh the cases out and present to you my justification for not being a fan of walking along the canal on dark and lonely nights...
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The Western Mail of June 21st 1915 reported on the sad death of nine-year-old Reggie Williams.
"CHILD DROWNED AT PONTNEWYDD. A child, named Reggie Williams (9), son of Mr. John Henry Williams, of Five Locks-road, Pontnewydd, was drowned in the Monmouthshire Canal not far from his home. It is assumed that he slipped in whilst playing on the canal bank."
Reginald George Williams was born in 1906 to Mary Jane and John Henry Williams. John Henry worked as a timberman at Cwmbran Colliery and the 1911 census listed the family at #1 Five Locks Road.
The Western Mail of June 22nd 1915 reported on the details of the inquest that had been held by Mr. M. Roberts Jones at Pontnewydd Police Station on Monday June 21st. On the evening of Friday June 18th Reginald was playing with his brother on the canal bank - possibly Arthur who was just a year older. The brother left for a short time and on his return saw Reggie's cap in the water. He ran home to see if Reggie had gone in and then a search for the boy commenced. His body was discovered shortly afterwards and the jury duly returned a verdict of 'accidentally drowned.'
Reginald was buried on June 23rd 1915.
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