Second-Lieut Meredyth Robert Owen Williams, 25th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, was killed in action in France on March 14th, 1917. He was the younger son of Luton Alderman Herbert Owen Williams, of Farley Lynches, Castle Street [now Farley Hill]. He was a month short of his 23rd birthday.

His commanding officer wrote to parents Herbert and Edith Jane Williams that their son was manning a support trench with his platoon during a German raid at about five o'clock in the morning. The gun fire was terribly heavy, and Lieut Williams was killed by a bursting shell.

Meredyth Williams was educated at St Gregory's School in Luton and Bedford Grammar School. Intending to enter the legal profession, he was then articled to the Luton firm of solicitors, Messrs Cooke and Sons. At the same time he was studying for a degree of LL.B. (London).

He joined the Inns of Court O.T.C. in September 1915, and received his commission in May 1916. He was then attached to the Northumberland Fusiliers and went to France in July 1916.

His elder brother, Mr Gwynne Williams, was a consulting surgeon in London. He held the rank of captain in the R.A.M.C., attached to the Wandsworth Military Hospital. He also held the position of visiting surgeon at the University College Hospital, London.