William Gardner was born in Abertillery in about 1890. He was one of seven children that were born to Edgar and Sarah Gardner.

Edgar was skilled as a ‘corker’ which I am told is a trade in the iron industry. He originally came from Gloucestershire and was born there in about 1858. It seems that the family he left behind were visited since one of their middle children was born in the place where Edgar came from. Sarah was Abertillery born and came into this world in about 1861.

The seven children that Edgar and Sarah had were:

George - born at Gilfach, Bargoed, Glamorgan in about 1882
Elizabeth - born at Gilfach, Bargoed in about 1885
Arthur - born in Gloucestershire in about 1887
William - born in Abertillery, Monmouthshire in about 1890
Fred - born ~do~, in about 1893
Annias - born ~do~, in about 1895, and
Ellen - born ~do~ in about 1899

The family made their home at:

1, Heath Cottages, Abertillery.

George and Arthur both worked in the coal mines.

Sometime before being killed William had travelled and settled in the Nelson area and early in 1911, had married Ethel Jones, the sister of Serjeant Richard Jones, who was also killed during the war.

By 1911, William was living with Charles and Elizabeth Jones at 4 Heol Fawr, Nelson. He is shown as a collier - hewer at this time.

News:

Nov 16^th 1918

We regret to record the death in hospital at Calais on November 4^th from influenza and pneumonia of Private Will Gardner, South Wales Borderers, of Ivy Cottage, and son-in-law of Mr William Jones, 73 Heol Fawr, Nelson.
Deceased joined the forces in 1917 and had been on active service about 8 months. Prior to enlisting, he worked at Penallta Colliery.

[Source: Merthyr Express]