Trevellian Wilcox was born on 28 August 1893 in Swansea. He was the eldest of the 11 children of Thomas and Maud Wilcox.

The first confirmed record of Trevellian is from 1898 when he was admitted to Cwmbwrla School and shortly after in the 1901 census, he is listed living with his parents at 16 Stepney Street, Cockett with 3 younger siblings. His father, Thomas, was working as a House Painter.

In the 1911 Census, the family were still living in Stepney St and Trevellian (now 17 years old) had started work as a Cold Roll Boy at a Tin Works.

In January 1914, he changed jobs and started work with the Great Western Railway at Landore Station who he appears to have remained with for the rest of his career. He started work as a Fire Carrier and it appears he progressed quickly as just 2 months later he became a Smoke Box Cleaner earning a payrise to 3/6.

Trevellian’s career with the Great Western Railway was interrupted by the First World War. Less than a month after its’ outbreak, he joined the 1st Welsh (Howitzer) Brigade and served with them throughout. His younger brother, Richard Charles also served with the Brigade, enlisting in 1915.

It is not certain exactly when Trevellian was discharged, however it was most likely in Mar/Apr 1919 and he returned to work with the Great Western Railway again progressing rapidly to a Coal Stage Craneman in July 1919 and a Fire Dropper in January 1920.

In February 1920, Trevellian married Ivy Elizabeth McKay, who appears to have been his long term sweetheart. His family still retain a wartime photograph of Trevellian in uniform in Egypt with the image of Ivy inlaid which confirms they knew each other during the War and that he was carrying a picture of her with him during that period. The couple welcomed their first child, Trevellian M in September 1920.

The next record found is the 1939 Register. By this time, the family had moved to 9 Goronwy Road, Swansea and Trevellian was still working for the GWR, coaling engines. The Register lists Ivy, Trevellian - known as Trevor (1920) and Thomas JT - known as Theo (1921). There are also 2 reacted records, who his grand son confirmed were Ivy Eileen - known as Eileen (1924) and Margaret Jessie (1928).

Trevellian Wilcox passed away in Swansea in 1957 aged 63.

Trevellian Wilcox enlisted in the 1st Welsh Howitzers as a Gunner following the outbreak of the Great War and was given the Brigade service number 967.

Unfortunately, his Service Record was destroyed during the Blitz and there is very little other surviving information. However, it is still possible to provide an outline about what it is likely that he did during the War.

Based on his Service Number, Gnr T. Wilcox enlisted on 5 September 1914 in the first wave of war-time recruits. He undertook his basic training in Swansea and is included in the photograph of the Brigade recruits published in the Cambria Daily Leader in December 1914.

At the end of his basic training, he would have joined the Brigade in Cambridge, either in late 1914 or early 1915. In May, the Brigade moved to Bedford where they continued their training, readying themselves for Active Service.

The Brigade finally received orders to move to France in November 1915, and according to a surviving record, Gnr. Wilcox was one of the 401 men who travelled from Southampton to Le Havre on the night of 21/22 November 1915.

From Le Havre, the Brigade travelled to the Somme to undertake frontline training in an area close to Albert which would mark the Southern edge of the Somme battlefield just 6 months later.

Gnr Wilcox’s name appears in the list of members of A Sub, 2nd Battery contained in the RJ Williams photo album. He is listed as the Trumpeter as well as Cold Shoer. It also confirms that the horse he rode was Black Bess.

There are no other records relating to his service. However, his family have a photograph of him wearing the same tropical uniform worn by other members of the Brigade who served in Egypt. It is therefore reasonable to assume that he travelled to Egypt with the rest of the Brigade in February 1916 and moved to Beni Salama, Wardan Camp, near Cairo to acclimatize to desert conditions.

In May 1916, the Brigade took over a section of the Suez Canal defences near Ismalia and later in the year, their commander (Gen Murray) decided that attack was the best form of defence and the Brigade took part in the long, hot and thirsty march across the Sinai Desert that culminating in the first 2 unsuccessful battles of Gaza against the Turkish Army in early 1917.

After a change of leadership, Gaza was finally taken in November 1917 and the Army pushed on to Jerusalem which they took shortly before Christmas.

After a brief pause, they continued to advance through Palestine, the Judaen Hills into Jordan. The last months of the war were marked by terrible sickness with Malaria running wild through the ranks.

Following the armistice with the Turkish Army in October 1918 , the Brigade shipped back to Alexandria and started returning home in early 1919.

It is not known when he left the Army, however the majority of men were discharged in March/April 1919.

For his service, Gunner Trevellian Wilcox was awarded the 1914/14 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.