Nurse brought Dad back from ‘dead’
David Williams, 67, of Denbighshire, says thank you to a young nurse who saved his father’s life. My dad John “Jack” David Williams was born in 1898 and was a railwayman who lived in Rhuddlan for most of his life. Dad joined the Royal Welsh Fusiliers in 1914, at 16. He fought as a foot soldier and was involved in the Battle of the Somme.
During heavy exchanges Dad was badly wounded and carried on a stretcher to a field hospital where he was placed in a tent for the deceased. Fortunately, a young nurse was passing and noticed a movement in his leg.
She checked his pulse and found he was alive, but in severe shock. This nurse, who we believe to have been of German descent was called Elfrieda. She helped Dad recover until he was fit enough to be moved.
Dad had sustained several bullet wounds, mostly to his leg, and was shipped back to Britain.
We are eternally grateful to the nurse and my sister is named in her honour.