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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Flintshire memorials?


Eirian

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Does anyone know of any war memorials in the Mostyn/Holywell/Whitford area of Flintshire please?

I'm wondering if my great uncle, Edward Jones, 15th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers 54797 might be commemorated somewhere locally. He lived in Bychton, near Rhewl Mostyn. (He is buried nr Ypres.)

Is there a way of finding out whether there is such a memorial in that area, and whether his name is on it?

Many thanks

Eirian

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Eirian,

I don't live quite close enough to check, but I'm sure that one or more of the forum pals does and can help you there.

In the meantime, your great-uncle's name ought to be on the relevant parish panel of the North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch in Bangor, Gwynedd. Link here:

http://www.bangorcivicsociety.org.uk/pages/arch/index.htm

It's sorted by parish, but I'm not sure in which parish(es) Rhewl and Bychton fall. I tried Brynford, but he's not on there; and Holywell, but there's only an E.N.Jones there. Have a go yourself and see if you have more success!

Otherwise, if you go to the Flintshire County Records Office at Hawarden they have the "Flintshire War Memorial" index cards dating from 1919. These were cards on which the men or their families noted service details of all those who served, as well as those who died, as a means of keeping a County record. Again, arranged by parish, with the casualties kept separate from the survivors.

Hope this might help,

LST_164

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Thanks for that link. What a brilliant website. I had no idea about this memorial building.

I tried 'Mostyn' and sure enough two E Jones popped up, and I got very excited for a moment thinking he must be one of them, but when I looked more carefully, they were not actually under Mostyn at all, but under 'Mold' above. I guess it's possible that one of the two 'Mold' E Jones might be him, although Mostyn is closer to his home. I've searched all the other possible parish names, but nothing else seems likely.

Anyway, I'll also try the County Records Office as you suggest, to see if there's anything else. Many thanks for your help.

Eirian

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well i never new this existed either, i can see my Taid's 2 brothers on it as well

diolch

matt

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Matt,

where, out of interest, did your relatives come from?

Neil,

really? I'm sure you'll find a number of Shropshire-border casualties on the Arch now that you can search it!

Eirian,

just in case you haven't got the information in the official casualty list "Soldiers Died in the Great War", Pte Edward Jones 54797 was recorded as born in Liverpool, enlisted at "Mostyn, Chester", and was resident at Holywell, Flints. "Resident" in this record means that actually his next-of-kin were resident at that place at the time he was serving.

His medal roll index card states that when he first entered a Theatre of War (sometime after 1 January 1916) his regimental number was 9382. This suggests he may previously have been in a Territorial battalion of the RWF, and was subsequently transferred to a "Service" (basically re-enlisted for the Duration of the War) engagement, which necessitated his being given a new Service-type number. If his service papers have survived, the exact nature of what happened will become clearer.

Killed in action with the 15th (1st London Welsh) Battalion RWF on the Western Front on 27 July 1917. This unit was part of the 38th (Welsh) Division, and they were holding the line near Pilckem Ridge, Ypres and awaiting the opening of the Third Battle of Ypres. That happened on 31 July, not long after your relative was killed.

Buried at Artillery Wood Cemetery, Boesinghe/Boezinge, Ypres. His parents recorded as Thomas and Mary Jones, Byckton Cottages, Mostyn, Chester. Again, in the context of that source this is the address recorded by the War Graves Commission when compiling their Registers in the years after the War.

All the best

LST_164

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Lst 164 - thanks for the info. Yes - that's what I have for him too. He and his family lived in Bychton, nr Mostyn, which is in Flintshire. Holywell is the next biggest town in the area, as both Bychton and Mostyn are quite small.

It's odd that he is not listed on the NW Memorial arch, as Mostyn is definitely in Wales. But perhaps the fact that the army records state Mostyn "Chester" has confused things.

I haven't managed to trace his service papers. But I had wondered about why he had two numbers. I will see if I can investigate further at the RWF museum at Caernarfon.

Thanks for your comments!

Eirian

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Medal roll itself should give you the battalions he served with, and maybe a bit more information.

Let us know how you get on.

LST_164

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  • 3 months later...

I have just had another look at the North Wales Memorial Arch website, and I've found my great uncle's name this time!

I was looking under the wrong parish before - apparently Bychton is in Whitford, not Mostyn (although it was originally in Mostyn).

Please, is there anyone living in the Whitford area who knows of a local memorial too, who could kindly check if his name is on it?

(Edward Jones).

Many thanks

Eirian

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