Edward Shone was the son of Samuel and Ann Elizabeth Shone of Spon Green. In the 1901 census, the family at Spon Green comprised of Samuel 52, a coal miner and his wife Anne who was 52. Their listed children were Thomas J 27, Lilly 21, Edward 14, George 10, Hannah 8 and Emily 7. Edward, George and Hannah had been born in Banfurlong near Wigan. (A coal mining community). The rest had been born in Buckley. It seems likely that the family moved there for a few years for work.
In the 1911 census the family was living at Alexandra Terrace (Square): At that time the household included Samuel, then 61 and still a coal miner, His wife of 38 years, Ann Elizabeth was 61. The census form tells us that she had given birth to 14 children of whom only 7 were still living. There were only 2 listed children in the household in 1911. Edward 25 was a boot repairer, Emily was 17.
Edward enlisted in Wrexham and served in the Royal Horse Artillery/Royal Field Artillery and was killed in action in Flanders.
A Pension Index Form on ‘Ancestry’ tell us that Edward left a widow and two children. She was Sarah Ann Shone (DOB 17th July 1888). The two children were Phylis (Born 5th September 1913) and Edward Eric (born 27th October 1914) . Sarah Ann’s address on the Pension Index Card was Ledsoms Houses, Pentrobin, Hawarden. ( One possible recorded marriage is Edward Shone married Sarah A Griffiths in Liverpool March quarter 1912. Sarah A. may have later married Thomas Bellis in 1918).
Edward’s death was announced in the County Herald, June 22, 1917
We regret to learn that Mrs. E. Shone, of Park Road, Buckley, has been officially notified of the death of her husband, Gunner Edward Shone in action which occurred during the fighting on the 3rd of June. The deceased soldier enlisted soon after the commencement of the war, and he had been on active service for a year and eight months. He was 31 years of age, and before the war he was employed as a boot maker. Much sympathy is felt for the young widow and two children in their great bereavement.