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Lloyd, Llewellyn

Llewellyn Lloyd was born in Flint in 1885 and was the eldest of seven children to William Lloyd and Mary Ann (Bithell).

William was born in Mostyn and Mary Ann in Flint and they were married locally in 1883.

The Lloyd family lived at 17, Holywell Road for many years until settling at 41, Holywell Road.

Llewellyn was an Elementary school teacher for the Flintshire Education Authority and the following article appeared in the 10th September, 1914 issue of the Flintshire Observer.

PRESENTATIONS TO MR LLEWELLYN LLOYD

On Sunday afternoon interesting presentations were made to Mr Llewellyn Lloyd at the Junior Parish Church Sunday School. Mr Lloyd has been superintendent of the Junior Sunday School for many years. He is leaving Flint for Chester College on Thursday next. Miss Libby Owen, on behalf of the Sunday School Teachers, asked Mr Lloyd to accept a handsomely engraved silver cigarette case as a mark of their esteem and regard. They all spent many happy years together, and while regretting his departure, they expressed the hope that he would have a successful college career. They hoped that when using the case he would think of the givers, who would always remember his excellent work in the Sunday School. The Rev Wilfred Griffith, on the behalf of the Rector (Canon Nicholas), made a presentation of a cheque for three guineas. He paid a high tribute to Mr Lloyd for the excellent work he had accomplished in the Sunday School, and said he was sure that all present would miss him. He hoped that he would have a happy and prosperous future. Mr Lloyd thanked Canon Nicholas and the teachers for their handsome presents and kind words. It was with sincere regret that he parted with those with whom he had spent so many happy years. Yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon the Rector (Canon Nicholas), on behalf of the headmaster (Major Williams), Mrs Williams, and the staff of the Church of England Schools presented Mr Llewellyn Lloyd with a handsomely fitted attaché case, and on behalf of the scholars, a gold scarf pin.

It is not known exactly when Llewellyn enlisted in the Army but the following story appeared in the County Herald on 9th July, 1915.

MILITARY COMMISSION FOR A FLINT SCHOOL TEACHER

Mr Llewellyn Lloyd, son of Mr William Lloyd, of 41, Holywell Street, Flint, received, we are informed, on Sunday morning the intimation from the Military Authorities that a commission of a Second Lieutenancy had been granted him in the Territorial Battalion of the South Wales Borderers now stationed at Old Colwyn, contiguous to Colwyn Bay. Mr Lloyd was for some time one of the Supplementary Teachers in the Flint Church of England Schools, and about twelve months ago left the school to commence a two years’ training at Chester College. Those duties he has relinquishes for military work; and thus every male teacher at the Church of England Schools in the town has volunteered for military service. Mr Lloyd was ordered to report himself immediately at the Headquarters at Old Colwyn; and it is stated that he will be attached to the Signalling Department of the Battalion.

Three weeks later the same newspaper reported that “Sub-Lieutenant Ll Lloyd, stationed at Colwyn, is at present undergoing a month’s stay at the Officer’s College, Bedford,” and on 22nd October that he was now “in the vicinity of Winchester.”

His battalion was posted to France in December that year.

He communicated weekly with the Rev Canon Nicholas of Flint Parish Church and in February, 1916 he stated he was in excellent health and that he had been taking part in work at the trenches.

On the 1st September it was reported he had been admitted into a hospital at the Front suffering from the effects of what is designated as “trench fever.” Two weeks later word was received that he had arrived in England for further treatment, and would be transferred to a medical institution as soon as possible.

In late December, 1917 he came home on leave of absence from military duties and returned to active service on the 22nd January.

He was wounded in action on 31st July, 1917 and died the following day at the No 47 Casualty Clearing Station.

He was buried in Dozinghem Military Cemetery, Poperinge, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium 9Plot II, Row G, Grave 60.

He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal and is remembered on two war memorials – Flint Town, St Mary’s Parish Church, Flint, and his parent’s headstone in the Northop Road Cemetery (Grave 2, Line 15, West Side).

His mother was named as his next of kin and she received £99 9s 9d from Army Funds to the late 2nd Lt Lloyd’s estate. In his will, dated 19th May, 1916, he left £188 13s 4d.

2nd Lt Lloyd’s death was reported in the County Herald on 10th August, 1917.

DEATH OF A FLINT OFFICER AT THE FRONT

It is with feeling of deepest regret we are informed of the death of Lieutenant Llewelyn Lloyd, the eldest son of Mr William Lloyd, 41, Holywell Road, Flint. The circumstances, so far as they could be gleaned up to Monday last, are of a very melancholy character. The Lieutenant was home on leave about Christmas, having suffered from the effects of trench fever. He left the Borough again to rejoin his Battalion, and letters couched in cheerful tones were received from him by his parents and most intimate friends in Flint and elsewhere. There was, however, a communication ,which apparently was enshrouded with a mysterious and somewhat temporary foreboding. On Friday afternoon the deceased’s officer’s mother received a postal letter, the writing of the address on which was unknown, but on perusing the contents they proved to be a letter written by Lieutenant Lloyd upon an official form whilst he was in the trenches. The note was brief, and commenced by thanking them at home for a parcel, which he had just received. Then, strangely enough, as though he had had a fatalistic presentiment, he wrote:- “We are just moving, and this note is rather hurried. Whatever happens, always remember that my thoughts are with you, and many and sweet are the memories of your love for me. I am very, very happy.” Thus terminated an exceedingly touching letter to his parents. The letter was enclosed in an envelope, which was mud-stained, and there was accompanying it a small scrap of paper indicating it had been re-addressed. Naturally, upon the receipt of the letter, feelings of uneasiness were occasioned throughout Friday evening, and the climax was when the following telegram was received on Saturday afternoon:-

“From the War Office, London.

To Mr and Mrs Lloyd, 41, Holywell Road, Flint.

Deeply regret to inform you that Second-Lieut. L Lloyd, died of wounds August 1st. The Army Council express their sympathy.”

The intelligence created a painful sensation amongst the people of Flint, where the deceased officer was well known and esteemed. He was 32 years of age, and a native. He was the third boy who had been educated in the Flint Church of England Day Schools, who had gained an Army Commission, and who had made the great sacrifice, the two others being the late Lieut Ben Watkin, and a brother of the present Headmaster of the school. Deceased had always evinced a keen interest in the Volunteer Movement, and he had always referred to the three weeks’ stay at the ——– camp as the turning point in his life from a health point of view. After the war had proceeded some time he was granted a commission. He was, prior to his enlistment, a zealous worker for the church in Flint, being a member of the Church of England Men’s Society, a Sunday School teacher, and one who had assisted in the furtherance of the local Company of the Church Lad’s Brigade. He had occasionally officiated as lay reader, and he read the lessons at the Church the Sunday before his last departure to the Front. In other phases of Church work he had taken a faithful interest. For years he was a member of the teaching staff in the day schools; then he received his training in the Chester College, where he succeeded in winning what is known as the Archbishop’s prize for religious knowledge; and upon the conclusion of his term, and the closing of the College because of the drain made by the exigencies of the war, he joined the Army. It may be incidentally emphasized that the deceased had been regarded as helpful in work associated with the Church and schools, and had benefited by the kindly advice and assistance rendered him by the Rev Canon W Ll Nicholas, the Rector. Much sympathy is felt in the Borough for the parents and relatives of the deceased in their bereavement; and those sympathies are also extended to Miss Clara Hill, his fiancée, who is one of the principals in the nursing department of a Liverpool hospital, and formerly of Chester Royal Infirmary. She is a daughter of a retired river pilot residing at Western Point, Runcorn. Miss Hill spent several days with the Lieutenant amongst his relatives and friends in the Borough in the early part of the year.

THE LATE LIEUTENANT LLEWELLYN LLOYD DIED A GALLANT DEATH

(County Herald 17th August, 1917)

In connection with the sad intelligence of the death, of Lieutenant Llewellyn Lloyd the parents of the deceased have received several letters from the Front. One letter written by the Chaplain conveyed the information that the Lieutenant had been wounded, and said that he had promised him he would write to the Rev Canon Nicholas in the event of anything more serious happening.

A subsequent communication was received from an officer, who said it was with regret he wrote informing them that the Lieutenant died of wounds received on the (censored). Deceased was seriously wounded in the capture of the (censored). He was very sorry to say that he must have suffered considerable pain, but he bore it with the most wonderful fortitude and cheerfulness. Deceased was attended by the doctor as soon as possible after he was hit, and was immediately taken down to Ambulance. Everything that could possibly be done was done for him, but there was no hope of saving him. He had known the deceased ever since he joined the Battalion. No matter what the condition was, he always went through everything with undiminished cheerfulness, and was great at keeping up the men’s spirits through the strife. Deceased was a very great loss indeed to them. His brother officers had asked him to convey to the parents their deepest sympathy with them in their great loss. Lieutenant Lloyd died a gallant death.

Another officer, writing to Miss Hill, the deceased’s fiancé, states that the Lieutenant was seriously wounded during the great battle, and that shortly after admission into the Field Hospital he died of his wounds. It was a very great blow to those who were spared and left, for several officers were amongst the casualties.

A private who was orderly to the late officer, writing to the same address, states how much he regrets the death of Lieutenant Lloyd. The Lieutenant died of wounds received in the recent advance. He was sorry he could not write sooner, for he himself was carried into hospital a short time after he died. On the day previous to the attack the Lieutenant gave him his fiancés address, as well as the address of his mother; but the addresses were lost. He remembered the lady’s hospital quite well, as his present home was in the same town. He had been the Lieutenant’s orderly a long time, and the Lieutenant had made him promise if anything happened he would write to her.

LIEUTENANT LLEWELLYN LLOYD’S LEGACY TO THE CHURCH

(County Herald 28th September, 1917)

On Sunday evening in the Parish Church, the Rector (Canon Nicholas) informed the congregation that he had received a legacy of £5 for the Parish Church left by the late Lieutenant Llewellyn Lloyd, and who, it will be remembered, was an assistant teacher in the Church of England day school in Flint before his enlistment. Lieutenant Lloyd lost his life whilst leading his men in a charge against the Germans. The Rector said he had not been so much touched, by the incident of the gift, for many a year, as by this generous gift it revealed the spirit of thankfulness for the many privileges which he (the late Lieutenant) had so thoroughly enjoyed in the old Parish Church of Flint. The Rector said that that example, so beautifully set by this young soldier, could very well be followed by numerous members of the Church, to the great advantage of the Church in its present critical state. As a clergyman, the Rector always maintained that the greatest curse to the Church, and the greatest obstacle to Church work in any parish was a clergyman with money who was mean and miserly; and, alas! There were many such in that Diocese.

William died on 15th March, 1937, aged 78, after a short illness and was buried in the Northop Road Cemetery.

Obituary: Mr Lloyd was a native of Mostyn, being a son of the late Mr and Mrs Llewelyn Lloyd, Trevor, Mostyn. The late Mr Lloyd came to Flint as a young man and was employed at the works of the United Alkali Co, Ltd., for 48 years, being one of the firm’s long service pensioners. He was a faithful member of St Catherine’s Welsh Church, where he was a member of the choir for many years. He was also a member of the Flint Castle Lodge of Oddfellows and the Flint Conservative Club, and in his young days he was a cornet player in the old Flint Town Band. Four years ago Mr and Mrs Lloyd celebrated their golden wedding. The deceased was very well known and highly esteemed.

Mary Ann died at her home on 9th March, 1949, aged 87.

Obituary: Mrs Lloyd was a native of Flint, and for 67 years occupied the same house in Holywell Road. By a strange coincidence, the date of her death (9th March) was the date on which two of her brothers were lost at sea while sailing the schooner ‘Enterprise’ in 1891. The captain of the schooner, who also lost his life, was Mr John Bithell, father of Messrs John and Tom Bithell. Mrs Lloyd, who had been in failing health for some months, was a member of St Mary’s Parish Church.

NB: The ‘Enterprise’ was a two-masted schooner owned by Mr James Reney of Connah’s Quay. On the 8th March, 1891, commanded by John Bithell of Flint, it sailed from Swansea with a cargo of coal and was lost at sea during a storm between the 9th and 12th March. The four-man crew all perished.

Llewellyn’s fiancé, Clara, never married and died in Runcorn in 1967 aged 82. She was a volunteer nurse with the British Red Cross from 12th November, 1918 to 7th July, 1919 earning £1 1s. 0d per week.


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