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Cartwright, Robert

Robert Henry Cartwright was born in Flint in 1893 and was the youngest of five children to Henry Cartwright and Emma (Beck).

Robert grew up in 51, Swan Street, Flint before the family settled at No. 87. He was a bricklayer’s labourer, employed by a local firm of building contractors and was unmarried.

He enlisted in Flint in 1915 with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, No. 3699, before transferring to the Machine Gun Corps.

He was killed in action in Belgium on 29th May, 1917, and buried at Bedford House Cemetery, Ieper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (Enclosure No. 4, Special Memorials, Grave 38).

He is remembered on two war memorials: Flint Town and St Mary’s Parish Church, Flint. He is also remembered on his parents’ headstone at the Northop Road Cemetery, Flint (Grave 5, Line 8, West Side). He is also commemorated on the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial Arch, Bangor.

He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Robert’s father died at his home, 87, Swan Street, on 28th May, 1931, aged 82. He was a native of Little Ness, Neston, came to Flint in about 1879, and was employed as a horseman at Cornist Hall, later with Mr Read at Northop Hall, and for 28 years with Mr Matthew Rogers (builder), Flint. He was also employed by the United Alkali Company for a time. He was a member of the Church of England, and was highly respected.

His mother was born in Flint and died at her home, after a long illness, on 13th July, 1936, aged 77. She is buried with her husband. She was a member of St Mary’s Parish Church and was well known and esteemed.

IN MEMORIUM

We have lost you, we who loved you,
But like others must be brave,
For we know you are lying
In a British soldiers’ grave.

If we could have raised his dying head,
Or heard his last farewell,
The grief would not have been so hard,
To those who loved him well.

Deeply mourned by Father, Mother and Sisters.
(County Herald 17th May 1918)

In loving memory of Robert Cartwright and William Hughes, his chum.

Their duty called them, they were there,
To do their bit and take their share;
Their hearts were good, their spirits brave,
They are resting in a hero’s grave.

If those who caused this awful war
Were the only ones to fight,
A brighter world this would have been,
For all our aching hearts to-night.

Their memory will always remain in the hearts of their mates.

Sergt W G Davies,
13, Feathers Street, Flint.
(County Herald 16th August 1918)

Never a day but his name is spoken,
Never an hour but he is in our thoughts,
A link in our family chain is broken,
Gone from our home, but not from our hearts.

This day brings back to memory
A loved one gone to rest,
And those who think of him to-day
Are those who loved him best.

Sadly missed by Father and Mother.
(County Herald 30th May 1919)

Sleep on, dear brother in a foreign grave,
A grave we may never see,
But as long as life and memory last
We will remember thee.

From his sisters Emma and Maria and Lizzie.
(County Herald 30th May 1919)

Days of sadness still come o’er us,
Hidden tears do often flow,
But memory keeps our dear one near us,
Although he died three years ago.

Never will be forgotten by his Father, Mother, and Sisters, Lizzie, Emma, and Maria.
(County Herald 28th May 1920)

Mourn not for him whom God hath blest,
And taken to His heavenly rest;
Freed from all sorrow, grief and pain,
Our loss is his eternal gain.

Gone, but not forgotten by his loving Father and Mother and Sisters Emma, Maria and Cissie.
(County Herald, 27th May, 1921)
?
His memory is as fresh today
As in the hour he passed away.
What would we not give to grasp his hand,
His dear kind face to see,
To hear his voice and see his smile,
That meant so much to me.

Sadly missed by his loving Father and Mother and Sisters.
(County Herald, 25th May, 1923


Learn more about the other soldiers on the Flint Memorial

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