John Cragg Dunn was born in Hawarden circa 1890 and was living with his family at Ewloe Green Farm, Hawarden, on the 1891 census.   His father Samuel Dunn, 27 and a Farmer had been born in Hawarden. Mother Mary C.Dunn, 29 had been born in Chester, (St. Michaels.).   John was the eldest child and his sister Eleanor was just 4 months old on the census and like John had been born in Hawarden.   Also in the household was Mary C. Dunn’s mother Ann Newport, 71 and a widow, living on her own means, she had been born in St. Oswald’s, Cheshire. There were 4 servants living there, Fanny Peers, 13 a Domestic Servant as was Katie Bartley 11 and Thomas Lloyd, 69 and married, Farm Servant who had also been born in St. Oswalds with James Plevin, 47 and a widower, Farm Servant born in Christleton, Cheshire.

There is a possible marriage of Samuel Dunn and Mary Catherine Wilson in Liverpool in 1889 ( Vol 8b Page 171) and interestingly this might have been the place, Ann, Mary Catherine Dunn’s mother’s marriage to William Newport, ( Vol 8b Page 330)

The 1901 census sees the family enlarged, but still living in Ewloe Green, Hawarden. Head of the household was Samuel, 36 and still a Farmer, stating this time that he had been born in Buckley, with his wife Mary C., 39.   Their children were, son John C. Dunn, 11, daughter Elenor (sic) M. 10, son Frederick S.7,daughter Maggie W. 5, son Philip L. 3 and son George C. 1 and this time all the children had been born in Buckley as well.   Also in the household was Edeth (sic) Tyson, 16 single a General Domestic Servant who had been born in Northop, Emily Smith, 13, also a General Domestic Servant, who had been born in Buckley.

Hawarden County School Register – (169) DUNN, John Cragg.  Date of birth – 25th May 1889.   Address – Ewloe Green, Chester.   Father’s occupation – Farmer. Date of entry 15th September 1903.   Previous school, Buckley Nat. School.   Date of leaving Midsummer 1905.   No occupation shown.

By 1911 the family were living in Liverpool Road, Buckley, (6 Rooms). Samuel Dunn, 46 and an “Assistant to Father on Farm”* was still head of the household and his wife Mary C. Dunn, 47 had been married for 22 years, 10 children had been born to them, 2 of whom had died.   Their children, son John C., single and 21 was a Colliery Clerk, daughter Eleanor M.,single and 21, Frederic (sic) S.,single and 17 was a Railway Clerk. Daughter Maggie N., 15, son Philip L., 13, son William E.,9, daughter Elsie J., 7 and Robert W., 5 were all at school.

* Samuel’s parent’s John & Martha Dunn are seen at Oaks Farm on the 1911 census.   Perhaps this is near Liverpool Road, Buckley.

John’s Flintshire WW1 Index Card (Buckley F24) tell us that his period of service was 18 months and was Killed near St. Eloi 25th March 1916.   On the Reverse of card:- At time of death was attached to 59th Trench Mortar Battery. The card was signed by S, Dunn on the 23rd October 1919.

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about John Cragg Dunn confirms the regimental information above.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Additional Information: Son of Samuel and Mary Catherine Dunn, of “Hillside,” Liverpool Rd., Buckley, Chester.

British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 about John Cragg Dunn tell us that he was originally in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Regtl. No. 16139 and his first Theatre of War was France and he entered it in 1915, he died on the 23rd March1916.   He was also awarded the British & Victory Medals and the 15 Star. Reverse of card:- Address S. Dunn, Esq. (Father) “Hillside”, Liverpool Road, Buckley, Chester.

Also remembered on the Buckley War Memorial, please click on the link to read his story.