This biography is complex
A Lemuel Jones is recorded on the 1891 census living with his family at Pool Cottage Gwersyllt near Wrexham. Head of the household was Jabez Jones 31, a collier. His wife was Mary Jones 28. Their children were Samuel 7 and Lemuel 2. They had all been born in Treuddyn, Flintshire. Also listed was Alice Whitley 14, a general servant and three boarders William Whitley 56, Abraham Jones 28 and Richard Jones 18 they were all colliers.
The 1901 census records 12 year old Lemuel Jones living at 7 Stone Row, Pontblyddyn. The head of the household was William Whitley 26, a coal miner. William’s wife was Eleanor 27. Lemuel was listed as ‘nephew’. (Ancestry.co.uk has wrongly transcribed his name as Samuel. It is clearly Lemuel on the original form)
William Whitley had married Eleanor Buley in 1899
The 1911 census records Lemuel Jones, living at Lockwoods Row, Leeswood, nr Mold. He was still listed at the home of William Whitley 36 a coal miner (hewer underground). Eleanor Whitley 37 was William’s wife of 11 years. She had given birth to 3 children all of whom survived. They were Hannah Jane 9, Mary Elizabeth 7 and Edward William 3. Also living with the family was William Buley 40, brother in law to William. He was a Byeman underground. The final member of the household was Lemuel Jones aged 22 and nephew to William. He was a Fillier underground. The census form says that every member of the household had been born in Mold, Flintshire.
UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914-19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk lists Lemuel Jones of Summerhill (near Wrexham) . It gives us the regimental details above and says that he enlisted in Rhyl and was killed in action in France/Flanders. The medal card for the same soldier also on ‘ancestry’ details his medal entitlement. It seems as if they were never claimed as there is a note dated 1921 that says ‘ Officer in charge of Records Shrewsbury requests instr re disposal of medals’
There is an index card for Lemuel Jones in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. It is filed with the Queensferry cards (card F12). It gives the address 96 Hawarden Way Mancot Royal, Queensferry. The Regiment and number are as quoted at the top of this page. It says ‘Somme Missing 16th August 1916’. On the reverse of the card is written Next of kin Mr Wm Whitley with the address 96 Hawarden Way, Mancot Royal.
The County Herald published the following item on the 22nd June 1917.
The War Office have notified the relatives of Pte Lemuel Jones who was reported as missing that he has been killed since last August. He was left an orphan early in life and reared by relatives. He was a quiet, unobtrusive young man and joined Kitchener’s Army early in the war. On his death the CM Church and Sunday School have lost a member and appreciative addresses were given on Sunday afternoon. His early death is much deplored by young people of Leeswood.
Additional information and the photographs on this page provided by Derian Roberts, (nee Whitley)
We were delighted to be contacted by family member Derian Roberts (nee Whitley). She is the daughter of Edward William Whitley named on the 1911 census when he was 3. Derian was able to add some more family details to Lemuel’s story. These are her words below.
” The story my father told me was that Lemuel was orphaned as a young boy and that my Taid went by train to get him and his few belongings to take him to live with him and my Nain in Leeswood. Apparently Lemuel wouldn’t go with Taid as he didn’t recognise him so my Nain had to go and collect him the next day. This was between 1899 and 1901 though I don’t know the precise date. As far as I am aware, Lemuel lived with my grandparents and family when they moved to Mancot Royal until he enlisted.
My father said that Lemuel was very artistic and would have liked to be an architect or draughtsman. I have a geometry set which belonged to Lemuel (rather battered now) and I understand it was something he cherished. “
Many grateful thanks to Derian Roberts for all her help with Lemuel’s story
