Robert Price was born 1893 in the Parish of Hope. He was recorded on the census of 1901 living with his family at Penstryt Cottages, Llanfynydd. Head of the household was widow Sarah A Price who was 39. Her listed children were Robert aged 8 and Mary aged 7.
In the following census of 1911, Robert and his mother were at the home of Martha Bellis at Dawlass Cottages, Pentre Broughton nr Wrexham. Martha Bellis was 73, single and Aunt to Sarah Price. Sarah was listed as being a 50 year old widow. Robert Price was 18 and was a self employed Butcher.
UK soldiers Who Died in The Great War 1914-19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk, confirms the regimental details for Robert Price – as at the top of this page. It adds that he enlisted in Chester and that he died at sea.
We know that he enlisted on the 1st June 1915 because his Army Serice Records have survived and are on Ancestry. The following family information was added to those records after he enlisted.
On the 18th November 1915 he married Sarah Wright at St Mary’s Church Denbigh. On the 8th June 1916, their son Herbert was born in Denbigh.
On the 1st June 1915, single man Robert was 22 years and 8 months old. he gave his address as Ash Grove, Ffrith. His trade was recorded as ‘Butcher’ although it looks as if at some time this was crossed out to be replaced by ‘Clerk’. He had been born in Hope. He was 5 feet 7 and a half inches tall, weighed 134 lbs, had a chest measurement of 36 inches with an expansion range of 3 inches. His physical development was good and his eyesight was good.
His next of kin was first listed as his mother Sarah Ann Price Ash Grove but this was crossed out to be replaced by Sarah (Wright) Price – his new wife.
Details of where and when he served are either sketchy or very difficult to decipher. It is clear, however, that he arrived in Mesopotamia (Iraq) on the 2nd April 1917. Thirteen days later he was dead.
He was aboard H.T Cameronia on the 15th April 1917 which was en route from Marseilles to Alexandria carrying 2,650 troops. When it was 150 nautical miles from Malta it was torpedoed by German submarine U-33. The Cameronia sank in 40 minutes resulting in 210 deaths including that of Robert Price.
There is an index card for Robert in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. It contains the address Bluebell Cottage and it confirms his regiment and number. It says he served for I year and 10 months and that ‘he lost his life on the Cameronian in 1917. Drowned 15/4/17.’ The card was signed by Mrs Price on the 10th March 1920.