The 1901 census records Elijah Griffiths living with his family at 21 Alyn Bank, Mold, Flintshire. Head of the household was widow Caroline Griffiths aged 60 who had been born in Staffordshire. Listed in the household with her were two sons, William 21, a Collier/Hewer. Elijah was 15 and was a coal mine Labourer.

The 1911 census tells us that he was a twenty five year old collier (hewer) living with his 70 year old widowed mother Caroline.  The census form states that she had given birth to 7 children and 4 of them were still alive. Elijah’s 3 siblings were no longer at home. The address was still Alyn View, Mold.

(There is a slight problem researching census form ‘Ancestry’ because they have often transcribed his name as Eliza. It is clearly Elijah on the census forms)

UK soldiers Who died in The Great war 1914 -19 confirms all the regimental details at the top of this page. It adds that he enlisted in Mold and this source tells us that he was killed in action.  Elijah’s Medal Card lists his three medals and there is a note that says his first Theatre of war was France and he entered it on the 27th September 1915. He was killed in action on the 19th August 1916. He has no known grave and is named on the Thiepval Memorial to the ‘missing’ on the Somme.

The Register of Soldiers’ effects in which the army calculated what monies were owed to deceased soldiers. includes an entry for Sgt Elijah Griffiths. His mother Caroline was his sole legatee and she received two payments which totalled £17 .. 16sh ..5d