Arthur Griffiths was born in 1879, the son of John and Margaret Griffiths nee Lewis. They were married on 13th June 1859 at Holy Trinity Church, Chester as confirmed on the Cheshire Diocese of Chester Parish Marriages 1538-1910.
Arthur was the 2nd youngest of 12 children. His siblings were Mary Elizabeth, born 1860, William, born 1862, Edward, born 1863, James, born 1866, John, born 1868, Bertha, born 1871, Ann Jane, born 1873, Emily, born 1875, Thomas, born 1876, Selina, born 1878 and Janet, born 1882.
Arthur first appears on the 1881 census living in Penyffordd, Flintshire, with his father John 47, a wheelwright, and his mother Margaret 42. There were 9 children living with them, William 19, Engine Driver in Colliery, Edward 18, no occupation, James 15, labourer in Brickworks, Bertha 10, Ann Jane 8, Emily 6, Thomas 5, Selina 3 and Arthur 2.
On the 1891 census the family were still living in Penyffordd, Flintshire. Living there were John 57, now a Carpenter, Margaret 52, Edward 27, General Labourer, Thomas 15, Railway Lamp Cleaner, Selina 13, Arthur 11 and Janet 8.
On the 1901 census the family had moved to Rhos Road Penyffordd, Flintshire. Living there were Margaret 62, a widow, Edward 35 (seems to have lost a few years) General Labourer, Arthur 20, Coal Miner (hewer) and Janet 18.
On the 1911 census the family were living in Rhos Cottage, Rhos Road, Penyffordd, Flintshire. Living there were Edward 46, Bricklayers Labourer, who was the head of the household. Also there were Arthur 30, brother, Coal Miner (filler), Janet 28, sister, Thomas P Griffiths 31, brother-in-law, Coal Miner (filler), Frederick Griffiths 5, nephew, Margaret Griffiths 3, niece, Frederick C Griffiths 33, Coal Miner (filler) boarder and Frank Griffiths, 27, Coal Miner (filler) boarder. Frederick C and Frank Griffiths were the brothers of Thomas P Griffiths.
Frank Griffiths who has a page on the website, is also remembered on the Penyffordd War Memorial and at first I though Arthur and Frank were brothers until I looked further into it and found that Arthur’s sister Janet was married to Frank’s brother Thomas P Griffiths.
Arthur’s mother Margaret was living in Horbury, Yorkshire on the 1911 census with Arthur’s sister Selina and her family. It confirms that Margaret has 12 children, with 10 still living in 1911.
There are various records on www.ancestry.co.uk for Arthur, ‘UK, Soldier Died in the Great War, 1914-1919’ which states he enlisted at Castleford, Yorks and confirms his Rank, Regiment and Regimental number, and ’British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index card 1914-1920’ which confirms his medals.
I have been unable to find his Service Records on www.ancestry.co.uk
The index cards in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Records Office Hawarden states his address was Rose Cottage Penyffordd. It also states the period of service was 2 years. The card was signed on 19th September 1919 by Janet Griffiths, his sister.
Arthur Griffiths is also named on the Caergwrle Memorial