The 1901 Census for England, available on Ancestry, places the Seymour family at Blackley, Lancashire. The head of the family, John Seymour, is aged 50, he was described as a park labourer, and was born at Besford, Berkshire.  His wife Anna was 50, and was born at Sarn, Flintshire.  Emily 22, George 16, Harry 11 and Charles 8, were all born at Langley, Buckinghamshire.

In the 1911 Census for Wales, we find the family at Stafford Terrace, Prestatyn.  John Seymour is 60, and a gardener.  Anna is also 60, and the only family member at home is Charles himself who is 18, and a butcher’s apprentice.  The parents have been married for 35 years, and Anna has given birth to 8 children, of whom 7 are living.

In the parish records of Meliden Church, we find details of Charles ’marriage.  On 6^th September, 1916, Charles Seymour, age 23, of Meliden, was married to Sarah Thomas, age 22, of Bryn Gwilym, Meliden.  Sarah’s father was William Thomas, an engine driver, while Charles’ father John Seymour was a gardener.  The groom’s occupation was listed as a railway servant, so Charles had not yet enlisted in the Army. Charles was killed just seven months after being married.

Charles’ Service Records have not survived. There is a card for him in the Flintshire Roll of Honour in the County Archives at Hawarden but it is filed with the Meliden cards. He is also named on the Meliden Memorial

From the website “Soldiers who died in the Great War”, we know that Charles enlisted at Lower Bebington, Birkenhead, in the Herefordshire Regiment, regimental number 239266.  However, there is a note and comment stating that at the time of his death, he was serving with the 6^th Battalion, King’s Shropshire Light Infantry.

In the U.K. Army Registers of Soldier’s Effects, Charles is stated as having been killed in action in Belgium. On 16^th April 1918, his widow Sarah, the sole legatee, was granted the sum of £1.19s.2d, and on 10^th December 1919, a war gratuity of £3.

On the U.K. Service Medal and Award Rolls register, Charles was awarded the British War Medal, and the Victory medal.

On the Clwyd Family History Society website listing the Prestatyn war dead, Charles Seymour, age 24, of 6^th Battalion Herefordshire Regiment, but attached to the 6^th Battalion King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, was named as the husband of Sarah Seymour, Mount Pleasant, Meliden.

Sarah was married less than a year when Charles was killed. He is also commemorated on two memorials in St Melyd’s Church, Meliden.

Photo taken 9th April 2017 at Tyne Cot.