I have had a great deal of difficulty trying to locate Hugh William Jones on the census forms for 1891, 1901 and 1911. He does not have a card in the Flintshire Archive at Hawarden nor do we have parents names or date of birth.
I have explored the Ancestry Records and have a theory that Hugh William was not born in St. Asaph but in the Rural District of St. Asaph, in the village of Llanefydd, Western Denbighshire.
This village is situated on the boundary of the old Flintshire and Denbighshire.
I will record the information that I have uncovered for Hugh William Jones from Llanefydd and would be happy to hear from anyone who may have other details that may bring a different story to light.
Hugh William Jones was born in the first quater of 1888 in the village of Llanefydd, Western Denbighshire.
1891 Census for Wales on Ancestry.co.uk, shows the Jones family living at The Hawk and Buckle Inn, Llanefydd. Head of the household was Hugh John Jones age 34, born in Llanefydd a Licensed Victualler by trade. His wife was Sarah Humphreys Jones (nee Lloyd)age 36 born in Llanelian and their children were, Sarah Elizabeth, age 6, Mary Catherine age 4, Hugh William age 3, and David Lewis age 9 months. All the children were born in Llanefydd.
1901 Census for Wales on Ancestry.co.uk. There appears to have been a change of circumstances for the Jones’ as we find a depleted family living in The Schoolhouse, Llanefydd. There does not appear to be a Head of the household as Sarah H Jones is shown as married age 47 but her husband, Hugh John Jones is not present. There are two children living at this address, Hugh W Jones age 13, and Diana Jane Jones age 7 born in Llanefydd, both children are scholars. We find David Lewis Jones age 10 living next door at the Vicarage.The Head of the Vicarage is shown to be Ebenezer Jones (Clergyman) It appears that the schoolhouse is quite large because the Headmaster lives next door and that is also called The Schoolhouse. There appears to be a connection with Hugh William’s mother’s family as there ia a Diana Jane Lloyd living at the Vicarage and she is a Schoolmistress. She is also Sarah H. Jones’ (nee Lloyd) sister.
The 1911 Census on Ancestry.co.uk shows the Hugh William living with his Aunt, Diana Jane Lloyd at Fairholme, Colwyn Bay, he was 23 years of age and his trade was Ironmongers Assistant. Also living at this address was his sister Mary Catherine Jones age 24. There were also three boarders.
U.K. Soldiers who Died in the Great War 1914-1919 on Ancestry.co.uk.
Hugh William Jones enlisted into the 5th Battalion of the South Wales Borderers at Conway. He gave his current residence as Llandudno Junction and his regimental number was 27544.
The following information was extracted from The website, The Long Long Trail
The history of 19th (Western) Division
This Division was established by the Western Command in September 1914, as part of the Army Orders authorising Kitchener’s Second New Army, K2. Early days were somewhat chaotic, the new volunteers having very few trained officers and NCOs to command them, no organised billets or equipment. The units of the Division initially concentrated in the Bulford area with the infantry being at Tidworth, Ludgershall and Grately. The battalions moved into billets for the winter, in Andover, Whitchurch, Basingstoke and Weston-super-Mare. In March 1915 all units concentrated near Tidworth..
The Division was inspected by King George V on 23 June 1915. Advanced parties left for France on 11 July and the main body crossed the English Channel 16-21 July. Units initially moved to the point of assembly near St Omer.
The Division served on the Western Front for the remainder of the war, taking part in many of the significant actions:
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards 1914-192 on Ancestry.co.uk
Hugh was awarded The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.
He was “Killed in Action” on 7th June 1917 during The Battle of Messines (7-14th June) West Flanders, Belguim.
The War Diaries of the 19th Division.
Altough this page is difficult to read, Hugh William Jones is listed as Killed in Action.
He is commemorated on Panel 22 of The Menin Gate.
