Richard Roberts was born in the third quarter of 1893 in Saint Asaph, Flintshire.
The 1901 Census on Ancestry.co.uk shows that the Roberts family were residing at number 2, Cleavers Row, Saint Asaph. Robert Roberts, Head, age 49 a General labourer by trade lived with his wife Anne also 49 years of age and their children Robert William age 27 a Railway Porter by trade, John Evan age 19 a Grocery Worker, Owen age 16 a Grocer’s Messenger Boy, William age 14 also a Grocer’s Messenger Boy, Catherine Ann age 10 and Richard age 8.
Richard’s father Robert died in 1905.
Ten years on the 1911 Census reveals that the Roberts family had moved to a smaller house, number 8, Cleavers Row. Head of the household is shown as Ann Roberts age 58, Widow and a Laundress by trade. The children still living at home were, Robert William age 37, Owen age 20, both still working on the Railways as Porters, William age 24 a Domestic Gardener by trade and Richard age 18 a Carter by trade.
Record of Service Card held at Flintshire Records Office Archives, Hawarden.
This card shows that Richard enlisted in January 1916, his address was 8 Cleavers Row and he was Killed in Action on 20th November 1916 while serving in France. The card was dated 3rd March 1925 and signed by W. Charles Jones.
Information from Forces War Records Website
2nd Battalion South Wales Borderers
04.08.1914 Stationed at Tientsin, northern China.
23.09.1914 Deployed to the region of Shandong and landed at Lao Shan Bay for operations with the Japanese against German positions at Tsingtao, China.
04.12.1914 Embarked for England from Hong Kong arriving at Plymouth.
12.01.1915 Moved to Rugby joining the 87th Brigade of the 29th Division.
17.03.1915 Embarked of Egypt from Avonmouth via Alexandria arriving at Mudros 11.04.1915.
24.04.1915 Landed in Gallipoli and engaged in various actions against the Turkish army including;
First Battle of Krithia, the Second Battle of Krithia, the Third Battle of Krithia, the Battle of Gully Ravine, the Battle of Krithia Vineyard, the Battle of Scimitar Hill.
11.01.1916 Evacuated from Gallipoli to Egypt due to severe casualties from combat, disease and harsh weather.
15.03.1916 Deployed to France arriving at Marseilles
1916
The Battle of Albert, The Battle of the Transloy Ridges.
Richard was Killed in Action on 20th November 1916.
Richard was awarded the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.
He is buried in the Guards’ Cemetery, Lesboeufs, Somme, France.
