Henry Rowlands was born in Bodfari, Flintshire in 1894.
The 1901 census on Ancestry.co.uk shows that the Rowlands family were living at 3, Cornel Street, Saint Asaph. Head of the household David Robert Rowlands age 27 was a native of Afonwen, Flintshire and a Domestic Groom by trade. His wife, Anne nee Edwards age 34 born in Bodfari, Flinshire and her husband had four children, Henry age 7, John William age 4 both born in Bodfari, Ishmael age 2 and Mary Anne age 9 months both born in Saint Asaph.
Ten years on the family were still living at the same address and the only child not in residence was Henry and unfortunately I cannot find him on the 1911 census.
There had been two additions to the family, Frances May age 9 and Hannah J. age 6. The Head of the household, David Robert Rowlands had changed his trade to Farm labourer and John William age 14 was an Errand Boy.
Record of Service Card held at Flintshire Archives Office at Hawarden.
This card shows that Henry was a Private soldier regimental number 345218 in the 24th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers and that he was Killed in Action on 19th July 1918. His address was Old Chapel House, Saint Asaph. The card was not dated or signed.
Soldiers who Died in the Great War on Ancestry.co.uk
This document reveals that Henry Rowlands enlisted at Eccleston Camp, Cheshire on 17th September 1914 into the Denbighshire Yeomenry regimental number 844. He was then transferred to 24th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers regimental number 345218. He died of wounds on 19th July 1918 in France/Flanders, Western European Theatre of War.
Attestation Papers for Private 345218, Henry Rowlands, 24th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Formerly regimental number 844 Denbighshire Yeomenry, on Ancestry.co.uk.
Henry enlisted on 17th September 1914 at Eccleston Camp in Cheshire, he gave his address as Cornel Cottages, Saint Asaph and stated that he had completed 4 years in the Army Service Corps, he was 22 years old and 5ft 7inches tall.
Henry died of a gunshot wound to the left groin on 19th July 1918. This telegram was sent on 26th July 1918
Henry was awarded The Territorial Medal, The British War Medal and The Victory Medal.
The Territorial Force War Medal, 1914-1919
Instituted on 26th April 1920.
Only members of the Territorial Force and Territorial Force Nursing Service were only eligible for this medal. They had to have been a member of the Territorial Force on or before 30th September 1914 and to have served in an operational theatre of war outside the United Kingdom between 5th August 1914 and 11th November 1918. An individual who was eligible to receive the 1914 Star or 1914/15 Star could not receive the Territorial War Medal.
The obverse (front) of the medal shows an effigy of King George V with the words GEORGIVS BRITT OMN:REX ET IND: IMP:
The reverse of the medal has the words TERRITORIAL WAR MEDAL around the rim, with a laurel wreath and the words inside the wreath FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE OVERSEAS 1914-1919.
Approximately 34,000 Territorial Force War Medals were issued.
Henry Rowland is buried in Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
