Griffith was born in 1898. The 1901 census records that three year old Griffith lived in Duck Street, (now Duke Street) Sychdyn with his father William (a coal miner), his mother Isabella, his brother William 2 yrs and a baby brother Thomas.
Sometime after 1901 the family moved to a small holding – ‘Offa Bank’ on the Vownog. The lane that ran in front of their home became known locally as Piercy’s Lane (now called ‘Watts Dyke Way).
The 1911 census records the family at Offa Bank, Sychdyn. Head of the household, William was a 36 year old Coal Miner – hewer. His wife of 14 years , Isabella was 37. She had given birth to 7 children who were all still living. The listed children were Griffith, a 13 year old Shop Assistant for a Boot maker, William 12, Thomas 10, Jane 7, george 5, Mary 2 and Osborne 6 months.
Griffith joined the army in September 1914 – when he was 16/17 yrs old so technically too young to join up. He enlisted in Mold. Less than three months after he joined, his new baby brother, Frederick died aged 4 months. Griffith went to France to join his first theatre of war on the 27th September 1915 and he died three years later, just five months after his brother William had been killed. Refer also to William Piercy’s page for the full story of this family tragedy.
The strong story that has come down the family, told to them by Griff’s comrade, Alf Hughes, was that Griffith was shot by a female sniper. Alf also said that they “got her” later
Griffith and William are both commemorated on a family grave in Northop Churchyard.
In Loving Memory of
Fredrick the beloved son of
William and Isabella Piercy Offa bank
Soughton
Who died Dec. 11th 1914 aged 4 months
Also of
William Piercy seconed son of the above
Who was killed in action in France
May 30th 1918 aged 19 years
Also of
Griffith piercy eldest son of the above
who was killed in action in France
Sept 30th 1918 aged 21years
Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another
