Joseph Jones was the son of John & Elizabeth Jones, and was born circa 1890 and was seen for the first time on the 1891 census age 7 months, living at Merllyn Bach, Township of Gelli Loveday, (Maen Isa and Mgryddghlan) Ysceifiog, Flintshire, with his parents and siblings. Head of the household was John Jones, 44, an Agricultural Worker, born in Mostyn, Flintshire. His wife, Elizabeth, 38 had been born in Ysceifiog, as had their daughter Jane, 18, both of whom were bilingual, everyone else in the household spoke only Welsh. Son Thomas, 10, Harriet, 7, Daniel, 5, Anne, 4, Mary Elizabeth, 4 and baby Joseph, 7 months old had all been born in Ysceifiog.
The 1901 census shows the family living at Llyb Du, Ysceifiog, Flintshire. John Jones, 54 was now a Farmer on his own account, Elizabeth was now 48 years old. Some of the children were not now at home, Daniel, 15, being the eldest one, he was sadly described on the census as “feeble minded,” he spoke only Welsh. Anne, 14, Joseph, 10 and new sister Sarah E., 6 were all bilingual.
By the 1911 census all the children had left home, or were not at home at Garfield House, Lloc, Nr. Holywell, Whitford, Flintshire on census night. John Jones, 64, may have still been a Farmer, but he wrote Farmer’s Labourer (Worker) but the those two last words were crossed out. His wife Elizabeth, now 58 tells us that they had been married for 40 years and 10 children were born to them, all still living. There was a boarder living with them a Police Constable for the County, Nicholas Edward Parry, 24, single and born in Rhuddlan, Flintshire.
Sadly I cannot find Joseph on the 1911 census, nor any of his siblings, as they have the surname “Jones” which is prevalent in Wales! However, Joseph enlisted at some point after War was declared and sadly again, I cannot find his Attestation Papers, but some records are on Ancestry.co.uk.
Joseph Jones in the UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 tells us that his residence was Higher Tranmere, Cheshire and he enlisted at Wrexham, but confirms his regimental details above. This source also tells us that he was formerly in the Denbighshire Yeomanry, Regimental number 1506.
Joseph Jones in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the Sole Legatee was his father John who received £3 12s 6d on the18th October 1917 and his War Gratuity of £3 on the 28th November 1919. Also that death presumed on or since 12th October 1916, telling us that his body was probably not found.
Joseph Jones in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 does not tell us where his first Theatre of War was nor when he entered it. This also confirms that he was formerly in the Denbighshire Yeomanry, Regimental number 1506.
Joseph’s Flintshire WW1 Index Card (Whitford F5) confirms his address and his regimental details and his Period of Service as 4 years. Pte. Missing not known. Card signed by Ellis DAVIS* 6th October 1919
*I believe that this is the Vicar of Whitford who was assigned to distribute and collect the cards for the Whitford Parish on behalf of the Memorial Committee (Gladstone Family).
If anyone has any more information, it would be gratefully received.