Robert Dale was born in Bagillt, Flintshire during 1878.

In 1901 the family lived in Conway’s Row, Bagillt, Flintshire.   The head of the family was Margaret Dale aged 59.  Her husband had died some years previously.  She had three sons – Robert Dale aged 23, who was employed as a Labourer at Bettisfield Colliery, Bagillt.  Llewellyn Dale aged 17, a Coal Delivery Carrier and Francis Dale aged 15 years.

The 1911 Census tells us that Robert was then married to Sarah Jane Dale aged 30.   They lived in Conway’s Row, Bagillt and had three children – William Edward Dale aged 8, Emrys Dale aged 4 and Robert David Dale aged 1year.  Robert was still employed at Bettisfield Colliery, but was then a Coal Miner (Hewer). They had another son Lesley Dale who was born in 1912, but sadly died aged 9 years in 1921.

UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914-19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk  confirms all the regimental details on this page and adds that he enlisted in Flint. This source tells us that he was killed in action. His medal index card also on ancestry, lists his medals and adds that his first theatre of war was France and he entered it on the 2nd December 1915.  Three months later he was dead.

In September 1916, Robert’s wife Sarah was awarded a pension of 25/- a week for her and her four boys.

He is also remembered on the North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales.

There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour Card for Robert Dale at the County archives Office, Hawarden, containing details of medals awarded.  This card was completed on 9 September 1919 by his wife Sarah Jane.