Frederick Leslie was born about 1896. He was the son of Francis Barry-Roberts and his wife Katherine.
The census of 1901 records the family living at Bettisfield Hall where Francis Barry Roberts was the village vicar. Head of the household was Clergyman Francis B Roberts who was 36 and who had been born in Bronington. His wife Katherine was 39 and had been born in Pennfields Staffordshire. Their listed children were Frederick L aged 5 and Lillian B who was 1. There were two servants – a Nurse Ann C and a Cook, Elizabeth Chase.
The census of 1911 records Frederick Lesley Roberts of Bettisfield as a student at Trent college, Long Eaton, Nr Worthingham Derbyshire. He was 15.
Three years later in November 1914, he received a Commission. He was posted to the 12th Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers stationed at Wrexham and later at Kinmel Park where he served as a Trainer and later as Bombing Officer to the Battalion. This information comes from his index card in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. The card was also the source of the regimental information at the top of this page. The card was completed by his own father the Vicar of Bettisfield F Barry Roberts and signed on 9th September 1919
Frederick Leslie Barry Roberts left a will which was listed in the National Probate Calendar. It says he was ‘of The vicarage Bettisfield Nr Whitchurch Shropshire died on 22nd December 1917 at Aden. Administration London 30th June to the Reverend Francis Barry Roberts, Clerk. Effects £335..9s..8d’
It has not proved possible so far to find this soldier on the Commonwealth War Grave data base.
The Reverend Francis Barry Roberts, the Vicar of Bettisfield completed all the other Bettisfield index cards in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. He completed the details and signed every one. The village school Log Book shows that he was a very active figure in the school and gave scripture lessons at least weekly. He was a member of the School Board and wrote the minutes of the meetings. He checked the registers regularly and signed that he had done so. He was one of the first adults on the scene at the tragic ice incident of 1905 and of course as the Vicar he would have officiated at the funerals. The story of that event is written elsewhere on this website. Follow the link.