Edward Roberts was from Chapel St, Mynydd Isa, the son of William and Hannah Roberts from Chapel St, Mynydd Isa. In the 1911 census, the family was William age 60, a general labourer born Mold (Mynydd Isa on 1891 census), Hannah 65 born Caerwys, Edward a collier filler age 24 born Mold, and David an ironmonger assistant age 21. The census shows that William and Hannah had 6 children, 5 alive in 1911. Other children identified from previous censuses were John born c. 1884, Hannah born c. 1880, Martha born c. 1880..
Private Edward Roberts enlisted in Mold and was appointed to the 5th Btn. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He entered his first theatre of war – The Balkans (Gallipoli) on the 8th August 1915 and died there just 10 days later. Three other Buckley soldiers died at Gallipoli in August/September 1915, Samuel Jones, John William Parry and Emrys Whitley.
A Memorial Service for Edward was reported in two newspaper accounts.
County Herald, October 1, 1915
A solemn and impressive memorial service took place at Mynydd Isa Calvinistic Methodist Chapel on Wednesday night last week, in respect of the late Private Edward Roberts of the Flintshire Territorials whose death occurred on August 18th during the fighting at the Dardanelles. Members of the family of the deceased soldier are worshippers at this chapel. There was a large congregation. The Rev. J. H Williams (the pastor) presided, and the proceedings were conducted partly in Welsh and partly in English. The following ministers took part: The Revs G. Parry Williams (Mold), W. Morris Jones, B.A., and Ellis Lloyd (Buckley), as well as Mr. James Peters (Buckley). Special and appropriate hymns were sung; and at the top of the printed hymn paper were the words ‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” The service had a deep impression on all present, and many were moved to tears. At the close Miss Maggie Hewitt (the organist) played “The Dead March” in Saul.
Flintshire Observer, September 30, 1915
MEMORIAL SERVICE. A memorial service for Private Edward Roberts, Mynydd Isa, who was killed in action on the 18th August, was held at the C. M. Chapel on Wednesday evening week. It was a most impressive service, and there was a crowded congregation. The Rev. J. Williams (pastor) and other ministers were present. Psalm 103 and prayer were read in Welsh by the Rev. Ellis Lloyd, and lessons in English were read by Mr. James Peters J.P., C.C. An address in English was given by the Rev. G. Parry Williams, M.A., Mold,, whilst an address was delivered in Welsh by the Rev. W. Morris Jones, B.A. Special, hymns, both in Welsh and English, were sung by the congregation. Miss Maggie Hewitt presided at the organ, and at the close of the service gave a feeling rendering of Handel’s Dead March in Saul.”
Edward Roberts is also named on Mold Memorial