Joseph Parry was the son of Thomas and Harriet Williams, born in Nerquis in about 1878. Joseph married Mary Ann Wardle 1 November 1902 when Joseph recorded his address as Spon Farm, possibly the family home of his father Thomas Parry who is recorded as a farmer on the certificate. Mary Ann Wardle was born in Buckley in about 1883. They had six children, George Wardle, Elizabeth May, Sarah Anne, Mary Parry, Edith, and Joseph jnr. Mary died in 1913. Their address in 1911 was Aberdovey Terrace, Spon Green.

UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914 -19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk includes an entry for Joseph Parry. It confirms all the military details on the left of this page and adds that he was born in Mold and resided in Buckley and that he enlisted in Buckley. His medal index card also on Ancestry, tells us that his first theatre of War was France and he entered it on the 27th September 1915. Less than 4 weeks later he was dead.

From the Flintshire Observer, 4th November, 1915   Buckley Hero. Private Joseph Parry who was a member of the 10th Battalion Royal Welch Fusiliers has died from wounds in his left side & back caused by the explosion of a bomb. Deceased was 34 years of age. He leaves a widow & 5 children who reside at 14 Aberdovey Terrace.

The Register of Soldier’s effects (Ancestry), in which the army calculated what moneys were owed to deceased solders includes an entry for Joseph. This confirms that he died on the 24th October 1915 in Etaples 1 Can (Canadian) Gen Hosp.  His widow Mary Ann was his sole legatee and she received a toal of £5 ..1sh ..4d in two separate payments.

From Natalia McKenzie Joseph Parry & Mary Ann Wardle [adopted surname Davies] were married in a civil ceremony at Chester Registry office on 1st November 1902. Joseph records his address as Spon Farm, possibly the family home of his father Thomas Parry who is recorded as a farmer on the certificate. Joseph Parry was the cousin of John Parry  who was killed in action near Ypres in 1917

Joseph’s recorded age at his death in various documents is stated as 34 but from census and birth registration he was actually 37