There was a connection between the Catton family and the Williams family of Kirby Grove Shotton.
The 1911 census shows that a Catton family were living at 26, Kirby Grove, Shotton. (4 rooms) Head of the household was Isaac Catton, 42 His wife of 13 years was Lydia, 34. She had given birth to 2 children who were both still living. Their listed children were Edward Catton, 15, and Sarah May Catton, 5.
Isaac died in 1917 and was buried on the 11th January 1917. Lydia remarried on the 11th August 1917 to Thomas Williams in St. Ethelwold’s Church Shotton. They both gave their address as 26, Kirby Grove. (Flintshire (Mold) C115/02/E54)
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 about Edward Williams tells us that his first Theatre of War was the Balkans and he first entered it on the 8th August 1915. He was probably on the battle front for only about 6 weeks when he was killed age 24.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about Edward Williams confirms his regimental details and also tell us he was born in Preston, Lancashire and enlisted in Flint.
In the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 of Edward Williams Effects, the sole Legatee was Thomas Williams who was paid his War Gratuity of £5. 5s 9d on the 17th December 1919 and also 14/3d on the same day.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission Certificate gives additional Information: Son of Thomas Williams, of 26, Kirby Grove, Shotton, Flints.
I cannot find a Flintshire WW1 Index Card for him, neither “Fallen” nor “Living”.
I cannot find any trace of Edward & his father Thomas in Shotton or the surrounding area on the 1911 census, so they may have come here after that, as many people did for the Steelworks, but someone remembered him to have his name included on the Cenotaph. Any help would be gratefully received.
On the Absent Voter’s List of 1919 Edward is recorded – 2949 WILLIAMS, Edward 26 Kirby Grove, Killed in Action (No. on the 1918 Absent Voters list was 5665)
Peter Metcalfe who has researched the Flint War Memorial had information on Edward:-
Private Edward Williams is stated to have been killed in the same explosion and five men wounded. A piece of the copper belting of the shell was sent home to his sister as a relic.
Flintshire Observer 21st October 1915 Page 8 Col 1
PRIVATE EDWARD WILLIAMS, FLINT
Private Edward Williams, 1/5th RWF, of 5, Roskell Square, Flint, was on Saturday morning officially reported to have been killed in action on the 22nd September. Deceased made his home with his sister, Mrs Jones, at 5, Roskell Square. He had been in the Flint Company over four years. Formerly he was employed at Summers’ Works.
In the 1938 Electoral Register for Flint at 5, Roskell Square were living a Jane and Lily Jones. I discovered Edward had an older sister named Jane who was born in 1889/90 and married a William Jones. They are buried in the Northop Road Cemetery. William died at 5, Roskell Square in 1936 and Jane in 1966. Lily was probably their daughter.
Edward was born in Prescot, Lancashire in 1891 (see 1911 census) and the fourth child of Thomas Williams and Mary (Hughes).
In the 1891 census they were living in Whiston in Prescot, Lancashire where Thomas was working as a Coal miner.
I can’t find them in the 1901 census.
In the 1911 census they were living at 20, Castle Street, Flint and now Thomas was a self employed chimney sweep and Edward was a general labourer. In November 1913 Edward’s mother died, aged about 56, and Edward went to live with his sister Jane and her husband William Jones at 5, Roskell Square.
Sometime after Edward died Thomas moved to 26, Kirby Grove, Shotton and personally I don’t believe Edward ever lived there because his name in the “Absent Voters List” was entered three years after he died and it says above in the newspaper report that he made his home with his sister.
Nevertheless they appear to be the same man so a good piece of detective work between the two of us!
Many thanks Peter.
