Jonathan Hargreaves is a mystery as I cannot find him on any census, but we do know that his parents, Jonathan and Ellen Hargreaves, were living at 3, Albert Place, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire in 1919 when Mary (Cissie) Hargreaves filled in the declaration on the Army Relatives Paper after Jonathan’s death and the additional information given on the CWGC website :- Son of Jonathan Hargreaves; husband of Mary Cissie Hargreaves, of 20, Castle St., Flint., does confirm that he was their son.
There is a Flintshire WW1 Index Card for him that also gives his address as 2, Albert Place, Connah’s Quay and confirms the Army information re his death etc. This was signed on the signed 18th September 1919 by an A. HARGREAVES, who, I believe, was his brother Albert.
So I cannot speculate on his early years, but he was born in Newcastle–upon-Tyne circa 1889 and he was to enlist in the Army in 1908 and his Attestation Papers give the Regimental number of 6096 which was crossed out and 902 was given him. His former trade was as an Ironworker at the firm U.A. Co., Alkali Works, and he said he resided at 14, Bower Street, but didn’t put which town. He was not married. The Medical Inspection Report, gave his regiment as West Lancs Divl. Engrs., and his Apparent age :- 18 years 7 months. He was described as 5 feet 6 inches in height, his chest measurement:- Girth when expanded 33 1/2 inches, Range of expansion:- 2 inches. The Form was signed the 2nd June 1908 at St. Helens. Approved 23rd June 1908 at St. Helens.
Further in his Army documents there is a Declaration from William Butler, Liverpool Road, Ditton, Trade :- Drummaker.. 16th July 1908, saying Jonathan was a Steady & Good Ironworker. He tested Jonathan for a Certificate of Trade Proficiency.
His Attestation Papers covered the first enlistment for 4 years in 1908 and then he Re-engaged a number of times so I don’t think he really left the army at all and probably was part of the Territorial Force and one of the first to be mobilized.
It appears he joined the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force when he embarked on M.T. “Caledonia” Devonport on the 14th July 1915 and was killed on the 23rd March 1917 but was “Mentioned in Despatched” on the 28th June 1917 in the London Gazzette. Next of Kin : – Mother Ellen Hargreaves, 14, Rowen Street, Widnes also written was 3, Albert Place, Connah’s Quay.
There is a Form regarding “Mentioned in Despatches.” : – Address on top left hand corner. Mrs Hargreaves,3, Albert Place, Connah’s Quay.
Sir, A certificate of Mentioned in Despatches was forwarded to you on 29/10/19 under cover of my letter, reference as above, for which your receipt has not been received. You are requested to acknowledge the receipt of same on form below. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant. Dated 9/8 or 10/20. Signed by Mrs Hargreaves 12/? /20. Dead. Writing very faded.
He was quite a character, I think, as he was reprimanded twice in 1916 for creating a disturbance in camp after lights out and being drunk and the second time, for “being drunk whilst in charge of a guard.” These events were when he was in Egypt. He was promoted to Substantive Rank of Sergeant in the Field on the 1st March 1917 and was killed in Action on the 23rd March 1917
Next paper – regarding sending all Jonathans possessions to Mrs. Cissie HARGREAVES, 3, Albert Place, Connah’s Quay, Chester. Dated 20th November 1917. In the corner was written “No Effects.”
Mary (Cissie) Connelly and Jonathan married in the June Qtr of 1914 at Prescot (Vol. 8b Page 11[56]0). However they had a child who was born out of wedlock on 15th June, 1913 and the Army sent papers to ascertain that the child was his and she was part of the household and had been before his enlistment. It seems his was a very eventful life, as he had another child born on the 13th March 1914 by another lady, from Connah’s Quay, (I have her name) and an affiliation order was issued. Then on 8th March 1915 his son Jonathan by Mary Cissie Hargreaves (nee Connolly) was born.
Mary Cissie Connolly had been born in Flint and her parents were Patrick and Bridget Connolly and on the 1901 and 1911 census they lived at 11, Castle Street, Flint. Mary Cissie was one of 10 children but sadly 4 had died.
Jonathan Hargreaves in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tell us that the Legatee was Widow Cissie Hargreaves for herself and child, she was paid 2/11d on the 20th November 1917 and a further £2. 6s 8d on the 5th January 1918, strangely the War Gratuity of £15 was paid to the sole Legatee, his widow Mary Hargreaves on the 20th October 1919.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about Jonathan Hargreaves confirms his regimental information above and tells us that he was born in Newcastle-On-Tyne and enlisted in Widnes, Lancashire.
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 about Jonathan Hargreaves tell us his first Theatre of War was the Balkans and he entered it on the 8th of August 1915 which was a terrible day for the R.W.F.
Jonathan is also remembered on the memorial plaque at St. Mark’s Church in Connah’s Quay.