James’s father, Richard Peters, was a twin to William Peters, they were born in Buckley around 1852. Their father, also Richard, possibly died in 1869 aged 59, (Gt. Boughton, Vol 8 Page 272) and his wife Martha was recorded as a widow on the 1871 census.
James Peters first appeared on a census in 1891 living at Cable Street, Connahs’ Quay. Head of the household was Richard Peters, 38 a Brick Burner. His wife- another Martha- was 34. Their children were Emma, 13 William, 11, Thomas 6, Son Ellis 3 and James Peters, 9 months old.
The family stayed in Cable Street for many years as they were again there on the 1901 census, living at No. 11. They were living in the household of Humphrey Roberts, 26 a Boot Maker, his wife Emma Roberts 24 and their 2 children Edward J. Roberts, 2 and Richard Roberts 1. (Emma Roberts was previously Emma Peters). Emma’s father, Richard Peters, 52, was listed as being a married Brickburner. William Peters was 28, single and a Slater & Plasterer. Thomas B. Peters*# 17 was a bricklayer’s Labourer as was Ellis Peters 14. James Peters, 12 and Emma’s sister Beatrice, 10, made up the family. (Martha, Richard’s wife was not listed).
*Thomas Peters was shown on the 1918/1919 Absent Voter’s List as living at No. 9 Cable street and his Service No. was 12655 Pte., 8th Bn R.W.F.
#Thomas was also in the War as I have found a Flintshire WW1 Index Card (Connah’s Quay L310) for a Thomas Peters, 9, Cable St., and on the Flintshire Observer & News dated 19th December 1918 there is a funeral of a Mrs. T. Peters who had died of Pneumonia aged 32 years and that her husband who was still in Egypt was unaware of her death. Perhaps she was Thomas’s wife. Bless them all.
The 1911 census sees that Richard Peters and family, were living at 5, Cable Street, Connahs’ Quay, Richard 61, a brickburner still, was a widower. He had previously been married for 21 years, 8 children had been born, 2 of whom had died, ( this was crossed out by the enumerator). Listed in the household were his son William Peters, with his wife Margaret and their 2 year old son William Leslie. Sons Ellis Peters, 22 and James Peters, 20, both single and Brick Workers made up the family,
I believe James Peters married an Elizabeth Broughton in a civil ceremony at Hawarden in 1911 (Haw/04/11). The marriage certificate would have to be purchased to confirm or deny.
They had three children. Henry James Peters was born in 1912 , Alice Irene in 1913 and son Leonard in 1915.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental information above and adds that he was born and lived in Connahs’ Quay, also that he enlisted in Shotton and died in the Asiatic Theatre of War.
There is an index card for James Peters in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. (Flintshire WW1 Index Cards F 31 Shotton). It confirms his regimental details and gives the address 43, Brook Road, Shotton. He served from August 1914 until May 1916 when he died of disease. The card was signed by Mrs. Alice E. Peters on the 22nd January 1921. (Alice’s brother Harry Broughton*, who lived at 43, Brook Road, with his mother Alice Woolley was also killed. His card was signed on the same day)
*Click on the link to read his story.
James Peters in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us for the first time, the cause of his death, it was Cholera! The sole Legatees were his widow Alice E. and children they were paid £6. 12s 5d (possibly December 1916) but his War Gratuity of £7. 10s 0d was paid on the18th September 1919. (Did she ever get the £6. 12s 5d I wonder?) There was a charge of 13/4d on the 26th February 1917 – possible overpayment at some point.
Thanks to Bill Tyrell, who allowed me access to the Minutes of the the Conservative Club Shotton where in a meeting on the 9th October 1916 the committee voted to give financial help to sixteen widows of the area. Mrs. PETERS, Brook Road, Shotton was one of those widows, they were each given 5/-. Please click on the link to read the names of the others who were mentioned in the minutes.
Interestingly, to my knowledge, there were 19 men and boys from Brook Road who died in the Great War including 3 sets of 2 brothers.
James was named on 3 other memorials – the Hawarden War Memorial and the Memorial Screen at St Ethelwold’s Church and on the Memorial Plaque in St.Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay.. Somebody made an effort to ensure he was remembered.
