Samuel Roberts appears on the 1901 census. He was living with his family at 6 Stone Row, Connah’s Quay. His father who was also Samuel was 47 and a ‘Bricksetter Labourer’. The mother was Hannah who was 40. Their listed children were Elizabeth 9, Margaret 7 and Samuel junior who was 1. Where was the other one?
In the 1911 census the family was living at 360 High Street Connah’s Quay. Samuel senior was 57 and still a ‘Bricksetter Labourer’. His wife of 26 years Hannah was 50. She had given birth to seven children but only four had survived. Three of them were recorded on the census form. Elizabeth 20, Maggie 17 and Samuel junior who was 11.
They had already lost 3 children, Elizabeth, John & Mary (see Gravestone below), but don’t know when. Samuel was their only remaining son. as far as I can see.
UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914 -19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details above and adds that Samuel enlisted in Wrexham. It is this source that tells us he was ‘Killed in Action’.
Samuel Roberts in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that his”Death was presumed” on the 17th April 1918 and the sole Legatee was his father Samuel who was paid £6. 10s 7d on the 3rd January 1920 which included his War Gratuity of £5.
Samuel’s medal card also accessible on ‘ancestry’ gives details of his medals and also adds that he also once had a number in the Territorial Regiment TR4/40309
Flintshire War Memorials had another pilgrimage to Tyne Cot on the 8th April 2017 and visited Samuel’s panel and the photograph below was taken with help from Laraine & John Blythyn trying without success, to get the FWM Cross along side Samuel’s name, as his name is so high, – but he was remembered once again. Photo taken by Mavis Williams.
Samuel is commemorated on a family gravestone in Connah’s Quay Cemetery. The inscription reads as follows
In Loving memory of Samuel
The beloved husband of Hannah Roberts
Who died Jan 7th 1928 aged 74 years.
Also
Samuel their son
Who was killed in France
April 17th 1918 aged 19yrs
Samuel Roberts is remembered on the “Roll of Honour” in St. Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay. Also the Oddfellows Memorial Tablet – Wepre Lodge.
In the Mold, Deeside & Buckley Leader dated 3rd October 1924, a list of the members were honoured:-
Connah’s Quay Memorial Tablet. To Wepre Lodge, Fallen Oddfellows.
The Saturday preceding 3rd October 1924, the Tablet was unveiled by the Vicar of Shotton, J.J.J. ROBINSON.
S. ROBERTS was among the names honoured.
Excerpts from the article.
On the Absent Voter’s List 1919, Samuel’s name was entered :- HIGH STREET – 686 ROBERTS, Samuel, 360, High Street. 56326 Pte., 9th Welsh Regt. B.E.F. (Died 17/4/18) 1497 (No. on the 1918 list of the same name.)