The 1891 census see the Marland family living at 40, Hope Street, Ashton Under Lyne, Hurst, Lancashire. James Marland 31, the father, was a ‘Clogger’. His wife Mercy, 32, was a ‘Weaver of Cotton’. Their children were James Greenhalgh 12, William 9, Mary E 5 , Edna 2 and Alice was 1.
The family had moved to Connah’s Quay in Flintshire by the 1901 census. Their address was 21, Cable Street, Connahs Quay, Flintshire. Father 42, James W was an Ironworker. Mercy his wife, named by the enumerator as ‘Mary’ Marland was 42. The children were listed as James 22 and William 19 both Ironworkers. Edna was 12, Alice 11, Henry 7 and John was 4.
In 1911 the family had moved again, but to Ashfield Road Shotton, Flintshire. The form records that James W, 51. and Mercy 52, had been married for 33 years and she had given birth to 14 children, 7 of whom had died. James W was still an Ironworker and Mercy was ‘a Weaver’. William was single, 29 and an Ironworker. Alice was 21 and ‘at Home’. Harry17 was an Ironworker. John 14 and Samuel 8 were both at school. Living with the family was a Boarder, Arthur Flavell age 24, an Ironworker.
UK soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 -19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental information above and adds that he was formerly 10579, Cheshire Regiment and enlisted in Chester.
William’s medal card also accessible on ancestry, records his medal details and also tells us that his first theatre of war was France and that he entered it on 19th July 1915.
William Marland in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee was his mother Mercy who was paid £2. 6s 10 on the 3rd January 1916 and his War Gratuity of £3. 10s 0d on the 10th July 1919. There was a recharge to the Regimental Paymaster of 8/. on the 20th June 1916.
There is an index card for William Marland in the Flintshire Roll of Honour in The County record office at Hawarden. (Flintshire WW1 Index Cards F 23 Shotton). It confirms the regimental details above and gives the address 5, Ashfield Road, Shotton, Flintshire. it adds that he served for 1 year and was Killed on the 12th August 1915 at Gallipoli. The card was signed on the 22nd January 1920 by Mrs. M. Marland.
In the newspaper “Flintshire Observer” dated 23rd September 1915 (Page 8 Col. 3/4) – 1/5th Royal Welch Fusiliers – More Casualties – Killed – Private Wm. Marland, Shotton. Mrs. Marland, of Ashville Road, Shotton, has received the sad news that her son, William, aged 26 years, has been killed in action at the Dardanelles on August 12th. He joined the R.W.F. on the outbreak of war, but was transferred to the 4th South Wales Borderers, with which he was serving when killed by a shell. He was employed as an ironworker at Hawarden Bridge Works. Two other sons are also serving with the colours.
