According to the family tree of ‘William Probert R.W.F.’ owned by Jon Lloyd, William Probert was born circa 1873 in Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire. He was the son of William & Lydia Probert (nee Brookman) who had married in the Bedwelty Registration District in the December quarter of 1871(Vo. 11a Page 170).
Thanks to Jon Lloyd I was able to find the correct William Probert, as there were numerous William Probert’s born in the same area and timeline. I had previously told the early story of another William Probert, so I apologise for that.
We first see him on the 1881 census, living at Pontymoile Old Bailey, Panteague Aka Panteg, Pontypool, Monmouthshire with his family. William Probert (Snr.), 24, is head of the household and a ‘Roller in the Iron Works‘ and born in Brecknockshire. His wife, Lydia, 22, had been born in Ebbw Vale. Their children were Morgan, 9, William, 7 and George, 5, all born in Ebbw Vale. Their daughter Susan Probert was 10 months old and born in Panteg, Monmouthshire.
The next time we see the family is on the 1891 census, living at Mill Road, Trevethin with Pontypool, Pontypool, Monmouthshire, Wales. William Probert (Snr.), 39, is still head of the household and a ‘Baller in the Iron Works;’ his place of birth was Hay in Brecknockshire. Lyddia (sic) Probert was 39 years old. Mary A. Probert, 19 was a General Servant, she was missing from the 1881 for some reason, I could not find her at all. William Probert, 17, was a ‘Labourer at the Iron Works.’ George,14, probably was as well, the census was unclear. They had been born in Ebbw Vale. Susan Probert, 12 was a ‘Scholar,’ as was Lyddia Probert, 7, Elizabeth Probert, 6 and Thomas Probert aged 7 months had all been born in Pontypool, Monmouthshire.
There is a William Probert’s Attestation papers on Ancestry, we think that this was him, but there are no family details to confirm this. He was 21 and single when he attested on the 22nd of January 1895 and was born in Ebbw Vale. He joined the 24th Foot (South Wales Borderers) Militia Reserve, Service No. 3/5596. He did 49 days Drill on Enlistment, and he attended the Annual Training for two years was struck off the Militia then was absent in 1897. He was 5 feet 7 and 4/10th inches, Weight 128lbs, Chest 33 and ½ inches, when expanded was 36 inches. His complexion was Fair, eyes Brown as was his hair. His religion was ‘Wesleyan.’ He had a scar on the right side of his chest.
William Probert married Minnie Charles in the registration district of Neath (Vol 11a, Page 1046) in the June Qtr. of 1898. The 1901 census shows them living at 12, Bowen Street, Neath, Glamorganshire, William 28, was recorded as a ‘Galvanized Sheet Worker’ Minnie, 23, had been born in Neath, Glamorganshire. They had a son who was 1 year old.
The family had moved to Connah’s Quay by the time of the 1911 census. They were living at 27 Spring Street Connah’s Quay, Flintshire. William was 37 and a Furnaceman. His wife of 14 years, Minnie, was 32. Their children were James 12, Richard 8, Ernest, 5, Rose, 2 and George 1 month. Sarah Charles a relative who was single and 21 was visiting or lodging.
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 born in Ebbw Vale, Monmouthshire and enlisted in Shotton.
Williams’s medal card also accessible on ancestry, records his medal details and also tells us that his first theatre of war was the Balkans and that he entered it on 30th June 1915.
William Probert in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee of his War Gratuity was his mother Minnie who was paid £7 on the 10th of October 1919. There was a recharge to the Regimental Paymaster of £1. 10s 8d on the 3rd of August 1916.
8th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers
Taken from:- http://www.wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/allied/welchfusiliers8-gw.php
8th (Service) Battalion, The Royal Welch Fusiliers was raised at Wrexham in August 1914 as part of Kitchener’s First New Army and joined 40th Brigade, 13th (Western) Division which assembled on Salisbury Plain. 40th Brigade moved to Chiseldon and Cirencester in September 1914. Near the end of February the Division concentrated at Blackdown in Hampshire. They moved to the Mediterranean from the 13th of June 1915 landing at Alexandria then moving to Mudros, by the 4th of July to prepare for a landing at Gallipoli. The infantry landed on Cape Helles between the 6th and 16th of July to relieve 29th Division. They returned to Mudros at the end of the month, and the entire Division landed at ANZAC Cove between the 3rd and 5th of August. They were in action in The Battle of Sari Bair, The Battle of Russell’s Top and The Battle of Hill 60, at ANZAC. Soon afterwards they transferred from ANZAC to Suvla Bay. They were evacuated from Suvla on the 19th and 20th of December 1915, and after a week’s rest they moved to the Helles bridgehead. They were in action during The last Turkishh attacks at Helles on the 7th of January 1916 and were evacuated from Helles on the 8th and 9th. The Division concentrated at Port Said, holding forward posts in the Suez Canal defences. On the 12th of February 1916 they moved to Mesopotamia, to join the force being assembled near Sheikh Sa’ad for the relief of the besieged garrison at Kut al Amara. They joined the Tigris Corps on the 27th of March and were in action in the unsucessful attempts to relieve Kut. They were in action in The Battle of Kut al Amara, The capture of the Hai Salient, the capture of Dahra Bend and The passage of the Diyala, in the pursuit of the enemy towards Baghdad. Units of the Division were the first troops to enter Baghdad, when it fell on the 11 March 1917. The Division then joined “Marshall’s Column” and pushed north across Iraq, fighting at Delli ‘Abbas, Duqma, Nahr Kalis, crossing the ‘Adhaim on the 18 April and fighting at Shatt al ‘Adhaim. Later in the year they were in action in the Second and Third Actions of Jabal Hamrin and fought at Tuz Khurmatli the following April. By the 28th of May 1918, Divisional HQ had moved to Dawalib and remained there until the end of the war, enduring extreme summer temperatures.
There is an index card for William Probert in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Record Office in Hawarden. (Flintshire WW1 Index Cards Connah’s Quay F 54) It gives the widow’s address as 29, Marshfield Road, Melyn Neath. It confirms the regimental details above. It tells us that he served from 29th August 1914 till his death. It says he ‘Died of wounds.’ There was a letter attached to the card from Minnie in Neath. It said,
“Dear Madam, it gives me great pleasure to write these few lines hoping that this letter will find you in the best of health. Very pleased to hear that the people of Connah’s Quay haven’t forgot those who died for their Country with reference to my Husband, he enlisted on the 29th of August 1914 and died on April 13th, 1916, of wounds. Private William Probert (12730) of the RWF. hoping that this will give you all particulars. Allow me to remain yours truly Mrs. M. Probert
After the War Minnie must have taken her Family back down to her old neighbourhood in Neath and she went back to the same road as she lived in in 1891 with her Parents and siblings.
Minnie Probert was to remarry after her return to Neath. She married Thomas Davies in the December quarter of 1918 in Neath (Vol. 11a Page 1532) and they are seen on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, living at 29, Marshfield Road, Neath, Glamorganshire, Wales (Minnie’s Family Home was at 9, Marsh Buildings Court, Marshfield Road, Neath before her marriage to William PROBERT). Thomas Davies was head of the household and 39 years and 10 months old, born in Neath Glamorganshire and a ‘Cleaner in Pot Shop’ of the Neath Steel Sheet and Galvanizing Works, Neath, he was ‘Out of Work.’ Minnie Davies, was now 43 years and 2 months old, also born in Neath and doing ‘Home Duties.’ Step-sons to Thomas, were James Probert, 21 years and 3 months old, single, born in Neath and a ‘Heaver-Over’ in Sheet Mills for Whitford Steet Sheet, Briton Ferry. He was also ‘Out of Work.’ Richard Probert 19 years and 6 months old, single, born in Connah’s Quay was a Breaker-Down ‘ in the Sheet Works for the same company as James and ‘Out of Work.’ Ernest Probert 15 years and 2 months old, George Probert, 11 years and 6 months old and Albert Probert, 5 years and 8 months old, all born in Connah’s Quay.
A George E.Probert was to die when he was 16 years old, in the March quarter of 1927 (Hawarden Vol. 11b Page 340). If this is him, it was after he returned to Connah’s Quay.
Another child of William & Minnie was to enlist, or was conscripted in 1921, in the Royal Artillery, aged 21 years. He was James Rowland Probert, Service umber 743248, his mother, in the Ryal Artillery Attestation Register was Minnie of 29, Marshfield road, Neath. He was discharged on the 19th of January 1928 under Para 156 (5) T.A. Regs*
*The nearest I can get is that The Discharge Regulations amended to 1914 (Which may alter in different years) was that it meant he was discharged because he would not become an efficient soldier.
William & Lydia Probert on the 1921 census, which was taken on the 19th of June 1921, shows them living at 16, Cecil Street, Neath, Glamorganshire, Wales. William Probert is aged 68 years and 2 months old, born in Welsh Hay and a ‘Bundler’ at the Neath Galvanizing Works. Lydia Probert, 68 years old was born in Bristol. Susiel Probert, 45 years old had been born in Pontypool and May Probert, 19 years and 6 months old was a ‘Bottler’ for the Handcocks Brewery, Neath.
Minnie’s sister Sarah Cooper, (nee Charles) was living at 90, Farm Road, Garden City, Sealand, Flintshire, Wales on the 1921 census. William Edwin Cooper was head of the household, aged 31 years and 8 months, born in Northop, Flintshire and an ‘Ironworker Roller’ at J. Summers & Sons Ltd., Hawarden Bridge Steelworks. Sarah Cooper, his wife, was 31 years and 11 months old, born in Neath, Glamorganshire and doing ‘Home Duties.’ Doris Cooper, 7 years and 3 months old had been born in Sealand Parish, Flintshire, Jennie May Cooper was 6 years and 3 months old, born in Northop and Rowland Cooper, 3 years and 2 months old born in Sealand Parish completing the family, with Rose Probert, Sarah’s niece, aged 12 years and 8 months old, born in Northop Parish.
Many thanks to Jon Lloyd for sharing his knowledge of the family, so we were able to make sure William Probert is remembered.
William is also named on the Memorial Plaque in St.Mark’s Church, Connah’s Quay.
