Arthur Williams was born about 1899 in Llanasa. He was the eldest son of Peter & Mary Ellen Williams, who had married in a Civil Marriage registered in Holywell in 1895 (Flintshire (Mold)HOL/24/E46). Arthur was recorded on the 1901 census, living at Glanrafon Cottages, Llanasa, Flintshire. Peter, aged 29, was head of the household and a Hewer in the Coal mine below ground. His wife was Mary Elle aged 24 and they tell us that their 2 children, Jannie 4 and Arthur, 2, had been born in Llanasa.
The 1911 census records that the family had grown and had moved to Craig Arthur, Penyffordd, Ffynnongroew. All the family were bilingual. Peter William then 39 was listed as a Butcher and Farmer, His wife of 15 years Mary Ellen was 34 and had given birth to 7 children. Sadly one had died. The family then consisted of Jane, 14, Arthur, 12, Elizabeth, 8, John, 5 Eleanora 2 and Mair Eluned 10 months old.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk tells us that he was born in Llanasa, he resided in Chester, (the postal address of Ffynnongroew at that time always stated “Nr. Chester,” so this could have been misleading to the clerks in the Army), and he enlisted in Holywell.
The UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 in which the army calculated what moneys were owed to deceased soldiers includes an entry for Arthur Williams. His sole Legatee was his mother Mary who was paid £10 12s 11d on the 28th May 1919, which included his War Gratuity of £5. It also stated that his death was officially accepted as on the 21st March 1918.
There is an index card for him in The Flintshire roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. (Card Ffynnongroyw F 14). The card names him and gives the address Picton Farm, Llanasa. It confirms his regimental details as above and says that he served for 10 months. He was Killed in Action on the 21st March 1918. Card signed by Peter Williams (Father) on the 4th November 1919.
This card states that his address then was Picton Farm and this is the farm that his paternal Grandparents were living on the 1881 and 1891 censuses, indeed it seems that before his marriage Peter was living there. This was a family farm.
Arthur was also on the Absent Voters List 1918 – No. 3746 WIilliams, Arthur Picton Farm, 2/7th Lancs Fus . Pte.
Commonwealth War Graves Commission additional Information: Son of Peter and Mary E. Williams, of Picton Farm, Ffynnon Groew, Flintshire.
There is an A. Williams remembered on the Bangor Memorial Arch – http://www.bangorcivicsociety.org.uk/pages/arch/DSCF4394.htm
Arthur is also remembered on the Picton War Memorial.