John Andrew Hyde was born in 1888, in Red Lake, Shropshire and was the eldest of 10 surviving children (three others died in infancy) to William Henry Hyde and Elizabeth (Jones).

The Hyde family lived for many years at Red Lake, Wellington, Shropshire but by 1911 had moved to Flint and were living at 113, Chester Road. John was now employed as an ironworker and was unmarried. By 1915 they had moved again to 72, Swan Street.

He enlisted in Shotton in about August, 1914 and landed at the Balkans on 28th June, 1915.

The Flint Petty Sessions, reported in the 5th November, 1915 edition of the County Herald, revealed: “An elderly man named William Hyde, of 72, Swan Street, was summonsed for having assaulted a neighbour named Thomas Wedge. The evidence of the complainant was to the effect that they were in the “Hawarden Castle” Inn one evening, when without the slightest provocation defendant made use of some language and struck him on the face. Mr W Hughes, who was for the defence, cross-examined complainant with a view to showing that an argument had arisen as to the defendant’s men serving with the RWF at the Dardanelles, and that the complainant having a son would not allow him to enlist; but the complainant denied there had been any such discussion. Mr Hughes said they did not deny the assault, and said there was some provocation, owing to the argument, which he had mentioned. Defendant was fined 10s.”

In late 1916 Corporal Hyde had not been heard from for some time and there was clearly some confusion as to his whereabouts, for the 24th November edition of the County Herald reported that he was missing and the 6th July, 1917 edition stated that information had reached the Borough that he was a prisoner of war. It must have been a shock to learn that he had actually been killed in action in Mesopotamia on the 9th April, 1916.

He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq on Panel 15.

He is remembered on two war memorials: Flint Town, St Mary’s Parish Church, Flint and is commemorated on the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial Arch, Bangor. He was awarded the 1914–15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

John’s father, William Henry, was born in Snedshill, Shropshire and died in June, 1933, aged 76, and is buried in an unmarked grave in the Northop Road Cemetery. He was employed as an ironworker.

His mother, Elizabeth (Lizzie), was born in Red Lake, Shropshire and died at 46, Jubilee Street, Shotton in October, 1940 aged 75. She is buried with her husband and their son, Joseph Henry, who died in December, 1947 aged 42.