Joseph Roberts was born in Flint Mountain in 1878 and was the third of six children to Joseph Roberts and Ann (Roberts).

Joseph was born in Neston and Ann in Flint and they were married in St Bartholomew’s Parish Church, Sealand on 31st July, 1870.

The 1871 census found Joseph and Ann living at Plas Bellin Lodge, Northop where Joseph was employed as farm labourer by Lieutenant Colonel Robert Miles. In 1881 they were living at Pan y Glyn Road, Flint Mountain, and by 1891 they had settled at 1, Corporation Street.

In 1901 Joseph Jr was a boarder at 5, Price Street, Bebington and was employed as a labourer at the Port Sunlight Soap Works before returning to live with his parents and taking a job as an ironworker at Messrs Summers and Sons Ltd.

He enlisted with the 14th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers at Shotton on 24th November, 1914 and the following day joined the battalion at Llandudno. On 28th November, 1915 he was transferred to the 20th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers. On 14th January, 1916 he was discharged as permanently unfit for further service after it was discovered he had a heart defect; “stated he never knew there was anything wrong with his heart till on a route march here in Winchester when he had to fall out with exhaustion – this happened again when marching to Salisbury.” He reported to his Regiment surgeon who sent him to the Military Hospital, Magdalen Camp, Winchester. His condition was not considered to have been caused by active service, climate, or ordinary military service.

He died of heart disease on 18th March 1916 and is buried in an unmarked grave in the Northop Road Cemetery.

He was not awarded any medals but is remembered on the Flint Town war memorial. He is also commemorated on the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial Arch, Bangor.

Obituary: To the extreme regret of numerous relatives and friends, the death occurred on Saturday night of Private Joseph Roberts, at the residence of his mother in Corporation Street. The deceased, who was unmarried, had been in the employ of Messrs Summers and Sons Ltd, Hawarden Bridge Works, during which time he lived at the house of his sister, Mrs Lacey Hughes, of Pentre, Queensferry. Early last December he was preparing with the Battalion to leave for the Front, and received his full equipment for that purpose, but on the day of the departure of his comrades he was sent to hospital. He had been stationed at Winchester; and after undergoing a course of medical treatment he was discharged from the army, and sent home about six weeks since.

Ann died at her residence, 1, Corporation Street, on 28th September, 1925, aged 79, and Joseph Sr died on 12th August, 1932 and both are buried in an unmarked grave in the Northop Road Cemetery.

Obituary: We regret to record the death at 1, Corporation Street, on Friday, of Mr J Roberts. The deceased, who was 85 years of age, was a native of Neston, where he was a member of the Grand United Order of Oddfellows, Loyal Habah Lodge. In 1880 he came to reside at Flint Mountain, being employed by the late Mr P Bibby, contractor, and later by the late Mr J Lloyd, and also the late Mr A B Lloyd, Halkyn Street. The deceased came to live in Flint 50 years ago, and had resided at 1, Corporation Street during all those years. The late Mr Roberts was pre-deceased by his wife seven years ago, and he is survived by one son and three daughters. He retired from his employment seven years ago, owing to the loss of his sight following the death of his wife. Mr Roberts was one of the oldest residents in the town.