Richard (Dick) Owen Roberts was born in Liverpool in December, 1898 and was the second of six children to Robert Roberts and Susannah (Williams).

Robert was born in Flint and Susannah in Tremerchion and they were married at St David’s Church, Liverpool in 1894. Robert was a licensed victualler and blacksmith at the Bridge Inn, Mold.

Susannah died on 18th February, 1911, aged 42, and was buried in Mold Town Cemetery. Robert married Annie Mary Shaw in 1913 and the family resided at Neston View, Bryn y Garreg, Flint Mountain.

Richard enlisted in Mold in March, 1917 and was killed in action at the Somme on 23rd August, 1918. He was buried in Bapaume Post Military Cemetery, Albert, Somme, France (Plot I, Row A, Grave 15).

He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal and is remembered on two war memorials – Flint Town and Oddfellows Hall, Flint. He is commemorated on the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial Arch, Bangor and remembered on his parents’ headstone.

DEATH OF ANOTHER FLINT SOLDIER
“HE DIED A HERO’S DEATH”
(County Herald 6th September, 1918)

Residents of the Flint Mountain district and in the town of Flint, as well as in other localities, will regret to learn the sad intelligence of the death of Private Richard Owen Roberts, son of Mr R Roberts, of Bryn-y-Garreg, Flint Mountain. The information was conveyed to the parents per date of 27th August in a letter enclosing a number of photographs which deceased had in his possession about the time of his death. The communication states that Private Roberts “fell in the recent advance,” that “he died a hero’s death,” and that the remains were interred in a respectful manner. Deceased, who was only nineteen years and eight months old, was well known and highly respected by all who knew him. Before his enlistment he was employed at a local silk factory. He had been serving in the Army since twelve months last March; and in April he was wounded during some of the heavy fighting. Then he was removed to England for medical treatment and afterwards he was granted leave of absence, whereupon he returned home, where he was some time recuperating. Though young he had participated in several of the severe battles, and his death is lamented by a large number of relatives and friends who extend their sympathies to the bereaved parents and members of the family in their loss. It may be mentioned that the deceased was a member of the Bethel (Welsh Wesleyan) Chapel, Flint Mountain, and that he was also a member of the Loyal Flint Castle Lodge of Oddfellows.

Robert died in 1953 aged 88 and Annie was 80 when she died and both are buried in Mold Town Cemetery with Susannah.