Robert Edward Williams was born in circa 1878 at Caerhun, Conway and was the fifth of seven children to David and Catherine Williams. They lived in Trevriw and David’s occupation was a river watcher. Catherine died sometime before the 1891 census but it is not known what became of David after the 1901 census where he was still living in Trevriw, aged 54.

In Trevriw Robert was employed as a lead miner and in 1901 he married Harriet Owen of Conway in the Bangor Registration District and went on to have five children. In about 1912 they were living at 10, Queen Street, Flint and Robert was employed at the Hawarden Bridge Ironworks, Shotton.

Robert enlisted in the Army at Shotton in September, 1914 and was posted to France on the 19^th July 1915. On the 25^th September he was killed in action at the battle of Loos.

SAD NEWS FOR FLINT HOMES – FOUR SOLDIERS KILLED

(County Herald 15^th October 1915)

It is with regret, which will be shared by the whole of the regiments in the Borough, and particularly those interested in the welfare of the soldiers, that we record three deaths, the intelligence of which has reached parents and relatives. On Saturday last Mrs R. E. Williams, who resides at 10, Queen Street, received the official intimation from the Records’ Office, Shrewsbury, that her husband Private R E Williams, of the 9^th Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, has been killed in action, during the recent heavy fighting in France. The deceased soldier, who was a native of the Trevriw, Llanrwst locality, was 37 years of age, and before the War he was an employee at the Shotton Ironworks. He was a member of the Company in which the late Sergeant Trevor Hughes, of the “Volunteer Arms,” Flint, was a member. He leaves besides his grief-stricken widow, four children, for whom the greatest sympathy is shown in their bereavement.

Robert has no known grave but is remembered on the Loos Memorial, Pas de Calais, France on Panels 50 to 52 and on the Flint Town war memorial. He is also commemorated on the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial Arch, Bangor. He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

SAVAGE ASSAULT BY A SOLDIER’S WIFE

DISGRACEFUL SCENES

(County Herald 4^th January 1918)

Mrs Frances Collier, the wife of a soldier, residing in Corporation Street, near the “Miner’s Arms,” was charged with assaulting Mrs Harriet Williams, the widow of a soldier, and residing at Queen Street, on the 5^th December. Mr T W Hughes appeared for the complainant; and the defendant pleaded guilty. Mr Hughes stated it was a most serious and unprovoked assault. The parties had been friends for a long time. The complainant’s husband was killed in the battle of Loos; and there were besides the widow five young children left.

Later that year Harriet married Edward Lloyd, known as Lloyd the Marsh, and they had a son named Richard Eric in 1919. She died on 21^st May, 1942 and was buried in the Northop Road Cemetery. Her obituary stated she was 63 years of age and had been in ill health for some years but had only recently been confined to bed. She was a native of Conway but had lived in Flint for the last 30 years and was well known and highly respected.

Flintshire Observer 28th October 1915