Thomas (Tom) Humphreys was born in Flint in 1892 and baptised 30th November, 1892 in St Mary’s Parish Church, Flint. He was the second of 11 children to Robert Humphreys and Miriam (Smith), and was a first cousin to Private William Thomas Humphreys.
For a number of years the Humphreys family were residents of the Yacht Inn, Evans Street, where Robert was the licensee and who also had a job as a general labourer.
The 1911 census found the family living at 1, New Western Terrace, Oakenholt and Robert was now working as a boiler fireman at the Shotton ironworks. Tom was also employed at the ironworks as a galvanizer. He was also a single man and remained so. The Humphreys family were to move once more to 297, Chester Road, Oakenholt where they settled.
Tom enlisted in Wrexham in August, 1914 and landed at Boulogne on 19th July, 1915.
He was killed in action on 7th November, 1918 in Courtrai, France. He has no known grave but is commemorated on the Vis-en-Artois Memorial, France on Panel 6. He is remembered on three memorials: Flint Town, St David’s Parish Church, Oakenholt and the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial Arch, Bangor. He is also remembered on his parents’ headstone in the Northop Road Cemetery, Flint (Grave 12, Line 38, South Side).
He was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal.Writing to his parents, his officer said: “I am writing to you to extend my sincere sympathy to you and yours, at the great loss of your son, Private Humphreys, killed in action November 7th. Your son was in my platoon. He always was a good boy, and his death is felt as much by myself as by my platoon. He was unhappily killed by a shell, and it was a comfort to know he died a painless death. Assuring you of my heartfelt sympathy.”
Tom’s father, Robert, died 10th August, 1933, aged 65, at his home, 297, West View, Oakenholt. His obituary stated he was employed at the North Wales Paper Mill, Oakenholt for many years (which must have been during the latter part of his working life); also, as well as the Yacht Inn, at some time he held the licence of the Miners’ Arms, Flint. He was a native of Flint and was very well known and highly respected. He was a member of the St Catherine’s Welsh Church, where for many years he was a chorister. He was also a member of the Flint Borough Workingmen’s Club.
Mrs Humphreys was born in Kelloe, Durham and died in Flint on 7th November, 1929, aged 61, after a severe illness. She was buried with her husband and their son, Edwin Smith Humpherys, who died of tuberculosis on 21st April, 1919, aged 12. Before her marriage she was employed as a domestic servant for Mr Thomas J Grierson, a land agent, of Bryntirion, Bagillt.
It was reported the news of her death cast a gloom over the whole district, where she was greatly esteemed as a neighbour and friend whose kindness was always to be depended upon. She was a lifelong and staunch churchwoman, and St David’s Church, Oakenholt would miss one of its most faithful members and devoted workers. She was a prominent member of the Mothers’ Union attached to the church.