Thomas Jutson was born in Greets Green, Great Bridge, Staffordshire in 1888. He was the second of nine children to William Jutson and Susannah (Overton).
William was born in Tipton, Staffordshire and Susannah in West Bromwich, Staffordshire and were married in West Bromwich on 22nd November, 1885.
Thomas spent the best part of his life in Staffordshire but by the 1911 census he was living in Flint and a boarder at the home of a Mr and Mrs Thomas and Catherine Hayes of 203, Chester Road. Thomas was employed as an ironworks labourer.
He married Dublin born Annie Latham somewhere locally in 1912 and they resided at 8, Queen Street. Before the marriage she was employed as a silk weaver at the Holywell Silk Works.
They had three children – Catherine (b1912), Frederick Henry (b1914) and Thomas William (b1916). Frederick died in January, 1915 aged 6 months.
Thomas enlisted in Shotton on 28th August, 1914 and landed in Turkey on 28th June, 1915.
He died of dysentery on 1st September, 1915 while being transported by ship to a hospital in England.
He was awarded the1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
He is remembered on four war memorials – Helles Memorial, Turkey (Panel 77 to 80), Flint Town, St Mary’s Parish Church, Flint and the English Presbyterian Chapel, Chester Road, Flint.
He is also commemorated on the North Wales Heroes’ Memorial Arch, Bangor.
DEATH OF PRIVATE THOMAS JUTSON, OF QUEEN STREET, FLINT, BURIED AT SEA
(County Herald 24th September, 1915
One of the most beautiful and sympathetic of letters has been received by Mrs Jutson, of 8, Queen Street, Flint, breaking to her the news of the death of her husband, Private Thomas Jutson, of the 8th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers.
The Rev F Kemp, of the RAMC, said it was with deep sorrow in his heart that he wrote the letter, but he knew that Mrs Jutson, as a brave soldier’s wife, would bear up in the sorrow. He was writing on one of the Transport vessels, and Private Jutson knew that his wife and child had been praying for him. The Private was transferred to the RAMC section on the afternoon of the 28th August en route to England and home; and he was at the time suffering from dysentery. Those who knew him knew how he had suffered, but not withstanding all the medical skill he passed peacefully away at five o’clock on the 1st September. He (Rev Kemp) was with the Private up to the last, and cheered him up. No one would have wished him to live had they seen how he suffered, because it was better to be with God at rest, and pass away from this earthly strife, than to suffer as he did. He enclosed in the letter a few cards and letters which were sent from home and found in his possession, because he knew his wife would like them in remembrance of him who so nobly gave his life for his beloved country. In reference to himself (the writer) he wished to state that he was a Sergeant Major on that boat; but in civil life he was Honorary Pastor to the Baptist Church in London. Private Jutson was buried at sea, he (the writer) officiating.- It may here be mentioned that Private Jutson enlisted on the 28th August last year, and that a letter was received from him on Wednesday last week stating that he was in hospital, and that he was expecting to be sent to a Convalescent Camp or Home. At his home they were expecting a birthday card for the child on Sunday, and therefore the news of the death was a terrible affliction to his wife and relatives, for whom much sympathy is felt in Flint. Deceased had been employed as an ironworker at the Hawarden Bridge ironworks before he enlisted.
Thomas’s wife, Annie, re-married in 1920 to Edward Jones. She was living at 8, Knights Green where she died on 1st September, 1965, aged 77. She was buried in the Old London Road Cemetery with her mother, Mary Jane Latham, who died in 1949 aged 83. Her obituary stated she had lived in Flint practically all her life. She was one of the founder members, nearly 40 years ago, of the Emmanuel Mission, Swan Street, and she was also a member of the Darby and Joan Club.
Her daughter, Catherine, died in 1973 aged 60. She married Caradog Roberts who died in a prisoner of war camp in Thailand on the 28th December, 1943 aged 31.
Her son, Thomas William, married Ethel Mary Bennett and died in 1989 aged 73.