The  1891 census records the family living at 23, Sankey Street, Widnes, Lancashire.  Head of the household was John Roberts, 32 a Copper Worker, who had been born in Bagillt, Flintshire. His wife Eliza, 33 had been born in Hawarden. Their listed children were   John, 13, William, 10 and Edward, 3. The enumerator stated that they had all been born in Flints.

I cannot find any of the family on the 1901 census so the next time I located Edward was on the census of 1911. He was living at Foulkes Cottage, Queensferry, Flintshire and was listed as ‘head of the household’. Eddie was a 22 year old postman who, on this census, was said to have been born in Widnes. He was  living with his mother Eliza, 51, a widow, who was’ living on Private means.’

The following year, 1912, Edward married Bertha Jones at St. Deniol’s Church, Hawarden,

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk  confirms Eddie’s  regimental information as  above and tells us that his birth place was Widnes, Lancashire and his residence was Buckley.  He had enlisted in Shotton and his Theatre of War was “Home”.

There is an index card for Eddie in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden (Card   F9 Sandycroft). It gives the address Queens Ave., Sandycroft and confirms his regimental details as Private  498048. Labour Battalion,  Newport. The card states that he served for a period of  10 Months and died  of pneumonia on the  8th October 1918. The  card was  signed on the 28th September 1919 by Bertha Roberts.

FLINTSHIRE OBSERVER & NEWS – 31st October 1918 – excerpt of article below, re the Flu epidemic that raged through Flintshire, which was one of the worst counties. 

CONNAH’S QUAY AND SHOTTON ( Flu)

  There are in Connah’s Quay and Shotton numerous sufferers, but except in the case of a few families the attack has been comparatively light.   Only one or two deaths have taken place, and a local doctor gave it as his opinion at the week-end that the turning of the tide in the locality had come.   Nevertheless a large number of residents have been and many still are laid up, and school, week-day and Sunday, as well as Sunday services and other assemblages, have witnessed to the prevalence of influenza by their depleted numbers.   St. Mark’s Schools have been closed during the present week, the chemists have been besieged for the last fortnight for remedies, one of them Mr. T.C.Jones, having to retire to bed a victim of the epidemic, and the doctors and local nurses, including the district nurse, have had the busiest and most anxious time they have had for some years.          Mr Neil Cameron, of Church-street, who at the beginning of the war joined the Liverpool Scottish, and went out to France, returning eventually discharged owing to a wound in the lung, has now succumbed to influenza and subsequent pneumonia.   Other members of the family have suffered from the complaint, including another brother, who has lost an arm in the war.     Another pneumonia victim from the district is Private Edward Roberts, R.W.F., whose death occurred in South Wales, after a week’s illness.   He was employed, before joining the colours, in the postal service at Queen’s Ferry.   He was buried with full military honours in the Hawarden Parish Churchyard.   The service was conducted by the Rev. R. Llewelyn, and at the close the “Last Post” was sounded.   He leaves a young wife.

Edward Roberts was buried in a family grave in St Deniol’s Churchyard, in Hawarden ( North Extension (West Side – F12).   The grave is a White marble cross with 3 stepped base with kerb & lead lettering. There are carved clasped hands (in relief) in the centre of the cross.  The inscription reads:-

In loving memory of Private Edward Roberts Labour Corps.RWF

Beloved Husband of Bertha Roberts, Queens Ave., Sandycroft

who died whilst serving his country Oct 8th 1918 aged 28 years.

“And now, unto thy Perfect Peace O Lord until the day dawns”. (South)

In loving memory of Thomas beloved Husband of Bertha Hughes of Ewloe died July 18 1958 aged 75 years.

“Until we meet again”. (North)

Also Bertha beloved Wife of Thomas Hughes died March 19th 1962 aged 80 years. “Reunited”. – Pte Roberts was of the 442nd Agricultural Coy. 498048

Bertha had remarried after Edward’s death, again in St Deniol’s Church, Hawarden, on the 5th April, 1920 to Thomas Hughes, 37, a widower and Iron Worker, who lived in Shotton.