George’s parents Samuel Jones Cannon and Sarah Weigh were married in St. Deniol’s Church in Hawarden on the 8th October 1881. Samuel was 20 and a Collier, living in Aston. His father, Robert was a Cattle Dealer. Sarah was 20, also living in Aston, and whose father was Thomas Weigh, a Collier.
By the 1891 census they were living in 2 rooms in Aston, next door to Samuel’s parents Robert & Martha Cannon. Samuel J 29, was a Grocer, who had been born in Shotwick, Cheshire. His wife Sarah, 29 had been born in Hawarden, Flintshire. Their children were George 5, who had been born in Crewe, Cheshire, and Lydia, 2 who had been born in Hawarden.
They had suffered the loss of 2 children, Samuel born in 1884 died age 22 months and Maud born in 1888 had died age 9 days. Samuel’s brother Edwin (Edward in the Parish Registers) had died in 1886 age 22 years.
The 1901 census shows the family still in Aston. Samuel 39, was a General Carter. His wife Sarah was 39. Their listed children were George, 15, a General Carter like his father. Lydia was 15, Jessie, 8, Elsie, 6, and Percy, 3. There was a General Servant (Domestic), Catherine Powell 15.
George married Martha P. Bennett in 1909 in St. Deniol’s Church in Hawarden. George was recorded as a 23 year old, Bachelor who was a farmer living in Aston. His bride was Martha Peers Bennett, 28, a Spinster who lived in Shotton.
In 1911, they were living at Seafield Cottage, Queensferry, Flintshire. They had been married 1 and a half years as recorded on the 1911 census. George was then aged 25 and a Carter. His wife Martha P. was 28 and had been born in Connah’s Quay, Flintshire. They had visitors on Census night, Thomas Frederick and Annie Hartley and their baby daughter Kathleen Cowbarn Hartley. This family hailed from Yorkshire.
The 1911 census records George’s parents still living on the Aston Road, Queensferry, Flintshire. Samuel Jones Cannon was 48 and his wife of 29 years was 50. Twelve children had been born alive, but 7 had died. Four of the remaining 5 were with them.Lydia, 22 Jessie, 18 and single, Elsie, 16 Percy, 13. The following year they were to suffer more grief, as can be seen below.
Sadly, George’s wife Martha was to die in 1912. she was just 32. The inscription on a gravestone in St Deniol’s Churchyard, Hawarden records the details of her death and later his death was added.
In Loving memory of Martha Peers Cannon
Who died Decr 26 1912 aged 32 yrs
Also George beloved husband of the above
Killed (?) in action in France
Nov 9th 1917 aged 32.
There is a link death cannot sever
Love and remembrance last forever.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms George Cannon’s regimental information as above and tells us that his birth place was Crewe. He enlisted in Shotton and he was formerly with the 32941, Shropshire Light Infantry. His medal card, also on ‘Ancestry.co.uk’ details his medals.
George is also commemorated on another family grave in St. Deniol’s Churchyard, Hawarden.
Private George Cannon 1st Bat. S.W.B. 25380
10th November 1917.
Son of Samuel Cannon, Daisy Bank, Queensferry.
Mold, Deeside & Buckley Leader 3rd October 1924
Connah’s Quay Memorial Tablet. To Wepre Lodge Fallen Oddfellows.
The Saturday preceding 3rd October 1924, the Tablet was unveiled by the Vicar of Shotton, J.J.J. Robinson
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends,” recited the Vicar of Shotton, “And whosoever this gospel shall be preached in the whole world there shall also this be told for a memorial for them.” The Vicar then said: “We dedicate this tablet, a token of our love and gratitude, to the glory of God and in glorious memory of: J.F. Jones, N.Owen, O.Morrow, T.L. Jenkins, W.Jones, G.T. Rogers, S. Bennett, J.E.Jones G. Cannon, S. Roberts, E.P. Giffiths R. Latham W. Brassington and J.Parry.Also to the honour of 97 brothers who served in the Great War, who at the call of King and Country left their peaceful callings and went forth to uphold the sovereignty of God, to maintain the liberty of nations, and to defend the sacred heritage of our fathers; and who, on the battlefields of the Great War, made the supreme sacrifice”.
George is also remembered on the Memorial Screen in St. Ethelwold’s Church Shotton.