James & Elizabeth Jones (nee Baird) had married in St. Mark’s Church, Connahs’ Quay.  James 23, a Bachelor, was an Engineer, living in Sandycroft. His father was John Jones, a Moulder.  Elizabeth Baird was a Spinster, 20, living at 7, Albion Terrace, Connah’s Quay. Her father was Walter Baird, a Shipwright.

The 1901 census records James and Elizabeth with their children in Wood Lane, Hawarden. James, head of the household was  27 and a coal miner, having been born in Hawarden.   Elizabeth his wife was 25 and like James and all the children had been born in Hawarden. Their children were  Annie 4,  Isaac 3 and  Richard H. was 1.

By 1911 the family was living in Level Houses Near Hawarden, Flintshire.  James  37, was still a Coal Miner (Hewer). His wife of 18 years, Elizabeth was 35. They had 4 children born to them, all still living.    Annie, 14 was an Apprentice Dressmaker,  Isaac  13,  Richard Hugh 11 and James 8 were all scholars.

On the 2nd October, 1917, Richard Hugh  enlisted in Wrexham. He was killed less than a year later, on the 30th August 1918 aged 19. Less than 3 months later the war was over!

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk  confirms the regimental information above and tells us that he was born and lived in Hawarden and he enlisted in Wrexham. It was this source that said he was formerly 87219, Liverpool Regiment. His medal card also on ancestry, details his medal entitlement.

There is an index card for him in The Flintshire Roll of Honour in the County Record Office in Hawarden, (F6  Ewloe) gives the address as The Level, Hawarden. It adds that his period of Service was from 2nd October  to the 30th August 1918.  The card was signed by James Jones on the 27th October 1919

 He is mentioned in the book ” Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1918  Royal Welsh Fusiliers”

Many thanks to Richard Hugh’s nephew and namesake – Richard Williams for providing the amazing photographs below. He tells us that the family story is that “Richard Hugh was a very good marksman in the RWF. On the morning of his death they had lost two men to German snipers. Richard went up to the front to get the sniper but was unlucky and was shot. The next man who went up got the sniper.

…Or so the story goes”.

As can be seen from the remarkable  photographs below, members of the family visited Richard’s grave in France