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Wigley, Thomas (Tom)

The 1891 census records the family living at Pentre, Saltney, Pentre, Cheshire with head of the household  John Wigley, 38,  a Mechanic’s Labourer who  had been born in Shropshire.  His wife Elizabeth, 31 had been born in Mold, Flintshire.  Their listed children were Gertrude A. who was 8,  Catherine P 6 and Esther N 10 months old.

The family on the 1901 census were in Saltney Road, Sandycroft, Hawarden.  John Wigley, 42 was a Labourer.  His wife Elizabeth was 42.  Their  children were  Alice G. Wigley who was listed as being 10 years old. (An error somewhere as she was 8 on the previous census).    Catherine was 16,  Jack 7 and Tom who was 5 years old.

The 1911 census shows the family living at Gladstone Terrace Pentre, Flintshire. John Wigley, 55,   still a Labourer.  His wife of 23 years, Elizabeth was 50. Six children had been born to them, one of whom had died.  The children listed at home were  Esther, 20,  John, 16 a Labourer and  Tom, 14 who was an Office Boy.   There was 1 boarder, William Bryan, a 78 year old widower.  There were 2 visitors, John King, 51 a Gardener  and his wife Catherine King, 45.

UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk  confirms Tom’s regimental information and tells us that he was born and resided in Hawarden and enlisted in Queensferry. His medal card, also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medals.

There is an index card for Tom Wigley in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. ( Card Sandycroft F10)  tells us his period of service was 3 years and the card was signed by E, Wigley. (His mother?)

Thomas Wigley in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the sole Legatee was his father John who received £19 16s 3d. on the 28th February 1919 and his War Gratuity of £9 10s.  on the 10th December 1919.

Thomas’s Regimental Number 43814 was Transcribed  by Ancestry.co.uk, as 48814.

Tom is also remembered on the Queensferry School Plaque in the Queensferry War Memorial Institute and also on the Sandycroft War Memorial in St. Francis’s Church.

CONNAH’S QUAY AND SHOTTON – DIED IN ACTION – Private T. Wigley, R.W.F., son of Mr & Mrs Wigley, Gladstone-terrace, Sandicroft (sic) is reported killed in action.   He was before joining the army on the works staff of Messrs John Summers, Shotton.   He was 22 years of age, and has another brother serving in Palestine.

Irene Craig contacted me to say her Gt.Gt. Grandfather John was a brother to Tom Wigley’s father Henry.   Also her Wigley cousin’s brother and sister-in-law live in the same street as Tom when he was killed. It’s a small world!

The Absent Voter’s List of 1918 shows the 2 brothers are listed.

SALTNEY ROAD 

3180 WIGLEY, John Parry       1   Gladstone Terrace     340506 Pte.,5/6th R.W.F.

3181 WIGLEY, Thos. Henry      1, Gladstone Terrace    43814 Pte., B. Co., R.W.F.

 


Learn more about the other soldiers on the Hawarden Memorial

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