Walter was born in the Chester area in 1892 to Emma Long, his birth Certificate states that it was in the sub-District of Chester Castle (Cheshire West, Cheshire CAS/75/54).
The 1911 census records Walter living with his family at Mount Terrace Lane End Buckley, Flintshire William Jones was head of the household, 35 and a Labourer in the Ironworks with Fitters. He had been born in Penymynydd, Flintshire. His wife of 5 years was Emma Jones who was 41. Five children had been born to her and all were still living. Emma’s place of birth was recorded as Collyton, Devon. The listed children included stepson Walter Long who was 18 and a Stonemason’s Labourer who had been born in Chester. The other children were Edward Jones 11, W. Thomas Jones 9, Sidley (Sidney) Jones 4 and baby V. Dorothy Jones who was 7 months old.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms Walter’s regimental information and tells us that his birthplace was St. Paul’s, Chester, his residence was Broughton, Cheshire and he enlisted in Chester. His medal card also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medals and tells us that his first Theatre of War was France and he entered it on 13th May 1915. He was killed in action, 38 days later. On the reverse of the card, Officer in Charge at Shrewsbury requested instructions for the disposal of medals on the 1st January 1921
There is an index card for Walter in The Flintshire Roll of Honour in the County Record Office in Hawarden. (Flintshire WW1 Index Card, Hawarden F21) . The address given is Station Cottages, Broughton, and the card was written by and signed on the 11th January 1920 by his mother Emma Jones. She stated that his period of service had been 4 months. He was 22 years old.
Walker Long in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tell us that the sole Legatee was his mother Emma Jones who was paid £3. 3s 0d on the 30th November 1915 and his War Gratuity of £3 on the 26th July 1919.
Walter is also remembered on the Broughton War Memorial and also commemorated on the memorial at Bretton Methodist Chapel.
Broughton & Bretton
Our roll of honour shews that the majority of men who have enlisted from our immediate neighbourhood are serving their country abroad.
So far we have been on the whole fortunate for only Walter LONG has been killed since the War began, and only seven have been wounded, if we include Mark BRERETON who has now retired from the army and has left Bretton. Lieut. WHITLEY has received his second wound, this time from a piece of shrapnel in the right forearm, but it is progressing so favourably that he will probably return to France in a few weeks. George LAWRENCE who is engaged in Blue Cross work was wounded a few weeks ago. Ernest MESSHAM, who some time back lost an eye, has been home again in the Warren. Dick JONES’ wound in the leg was apparently slight, and George CROFTS wounded arm seems so far healed that there is already some talk of him returning to the front. We are also glad to hear that Corporal Herbert JONES, the only soldier from Broughton who fought at Mons, has recovered from his severe illness and is back in France. We hope that before the summer is past he will be astride his horse again. Sergeant KINSALL is the only wounded man whom we have not mentioned. As most of our readers know he soon recovered and is back in Salonika.
Special thanks to Lee Richardson for his input and David Mathews for his confirmation of the accuracy of the family history.
