Thomas was born in 1896. He was first recorded on a census in 1901 when he was living with his family at The Abbot Bach Farm, Whitford. Head of the household and farmer was 39 year old William Barton who had been born in Woolton Lancashire. William’s wife was 38 year old Alice, originally from Minera. Their listed children were Alice E 12, Thomas 4 and Kathlene 2. They had been born in Whitford.

I believe that the mother Alice died in 1904

The 1911 census records the family living at Glanryn, Llanasa.  William Barton farmer was 48. He had been married to his second wife for 6 years. She was Emily aged 45. She had given birth to two children both of whom had survived. The listed children were Alice Ella 22 who was a Dairy Worker on the farm. Thomas Ernest was 14, Kathlene Doris 13, Mary 2 and Fred 11 months.

UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914 -19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms Thomas’s regimental details. It says he was born in Llanasa and enlisted in Holywell and this source tells us he was killed in action. His medal index card, also on ‘Ancestry’ details his 3 medals and says that his first Theatre of War was France and he entered it on the 27th September 1915.

There is an index card for Thomas Barton in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden which confirms his regiment and number. . The address given is Glan’r afon Farm Llanasa. The card says he was a Sergeant at the time of his death. This source says he died on the 17th August 1916 – other sources say the 16th. The card was signed by W Griffiths ‘on behalf of the family’ on 24th March 1920.