Richard Roberts was born about 1882. He was recorded on the census of 1891 living with his family at Abergele Row, Llanasa. Head of the household was Evan Roberts 57, a Sailor who had been born in Port Dinorwic, Caernarfonshire. His wife Sarah was 49 and she had been born in Mostyn. Their listed children were John James 28, a Colliery Labourer,Catherine 19, Charles 17 also a Colliery labourer. Charlotte 12, Richard 9 and Mary 7 were all three at school. All the children had been born in Ffynongroyw

In the next census of 1901, Richard was listed at 10 Victoria Terrace Llanfynydd. He was 18. The only other occupant of the house on census night was his brother Charles who was named as the married Head of the household. He was 24. Both of them were colliery workers.

The 1911 census records the family at 9 Victoria Terrace Pontybodkin. Head of the household was Charles Roberts, then 38 years old and a Coal Hewer. His wife of 16 years was Catherine. She had given birth to 2 children, one of whom had died.  Their daughter was Sarah Margaret who was 14 and a Dressmaker. Still living with them was Charles’s brother Richard who was 27 and a labourer underground. The last occupant was two year old Arthur Bertram Roberts who was adopted. he had been born in Manchester.

UK Soldiers who died in The Great war 1914-19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details as at the top of this page. It tells us he was born in Ffynongroyw, lived in Pontybodkin and  had enlisted in Mold.  This source tells us he was killed in action.  His medal index card also on ancestry, lists his medals and tells us that his first Theatre of war had been The Balkans – so he survived Gallipoli.

There is an index card for Richard Roberts in the Flintshire Roll of Honour in The County Record Office in Hawarden. The card is filed with the Llanfynydd ‘fallen’.  It gives the address 9 Victoria Terrace Pontybodkin and conffirms the regiment and number as above. It says he was killed in action on the 29th April 1918 and that he was buried in Brigade Cemetery at ‘Ain Sinia’ – it’s difficult to read. (If he ever was buried there he was later moved to the Jerusalem War Cemetery)  The card was signed by brother Charles Roberts on the 11th September 1919.

The Register of Soldier’s Effects in which the army calculated monies owed to deceased soldiers, lists Richard Roberts. It says he died of wounds in Palestine. His joint legatees were his brother Charles and his sister in law Catherine.  They received £41..8s..8d