Joseph Reginald Parry was born in 1895 in Mold. He was listed in the 1911 census at 12 Brook Street Mold where his sister Mary Ellen Roberts was head of the household. She was 30 and had been born in Bagillt. Her two children were in the household Jeanie Jones Roberts was 4 and Doris Elenor Roberts was 9 moths old. Joseph Reginald Parry was recorded as Mary Ellen’s 15 year old brother, a colliery worker.

UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914 -19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details at the top of this page and adds that he had been born in Mold and had enlisted in Wrexham. This source tells us that he ‘died of wounds’. His Medal Card also on ‘Ancestry’ confirms his medal entitlement and stated that he entered his first theatre of war in the conflict on the 19th August 1914.

MOLD MAN’S DEATH AT THE FRONT
There was a widespread feling of sorrow in Mold on Monday evening when official intimation was received that Private J.R.Parry, of R.A.M.C.had been killed at the front the first Mold man to lose his life in the war. He was the son of the late Mr and Mrs Joseph Parry,his father being a painter. Private Parry who was only 20 years of age at the time of his death, joined the Army in March last. He was well known and popular young man. Formerly he was in the 5th Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

Flintshire Observer 3rd December 1914

Joseph’s grave in Ypres Town Cemetery (an extension of the town’s general cemetery). It isn’t too far from the Menin Gate. Like many soldiers from this war he is in a shared grave. The other occupant was an unknown soldier – a Connaught Ranger – ‘Known unto God’. There was a small wooden British Legion poppy/cross at the foot of the grave. Had a relative visited? Unfortunately any writing on it had disappeared. We would love to hear from anyone who can tell us more about Joseph. The photograph was taken by E & V Williams on 11th October 2013.