Robert was born in Mold in 1885. The 1891 census finds him living with his family at 21 Hughes Row Mold. His father Edward Davies was 38 yrs old a coal miner who had been born in Rhydymwyn. His mother Elizabeth E. was born in Prestatyn aged 38. She was a tinplate worker. The children were Mary W. 20, a tinplate worker who had been born in Meliden.  Ann E was 18, Peter R. 14,  John D. 8, Robert 6,  Thomas 3 and Evan 4 months all born in Mold.

On the 1901 census the family was still in 21 Hughes Row.  It records Elizabeth 48, Peter R. 23,  Walter, John D 18 who was a ‘Baker Bread maker’.  Robert was 16 and worked as a ‘Bottle Washer Cellar’.  Thomas  was  18 and William E Davies a Grandson was aged 6.

Recorded on the 1911 census the family had moved to 21 Garden Place. Elizabeth was 59 and living apart from her husband. Her son Robert Davies  was 25 and a Collier. William Edward Hughes (Davies)  a grandson was a collier 16.  Harriet Lloyd a granddaughter was a 12 year old a scholar. The census form tells us that Elizabeth had given birth to 11 children but only five were still alive. Six had died.

Robert enlisted on 3rd October 1914 and entered his first theatre of war, Gallipoli  on the 8th August 1915.  He was discharged on medical grounds on the 30th June 1916.  He was awarded the Silver War Badge ( issued in the United Kingdom and the British Empire to service personnel who had been honourably discharged due to wounds or sickness from military service in World War I. The badge, sometimes known as the “Discharge Badge”, the “Wound Badge” or “Services Rendered Badge”, was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement).

The Flintshire Roll of Honour in The County Record Office in Hawarden includes an index card for Robert Davies. It tells us that he died in March 1919 from illness contracted in Gallipoli. The card was signed by his mother Elizabeth Davies. Records state that he died of pneumonia and bronchitis.

It would seem that Robert Davies did not have a Commonwealth War Grave.

Other members of the Family

William Edward Hughes is also on the memorial but is recorded as William Edward Davies.  (Please note that this man’s name changes as his story goes on. He was born William E Hughes and was brought up by his Grandmother Elizabeth Davies.

One of Elizabeth’s other other sons is also remembered on the memorial he is Thomas Davies

Follow the links to read their stories.

Before the war Elizabeth had already lost six of her children. The war took two sons and one grandson.  Nine bereavements for one woman.