Joseph Whitley was born in 1892. (Holywell Vol 11b page 178)
He was recorded in the census of 1901 living with his parents at White Lion Cottages, Rhewl, Mostyn. His father was Thomas Whitley 37, a Coal Miner (Hewer) and his mother Elizabeth was 31. Joseph was the only child listed. He was 9 years old.
Ten years later in the 1911 census, very little had changed.The family still lived in White Horse Cottages Rhewl, Mostyn. Thomas at 49 was still a Coal Miner (hewer). Elizabeth was 41. This census form tells us that they had been married for 20 years. She had given birth to 3 children but only one had survived – Joseph. Joseph was 19 years of age and he also worked down the mines as a Horse Keeper (underground).
UK Soldiers who Died in The Great War 1914 -19, accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details as above. It adds that he enlisted in Rhyl. This source tells us he was ‘killed in action’. Joseph’s medal card also on ‘Ancestry’ details his medals (see above) and records the fact that his first Theatre of War was France and he entered it on the 19th July 1915.
There is an index card for Joseph in The Flintshire Roll of Honour in The County Record Office in Hawarden. It confirms the regimental details and says that he served for 2 years and 2 months. The address given is White Lion Cottage, Rhewl, Mostyn.
The UK Army Register of Soldiers’Effects lists Joseph and states that after he was killed, the Army owed him £7..11s..0d plus a War Gratuity which was authorised to his father Thomas.
