Herbert Price Wynne was a twin. He and his brother John were born on the 2nd February 1888 in Mostyn.
He was recorded on the census of 1891 living at Halendy, Mostyn with his family. Head of the household was John Wynne a 37 year old ‘Grocer Master’ who had been born in Rhuddlan. His wife Margaret was 39 and their listed children were Thomas John 13, Sarah Ann 11, Mary Jane 9, William Evan 7, George Arthur 5, John 3 and Herbert Price 3. There was a William Thomas a 14 year old Grocer’s Apprentice and Margaret Ann 22 a Domestic Servant.
We know from the register in The County Record office at Hawarden, that Herbert P Wynne was admitted at the local school on 21st January 1895. He was admission number 1544.
The 1901 Census records the family, still in Halendy Mostyn. John Wynne 44 was still a Grocer. Margaret his wife was 49 and the children listed in the household were William E 18 ‘Grocer’s Son’, George A 16 and Herbert P 13. Anne Parry 30, was a servant.
In 1911 the family was again recorded in Halendy. John Wynne the self employed Grocer was a 57 year old widower. Mary Jane Wynne his daughter was 28 and listed as the Housekeeper. Herbert Price was 22 and ‘Assisted in the Business’. Robert Parry was 22 a servant and a Baker.
UK Soldiers who died in The Great War 1914 – 19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental information at the top of this page. It adds that he enlisted in Holywell. This source tells us that he was killed in action and that he was formerly in the RASC. His medal index card – also on ‘Ancestry’ lists his medals as above.
Herbert Price’s Army Service Records have survived and are accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk but they are in very poor condition and much is impossible to read. However, we can learn some things from them. Herbert Price Wynne, enlisted on the 8th February 1916 and took his oath and signed his Attestation Papers on that day. He gave his address as Halendy, Mostyn, his age was 28 years and 3 months and his occupation was ‘Baker’.
His medical History sheet records that he was 5feet and a quarter inch tall, weighed 129 lbs and had a chest measurement of 37 and a half inches with an expansion range of 2 and a half inches. His physical development was deemed to be good. There were some issues with his lower teeth but the defects were ‘not sufficient to cause rejection’. His next of kin was listed as his father, John Wynne, Grocer.
The records contain a Trade Proficiency statement which states ..
“I certify that Recruit Wynne H.P. ha sbeen tested in “K” (Supply) Company Field Bakery and proves himself a 3rd hand.” (Aldershot)
He was listed at different times in The Training Reserve, The Army Service Corps and the Labour Corps.
The records show that he served at home from 8th February 1916 until March 1917 when he joined the British ExpeditionaryForce in France.
There is a chilling sentence in ‘Army Speak’ that says..
“Became non effective by being killed in action 17th September 1917”
There is correspondence from the Army to his father regarding Herbert’s personal effects and medals.
There is an index card for Herbert in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. The address given is Halendy, Mostyn. The regimental number given is 201092 of the Labour Corps. It says he served ‘about 2 years’ and was killed in France on 17th September 1917. The card was signed on 7th October 1919 by his father.
He also has an index card under the Ffynnongroew Parish (F15) which states the same as above except the address was “Central Stores, Ffynnongroew” and his brother, John who survived, also wrote and signed his own card on the 25th September 1919 (Ffynnongroew L81) stating that he had been a Private (Regtl. No. 314201) in the R.A.S.C for 1 years 10 months, giving the same address.
Herbert Price left a will. His effects totalled £103.18s to his father, Grocer John Wynne. (Ancestry)
Herbert’s last letter home was written to his sister from ASC Field battery, Thorpe-Le -Soken, Essex. We are very grateful to the family for sharing it with us. The handwriting and the poor photo copy are difficult to read but we include some extracts here, chosen either because they are interesting, poignant or amusing.
My Dear sister and Brother and the children.
I am hoping this letter will find you all in the best of health as it leaves me at present. Dear Sally, thank you and Rhys for your kindness towards me sending these nice parcels. I am longing to see you all at Fynnon-Grew and Mostyn. Dear brother and sister is it true about my cousin George being killed in France in the trenches? Well I hope that he has prepared to meet his God. I hope he has gone to a better home. What do you say my dear sister and brother. It is very sad
I had a letter from old Polsan yesterday. I see by her letter that she has come home and she told me that she is much better after being on her holidays to Colwyn Bay. She told me she can sleep much better now. She went to Penrhyn Bay to the Baptist chapel. Who do you think she saw? Only Dick Valentine. He was sitting in front of Pollie. When she started singing old Dick Valentine knew my sister’s voice. I didn’t know he was married until Polly told me in her letter. I was surprised to hear that about him. I thought old Dick would never get married after being courting old Jane Heritage. Polly told me that old Dick hasn’t married cariad. I am sure old Jane was his cariad.
We have finished all the new ovens. There are 20 new ovens over here. We are burning wood every day now. I suppose I shall be baking very soon now, when we get the flour in.
Hoping dear father is all right and hoping you will get a good preaching meeting at F Grew. Kindly give my kindest regards to them all at FfynonGrew and Mostyn and the same to yourself.
I remain yours sincerely
Loving Brother Herbert
Love to all the children. wish back soon.
Herbert Price Wynne is also named on the Ffynongroyw memorial, he is also remembered on the Bangor Memorial Arch – http://www.bangorcivicsociety.org.uk/pages/arch/DSCF4394.htm and the Picton War Memorial