George Haynes and Sarah Griffiths had married in Ellesmere in the March quarter of 1881(Ellesmere* Vol. 6a, Page 935). The census of 1881 records them living at Plaswarren, Ellesmere. George was 35 and had been born in Dudleston, Shropshire. He was a Gamekeeper. Sarah, 33 had been born in Ellesmere. In the household was a daughter, Ann Griffiths, age 2, born in Marchwiel, Denbighshire. (The census shows that they actually lived next door to George’s parents)
By he 1891 census the then much larger family had moved to 8, Pentre- Coed, Ellesmere, Shropshire. Head of the household George was 35 and was described as a Machinery Proprietor. Sarah was then 33. The listed children were Ann (Then named Ann Haynes). She was 12. Henry was 9, Elizabeth 7, Florence, 6, Julia, 4, George, 3, Mary 2, and Edward, 4 months
1901 records that the family had moved again. They were living at Dee Side, Ellesmere, Shropshire. George, 45 was then a Timber Feller (Woodman). Sarah was 42. The listed children were Elizabeth 18 and Julia 14 who were both Servants. George, 13, Mary, 11 and Edward 10. Twins, John & Harriet were 7, Stanley was 5 and Ernest 3.
By the next census of 1911 the family was living at Rose Cottage Overton. George was 55 and his wife of 30 years, Sarah was 53. She had given birth to 13 children, one of whom had not survived. Listed at home on this census were the 17 year old twins John and Harriet. John was, an Usher at the “Hall.” Harriet was at Home. Ernest, 13 was at school. Where was Edward?
In 1911, Edward, was living and working at The Vicarage in Shocklach Oviatt, Nr. Malpas, Cheshire, which was the household of Rev. George & Esther Sophia Mathias. Edward Haynes was a servant, aged 19 He worked as a a Coachman and Gardener.
The UK Royal navy Registers of Seamen’s Services 1848 -1939 includes an entry for Edward Haynes and is accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk. It tells us that on the 30th November 1914, Edward Haynes signed up for service in The Royal Navy. He had been born in Ellesmere Shropshire on the 14th November 1891. He was 23 years old. His occupation was Fireman. He was 5 feet 3 inches tall, had a chest measurement of 37 inches, brown hair and a fresh complexion. He had a scar over his left eye and another one on his left forearm. His first ship was HMS Victory II where he was Stoker 2nd Class with the service number SS/116395. He served on this ship until the 20th July 1915. His last ship was Black Prince where he was a Stoker 1st Class. His character was rated as very good and his ability rated as Satisfactory. The Black Prince was lost with all hands at the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
The UK, Royal Navy and Royal Marine War Graves Roll, 1914-1919, also on Ancestry, includes an entry for Edward Haynes. It confirms his Naval details above and his birth date as 14th November 1891. It says he was Killed or died as a direct result of enemy action. His body was not recovered for burial. It records that his Father: George, Bangor Road, Overton, Ellesmere, Salop had been Notified.
There is an index card for Edward in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record Office in Hawarden. (Card Overton F 10). The address given is Cottage, Overton. It says that his Regimental Number was not known. He was a 1st Class Stoker in the R.N. He had served for 1 year 202 days including at Gallipoli, Asia Minor & Egypt- (Grand Fleet) . It says that he drowned whilst serving on H.M.S. Black Prince May 31st 1916. The card was not signed but dated. 28th October 1919.
Flintshire WW1 Index Cards, (Overton L40, L41 and L43) for Ernest, & John who lived at Lilac Cottage and Henry of Twining St., Overton give the details of their services. They survived.
Stanley Haynes another brother also died in the war. He has his own page on this website.
The parents suffered the anxiety and stress of having 5 sons in the war, 2 of whom paid the ultimate price.
HMS Black Prince. For further information about the ship and for photographs follow the links