Frank Griffiths was born in 1884 to Maria Griffiths nee Dutton. His mother was married to Hugh Griffiths in 1873 in a Civil marriage in Chester, ref no ROC/11/137 on Cheshire BMD. By 1881 Hugh Griffiths had died.
On the 1881 census Maria 28, was a widow and her occupation was a Draper. She was living in Chester Road Penyffordd Flintshire. She was living with her 4 children, William Henry 6, Hubert Dutton 5, Frederick Charles 3, and Thomas Percival 1.
Frank Griffiths first appears on the 1891 census living in Chester Road Penyfford with his Mother, Maria 38, Widow and Grocer. She had 5 children, William Henry 16, Hubert Dutton 15, Frederick Charles 13, Thomas Percival 11, Frank 6. There were also 2 boarders living there, John Davies 63, Butcher and William Griffiths 31, Coal Miner.
On the 1901 census Frank was living with his Mother, Maria, who had remarried in 1892 to Thomas J Scott. They were still living in Penyffordd but at Moel Vamau Terrace. Living there was Thomas J Scott 39, General Labourer, Maria 48, Thomas J Scott 8, Agnes 7, Alexander 5, George 4, Walter 2, Frederick Griffiths 23, Stepson, Coal Miner, Thomas Griffiths 21, Stepson, Coal Miner and Frank 16, Stepson, Coal Miner.
On the 1911 census Frank was living at Rhos Cottage Penyffordd. He was a Coal Miner and a boarder with Edward Griffiths 46, Head, Bricklayers Labourer, Arthur Griffiths 30, Brother, Coal Miner, Janet Griffiths 28, sister, Thomas Griffiths 31, Brother-in-law, Frederick P Griffiths 5 Nephew, Margaret Griffiths 3, Niece, Frederick C Griffiths 33 Boarder, Coal Miner.
Arthur Griffith, who has a page on the website, is also remembered on the Penyffordd War Memorial and at first I though Frank and Arthur were brothers until I looked further into it and found that Frank’s brother Thomas was married to Arthur’s sister Janet.
There are various records on www.ancestry.co.uk for Frank, ‘UK, Soldier Died in the Great War, 1914-1919’ which states he enlisted at Castleford, Yorks and confirms his Rank, Regiment and Regimental number, and ’British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index card 1914-1920’ which confirms his medals and states he first entered the war on 28th July 1915.
I have been unable to find his Service Records on www.ancestry.co.uk
The index cards in the Flintshire Roll of Honour at the County Records Office Hawarden states his address was Rose Cottage, Penyffordd. It also states the period of service was 4 years 2 months. The card was signed on 19th September but no year and by Thomas P Griffiths, his brother.
Frank Griffiths is also named on the Caergwrle Memorial