John William was born in 1884 in Hope Flintshire and was the son of Joseph and the late Martha Roberts.
On the 1891 census John William was living at Laburnum Cottage Penymynydd with his father Joseph 37, a coal miner, his mother Martha 38. There were also 9 children, Emma 13, Joseph 11, Samuel 10, James 8, John William 7, Martha 5, Annie 3, Henry 2, Sarah H 9 months.
On the 1901 the family are still living in Laburnum Cottage, Penymynydd but called Pentrobin on the Census. Living there are Joseph 47, Martha 48, Emma 23, Samuel 20, James 18, John William 17, Annie 13, Henry 12, Sarah Helen 10 and an additional child Caroline 7.
On the 1911 census John William was living at 10 Leeds Terrace Dinnington Nr Rotherham as a boarder with Edward Rowland’s and his family. It states his occupation as a Coal Miner (getter)
On the 1911census the rest of the family were still living in Penymynydd and Joseph is now a Widower living with a daughter Mary Elizabeth 34, who was not on the 1891 census. Also living there were Samuel 30, Henry 22, Sarah Helen 20 and Caroline 17. There was also a niece Emma Robert 23, living with the family.
There are various records on www.ancestry.co.uk for John, ‘UK, Soldier Died in the Great War, 1914-1919’ which states he enlisted at Curragh Camp, Co Kildare’,
‘Ireland, Casualties of World War 1 1914-1918’, and ’British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index card 1914-1918’
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 Laburnum Cottage, Penymynydd. It also confirms his Rank, Regiment and Service number. It also states the period of service was from 1st September 1914 to 10th March 1918. The card was signed on 22nd September 1919 by his father, Joseph Roberts.
John William Roberts is also remembered on the Penyfford War Memorial situated in the War Memorial Institute on Chester Road Penyffordd. He is also named on the Caergwrle Memorial
