On 6 May 1878, Edward’s parents – Frederick Egerton from Llanfair PG, and Mary Charlotte Jones from Whitford, Flintshire – were married at Christ Church in Mostyn. Frederick’s occupation was ‘Pointsman’, his father was listed as a Railway Policeman, Mary’s father was a collier. Both Frederick and Mary listed their residence at the time of marriage as Mostyn Quay.
In 1881 Frederick and Mary were living at Glan-Y-Don Cottages, Mostyn, and had a daughter, Anne Eleanor, aged one. They also had Frederick’s brother William Henry Egerton, and Mary’s younger sister Margaret Jones, living with them. Frederick was a Railway Signalman, a job he did until at least 1911, and quite possibly up until his death in 1922.
In 1888 Edward was born. He was baptised on 18 March 1888 in Mostyn.
By 1891 Frederick, Mary and children Ann Eleanor, Sarah A, Mary Elizabeth and Edward, were living at Custom House Cottages, Mostyn Quay, Mostyn.
By 1901 the family had moved to New Cottages, Rhydymwyn, and had added Margaret, Miriam Blodwen, Frederick Samuel and Harriet Prudence to their growing family. The two eldest girls had moved out by this point, making it six children at home, including Edward.
By 1911 the family had moved to Dolfechlas Crossing, Rhydymwyn. They had added another son, Douglas, to their family. The census of this year tells us that they had 10 children altogether, but that one had died. Edward was still living at home, along with four younger siblings, and was working as an Engine Driver.
Edward’s Medal Index Card shows that the first Theatre of War he served in was France, beginning on 2nd December 1915.
In the first quarter of 1918, Edward married Mabel Goodwin in Cilcain. Mabel was the daughter of George Goodwin, a shepherd who later became a farm bailiff. In the 1911 census she was living in the family home in Dolfechlas Ucha, Rhydymwyn, with her widowed father and siblings, and her occupation was ‘Dairy Work’.
Just a few months after they were married, Edward was killed on 26 August 1918, at France and Flanders, aged 30.
Edward’s CWGC record can be viewed here.
An online memorial can be found here.
Edward is also commemorated on the Rhosesmor Memorial, and is mentioned on the family gravestone at the church of St. John The Evangelist, Rhydymwyn.
Researcher: Emma Jones
Sources:
-Censuses:
–1881: Class: RG11; Piece: 5501; Folio: 74; Page: 32
–1891: Class: RG12; Piece: 4604; Folio: 49; Page: 18
–1901: Class: RG13; Piece: 5213; Folio: 18; Page: 10.
–1911: Class: RG14; Piece: 33944; Schedule Number: 8
-Flintshire WW1 records: Ref: D/DM/181 RHOSESMOR F3, available from Flintshire.gov.uk
-Casualty details available from cwgc.org
-MIC and SDGW available from Ancestry.co.uk or Findmypast.co.uk
-Parish marriage, baptism and burial records available at Flintshire Records Office, Hawarden, or original images are available to view at Findmypast.co.uk
-Newspaper clipping from cymru1914.org
-Many record indexes can be found for free at freebmd.org.uk or familysearch.org
