John Evan Salusbury was born in Denbigh, Denbighshire, North Wales in 1883.
The 1901 Census shows that the family lived at Rosemary Cottage, Denbigh, Denbighshire. The head of the family was Thomas William Salusbury aged 43, a Timber Merchant. His wife Mary Salusbury aged 43 and their six children – Esther Salusbury aged 21, John Evan Salusbury aged 18, a Baker, Thomas William Salisbury aged 14, Robert W Salusbury aged 10, Richard Ernest Salusbury aged 10 (twins) and Prudence A Salusbury aged 7 years.
In 1904 John married Mary Owen Vaughan and they lived at 8 Bridge Street, Rhyl, Flintshire. They had two children – Walter Salusbury and Gwendoline Salusbury.
John Evan Salusbury enlisted with 13th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and arrived in France with the Battalion on Wednesday 1 December 1915.
The Denbighshire Free Press – Sergeant Major Salusbury Killed. We regret to hear that Mr & Mrs Salusbury, formally of Post Office Lane, Denbigh, now of London, have experienced another heavy trial, having a second son killed in connection with the war, namely Sergeant Evan Salusbury, who was well known in Denbigh, and was the brother of Mrs Alex Bellamy, Gladstone Villas. The deceased, who was a man of very fine physique, volunteered into the original Battalion of ‘Pals’ training at Rhyl at the beginning of the war. He had been in France over two years. He was at one time in the employ of Messrs E B Jones & Son, Denbigh, and subsequently went to a more important position with the same firm at their head establishment in Rhyl. He was married and leaves with his widow two young children to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and father. His wife received touching letters, one from the Captain who had known the deceased from the time he joined, and testified to the affection and high esteem in which he was held by the Men, NCO’s and Officers, and the sorrow they feel at his loss.
At the time he was killed he was carrying out duties for which he had volunteered. There was a sudden emergency in which stores were needed at the front, and volunteers were called to undertake the conveyance of the same, when Salusbury bravely volunteered, with others, and carried out the necessary task, thus giving his life for others. He was a man much esteemed in civilian life by a large circle, both in Denbigh and Rhyl. His wife and sister express sincere appreciation of the sympathy they have received in their bereavement.
Evan’s brother, Lance Sergeant Richard Ernest Salusbury of 14th Battalion King’s Royal Rifle Corps was killed in action on Saturday 20 March 1915.
He is also remembered on The North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, North Wales and on a Remembrance Plaque at The Royal Alexandra Hospital, Marine Drive, Rhyl, Flintshire.
