Joseph Thomas Ankers’ parents, William Ankers and Lizzie E. Cowper, I believe, were married in St. Mary’s Church in Chester in 1881.(CE14/9/117)
Joseph was the second of three sons born to the couple, and he first appeared on a census in 1901, living at the Lifeboat Inn, Saltney (Flint), Sandycroft, Cheshire with his family. Head of the household and Joseph’s father was William Ankers, 41, a Grocer who had been born in Kellsall Cheshire. William’s wife was Lizzie, 46 who had been born in Burton Shropshire. Their children were all born in Hawarden according to this census. They were, William 18 a Labourer, Adalaide 17 a Barmaid, Mary 15 a Housemaid ( Domestic), Annie was 13, Ethel 9, Joseph 6 and George E 4. There were 4 boarders.
As Joseph was listed on the Queensferry School plaque, we can assume he was a pupil there.
The 1911 census records the family on the Saltney Road Pentre, Flintshire (7 Children had been born and all were still living). William, 51 was now a Butcher (Home). Lizzie, 56 his wife of 29 years was ‘assisting with the business’. The children listed in the household were William Henry 28 a Labourer, Joseph Thomas was 16 and a Coal Checker, George Edgar was 14 and an Errand Boy. This census says these boys had all been born in Sandycroft. The census was written by the head of the household in 1911 and should only have listed the people who were at that address on the night of the census. William, however, had included his 3 daughters on it. These names had been crossed out, presumably by the Enumerator. As a matter of family history, I am adding them here. The first three were all single and all servants, Mary Elizabeth Ankers, 25, Annie Evelyn Ankers 23 Ethel Doris Ankers 18 . The eldest, Adelaide Gertrude Ankers was 27 and had been married for 2 years.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms Joseph’s regimental details and tells us that he was born in Hawarden and enlisted in Chester. This source that tells us he was killed in action in France/Flanders and that he was formerly a Cheshire Yeoman. His Medal Index Card also on ‘Ancestry’ tells us his medal entitlement.
There is no index card for Joseph in The Flintshire Roll of Honour at The County Record office in Hawarden.
There is a family grave in St. Deniol’s Churchyard, North Extension (West Side) on which Joseph Ankers is commemorated. The inscription reads.
George E. Ankers who died April 2 1916 aged 19 years.
Also of Joseph T.Ankers, Killed in Action in France December 6th 1916 aged 22 years.
The Beloved Sons of William & Lizzie Ankers, Pentre, Hawarden.
Also Annie Evelyn Ankers who died October 17th 1928 aged 41 years.
“Eternal rest grant unto her O Lord and let light Perpetual shine upon her”.
Joseph was remembered on the Queensferry School Plaque, in the Queensferry War Memorial Institute and the Hawarden War Memorial
Joseph’s Brothers and Father
There is a death certificate for George Edgar: – Ankers, George Edgar 1916 Hawarden Flintshire (Mold) North Wales HAW/09A/96 but I can find no trace of him on The Commonwealth War Graves Database.
There is a Flintshire WW1 Index Card in the Flintshire Roll of Honour for William Henry Ankers. (Sandcroft L4) It gives the address Pentre, Sandycroft. It quotes his regimental number as Private 32202 of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. His period of service was from the 2nd March 1916 to the 6th June 1918. The card tells us he was transferred to the Army Service Corps M.T. Home Service (Medically unfit for overseas.). The card was signed by L.E. Ankers on the 30th September. 1919. He survived the war.
Probate of William Ankers of Brookhouse, Main Road, Pentre, Hawarden, Flintshire, butcher, grocer and provision dealer died 27th April 1920. Probate St Asaph 17 June to Lizzie Ethel Ankers widow Effects £538..15s..7d
Joseph Thomas ANKERS is named on the North Wales Memorial Arch at Bangor, please click on the link to see his name.