The 1891 Census on Ancestry.co.uk shows us that The Edwards family were living at The Palace, St Asaph, Flintshire. The Head of the household is shown to be Alfred George Asaph ( Edwards) age 42 born in Llanstumdwy, Gwynedd, he was the Bishop of Saint Asaph and spoke both Welsh and English.
His wife is shown as Mary Laidley Edwards age 29 born in Lisbon, Portugal and their children are Anesta M. age 14 born 7th May 1876, Louisa C. age 13 born 2nd September 1877, Alfred H. age 12, born 16th August 1878, Francis O.K. age 10,born 2nd July Ernest W. age 9 born 2nd July 1880 all born in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Henry Laidley Garland age 5 born in Carmarthen and Mary B.G. age 3 also born in Carmarthen.
- There are also many Servants living at this address these comprise of – Clerk of Holy Orders, Governess, Housekeeper, Nurse/Domestic, Head Housemaid, Nursemaid, Scullery Maid,Footman and Groom.
The sources for the following information are The England & Wales Death Index 1937- 1915. The England & Wales National Probate Calendar 1858-1966 and The 1881 Census for Wales on Ancestry.co.uk
It should be noted that Alfred George Edwards was previously married to Caroline Elizabeth Edwards born 12th July 1850 in Mallwyd, Monmouthshire. The date of their marriage was 29th June 1875 and their children were Anesta, Louisa, Alfred, Francis and Ernest.
The 1881 Census for Wales shows that the Edwards family were living at The College, School Street, Llandingat. The Head of the household, Alfred G. Edwards was The Headmaster and Warden. M.A. Oxon.
At that time they had four children, Anesta Louisa, Alfred and Francis.
Caroline died on 7th January 1884 in Corwen.
The 1901 Census for England shows us that Henry L.G. Edwards was a Scholar at Eton in the Ecclesiastical Parish of Eton St John the Evangelist in Buckinghamshire, he was 15 years of age.
In 1911 we see from The Census that Henry Laidley Garland Edwards was residing at The Palace in Saint Asaph with his father and mother, all his siblings were away from the family home at this time.
Henry was a Law Student, 25 years of age.
UK, Incoming Passenger lists, 1878-1960 on Ancestry.co.uk
This document shows us that Henry Laidley Edwards was on a passenger list of the S.S. Araguaya bound for Southampton from Buenos Aires, Argentina, arrival date 10th May 1913. He gave his trade as Barrister.
On closer inspection of this document it appears that Henry embarked at Lisbon. This makes sense because his mother was born in Lisbon, so there is a possibility that he may have had relatives who he wished to visit. Unfortunately I cannot find an outgoing list so cannot specify the length of his stay in Portugal.
Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1919 on Ancestry.co.uk
This document proves that Henry Laidley Garland Edwards enlisted into the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. his rank was Lieutenant.
He entered the first Theatre of War on 18th March 1915 in France.
He died of wounds on 16th May 1915 and is buried in Browns Road Cemetery, Festubert, France.
Henry was awarded the 1915 Star Medal, The Victory Medal. The British War Medal.
I have not been able to access Henry’s Service Records as Officers records are not available on Ancestry.
It appears that he was transferred to 1st Battalion from the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers which was a Depot Battalion based in Wrexham .
The 1st Battalion were engaged in the Battle of Festubert on 16th May 1915 when Henry died.
Henry’s name is clearly shown as a casualty on “Officers” “Died of Wounds” On the 17th the transcription reads as follows-
The night was fairly quiet except for shelling which did little damage. The Bn. remained in the trenches during the day. The bodies of the following officers were collected and buried at night:-
Bt. Lt. Col R.E.P. Gabbett. Capt. S Jones Lt.R E Naylor Lt. R H Ackerley. 2/Lt J F Morris
2/Lt H F Lynch 2/Lt H L G Edwards 2/Lt J B Savage
Their graves lie close to the 2 side of the Rue Cailloux & about 200x behind the line of trenches.
Henry’s Father died on 22nd July 1937.
His Mother died on 30th December 1912
His first cousin James Windsor Lewis was also killed in the war and is named on the St Asaph Memorial. He has his own page on this website
