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Piercy, William

William Piercy was born in 1899 and named after his father. He was first recorded on a census in 1901. He was living with his family in Duck Street Sychdyn (now known as Duke Street).  Head of the household was William Piercy aged 26 and a Coal Miner (Filler). His wife was Isabella aged 27. They had three boys, Griffith was 3, William 2 and Thomas 2 months.

Please refer to Griffith Piercy’s page. William died 5 months before his brother. He too is commemorated on the family grave in Northop Churchyard.

The next census of 1911, places the family at Offa Bank (a smallholding on the edge of Sychdyn). William was 36 and still a Coalminer/hewer. His wife of 14 years, Isabella was 37. She had given birth to 7 children who were all still living.  They were all listed. Griffith 13 was a shop assistant for a Boot maker. William was 12, Thomas 10, Jane 7, George 5, Mary 2 and Osborne 6 months.

William, like his brother Griff, enlisted in Mold.

He was killed on the Marne (Western Front) 30th May 1918 age 19. Willie was firstly declared ‘missing’ for some weeks before finally being pronounced, dead.

Northop Parish Magazine November 1918
“Roll of Honour…
From time to time during war, tidings of the supreme sacrifice has reached many a family in the Parish and to these we have added another which is of unusual significance. Mr and Mrs Piercy, Offa Bank, Soughton have been informed of their two boys Griffith and Willie having fallen at the Front in France. The news arrived on two successive days and we can imagine the grief it caused. Two better boys never joined the colours. Their genial disposition and noble bearing were known to all who knew them and their upbringing leave no cause for regret to their parents. We offer our deepest sympathy with their relatives in their bereavement.”

Many grateful thanks also to Mrs Jane Bradshaw, niece of Griff and Will for sharing with us so many photographs and artefacts pertaining to the two brothers.  (Scroll down below the map below). We have included some of her other photographs on ‘Sychdyn’s Homefront WW1 page’.


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