John Edward was the third of 9 children born to Edward and Sarah Parry. His place of birth was Bodfari.

He first appeared on a census in 1891 living in Nantgwrthyrn (spelling?), Tremeirchion with his family. Head of the household was Edward Parry aged 32 an Agicultural Labourer who had been born in Tremeirchion. His wife was Sarah 30, a native of Llanfynydd. Their listed children were William 9, Mary 6, John E 4 and Elizabeth 2 all of whom had been born in Bodfari. Also in the household on census night were Edward’s widowed father William Parry aged 77, and Edward’s brother Robert aged 30.

The 1901 Census recorded the family living in Tan y Graig, Tremeirchion. The household members were: Edward aged 41 and then a ‘Teamsman on a Farm’. Sarah, his wife was 39. Their listed children were William 19, John 14, Elizabeth 11, Sarah 8, David 6, Richard 4 and Samuel 1.

The 1911 Census records the family still at Tan y Graig. Edward was 51 and listed as an Agricultural Labourer.  His wife of 29 years Sarah Ann was 50. The census form tells us that she had given birth to 9 children but that 1 had died.  (We can only account for 8 children. Mary who was named on the 1891 census but on no others, was probably one that died). There were 3 children listed at home. Elizabeth was 21, Richard 14 and Samuel 11. John Edward was not at home.

In fact the 1911 census tells us that John Edward Parry was 24 and was working as a waggoner at the farm, Maes y Groes in Cilcain. The farmer and his wife were Price and Ann Williams

UK Soldiers who died in The Great War 1914 -19 accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk includes an entry for John Edward Parry. It confirms the regimental details as at the top of this page. It also tells us he enlisted in Wrexham. (David Littler Jones in his book states that he enlisted on the 10th November 1914). His medal card also on Ancestry, lists his two medals and this source tells us that he had a former regimental number. Both sources say he was killed in action.

John Edward Parry has no known grave and is remembered on the Arras Memorial.

The Register of Soldiers’ Effects in which the army calculated monies owed to deceased soldiers includes an entry for John Edward. Two payments were made to John’s father Edward, totalling £10 ..5sh ..6d .

David Littler Jones explained that –

“The 1st Battalion RWF were attached to the 22nd Brigade in the 7th Division and went to the Somme at the beginning of February 1917. They took part in the Second Battle for Bullecourt from the 3rd to 17th May 1917. Attacks were vigorous and the village of Bullecourt changed hands several times with many casualties before the German stronghold was finally captured. John Edward Parry was one of the casualties and his body was never recovered”.

John Edward’s brothers David,  Richard and Samuel served in the war and survived although Richard and David were both wounded in France. (Ref David Littler Jones).