Albert Daniel Vaughan Simon was born circa 1888 at Whitford, the son of David & Susannah Simon, and first appears on the 1891 census at Twll Farm, Whitford, Flintshire.   Head of the household was his father David, 52 a Farmer.   His wife Susannah, was 46 and apart from the youngest 2 children they were all bilingual.    The younger ones spoke only Welsh, and the whole family had been born in Whitford, Flintshire.    Daughter Frances Maria, 13, Joseph Edward, 11 and Harriet E., 8 were all scholars, Henry C., 6 and Albert Daniel V., 3, were the youngest.

The 1901 census shows the family still at Twll Farm, the Enumerator, for some reason only gives the initials for each the family except David, 62.   His wife Susannah was shown as S.E., 56 years old, so I am showing each as they were shown on the census.   Son J.E., single, 21 and a Blacksmith’s Labourer.   Daughter F.M., Single, age 23, son H.E., 16 and a Farm Labourer and lastly Albert shown as A.D.V., Son, 12 years old.

On the  1911 census David, 72 and Susannah, 66 tell us that they had been married 45 years and 10 children had been born to them, all still living.   They were still at Twll Farm and 4 of their children wer still at home.   Joseph Edward, 31 was single and a Farm Labourer, Francess (sic) Maria, was 33, single and a Ladie’s Maid, Henry Conway, 26, was single and a Woodman on the  Mostyn Estate, Albert D.V., was 23, single and described as a “Farmer’s Son working on the Farm.” 

At some point, Albert enlisted, but as I cannot find his Attestation Papers, I do not know when exactly.    However, Albert Daniel Vaughan Simons in the UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 on Ancestry.co.uk confirms that he was born in Whitford and he enlisted in Flint.

Albert David Vaughan Simons in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 also tells us that the sole Legatee was his father David who received £13 2s on the 20^th December 1917 and his War Gratuity of £3 on the 6^th November 1919.

Albert D V Simons in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 does not tell us where his first Theatre of War was nor when he entered it.

Commonwealth War Graves Commission additional information: – Son of David and Susannah Elizabeth Simon, of Whitford, Flint.

The Flintshire WW1 Index Card (Whitford F8) for Albert shows us his address as Twll Farm, Whitford and tells us that his Period of Service as 1 year.  Killed in Action 31^st July 1917    Card signed by M or JHA (scribbled signature) Smith and Ellis DAVIES* on the 20^th September 1919.

Albert’s brother Joseph Edward was also in the services, but survived.:-

Flintshire WW1 Index Cards (Whitford L56) SIMON, Joseph Edward, Twll Farm, Whitford.  201214  1/4^th R.W.F.  Pte.  Period of Service 3 and ½ years.   Card signed by J.E. SIMON and Ellis Davies* on the 20^th September 1919.

*I believe that this is the Vicar of Whitford who was assigned to distribute and collect the cards for the Whitford Parish on behalf of the Memorial Committee (Gladstone Family).