WWI: Flint & Oakenholt soldiers

Last updated: 12 May 2009

your comments

Dr H.J. Krijnen
11617 L/Cpl Richard Ernest Fardoe embarked on 28th June 1915 for Gallipoli, according to the 1914-15 Star Medal Roll. This date appears to put him in a different battalion from CSM George Henry Hughes. If by "served together" you mean they served in the same battalion, one of them must have been transferred at a later date. A common occurrence. Possible further sources of information: the personnel files at the PRO (if they survived the Blitz) and the RWF Museum (see their web page for contact information).
Tue May 12 08:36:53 2009

Geoff Pierce, Wrexham
Dear Julie Price. It was very interesting to see your comments about RSM George Henry Hughes and my grandfather Richard Ernest Fardoe serving together during the Gallipoli campaign. He was in the 8th service battalion and also went on to Palestine. Any info would be appreciated.
Mon May 11 09:10:14 2009

Julie Price
Just to say a huge thank you to Dr.H.J. Krijnen for his information on George Henry Hughes - it's fantastic to finally know something about him.
Thu Apr 30 17:42:42 2009

Dr H.J. Krijnen
Ms Price: 5924 George Henry Hughes, a Regular soldier, is listed in the South African Medal Roll as a Private (1st Battalion) and in the 1914-15 Medal Roll as a Company Sergeant Major. He embarked at Devonport for Gallipoli on 19th July 1915 and took part in the Suvla Bay landing. The latter puts him in the 1/5th, 1/6th or 1/7th Battalion (Territorial Force), probably attached as a "stiffener". These battalions fought throughout the campaigns in Palestine. GH Hughes was discharged after the war, on 21st December 1918, having served for 21 years. No gallantry medals were awarded. Hope this helps. If you need more, you could try Mr Brian Owen, Curator of the RWF Museum.
Thu Apr 30 08:22:48 2009

Julie Price - Connah's Quay
Hi, I'm reasearching my family history and have a George Henry Hughes on my mother's side who served in the RWF during WW1. We have always been told he was a Regimental Sergeant Major. We also know that he served with Richard Ernest Fardoe (the one in Geoff Pierce's comment) but know nothing of his service or his reg. number. Can anyone help please?
Mon Apr 27 09:10:42 2009

Darren Owen
Graham Roberts - Catterick, do you have a picture of Frank Owen, 55380 16/RWF which I could see? I would be most grateful as my Nan never had a picture of him. Many thanks, Darren.
Tue Apr 14 10:50:38 2009

Dr H.J. Krijnen
@ Emlyn Foulkes & Len Jones.
Killed in Palestine:
201125 Pte John Foulkes, 1/5 RWF (26/03/1917) - Jerusalem Memorial
266381 Pte John Foulkes, 1/6 RWF (04/09;1917) - Cairo War Memorial Cemetery
Killed in France & Flanders:
53613 Pte Thomas Foulkes, 1 RWF (04/05/1917) - Arras Memorial
73263 Pte Thomas Foulkes, 2 RWF (25/04/1918) - Bouzincourt Ridge Cemetery, Albert
Re 53613 Pte T Foulkes I can add that according to the 1st Bn casualty lists he was accidentally wounded (shot in the foot) on 07/12/1916 and rejoined the Bn on 31/01/1917.
Hope this helps.
Fri Feb 6 12:18:03 2009

Len Jones from Bangor
Emlyn Foulkes, Wrexham. Hi. My great grandfather's brother was a John Foulkes and he was killed in Palestine in WW1.
Thu Feb 5 12:40:07 2009

Graham Roberts in Catterick (formerly Connah's Qua
I hold photographs for all the soldiers who have known graves in France, Gallipoli and Belgium for Connah's Quay and Shotton. I am doing a project on the area for the First World War.
Mon Jan 26 09:04:40 2009

Geoff Pierce from Wrexham
Hi, my grandad, Richard Earnest Fardoe, joined the RWF in 1914. I dont know whether he joined before or after WW1 started. I have a photo taken of him at Tidworth Sept 1914 as a L/Cpl, also his M.I.C. suggests he embarked for the Balkans (2B)on 28/06/15 and was awarded Victory/British/15 Star. He was born in Flintshire (Hope) 1887 and lived in Connah's Quay/Queensferry. His reg no was 11617 and he was demobed 4/6/19. I would be very grateful if anyone has any info.
Mon Jan 12 08:34:55 2009

Dr H.J. Krijnen
All I could find on Amos Broadstock:
10558 Pte Amos Broadstock, 2nd Bn South Staffs.
Born: West Bromwich, Staffs.
Enlisted: Wrexham.
Residence: Petre, Flint.
Husband of A. Broadstock, of 33, Haskell St., Walsall, Staffs.
Died (i.e. accident, illness or natural causes) 42 years old on 26/03/1917, France.
Buried Etaples Military Cemetery, grave XXII.C.3A.
He was most likely a serving Regular soldier and may have joined c. 1908.
It appears that his widow moved back to Staffs after the war.
Info based on Soldiers Died and the GWGC database. Hope this helps.
Mon Jan 5 09:36:52 2009

Darren Owen, Connah's Quay
Peter, two of my grandmother's brothers were born in Flint, and killed in the war. When they enlisted though, they were living in Connah's Quay and Shotton. Both are commemorated on the cenotaph in Connah's Quay, could they be among the 21 who are missing from your total? They were 11667 L/cpl Neil Owen, 8th battalion RWF. He died on 21/09/1915 at Suvla Bay, Turkey. His brother was 55380 Pte Frank Owen, 16th battalion RWF. He died on 22/04/1918 in France. Many thanks, Darren.
Tue Dec 23 07:27:56 2008

David Shepherd, Buckley
Does anyone have any information on the Amos Broadstock who is named on the WW1 soldiers' plaque in St Davids Church, Oakenholt, Flint? I know he came from the Midlands when John Summers opened but know nothing else about him. Can anyone help?
Wed Nov 19 08:40:01 2008

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Jen Roberts, I have nothing on his military service but I have the inscription on his headstone.
IN LOVING MEMORY OF
RICHARD COPPACK OF CONNAH'S QUAY
WHO DIED MARCH 11TH 1889 AGED 73 YEARS
ALSO ANN COPPACK WIFE OF THE ABOVE
WHO DIED SEPT 29TH 1903 AGED 79 YEARS
ALSO RICHARD
BELOVED HUSBAND OF CLARA COPPACK
DIED JUNE 19TH 1945 AGED 50 YEARS
RIP
Fri Nov 14 09:17:03 2008

Jen Roberts, Australia
To Peter Metcalfe. My grandfather Richard Coppack served in the Royal Marines during the WW1. I know he was injured and suffered from suffered mustard gas inhalation. He died in 1946 and lived in Leadbrook Drive when he died. He is buried in Connah's Quay cemetery. From what I can remember from my Mum he served in Gallipoli and the Dardenels. Do you have any further information on him? He was born in Connah's Quay, Sandycroft and Flint, Henry Taylor St before moving to Leadbrook Drive in about 1936. His wife's name was Clara Coppack.
Thu Nov 13 09:19:27 2008

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Gaynor, this is all I have on your grandads.
John Joseph Bithell, 67, Holywell Rd, Flint, Private, no. 25473, 17th Batt. Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Served from 26th Feb 1915 - 5th Aug 1917. Wounded. Died 8th June 1974 aged 89. Wife Alice died 14th May 1970 aged 82.
Enoch Williams, 77, Mumforth St, Flint. Served in the National Reserve. Died 2nd Dec 1952 aged 76. Wife Mary Jane died 20th May 1954 aged 76. Buried with them is John Arthur died 17th Dec 1931 aged 17.
Thu Nov 6 09:56:22 2008

Gaynor Simpson nee Bithell
Both my ggrandfathers served in the 1st war namely John Joseph Bithell, probably lived on Holywell Rd at this time and Enock Williams, Mumforth St. Both survived the war but I think taid Bithell was injured. Thank you for the info on this site, very interesting. Can you shed any light on their activities? Thank you.
Tue Nov 4 08:09:36 2008

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Ritchie. I only have a George Stanley of 21 Evans Street, Flint. 13th RWF, no. 315464. Moved to 256 Grange Road, Birkenhead after the war.
Tue Oct 21 09:44:29 2008

Warren, Ritchie, Toronto, Ontario
The daughter of Stanley, Stan (Sam) Flint is searching for history of him. He served in the British navy on the Barham and the Warspite in WW1. I'm stuck. Can you help? He survived the sinkings and lived through the war, but can't find his name.
Tue Oct 14 09:39:18 2008

Dr H.J. Krijnen
The source of my information is a list of all wounded of 1/RWF I once received when researching for the annotated edition of "Old Soldiers Never Die". I do not know where the information came from (the list refers to page numbers, possibly of an official list kept by the RAMC) but have found it quite reliable. The information is astonishingly detailed ("Synovitis left knee, admitted 1 Gen Hosp" and "Frost bite feet, admitted Hosp Ship St David" are but two examples). The date of embarkation, erroneously given in my previous message as 18/12/1914, was indeed 18/12/15. My notes on Pte Hughes's original battalion still apply: he cannot have been a regular but was most likely, in view of his enlistment date, originally in 3/RWF (Special Reserve). Whether he was wounded by a bomb or a bullet I cannot say, but my list clearly states that he was wounded in the right thigh on the 5th and died in 36 CCS on the 9th.
Fri Sep 5 08:28:11 2008

David Shepherd, Buckley
Hi Peter and Dr Krijnen, I have today received some information from the archivist researcher at the RWF museum in Caernarfon regarding my Great Uncle, the aforementioned Edward Thomas Hughes. He did enlist voluntarily in Wrexham (Peter - where did you get the date from?). On the 18 Dec 1916 he set sail for France. This was exactly 7 days after burying his 4 year old son William in Flint cemetery. So leaving a pregnant wife and 2 young daughters, he spent Christmas in France. Serving with the 1st Battalion, he survived the attack on Mametz Wood on the Somme in the first week of July 1916. I've been advised he died of his wounds on the 9th July 1916 in Heilly, possibly after a bomb accident which occurred on the 8th July. The battalion diary says '1 killed, 5 wounded, 1 to hospital' following the incident. Was Edward sent to Hospital only to die the next day?
Dr Krijnen, I too would love to know the source of your information as I now have conflicting accounts. Did Edward die from a bullet wound incurred on the 5th July or a bomb accident on the 8th? Incidentally, Edward's second son was born while he was in France. He never saw him - his son was named after him, Edward Thomas Hughes. Can you help please Dr Krijnen?
Wed Aug 13 07:57:15 2008

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Hello Dr Krijnen, thank you for the information on the two soldiers. I am not researching Frank Thomas of Bagillt, only the men of Flint and have most of the information you gave on Pte Hughes with slight differences. He was born in 1886 so could not have enlisted in 1898. His medal card states he was posted to France on the 18th December 1915. He enlisted on the 1st September 1914. I knew he died of wounds but not that he was wounded in the right thigh at 36 Casualty Clearing Station. Can I ask where that information came from please? I know his service record has not survived.
Fri Jul 25 12:53:37 2008

Dr H.J. Krijnen
Having seen the messages about Privates Hughes 5815 and Thomas 5825, who both died while serving with 1/RWF, I may be able to add some information. Edward Thomas Hughes was born in Oppenholt [Oakenholt?], Flint, and enlisted at Wrexham. His name is on the Medal Roll for the 1914-1915 Star. He had embarked for France on 18/12/1914 and was wounded in the right thigh on 5/7/1916, dying of his wounds in 36 Casualty Clearing Station on 9/7/1916. He lies buried in Heilly Station Cemetery, Méricourt l'Abbé, in grave II.A.8. There is no further information available. Frank Thomas was born in Bagillt, Flint, and enlisted at Wrexham. His name is on the Medal Roll for the 1914-1915 Star. Embarked for France on 23/11/1914, he was posted to 'A' Company 1/RWF and was reported wounded and missing on 16/5/1916. His death was accepted by the authorities on 27/5/1916. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Le Touquet Memorial, panels 13 and 14. He was the husband of Abegail Thomas, 8 Powell Terrace, Bagillt. The regimental registration numbers do not provide much insight. Thomas was not a Regular soldier as there was a certain R James with the same number who was with 1/RWF when it landed in France on 20/10/1914 (he survived the war). Hughes too is unlikely to have been a Regular. Both men came may have come from 3/RWF (Special Reserve), in which case they probably joined in late 1913 or early 1914, or more likely from 4/RWF (Territorial Force) in which case they may have joined in 1909 approximately. The other TF battalions had not yet reached these numbers when war broke out. Regulars with these numbers would have enlisted in c.1898. No doubt both men were sent to France as reinforcements following the heavy losses of 1/RWF in the First Battle of Ypres. On 30/10/1914 the battalion had 86 men and no officers left.
Thu Jul 24 08:47:56 2008

Michael Pegum, Dublin
Yes, there is a memorial window in St Patrick's Church, Dundalk, Co. Louth; http://www.irishwarmemorials.ie/html/place-details.php?show=246. It doesn't include the name of George Smith, though. He must have been one of the survivors.
Mon Jun 16 16:32:16 2008

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Richard, contact me via the web team and I will send you a link to the memorial.
Mon Jun 16 08:30:23 2008

Richard Smith, Canada
My grandfather George Smith was on the SS Dundalk. Do you have a list of the deseased, or is there a monument to these to sailors?
Wed Jun 11 09:11:03 2008

Jannine Scott (nee Sadler) Nottingham
My grandfather, 5825 Private Frank Thomas of 1st Bn. Royal Welch Fusiliers, was killed at Festubert on 16th May 1915. His army number is only ten away from that of Edward Thomas Hughes, so they must have joined up on or about the same day. Does David Shepherd have any information about when this was please, or any other details? The RWF museum has been unable to assist with this point although very helpful with more general information.
Thu May 29 08:30:14 2008

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Tom, I have a photo of Private Thomas Humphreys and his parents from your cousin Sandra of Flint. If you have any documents or information relating to your uncle Tom I would be grateful if you would contact me on the above email address.
Fri Apr 25 14:16:17 2008

Tom Brown, Connah's Quay
My mother's brother, Thomas Humphreys, was killed November 7 1918. He was in the RWF and lived in Oakenholt.
Fri Apr 25 09:26:16 2008

Julie Roughton, Dorchester
My grandmother's brother, Alfred John Vickers, lived at The Britannia Inn, Halkyn, & worked in The Star Supply Stores Flint. He served with the Denbigh Yeomanry, Royal Welsh Fusiliers, Imperial Camel Corps and Royal Engineers. He was mentioned in Despatches and won the Military Medal. He survived WWI but died soon after, although can't find any date of death.
Thu Apr 24 08:38:55 2008

Emlyn Foulkes, Wrexham
Hi. My uncle Thom Foulkes pvt RWF killed in action in the first world war and buried in Belgium. Looking for some information on him, also my dad was fighting in Palestine in WW1. With him in the same regiment was a John Foulkes who was killed in Palestine. My father was shot in the leg and returned to the UK. They also served in the RWF, any information please.
Tue Mar 25 10:48:35 2008

David Shepherd - Buckley
Thanks Peter for tracing the grave of Edward Thomas Hughes. He was Private 5815 1st Btn Royal Welch Fusiliers and was killed in the Somme on the July 9, 1916 age 30. Your knowledge is invaluable and I wish you well with the book.
Mon Feb 25 08:32:48 2008

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
To Tracey Fitzgerald, I remember your father Neville very well from the old Conservative Club in Earl Street. Can you ask him to contact me please on the email address above as he may be able to help me in my research. I have some information on Daniel Davies that I'm sure he would like to see also.
Fri Jan 25 12:11:56 2008

Tracey Fitzgerald from St Albans
My father Reginal Neville Stapley was born and raised in Flint and his uncle Daniel Davies also of Flint won the DCM at passendale in WW1. He was a stretcher-bearer and died in 1918 in Arras, France, where his name is on the memorial. His medal is cared for at Caernarfon Castle.
Mon Jan 21 09:09:51 2008

Lilly - Connahs Quay
I am trying to locate any information on someone named Fred who was in the RAF Sealand, Flintshire Deeside, around about 1948 onwards. He was a friend of my late grandmother May Cogley.
Mon Nov 19 08:43:23 2007

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Hello Charles I hope you are well. I don't know how many Flint men fought at Gallipoli but 12 died there, including your great uncle Archie, 10 of which were with the 1/5th RWF and two with the 8th RWF and six of them have no known grave. Captain Philips was from Rhual, nr Mold, and came from a very distinguished family.
Fri Oct 19 08:38:51 2007

Charles Evans-Gunther, off Flint but in Japan
Hi Peter, I think the main action during the First World War for men from the town of Flint and the county of Flintshire must be Gallipoli. The Flintshires were the 1st/5th Royal Welch Fusiliers (2nd/5th and 3rd/5th added later). Each of the companies came from different Flintshire towns. Their commander was a local man Basil Edwin Philips and he was killed the second day after landing. The 1st/5th (later joined to the 1st/6th for lack of numbers) were at Gallipoli till December 1915 and then went to Egypt and later Palestine, where they took part in some imp! ortant battles against the Turkish army.Maybe many families in Flint had someone who was there. Mine had three brothers in Gallipoli (one is buried there).
Thu Oct 18 09:54:22 2007

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Hello Russ. I have information on Benjamin Bevan and his family but need a photo of him and his parents. If you can help or know someone in the family who can then please contact me via this page.
Fri Oct 12 14:30:07 2007

Russ Bevan-Colwall-Herefordshire
My Great Uncle Benjamin Bevan, son of Edward and Fanny Bevan of Wesley Mount Flint died of his wounds on June 6th 1917. He was a Gunner in the Royal Field Artilery and enlisted in Liverpool. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery in Belgium, near Poperinge.
Thu Oct 11 08:54:04 2007

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
Shirley, try the Buckley section on this website.
Thu Aug 23 14:18:41 2007

Shirley Ashton, Burnley, Lancs.
I'm thinking maybe my ancestors, Charles C Bennett and Thomas Henry Bennett, born 1884 and 1890 in Buckley, were killed in the first world war as I find no sign of them after the 1901 census - is there any way of checking for them? Have you got a memoriam anywhere to people who died in the area in the first world war? Their parents were William Bennett and Mary Bennett nee Roberts.
Tue Aug 21 10:20:46 2007

Ciaran Higgins from Dundalk, Ireland
My grandfather was John Higgins one of the survivors on the SS Dundalk. His daughter, Maura Mulholland, is still alive. If you still need information contact me or seek a book called 'Down the Quay'.
Thu Aug 16 10:05:48 2007

Peter Metcalfe, Flint
H Williams. Who was your grandfather? Send me an email please. You will find the address above.
Fri Aug 3 07:35:36 2007

H Williams, Llanfairfechan
My grandfather from Holywell enlisted in the R.W.F. in Flint in 1914 and was killed in Egypt in 1918 and is buried in Israel. I do have a photo of him in his desert uniform.
Mon Jul 30 08:51:38 2007

David Williams
My grandad's dad was named John Anthony Williams who married Feebee. Not sure if that is how she spelt it. Fought in the first war, I think aged 14. I have found it very hard to come by any info on him but I think he was in the RWF or the Royal Artillery.
Thu Jul 26 08:54:04 2007

P.Davies. Prestatyn
V Morris. Wigan Kinmel Camp was the trg camp near Bodelwyddan, St.Asaph. This is the only camp that nat servicemen trained in the 1950s. The camp is still used today but is much smaller. St George's is the next village to it. If you were in R.A.F., then it would have been Sealand Camp.
Mon Jun 25 12:41:05 2007

Vince Daley, St Asaph
Vincent Morris/Wigan: The camp you were at is Kinmel Park Camp at Bodelwyddan, nr St Asaph, on the A55 in Denbighshire. Today it is much reduced in size but still there and still active, 'though used mostly by the ACF. Your trip to Rhyl - the distance is only about 5 miles not 50! Though in the back of a 3 tonner in the 5'0s it probably seemed so!
Tue Jun 12 13:48:55 2007

Peter, Flint
Irene, In WW1 your father in law was a Private in the 1st Batt RWF, no. 5924 and served for 4 years and 7 months. He lived at 25 Feathers Street, Flint. Thanks for the information.
Thu May 31 16:22:58 2007

Irene Roberts, Tweed Heads Australia
My father-in-law, John Thomas Roberts was in WW1, and spent time in Egypt, but also was at Galopili with the Australians. He came back to Oakenholt where he worked at the paper mill. He came to Australia about 1972 for a holiday, where he had a stroke and died about three years later.
Wed May 23 09:12:11 2007

Peter - Flint
Elaine - Sorry but I don't have any info on your gt grandad. Good luck in your research.
Fri Mar 9 08:56:31 2007

Peter - Flint
Simon - David and Blodwen Hughes are buried in the Old London Road Cemetery, Flint in K Section no. F2482. He died 28th December 1976 aged 72 and she died 20th September 1958 aged 46.
Fri Mar 9 08:13:03 2007

Gillian Spacey, Blackwood Gwent.
I have family in Flint mountain. Will enquire whether they have any info on your search.
Thu Jan 25 08:05:26 2007

Vincent Morris from Wigan
For 'yonks' now, I've been trying to obtain the name of the town/village? where I was stationed, as a nat. service man in 1956. I have been told it was quite likely Kinmel?/Kimmel/? park trg. camp. That may have been the name of the local town as well, but I don't think so. I know there were several camps around during that era, most likely, re-development props. now, as most of those areas are, and I know that the a/b. address is. As most of us were up to eyes in work, we never had the time to visit the local town, or I may have remembered the name of same. I do remember getting into the back of a 3 tonner about June/July '56 and having a pleasant day in Rhyl, which seemed to be about 50 miles from the camp or an hour's ride in the truck. We spent 3 mths trade trg. before being posted. I'd really like to know the name of the camp, and the town, if I find out I will certainly pay a visit, as I would have done the previous times that I have had a holiday in the U.K. as I will this year.(Bigcooshy).
Mon Jan 15 09:09:55 2007

Elaine Ridley, Co Durham
I'm tracing my family tree and found that my Great Grandfather, John William Mawson, who was in the Royal horse Artillery came home from the war but died 13/10/1919 perhaps from malaria. We would be grateful for any information you have. I do believe there is a commermorative photo of him. Many thanks. Regards, Elaine Ridley.
Mon Jan 8 10:31:24 2007

Simon Roberts - Prestatyn
Hello - I am trying to find some info on my grandfather's family - his name was David Hughes - his wife was Blodwen Hughes, nee Williams. They lived in Chapel House, Flint Mountain. My grandmother was from a large family of 18 children, some are still going strong. Many thanks.
Fri Oct 20 09:46:31 2006

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