With November 11th approaching and the anniversary of the Gresford disaster just passed, I would like to remember and pay respects to three of my ancestors who were all born in the late 1800s.
Arthur Parry,
my dad’s uncle, was born in 1889, the son of George and Mary. He grew up in Bronington with his ten siblings. In 1914, working as a farm labourer, he decided to go with his friend Samuel Whitfield to join the army to fight in World War 1. Arthur served in the 10th Sqdn Machine Gun Corps (Cavalry) and Samuel in the East Surrey Regiment 12th Battalion.
Serving in France, Arthur died on 5th April, 1918 and is buried in Gommecourt British Cemetery No 2 in Hebuterne.
His mother received his pay due of £11.17s.6p plus War Gratuity of £10. His friend Samuel’s body was never recovered.
I visited France last year with his medals to pay my respects to Uncle Arthur. We then travelled the fourteen miles to the Arras Cemetery where Samuel is remembered alongside 35,000 other soldiers who were never recovered.
Francis Owens,
my husband’s Hen Taid, was born in 1873. He married Mary in 1901 and was the father of eight children.
Francis worked down Gresford Colliery and was one of 266 men who died when an explosion took place in the Dennis section of the mine followed by a fire just after 2am on September 22nd 1934.
The family waited at the pit head but after fighting the ferocious fire for two days the decision was made to cap the shafts and seal the mine. Francis had received his wages that evening and had his pay packet with him.
Two of his sons, Frank and Hugh, were working in Canada on a farm. They heard of the disaster while in town one day and went straight to the port, got on a ship and worked their passage back home.
Wrexham Football club have announced they will erect a second winding gear memorial alongside the new proposed Kop. A fitting site for all who died that day. Many miners were working a double shift that night in order to watch the match against Tranmere Rovers, the following day.
Arthur Lea,
was my Mum’s uncle, born in 1866.
Arthur attended Wrexham School of Art and was a member of the Welsh Baptist Church where he sang in the choir with his wife Mary.
Arthur started to play football at 15 for the newly formed Wrexham Grosvenor FC. He played full-back but could also play on the left wing when required. Although Arthur only had one arm he had all-round skills and a tremendously powerful kick. He was signed up by Wrexham in 1883 for 5 shillings a week which with bonuses could reach 10 shillings making him the highest paid player in Wales. He went on to win four caps for his country.
After an away match Arthur didn’t have the luxury of a coach or plane flight back to Wrexham after a game. He would get the last train to Chester and walk the twelve miles back to Wrexham in time to do his Royal Mail round the next morning. He also captained Wrexham when the team beat Chirk 2-1 to win the Welsh cup.
Three special men, all members of my family, who lived locally to each other, but probably never met, in different walks of life.
A farm labourer who gave his life for his country.
A miner who lost his life for his industry.
A footballer (and cricketer) who entertained the Wrexham fans.
One of the songs Arthur liked to sing was “Tum Diddly Um” and I like to think that if there are three spare seats at a Wrexham match, the three of them are there singing and cheering on the team.
Carol Dean
