Bwlchgwyn War Memorial

Their Stories

The War Memorial at Bwlchgwyn stands on a piece of land on the hairpin bend – also known locally as “y drofa” – which is sandwiched between the old line of the main road (at the junction with Glascoed Road) and the new line of the road, with a less sharp corner for the traffic to negotiate. This alteration in the road was made between 1963 and 1967.

The picture above was taken on 8th July 2007 and shows part of the original main road; I am always impressed by how beautifully the memorial and the surrounding area are kept.

The panoramic views from this corner – north towards Liverpool, the Penllyn to the north east and across the Cheshire plains eastwards for over fifty miles – at least as far as the Jodrell Bank telescope in Cheshire – are difficult to rival.I could have chosen a picture taken on a bright sunny day, but I thought that this picture (above), also taken on 8th July 2007, gives more of a feel of the weather up here.

The details below are taken from the Army Roll of Honour 1939-45 database © Naval and Military Press Ltd 2006, available online at www.findmypast.com and from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website available online at www.cwgc.org.ukPlease follow the individual links to view the CWGC certificates of honour and to read more about each person, where more information is available. Please check back from time to time as more information will be added to the linked pages.

Individual memorials: follow the links on the names or the pictures to view the CWGC Certificates

William Brown, K.L.R.

William Brown served as a private with the 1st Battalion, King’s (Liverpool Regiment). He was born in Dublin and lived at Bwlchgwyn; he enlisted at Wrexham as Private no. 7132. William was killed in action on 10 March 1915 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at the Le Touret Memorial.William Brown was a brother of Thomas Brown, below, sons of Mrs McGeever and her first husband, William Brown.

According to a survey of men of Bwlchgwyn eligible for military service in WW!, as published in Graham Rogers’ book “Brymbo and its Neighbourhood”, by 1915 four brothers had already enlisted: William, James, Thomas and John Brown, all single, had joined the Regulars. Their address was given as 1 Brymbo Road.

Thomas Brown, R.W.F.

Thomas Brown served as a private with the 1st Battlalion of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was born in Dulaven, Dublin, and enlisted at Wrexham. He enlisted in Wrexham as Privat No. 10004. Thomas was killed in action, aged 27, on 23 August 1915 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at the Le Touret Memorial.Thomas Brown was another of the sons of Mrs Mary Jane McGeever and her first husband, the late William Brown (see William, above). At the time Mrs McGeever lived at 1 Brymbo Road, which many will remember as the old stone cottage on the corner of Brymbo Road and Ruthin Road. Their father had died sometime before 1901, by which time their mother had married Patrick McGeever.

Joseph Davies, R.W.F.

Joseph Davies served as a private with the 9th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was born at Llanfair PG, enlisted at Aberavon and gave his address as Bwlchgwyn. Joseph was killed in action on the 25 September 1915 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at the Loos Memorial.This is likely to have been Joseph Davies who was 11 years old in 1901 and who lived at Pistyll Gwyn, the son of Ellis Jones Davies, a farmer, and Margaret Davies. Presumably the family moved to Bwlchgwyn after the 1901 census.

George Williams, R.W.F.

George Williams served as a private with the 1st/4th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was born at Wrexham and enlisted at Wrexham, he gave his address as Bwlchgwyn. George was killed in action, aged 31, on the 6 April 1918 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at the Martinsart British Cemetery.George Williams was the son of Peter and Margaret Ann Williams of Waen Farm, Bwlchgwyn.

John W. Jones, R.W.F.

John William Jones served as a private with the 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was born at Bwlchgwyn and enlisted at Wrexham, he gave his address as Bwlchgwyn. John died of wounds, aged 28, on 2 March 1917 at ” France and Flanders” and is commemorated at Varennes Military Cemetery. John W Jones was the son of Price and Mary Jones of 5 Wesley Road, Bwlchgwyn, although the CWGC lists this soldier as W J Jones.

William H. Jones, Cheshire Regt.

Further research required…..there are similar entries in the registers and in the census returns, but this is most probably William Henry Jones of 16 Brymbo Road, Bwlchgwyn.

Edward W. Jones, R.W.F.

Edward William Jones served as a private with the 19th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was born at Tryddyn and enlisted at Tanyfron, he gave his address as Wrexham. John was killed in action on 6 May 1917 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at Fins New British Cemetery, Sorel-Le-Grand.This is likely to be Edward Jones of 21 Brymbo Road, Bwlchgwyn, son of Robert Owen and Edith A Jones.

David I. Jones, M.C.C.

David Isaac Jones served as a lance corporal (L/CPL) with the Infantry, Machine Gun Corps. (formerly of the R Lancs Regt.). He was born at Bwlchgwyn, enlisted at Atherton and gave his address as Tyldesley. David was killed in action on 7 July 1917 at “France and Flanders”.This is likely to be David Isaac Jones of 15 Brymbo Road, Bwlchgwyn; son of David and Sarah Jones. It is possible that William H Jones, above, was his brother.

Isaac Williams, S.W.B.

Isaac Williams served as a private with the 10th Battalion, South Wales Borderers. He was born at Llanarmon (Denbs) and enlisted at Newport, Monmouthshire. He gave his residence as Ynysddu, Mon. Isaac was killed in action, aged 34, on 1 August 1917 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.

Isaac Williams was the son of Isaac and Sarah Williams of 4 Nant Road, Bwlchgwyn, and the husband of Annie Williams, 15 Pioneer Terrace, Cwmfelinfach, Newport, Mon.

Edward T. James, R.W.F

Edward Thomas James served as a lance corporal (L/CPL) with the 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was born at Forest Gate, London and enlisted at Wrexham in November 1914. No residence is given. Edward was killed in action on 24 September 1917 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at the Tyne Cot Memorial

Edward was the son of Elias and Martha James of Nant Ganol, Ffrith, Wrexham.

Hugh O. Edwards, R.W.F

Hugh Owen Edwards served as a private with the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was born at Bwlchgwyn and enlisted at Wrexham. Hugh was killed in action, aged 23, on 8 October 1918 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at Bois-Des-Angles British Cemetery Crevecoeur-Sur-L’escaut.

Hugh was the son of William and Mary Jane Edwards of Holly House, Glascoed Road, Bwlchgwyn.

Robert T. Jones, R.W.F.

Robert Thomas Jones served as a private with the 16th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. He was born at Bwlchgwyn, enlisted at Adwy, and gave his residence as Bwlchgwyn. Robert died of wounds, age 22, on 13 November 1918 at “France and Flanders” and is commemorated at Etaples Military Cemetery.

Robert was the son of Edward and Sarah Ann Jones of Bwlchgwyn.

Wynne Williams, R.E.

Wynne Williams served as a driver with 220 Field Coy, Royal Engineers. He place of birth and residence are listed as Denbighshire. Wynne died, age 21, on 7 July 1944 in the “Middle East” and is commemorated at the Ramleh War Cemetery (Israel).

Wynne was the son of William Henry and Elizabeth Ann Williams of Bwlch Gwyn.

Wilfred T. Belton, R.A.F.

Wilfred Thomas Belton served as a sergeant, wireless operator/air gunner with 61 Sqdn, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He died on 10 September 1942 and is commemorated at the Reichswald Forest War Cemetery.Wilf was the son of Mr and Mrs William Belton of 8, Wesley Road, Bwlchgwyn.