Oliver Cecil's Story.
Oliver Cecil Edwards was born circa 1895 in Flintshire, that is all that is written on the 1901 census when we find Oliver Cecil living at 62, Ewart Street, Mold Junction,Flintshire. Head of the family was his father Thomas Wilfred Edwards, 37 a Railway Engine Driver, had been born in Chester as was his wife Sarah, 39. Their sons Thomas W., 16 and Bertie, 13 had also been born in Chester, Cheshire. Daughter Ada B., 10, sons Harold, 8 and Oliver C., 6 had been born in Flintshire.
There is a marriage of a Thomas W. Edwards and a Sarah Hewson in 1885. It was a Civil Ceremony performed in Chester, (ROC/19/197). The certificate would have to be purchased as it cannot be accessed any other way, to find out if this is their marriage.. Any help would be gratefully received.
The 1911 census tells us that the family had moved to Glendale, Broughton Road, Saltney, Chester. (6 Rooms). Thomas, 47 was still a Railway Engine Driver and wife Sarah, 49 had been married 27 years with 7 children born to them but one, sadly, had died. Daughter Ada Beatrice, 20 was single and a Dressmaker. Son Harold Farrington, 18 was single, and an Engine Fitter, son Oliver Cecil, 18, was single and an Engine Cleaner. Son Godfrey, 9 made up the family. All the children had been born in Hawarden Parish.
Oliver Cecil's Flintshire WW1 Index Cards, (Saltney Ferry F10) tells us that his period of Service was 3 years, 6 months, confirms his address as "Glendale", Saltney, Nr, Chester and the card was signed by A. Edwards, possibly Ada.
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about Oliver Cecil Edwards confirms his regimental information and tells us that his birthplace was Mold, although I think that should have been Mold Junction, Saltney and he enlisted in Chester
British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 about Oliver C Edwards does not tell us where his first Theatre of War was nor when he entered it.
I cannot find any Army Service Records for Oliver Cecil, perhaps they were lost in the bombings of the 2nd World War. Some were badly burnt, known as the "Burnt Papers", but some were lost altogether.
Oliver Cecil was awarded the Victory & British War Medals.
The Saltney Ferry War Memorial commemorates those men of the area who died during World War I and World War II.
He is remembered on the Plaque that was formerly sited in St. Mathew's Church in Saltney Ferry (which was as destroyed by fire in 2008), are now in St Mark's Church in High Street, Saltney.
Saltney Ferry is a village to the west of the town of Saltney in Deeside, Flintshire. Between 1974 and 1996 it was in the county of Clwyd.
Researched and compiled by Mavis Williams