Guilden Sutton War Memorial

JOSEPH GRIFFITHS Born 20 Jan 1893 in Hoole Village or Guilden Sutton depending on which census you read 1911 or 1901. He was one of 3 sons born to Joseph and Jane Griffiths, John born in Johnstown, Denbighshire in 1891 and William born in Guilden Sutton in 1895. In 1901 they were living in Guilden Sutton and Joseph senior was a platelayer on the railway. He was born in Chorlton, Lancashire in 1867. Jane was from Guilden Sutton born about 1871. In 1911 only Joseph was at home with his parents at 2 Heath Bank, he also was working on the railway as a porter. He went to Guilden Sutton school from 16 3 1896. By 1939 his father had died and his mother still lived in the same house. Unfortunately we are unable to confirm Joseph’s date of death.

 FRANK LINDOP Born 22/23 6 1897 in Chester. He was 1 of 6 children born to William Henry and Elizabeth Frances Lindop nee Vaughan, one of which had died before the 1911 census. Harold born 1894, Edwin 1897, Margaret 1904 and Ernest in 1906. William was a harness maker, as was his father before him. In 1911 the family were living next door at 1 Heath Bank to the Griffiths. He went to Guilden Sutton school from 10 6 1901 to 16 6 1911 when exempt. He died 8 March 1920 aged 22.

WILBRAHAM FREEMANTLE SMITH Born 1895 the son of Robert Cathcart and Mary Cathcart Smith nee Garnett, one of their 6 children and born in Guilden Sutton. 1901 they were living at the Old Hall in Guilden Sutton but in 1911 they were in Hough Green, Chester. He died as a 2nd Lt on 28 September 1916 and is buried in Grove Town Cemetery, Meaulte, Dept of the Somme, Picardie, France.

SAMUEL WRENCH Born 30 8 1899 1 of 5 children of Samuel and Ann Wrench nee Whitby. He went to Guilden Sutton school from 21 9 1903 until 5 6 1912 when he was exempt. In 1911 Samuel senior was a self employed coal hawker and as well as Samuel had a younger daughter Maud born 1902 at home, with one child dying before 1911. Samuel first tried to enlist 1st Feb 1915, stating he was 19 years old and a farm labourer, to the Welsh Division of the Royal Field Artillery. He was discharged on 27th Feb as unsuitable for the Corp. He then went on to try the 5th Cheshire Regiment on 2nd March 1915 but after a period of unauthorised absence he was discharged when they found he was not of age on 17th September 1915. It is unclear when he joined as a private in the 13th Battalion Welch Fusiliers, his parents were living in Ellesmere Port when he enlisted. He died 23 August 1918 aged 18. Buried in Bapaume Post Cemetery, Peake Wood, France

Not on our War memorial but buried in St John’s Churchyard is FREDERICK WILLIAM WILBRAHAM one of the 9 children of Thomas and Margaret Wilbraham of 14 Pipers Ash, Hoole. Born in 1896 and died 25 January 1921. A private in the 25th Battalion The Kings Regiment (Liverpool).

THOMAS LESLIE BROMLEY Born Dec Q 1920 to Henry T Bromley and Harriet Victoria Constance Large. In 1939 they were living in Green Lane, Pipers Ash. They were both nurses. Was in RAF and is buried in Rheinberg War Cemetery DIED 17 4 1943

SIDNEY COLLEY Born on 28 2 1919 to Thomas Colley & Margaret Ann Knowles who marred in 1903.In 1939 they lived at 2 Chapel Cottages and Sid was a Pigman. In 1901 Thomas lived near the Hall & Old Hall but full address not given. Sid was a Bombardier in the Royal Artillery in the anti-tank regiment and he died in Italy. Buried in Beach Head War Cemetery, Anzio part 1. DIED 4 2 1944 AGED 25

JOHN DARE born in March Q 1920 to David Dare and Margaret Dutton. They lived in 1939 at Boothroyden. In 1911 David put his surname as Deare and this was his name when married. John was a Private in the Cheshire Regiment. He is buried in St Johns Churchyard. DIED 28 11 1940. AGED 20

T E EDWARDS – unable to find anything to confirm who he was and where he lived. FRANCIS TAYLOR LAWTON Born 9 5 1908 in Runcorn to Peter Taylor Lawton and Ada Walker. He married Lilian Organ in 1935 and they lived in 1939 at 42 Guilden Sutton Lane. He was a Painter & Decorator. A Gunner in Royal Artillery. He is commemorated on the El Alamein Memorial Egypt. DIED 28 6 1942 AGED 34.

JOHN L MELIA “JONNY” Born Dec Q 1922 in Birkenhead to John Leonard Melia and Cicely Dickinson. In 1939 they lived in The Bird In Hand public house. Buried in Overleigh Cemetery it stated he was accidently killed. DIED 15 1 1946. AGED 23.

WILLIAM HENRY MOORCROFT Born 1919 in Newport to William Moorcroft & Emmeline Kemp. They were said to have lived in Somerdale, Guilden Sutton, although in 1939 they were at 18 Guilden Sutton Lane. He married Joyce Roper Sep 1939 she was living in Doncaster at the time of his death. He was in the 2nd Field Squadron Royal Engineers. He had been in the Royal Engineers since he was 16. He is commemorated on the El Alamein Memorial Egypt. DIED 25 10 1942 AGED 23