EDDIES, ALFRED (Not on the Gresford Roll of Honour.)
his cousin John EDDIES, see his notes.
Rank: Private Service No:G/86302 Date of Death:25/05/1918 Age:26 Regiment/Service:Middlesex Regiment 13th Bn. Cemetery:PERNES BRITISH CEMETERY
Son of Samuel Eddies; husband of Annie Eddies, of Hyher House, Whixall, nr. Whitchurch, Salop.
Flintshirewarmemorials.com
Alfred’s cousin John’s name is on the Gresford Roll of Honour in All Saint’s Church, but Alfred’s name is not, probably because he may not have been in the area at the time, but I am adding his name to the list and telling his story as the connection to John & Alfred Eddies becomes apparent. Alfred should also be remembered.
Alfred Eddies was born circa 1892 in Whixall, Salop the son of Samuel & Alice Eddies and first appears on the 1901 census living with his family at Welsh End, Whixall. Head of the household was Samuel, 33 a Market Gardener working on his own account, born in Whixall. His mother Alice, 32 had been born in Prees, Salop. Alfred,9, was the eldest child, followed by Annie Elizabeth, 6, Harry, 3 and Philip age 1, all born in Whixall, Salop.
The family were still at Welsh End by the 1911 census, Samuel, 42 was now a Farmer and he tells us that he and Alice, 41 had been married 21 years and 7 children had been born to them, sadly 1 had died. Alfred, now 19 was a Farmer’s son working on the farm Annie, 16 was working on the farm also doing “Dairy Work,” Harry, 13 was also working on the farm, Philip, 11, Hurbert, 6 were at School and the baby, Frank was 9 months old.
Alfred’s father Samuel had a brother John, who’s son, also John, was to die in the Great War as Alfred did, so the family ancestry is the same for both Alfred and John in the sense that they shared the same Grandparents, John & Sara Eddies.
This was brought to light when through my research I found on the website http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-… Someone had left this message:-
“Such a brave young hero , with so much to lose , you paid the ultimate sacrifice for your country. Also , remembering your cousin,who also paid the ultimate sacrifice in 1915, Pte. John Eddies Royal Welsh Fusiliers (Galipolli). Also , your brother (my grandad) Pte.Harry Eddies Kings Light Infantry who was wounded in action (lost his leg) in Salonika . My family of heroes. Thank you .x. Wendy Sutton nee Eddies (great niece) .x.
– Wendy Sutton nee Eddies
Added: Sep. 22, 2014”
Many thanks Wendy and I hope you don’t mind my adding this to Alfred’s page
I believe that Alfred married in 1916 to an Annie Studley in St. Mary’s Church in Chester (Cheshire West CE14/11/119). This fits in with the fact that on the Alfred Eddies in the UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919, Alfred enlisted there. This source also tells us that he was born in Whixall, Salop and that he was formerly M/297503, R.A.S.T., M.T.
Alfred Eddies in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that he died of wounds, in Action and the sole Legatee was his widow Annie who was paid £2 8s 3d on the 22nd August 1918 and his War Gratuity of £5 on the 25th November 1919. Bless them they had only been married about 2 years, probably most of that time away from each other.
Alfred Eddies in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 tells us about his Victory & British War medals, but does not tell us his first Theatre of War, nor when he first entered it.
Additional Information on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website: Son of Samuel Eddies; husband of Annie Eddies, of Hyher House, Whixall, nr. Whitchurch, Salop.
He was 26 years old.
Source: Researched and written by Mavis Williams.
