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PTE: ROBERTS, IDRIS

Born, Idris Roberts, first quarter of 1890 and registered at Swansea.1


Parents: David, (Head), a Collier at Coal Mine, age 32, born in Fforestfach, Glamorgan and Emma Roberts, age27, born in Gorseinon, Glamorgan. Son: Idris Roberts, age 1, born in Fforestfach, Glamorgan. Both parents spoke Welsh and English. They lived at Turnpike Road, Penderry, Llangyfelach, Swansea.2


Parents: David, (Head), a Coal Miner Hewer, age 42 and Emma Roberts, age 37. Daughter: Annie M. age 4. Sons: Idris, age11, Lodwig, age 7.  Boarder: Rees Davies, a Coal Miner Hewer, age 22. All were born in Llangyfelach, Glamorgan and spoke, both Welsh and English. They lived at Cadle Terrace, Fforestfach, Nr. Swansea.3


Parents: David, (Head), a Fireman in Colliery, age 56 and Emma, age 48, Married: 23 years with 4 children born alive and 4 still living. Daughters: Annie Mary, age 14 and Gwendoline, age 7. Sons: Idris, single, an Estate Agents Clerk, age 21 and Lodwig, a Boot Maker, single, age 17. Lodger: John Tolmie, age 36, single, a Foreman of Masons, age 36, Born: Ross, Scotland and spoke only English. They lived at Cadle Terrace, Fforestfach, Swansea.4


Idris Roberts, Private in Machine Gun Company, Service Number 59877.5


Idris Roberts, killed in action in France and Flanders.6


Idris Roberts, Machine Gun Corps (Infantry), 97th Coy. Died: 10th July 1917, Grave Reference, III.K.12. Coxyde Military Cemetery, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.7

 

“IN MEMORIAM.
ROBERTS.—In loving memory of our dear
son. Pte. Idris Roberts. Machine Gun
Corps, killed in France. July 10th 1917.
Two lonely years have passed away
Since our great sorrow fell;
StilI in our hearts we mo-urn the loss
Of him we loved so well.
Ever remembered by father, mother, brother and sisters.”8

“SWANSEA MACHINE GUNNER.
Mrs. Roberts, 29, Mariner street, Swansea, has received news that her husband, Pte. Idris Roberts. Machine Gun Section, has been killed in action. His officer in a letter to the widow says:  “It was on the night of the 10th, of June when we were subjected to the heaviest bombardment known, when he was acting as my orderly, and had shown great courage and enduranc. Unfortunately, towards night, a shell landed and exploded near us. Your husband was killed along with two others."  Pte. Roberts was 26 years of age and married, and prior to enlisting was employed by Mr. Grey Walters at the Manselton Estate Office. He is the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Roberts, 1, Cadle-terrace, Fforestfach.”9

Medals: Victory & British.10  

SOURCE
1 England & Wales, FreeBMD Birth Index, 1837-1915
2 1891 Wales Census
3 1901 Wales Census
4 1911 Wales Census
5 British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920
6 UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919
7 Commonwealth War Graves Commission
8 Cambrian Daily Leader 11.07.1919
9 Cambrian Daily Leader 23.07.1917
10 UK, WWI Service Medal and Award Rolls, 1914-1920