Roberts, George

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George Roberts

146835, Sapper, 12th Field Company Royal Engineers
Killed in action, 6 September 1917, aged 28
Buried at Philosophe British Cemetery, Mazingarbe, France

CWGC registered (Husband of Margaret E Roberts, of “West Lynne,” 1, Charlton St, Llandudno)

George Roberts was born at Llandegfan near Menai Bridge on Anglesey in 1888. He was the son of Humphrey Roberts, a stonemason, and his wife Mary Roberts (née Humphreys). The Census of 1891 records the family living at “Cefn du”, Llandegfan; ten years later it lived at “Pentre”, Llandegfan. In 1911, the family lived at the same address; both Humphrey (53) and George (22) were described as stonemasons. On 22 February 1916, George Roberts married Margaret Ellen Jones, a widow, at the Fron Chapel, Denbigh. George gave his address as 32 Ash Grove, Shotton and his profession as a bricklayer. It was around this time when George Roberts was enlisted into the Royal Engineers at Menai Bridge with a service number of 146835. He gave his residence as Llandudno.

Little is known about George Roberts’ service with the Royal Engineers though it is recorded that his last unit was the 12th Field Company, Royal Engineers. At the outbreak of war, this company was attached to the 6th Division of the British Expeditionary Force.

George Roberts was killed in action on 6 September 1917 aged 28. He was buried at Philosophe British Cemetery between Bethune and Lens. Commonwealth War Grave Commission records indicate that George was the only soldier interred at that cemetery killed on 6 September and that there were only 13 deaths from various battalions over the first 12 days of September. This suggests that his death was as a result of an incident rather than in battle.

It is not known whether there were any children to either of Margaret’s marriages.

Known memorials:

  • Llandudno Roll of Honour
  • Llandudno War Memorial
  • Memorial Chapel, Holy Trinity Church, Llandudno
  • Llanrhos Parish War Memorial, All Saints’ Church, Deganwy
  • Llandegfan War Memorial
  • St. Tegfan’s Church, Llandegfan

2 comments to Roberts, George

  • Pat Roberts

    George Roberts was the grandfather of my husband David Roberts. David’s father was John Gwilym Roberts born in 1917 .George Roberts had One son and twin daughters, Grace and Francis. Unfortunately, Francis died as a baby. John Gwilym had 3 sons and I daughter. We are fortunate to have photos of George in uniform and we have his actual cap badge. We also have photos of his headstone in the cemetry in France which we visited in 2013.

    • admin

      Thank you for your Comment Pat. Tomorrow (Remembrance Sunday) my wife’s grandson Riley is giving a talk about George at Llandegfan. He took what information I had as well as a photograph of the gravestone. His mother telephoned me last night that they had discovered some additional information in that George was killed when he hit unexploded ordnance with a pick. I am committing this website into print and am adding images. Anything would be very helpful. I will contact you by email immediately.

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