WAR MEMORIALS IN THE PARISH OF NORTHOP
The villages of Northop, Northop Hall and Sychdyn (Soughton)
The villages of Northop, Northop Hall and Sychdyn (Soughton)
Name Griffith Piercy
Regiment 9th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Service Rank and Number Private 15394
Military Cemetery/Memorial Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy
Ref No. of Grave or Memorial V111.H.38
Country of Cemetery/Memorial France
Medals Awarded British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-1919, The 1914-15 Star
Date and Circumstances of Death Griffith fell at Overs Ridge on 1st October 1918 aged 21. Killed in Action. The strong story that has come down the family, told to them by Griff's comrade, Alf Hughes, was that Griffith was shot by a female sniper. Alf also said that they "got her" later.
Biographical Details Known Griffith was born in 1898. The 1901 census records that three year old Griffith lived in Duck Street, (now Duke Street) Sychdyn with his father William (a coal miner), his mother Isabella, his brother William 2 yrs and a baby brother Thomas.
Sometime after 1901 the family moved to a small holding - 'Offa Bank' on the Vownog. The lane that ran in front of their home became known locally as Piercy's Lane (now called 'Watts Dyke Way).
Griffith joined the army in September 1914 - when he was 16/17 yrs old so technically too young to join up. Less than three months after he joined, his new baby brother, Frederick died aged 4 months. Griffith went to France to join his first theatre of war on the 27th September 1915 and he died three years later, just five months after his brother William had been killed. Refer also to William Piercy's page for the full story of this family tragedy.
Regiment 9th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Service Rank and Number Private 15394
Military Cemetery/Memorial Guards Cemetery, Windy Corner, Cuinchy
Ref No. of Grave or Memorial V111.H.38
Country of Cemetery/Memorial France
Medals Awarded British War Medal 1914-20, Victory Medal 1914-1919, The 1914-15 Star
Date and Circumstances of Death Griffith fell at Overs Ridge on 1st October 1918 aged 21. Killed in Action. The strong story that has come down the family, told to them by Griff's comrade, Alf Hughes, was that Griffith was shot by a female sniper. Alf also said that they "got her" later.
Biographical Details Known Griffith was born in 1898. The 1901 census records that three year old Griffith lived in Duck Street, (now Duke Street) Sychdyn with his father William (a coal miner), his mother Isabella, his brother William 2 yrs and a baby brother Thomas.
Sometime after 1901 the family moved to a small holding - 'Offa Bank' on the Vownog. The lane that ran in front of their home became known locally as Piercy's Lane (now called 'Watts Dyke Way).
Griffith joined the army in September 1914 - when he was 16/17 yrs old so technically too young to join up. Less than three months after he joined, his new baby brother, Frederick died aged 4 months. Griffith went to France to join his first theatre of war on the 27th September 1915 and he died three years later, just five months after his brother William had been killed. Refer also to William Piercy's page for the full story of this family tragedy.
The County Herald
18th October 1918
In Loving Memory of
Fredrick the beloved son of
William and Isabella Piercy Offa bank
Soughton
Who died Dec. 11th 1914 aged 4 months
Also of
William Piercy seconed son of the above
Who was killed in action in France
May 30th 1918 aged 19 years
Also of
Griffith piercy eldest son of the above
who was killed in action in France
Sept 30th 1918 aged 21years
Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another
Fredrick the beloved son of
William and Isabella Piercy Offa bank
Soughton
Who died Dec. 11th 1914 aged 4 months
Also of
William Piercy seconed son of the above
Who was killed in action in France
May 30th 1918 aged 19 years
Also of
Griffith piercy eldest son of the above
who was killed in action in France
Sept 30th 1918 aged 21years
Greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for another
Griffith and William are both commemorated on a family grave in Northop Churchyard.
Isabella and William Piercy, parents of Griffith and William. They eventually had ten children altogether, ( William, Griffith, Frederick, Osborne, Tom, George, Jenny, Mary, Esther and Bella).
William Piercy father of Griffith and William. He was a collier and a smallholder.
Gardening Class at Northop National School with Mr JR Richardson (right). Griff Piercy is crouched at the front far left. (Is that Willy next to him? We're not sure)
Private 15394 Griffith Piercy 9th Btn Royal Welsh Fusiliers
We think that this is possibly a photograph of recruits in training. They don't seem to be equipped with proper uniforms. Griff Piercy is standing on the back row, 7th from the right. We have picked him out in close up in the smaller picture above.
Outside a tramshed, possibly on the way to France. Griff is fourth from the right (See close up above). The place name on the front of the left hand tram is 'County Gate'. Our research suggests this is near Poole in Dorset.
Travelling in style. Griff is second from left (standing). Crouched at the front (left) is Griff's friend Alf Hughes who brought back to Sychdyn, the story that Griff had been shot by a female sniper but that they had "got her" later.
Gifts from France from Griff
This Christmas greeting was an embroidered postcard with a little pouch which held a hankerchief. Note all the flags. Were the French ladies making them to appeal to any soldier in any army?
A birthday greeting from Griff to his Dad
A birthday card for Mum
A doily sent home, embroidered with the words Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Griff's grave in France
Flintshire's official citation for Griffith Piercy
The nation records its thanks with this citation from the King
Grateful thanks to Griff and Will's niece, Jane Bradshaw for sharing this amazing archive with us. We have included more of her photographs on 'Sychdyn's Homefront WW1 page'.
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George Piercy was a little brother to Griff and Will. George was just 9 years old when his two big brothers were killed. The memorabilia posted below belonged to George and is now owned by his grandaughter, Linda Hughes. We are grateful to Linda for sharing it with us.
Birthday card from Griff to George
Christmas greetings from the front
Royal greetings for the troops. it was all supposed to be over with by this Christmas!
Dear George
I hope you are going on alright as I am very well myself. I remembered about your birthday you will be getting quite a big boy now. I suppose you have been working hard in the harvest. I hope you have got it all in by now. We have been having very rainy weather here but it is clearing up now. well George I must close up now. Wishing you many happy returns of the day
From your loving Brother,
Griff
(Written on the 1st August. Exactly 2 months later, Griff was dead)
I hope you are going on alright as I am very well myself. I remembered about your birthday you will be getting quite a big boy now. I suppose you have been working hard in the harvest. I hope you have got it all in by now. We have been having very rainy weather here but it is clearing up now. well George I must close up now. Wishing you many happy returns of the day
From your loving Brother,
Griff
(Written on the 1st August. Exactly 2 months later, Griff was dead)
Griff (seated left) and comrades
Griff
This is Offa Bank as it looked in the 1960s. When the Piercy family first moved into it, it was only half the size it is here. After Mr William Piercy died, his wife, Isabella moved to live with her daughter. Their son George moved into Offa Bank with his wife Dolly.
Many thanks to Gladys Jones who now lives in Canada (the daughter of Jenny Piercy, sister to Griff and Will ). Gladys has sent us the following three images. She also sent us a lovely old photograph of the Vownog in Sychdyn which we have posted on the Sychdyn Home Front Page
A commemorative bronze medallion in memory of Griff
Isabella Piercy aged 21 - mother of Griff and Will.
Isabella Piercy (right) with her daughter Jenny.