250662 Pte. George Ryles British Army 17th (Service) Battalion Royal Welsh Fusiliers from:Little London Cottages, Cornist Road, Flint, Flintshire, North Wales (d.28th March 1918) George Ryles was born in Rhyl on 24th March, 1892 and baptised on 16th May, 1892 at St Thomas's Parish Church, Rhyl. He was the eldest of two children to Thomas Ryles and Elizabeth (Walters).
Thomas was born in Rhyl and Elizabeth in Shrewsbury and they were married. They were living at No 2, Naylors Court, Rhyl at the time of the 1901 census but by 1911 Mr and Mrs Ryles appear to have gone their separate ways. Thomas, a self employed chimney sweep, was living on his own at 22, Queens Court, Rhyl and Elizabeth was living with her daughter and husband, James and Margaret Grant at 9 Mount Street, Flint. George, meanwhile, was boarding at the home of a John and Flora Kitchen at 7 Hill Street, Flint and was employed as a changer at the artificial silk works. When the war began he was living with his mother at Little London Cottages, Cornist Road, Flint.
George enlisted in Shotton with the 8th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and served in the Balkans from 28th June, 1915.
It was reported in the County Herald on 22nd October, 1915 that Private Ryles had been invalided home but there was no reason given. However the newspaper did report the following on 26th November.
Thanks Of The Soldiers To People Of Flint Advantages Taken Of The County Herald Facilities.
We are pleased to mention that we have received letters from soldiers acknowledging the kindness, collectively, of the people of Flint. The soldiers who belong to Flint have been made aware of the efforts of the County HeraldĀ to further their interests in the matter of comforts; and we would wish to state that notwithstanding the work of some people in the Borough the thanks of the soldiers are due to the residents who have contributed to the respective funds. Much can be related upon this matter, but for the nonce [sic] it is preferable that the soldiers and sailors who belong to Flint should receive the parcels which are the gifts of the Borough and not of anyone particular individual, however he might have been devoted to the work.
The following letter speaks volumes,
Alma Park Military Hospital, Manchester, 22nd of November 1915.
Dear Editor, Would you be so kind as to allow a small space in your valuable paper to tender my sincere thanks to the residents of Flint for the Christmas present which I received on Saturday last in good condition. The contents of the parcels were just the things which the lads at the Front would appreciate and I wish the people of Flint every success for their kindness and noble work they are doing for the boys, which I am sure will never be forgotten. I should also like to inform you of Sergeant-Major Hughes, who is an inmate of this hospital, and is a Flint man. He is progressing very favourably.
I remain, sir, very sincerely yours,
(12794) Pte G Ryles, 8th Batt. R.W.F., Alma Park Military Hospital, Manchester.
He recovered and went home on several days's leave returning to rejoin his regiment in the first week of January. On the 15th August, 1916 news reached Flint of casualties which was reported in the County Herald three days later.
Up to Tuesday morning this week there was a comparative lack of information in the whole of the Borough regarding any further possible casualties. Considering the size and population of the Borough the war has exacted more than the average toll in casualties, but the number cannot be compared with some other districts in England, where the number of casualties has been greater.
It was stated on Saturday that Private George Ryles, of Little London, Flint and who is a member of the 8th Battalion of the RWF, had been wounded and that Sapper J G Grant (his brother-in-law) of Cornist Cottages, and of the Royal Engineers, had been sent to hospital, suffering from the effects of shock.
Two weeks later it was revealed that George has not been wounded and that he was quite well.
Sometime later he was transferred to the 17th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers and while serving in France he was killed in action on 28thof March 1918.
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