Prestatyn grave of Robert Jones (Gorsafydd)
Grave of Robert Jones (Gorsafydd) d.1922
Robert Jones was born at Llanrhaeadr-yng-Nghinmeirch, near Denbigh, and moved to Prestatyn as a boy. He worked for the London & North Western Railway his entire working life. He was stationmaster at Prestatyn and latterly at Abergwyngregyn, near Bangor. He retired in 1902 and returned to Prestatyn, living at Llys Eirian.
Robert was a prominent member of the local Wesleyan chapel and for many years was a lay preacher. Many recalled his sermons as “full of fire and eloquence while bearing a divine message”. Robert took a prominent role in fundraising to found the Prestatyn British School (later the Council School). His connection continued until his death, as he acted as the school’s caretaker.
Robert was an active member of Flintshire Historical Society, Flintshire Liberal Association and the local branch of the Cymrodorion Society. He wrote widely for newspapers in English and Welsh. Under his bardic name ‘Gorsafydd’ (gorsaf = station), his compositions were frequently published in Welsh periodicals. He died in 1922, aged 80.
As well as Robert and his wife Eleanor, the headstone commemorates their daughter Martha Maria who died aged 13, and two of their sons who died in the First World War. Roger Arthur Jones emigrated in 1904 and was living at Sydney with his wife and two children when he joined the Australian Imperial Forces. He died in France in October 1916.
Alfred Jones emigrated to British Colombia in 1909 and was killed at Vimy Ridge while serving with the Canadian Infantry in 1917. A third son, Morley, returned from New South Wales, Australia, to serve with the Royal Engineers. Morley survived the war.