Town Crier's Last Post

My Great Great Great Uncle Wilkes Roberts ( 1824-1916) was son of William and (H)esther Roberts formerly Williams his father a Private and his mother - a nurse  who both served at the battle of Waterloo in 1815. His father died on the way back and was buried we think at sea. Esther walked all the way back to Denbigh from Dover and got a hero's welcome I understand.

He had many occupations in 1841 census - listed as shoemaker, later a Bootmaker (bankrupt in 1867), later Bailiff, By the late 1880s he is listed as Billposter and then Town crier until his death in1916 age 92 years. He was the last surviving member of a family of 22 children.

If you look on the 'Welsh Newspapers Online' website you will find many mentions of Wilkes Roberts.

PATRIOTIC SCENES AT ABERGELE.... ( paragraph heading A bullet gazed his thigh.)....The inhabitants decided to kill the "fatted calf" in honour to the returning hero. The venerable but ENERGETIC BELLMAN (WILKES ROBERTS) was fired with patriotic ardour, and to the old man's credit it should be recorded that he stirred enthusiasm to a high pitch. He RANG OUT the news with such good will that very soon there was hardly an inhabitant who did not know that a gallant townsman was returning home from the war. .......The horses were unharnessed, and very justly they looked sulky under the process. A long rope was attached to the vehicle, and then, amid scenes to which this quiet locality is unaccustomed, a number of sturdy fellows drew the carriage, gaily decorated with flags and bells through Pensarn. along Kinmel-terrace, and thence to Abergele. The venerable WILKES sat on the "DICKY [the driver's seat of the carriage)," and RANG HIS BELL UNTIL HIS ARM ACHED WITH THE EXERCISE. The crowd GRADUALLY SWELLED IN PROPORTION until a mob of 700 people followed the procession into the main street at Abergele, where flags hung out in honour of the gallant soldier's return. Then it was decided that the wonderful scene should be made immortal, and Mr Thomas Leigh was requested to photograph the carriage and its occupants. This enterprising young townsman did so, and succeeded in taking several splendid photographs, which, with commendable enterprise, he succeeded in putting on view in less than two hours after......Source The Welsh Coast Pioneer. 1st June 1900 p 3b

"PEACE AT LAST .[Boer War]...During the day the church bells were rung, and bunting floated from, almost every house in the town The joy was universal. WILKES ROBERTS the TOWN CRIER, called upon all loyal subjects to meet at the Town Hall in the evening and to form a huge procession"   Source Patriotic scenes at Abergele. The Welsh Coast Pioneer. 6 Jun 1902 p6d 

Wilkes was Town Crier and Bill Poster for  for Abergele and district - here is an Advert
'WILKES ROBERTS & Son - billposters, Town Criers &c ABERGELE.The district comprises - Abergele, Pensarn, Towyn, St George, Glasgoed, Rhuddlan, St Asaph, Llanfairtalhaiarn, Llangernyw, Bettws, Dolwen, Llanelian, Llyafaen, Colwyn, Llanddulas, &c ' Source Abergele & Pensarn Leader from 1915.

This could explain why I have a collection of bells. I also like bringing people together.