Lives of the First World War

The large right hand panel bears the names of the 23 men of Little Gaddesden, Ringshall and Hudnall who gave their lives for their country during the First World War. Samuel Oakins' entry reads: "Samuel Oakins. Royal Engineers". The memorial was dedicated in 1921 and is located close to the northern end of the village green.

This panel lists the men of Little Gaddesden, Ringshall and Hudnall who died during the First World War.

The wooden memorial in St Peter & St Paul's Church, Little Gaddesden lists the men who died during the First World War on the larger, upper panel.

Detail of the upper panel of the war memorial in St Peter & St Paul's Church, Little Gaddesden, on which those who died in the First World War are listed.

The Roll of Honour, which hangs in St Peter & St Paul's Church, Little Gaddesden and lists 119 names of those from Little Gaddesden, Ringshall and Hudnall who served in the 1914 – 1918 War. Men who have answered their country’s call in defence of a “Scrap of Paper”.

A modern photo of the church in which Samuel was baptised and where he is commemorated on his parents' grave.

A group photo of the wedding of Samuel George Oakins and Ethel Emily Lee, 12th October 1910. Sam and Ethel are seated in the middle. Sam's brother Steve is back row 3rd from left with his wife Frances 2nd from left. The baby is Steve's son John James Oakins aged 6 months. The seated ladies include 3rd from left Sam's sister Caroline and 4th from left his sister Edith Lillian.

Sam and Ethel Oakins with their eldest son Pelham. The date is unknown but probably 1915 or 1916 as Pelham would be aged 3 or 4.

Sam's daughter Violet b. 1915 (centre) with her younger brother Samuel George (right) b. 1917 and named after his father and her cousin Gwendoline Patty James b. 1920 (left). The photo is not dated but must be from the mid 1920s.

Sam Oakins in uniform. The photo was taken between 1914 and 1917, the information on it gives his Labour Corps service number, but the dates of his service in different units are unknown. Sam’s date of birth, 2nd October 1883, was included in the information supplied with this image.

Sam's son, named Samuel George Oakins after his father, was born on 22nd November 1917 eleven days after his father's death. The photo shows him serving aboard HMS Quorn - date unknown.

Sam's original grave marker at Ypres Reservoir Cemetery which reads as follows: In Memory of 421646 Spr Oakins S G, 20 Coy Lab Corps. The text within the scroll reads "Killed in Action 11/11/17".

The marriage of Sam's sister Ruth to George Scudder, 6th August 1906. An Oakins family group identified as follows: Back row left to right - Stephen (brother), Ethel (wife), Sam, George Scudder (brother-in-law) just married to Ruth (sister), George Dunn (brother-in-law) married to Eliza (sister, always called Nance), Simmy Whitman (uncle, brother of Sam's mother). On the front row left to right are: John Thomas (father), Edith Lilian (sister - Lil), Bob the dog, Emmie Caroline (sister - Car) and Emma (mother, nee Whitman).

A 1903 photo of the Little Gaddesden Brass Band, taken outside the School. The band members are: Back Row L to R: Stanley Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Frederick Cutler, F Pocock, John Wibden, Edward Hing, Edward Pinnock. Middle Row L to R: George Jay, W Warner, Arthur Johnson, Samuel G Oakins, Bertram Horn, Harry Wells, Walter Holland, Herbert Fenn, T Scott. Front Row L to R: Stephen J Oakins, James Windmill, CH Ward (Bandmaster), William Johnson, Sidney Rogers, Edward Whitman. Underneath big drum: Hubert Halsey. Absent: H Davies, J Waller, H Griffin, William Fenn, William Boarder, Matthew Munden, George Rogers, J Wrangles

Late twentieth century photo of the CWGC headstone of 177585 Sapper/ S G Oakins/ Royal Engineers/ 11th November 1917 age 34, Ypres Reservoir Cemetery, Plot 1, Row 1, Grave 20. Below the cross are the words "IN EVER LOVING MEMORY/ IN THE MIDST OF LIFE/ WE ARE IN DEATH"

Photo showing the Little Gaddesden War Memorial shortly after its dedication, which took place in 1921. “Samuel Oakins Royal Engineers” is named on the right hand panel. The two boy scouts are, on the right, Samuel’s son Pelham and, on the left, Samuel’s nephew John Oakins, his brother Stephen’s son.