Lives of the First World War

December 1914 - 9th March 1916

Samuel enlisted in December 1914 at Pontefract where he was working as a miner residing at 63, Burton Street, Moorthorpe, Yorkshire. He was the eldest of four brothers who served. Samuel was killed within six weeks of being drafted to the front. At the time his battalion were in the region of La Gorgue, south west of Armentières. The War Diary records that both sides shelled each other during the day and that 3 patrols were sent out by the battalion. Samuel was the only casualty this day. “9 March 1916 – Our artillery bombarded enemy from 10.20am-12 noon. 300 shrapnel fired. Working party of Germans on extreme left stopped by our snipers while repairing breach made in their parapet by our artillery. Enemy knocked in our parapet at 17.30.1.Numerous shells fell 50 yards in rear of 17.30.1 about 11.40am. Three patrols went out at night, one from each Company. One officer and three men from right and centre Companies, one officer and four men from left Company. Patrol from right Company discovered an enemy machine gun firing over parapet in Crater 34. Not much information owing to darkness. Weather cold, sleet and snow at times.”

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