Samuel Hance

Samuel Hance

Samuel went to Rayne School, being admitted on 12th December 1892, leaving on 15th April 1898 to work on a farm. In 1909 he married Beatrice Howard in the Braintree registration district. In 1911 he was a gardener and living in Shorehham, Kent, with his wife Beatrice and baby daughter Kathleen. Samuel enlisted in Maidstone and served as a Private Soldier with the 23rd Battalion the Royal Fusiliers, formerly with the Royal Sussex Regiment. During April and May 1917 the Battle of Arras was launched, it had two objectives, one which succeeded was to capture the high ground East of Arras, known as Vimy Ridge. The second objective was to take some pressure off the French Army which was attacking the Germans further south. The Royal Fusiliers took part in some the heavy fighting which preceded the capture of Vimy Ridge, and suffered heavy casualties. Private Samuel Hance is yet another soldier who sadly has no known grave. Samuel was killed in action aged 30 on the 3rd May 1917. He is remembered on the Arras Memorial. He and two of his brothers, Edward Elmer and George John, who also fell, are remembered in Felsted as much of Rayne was in the Civil Parish of Felsted at the beginning of the 20th century.

Created by: , Gillian1912

  • Born 1886

    Died 1917

    British Army 13505 Private Royal Sussex Regiment

    British Army GS/61663 Private Royal Fusiliers 23rd Battalion