Military History

Samuel is listed as being killed in action on the 1 Jul 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Ther 1st/6th Battalion war diary entry for that day  transcribed below. War Diary reference WO 95/2755/2.

Mailly - 30 Jun 1916: In Mailly. Marched to Assembly Trenches at 10.30pm. Numbers for assault 24 Officers and 626 O.R.

Mailly - 1 Jul 1916 - 7.40am: Battalion left their assembly trenches 10 minutes behind the 1/8^th R War R – heavy casualties, about 80, before crossing our own lines, mingled in with 1/8^th R War R immediately on reaching German lines, worked up as far as the third line. First and second wave Battalions on the right had advanced no further. 31^st Division on left also hung up, certain units reaching Serre. Enemy’s opposition a well distributed barrage and very severe cross machine gun fire. 12^th Infantry Brigade followed but were unable to advance further than line held by 11^th Inf Bde.

The one officer unhurt (2/Lt J.G. Cooper) returned with a message to Brigade HQ between 11 and 12am. The line which was being consolidated was severely pressed on the flanks and forced to withdraw to the quadrilateral from where the few remaining men were sent back to our lines about 4pm. All that could be collected were taken back to Mailly at midnight. Estimated casualties 120 killed and missing, 316 wounded.

A long list of officer casualties is not transcribed here.

Mailly – 2 Jul 1916: In billets gradually assembling until a total of 176 reached. Reinforcement of 5 Officers from Duke of Cornwalls L I, 2/Lt's J.W. Higman; O.W. Gasett; D.W. Tonkin; G.H. Chele & J Lomax

Couin - 3 Jul 1916: Marched from 11th Brigade to 143rd Inf Bde in bivouac at Couin. Joined Reserve Army.