Samuel William Pickering
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Samuel William Pickering was the first born of 4 boys, born to John ‘Jack’ and Elizabeth Ann Pickering, nee Wordsworth. John and Elizabeth had married in 1897 and lived at 79 Cheapside with Elizabeth’s Parents, Samuel and Elizabeth Wordsworth. Both John Pickering and his father in law worked in the timber trade. Samuel was born in 1898, followed by George in 1900, John Henry in 1905 and Stanley in 1910. These 3 generations shared the same house, 79 Cheapside, for a great number of years. In 1914, John Pickering died at the age of 38. Samuel found work at a young age, at the local pit, before enlisting from Retford, Nottinghamshire.
Gunner Samuel W Pickering Worksop Guardian 4 October 1918 Another Worksop man to fall in the fight is Gunner Samuel William Pickering, RFA, son of Mrs Elizabeth Pickering, 79 Cheapside. The deceased would have been 20 next month and joined the Sherwood Rangers early in 1915 when only 16 years of age. He was a well grown lad and looked older than his years. He saw service in Salonika and Egypt, and owing to his age, his release from military service was obtained. But the lad was keen on fighting and rejoined the colours when he was 18. He was put in the Glasgow Yeomanry, with which regiment he served for sometime in Ireland. Six months ago he was drafted to France and transferred to the RFA. Before going to France he spent 48 hours at home. Prior to 1915 he worked at Manton. He was well known and much liked, and his mother and the other relatives have the sympathy of their many friends in their bereavement. Writing to Mrs Pickering, the Rev. V C Coggan, Chaplain at the Casualty Clearing Hospital, where he died says:- “Your boy passed away here, yesterday, September 18th, a few hours after admission. He was wounded in the back and abdomen and there was no hope from the first. It will comfort you to know, he suffered little pain as he was unconscious. Everything possible was done for him. He will be laid to rest at the military cemetery at ___ . With deep sympathy.”
CWG additional information:- Son of Elizabeth Ann Pickering, of 79, Cheapside, Worksop. Buried Doingt Communal Cemetery Extension, France. Research by Colin Dannatt
