Samuel Eaton
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Samuel was the youngest son of Richard and Sydney Ann Eaton. Richard and Sydney had six children, all of whom were born in Risley, Derbyshire: Martha Amelia b. 1878 (A/M/J Shardlow) baptised 14 April 1878 Risley, Sarah b. 1879 (A/M/J Shardlow) baptised 20 April 1879 Risley, William Edward, baptised 3 April 1881 Risley, Samuel b. 1882 (J/A/S Shardlow) baptised 9 July 1882 Risley, Sydney Ann b. 1883 (J/A/S Shardlow) baptised 16 September 1883 and Rosamond birth registered 1887 J/F/M Shardlow. In 1891 Richard (47, b. Derbyshire), a farmer, and Sydney (39, b. Stapleford) were living in Toton with their children Martha (13), Sarah (12), William (10), Samuel (8), Sydney (7) and Rosamond (4). Also in the household were Alice L Sour (18) a general domestic servant, and Ernest W Browitt (14) a farm servant. By 1901 Richard (57) and Sydney (48) were living on Gordon Road, West Bridgford, Nottingham. Richard was still working as a farmer. All six children were still at home with Martha and William the only two of the children five oldest children listed in work and that 'at home' so presumably helping in the home or on the farm. Also in the household was a servant ('carter on the farm'), William Belton (47). Richard died on 2 July 1907 at the age of 63 but it appears that Sydney retained the farm as in 1911, when she was still living on Gordon Road, her occupation was given as farmer. Only William (30), Sydney (27) and Rosamond (24) were in the family home on the night of the census; William was still working on the farm. Also in the household was James Eaton (17, b. Toton) a servant on the farm. In 1911 Samuel, who was still unmarried, was living with Stella Lewis (28, b. West Bridgford) at 5 Edwinstowe Avenue, West Bridgford. He gave his occupation as 'farmer's son working', so presumably he was still on the family farm. Stella had been married for 13 years and was described as the housekeeper. Her two children who were also in the household, Edith May Lewis (4) and Stella Irene Lewis (2, b. 1909 A/M/J Nottingham, name registered as Stella Irene L Eaton), were described as Samuel's daughters. However, although Stella was born in West Bridgford her older sister Edith was born in Canada. When Samuel attested in November 1914 he was living at 39 Exchange Road, West Bridgford. He named his widowed mother as his next of kin, presumably because he was unmarried although still living with Stella Lewis. He married Stella in 1916 (O/N/D Basford) and at the time of his death in July 1917 they were living in Radcliffe on Trent. The CWGC record gives her address as Thraves Yard, Radcliffe on Trent. Stella married William G Pike in 1919 (A/M/J Nottingham). Samuel's mother Sydney Ann died on 1 April 1927 aged 74 years. His sister Rosamond remained single and died on 26 April 1932; she was then living at 65 Eltham Road, West Bridgford. She had made a Will and administration was awarded to her married sister, Martha Amelia Knowles, wife of William Knowles.
Samuel first attested on 16 November 1914 at the age of 32 years 5 months and was posted to the Royal Garrison Artillery (52682 Gunner). He joined at Newhaven on 18 November 1914 and was serving in Woolwich, London, by January 1915. On 9 January 1915 he was charged with (1) Causing a disturbance in Barracks about 10.30pm (2) Drunk. Punishment: 5 days CB (confined to barracks). Less than three weeks later on 29 January 1915 he was again on a charge for '(1) being absent from Tattoo Roll Call 29 January 1915 (-) 30 January 1915 (-) (2) Breaking away from (-) party without permission.' Punishment 5 days CB. On 2 February 1915 he appeared before Magistrates at Greenwich: ‘that he did feloniously steal take and carry away one piece of mutton of the value of three shillings and sixpence of the goods and chattels of George Solomon Young and being convicted thereto was adjudged and ordered for such his offence to pay the sum of forty shillings within fourteen days and it appearing to the court that the said Samuel Eaton had no goods whereon distressing could be levied it was ordered that he be imprisoned in HMP at Wandsworth in the said District for the space of fourteen days. Dated 3 February 1915.' As a result of this last offence his officer in charge requested that Samuel be discharged from the army: 'From O/C 22 Heavy Battery RGA, Charlton Park, 20 March 1915. To O/C ‘E’ Brigade. Application for discharge of No. 52682 Gunner Eaton S. Sir, I have the honour to request that No. 52682 Gnr Eaton S. may be discharged. I consider he is useless, and not likely to become an efficient soldier. In my opinion, this man did not commit this offence [theft of mutton] with a view to being discharged. I have the honour to be, Sir, your obedient servant (signature).' the memorandum was annotated by the O/C Brigade, ‘Recommended’. Samuel's discharge was approved by the Major General i/c Administration Horse Guards, 3 March 1915. His discharge date appears to have been 16 March 1915 when he was released from Wandsworth Prison. Later, Samuel joined the 1/7th Bn Sherwood Foresters and died of wounds on 2 July 1917 probably during the attack by the 46th Division on the Levin Left Sector when the battalion was ordered to take the German line known as Alarm Trench. Two men from the battalion were killed in the action. Samuel is buried in Noeux-les-Mines Communal Cemetery (grave ref II.D.9).
Inscription on family headstone, St Giles' churchyard, West Bridgford, Nottingham: 'Pte. Samuel Eaton, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, youngest son of the above, killed in action in France, July 7th (sic) 1917 aged 35 years. May the reward be greater than his sacrifice.' The headstone also commemorates his parents, Richard who died on 2 July 1907 aged 63 and his mother who died on 1 April 1927 aged 74. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 10 July 1917: ‘Eaton. Died of wounds July 7th, Private S Eaton, Sherwoods, beloved husband of Stella Eaton, of Radcliffe, late West Bridgford. We miss him most who loved him best. Sorrowing wife, children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his widow Stella Eaton (later Pike) was his legatee. The record does not mention any dependant children. Probate: Eaton Rosamond of 65 Eltham-road West Bridgford Nottingham spinster died 26 April 1932 Administration Nottingham 31 May to Martha Amelia Knowles (wife of William Knowles). Effects £301 13s. 6d.
