Samuel Sills

Pte. Samuel Sills, originally enlisted at Mansfield on 8th September 1914, he was 23 yrs and 74 days and a coal miner , his next of kin was his wife Frances Sills 48 St Michaels Street, Sutton in Ashfield He served in the 11th battalion Sherwood Foresters with he service number 16447. However on 10th October 1914 he was discharged as not likely to become an efficient soldier. He finally enlisted on 13th August 1917 and landed in France on 3rd February 1918, he served with the 8th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 5th April 1918 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.

Article published on 10th May 1918 in the Nottingham Free press :- “PRIVATE S. SILLS, SUTTON. “Mrs. Sills, of 48, St. Michael's-street, Sutton, has received official news that her husband, Private Samuel Sills, 500006, [sic] of the 8th Lincolns, was killed in action on April 5th, 1918. The deceased soldier was 26 years of age, and before enlistment resided at 97, Meden Bank, Stanton Hill. He joined up on August 13th, 1917, going to France on February 3rd of this year. He formerly worked at Butcherwood Colliery. He leaves a widow and three young children to mourn his loss. Mrs. Sills has received the following letters from her brother and his officer: – “It is with great regret that I have to inform you that your husband, No. 50006, Private Samuel Sills, was killed during an attack on the 5th of April last. He was shot through the head by a German machine-gun and died instantaneously without pain. His body would probably be buried by the enemy, as the ground over which we were fighting is no longer in our possession. I beg to assure you of my deep sympathy in your loss. – Captain A. R. Robinson.” [1] “I hardly know how to put this letter together as I expect by now you have had the news of Sam, and I hope you are doing your best and facing the affair bravely. Believe me, it is very bad or me, as we have been together ever since we joined up, and I can tell you I miss him. Poor Sam, he was hit just before I got mine, but it is as they say, what as to be will be, and anything I can tell you I will if you will write me and ask. I want you to accept my sympathy, Frances, and look after his children, and don't forget to always have the memory of him being a good soldier, and being very much respected in our Company as such, so cheer up and write and ask I there is anything you want to know and I will do my best for you. I will now bring my letter to a close, concluding with love. – Private S. Herring,[2] 49910, 8th Battalion Lincoln Regiment, 17th Ward, 18th General Hospital, U.S.A.” [1] Captain Archie Roy Robinson. [2] Pte. Samuel Herring. Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918