Samuel Asman
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Samuel was the son of Richard Asman and Mary Asman nee Asling who were married in the Newark registration district in 1880 (registered Jan/Feb/Mar). Richard and Mary had at least five children; Alice (b. 1881), Samuel, Joseph (b. 1891), Annie (b. 1893) and Alfred (b. 1897). Samuel's year of birth is given as 1885 on his RN record but as his birth was registered in 1886 (Apr/May/Jun) this is the most likely date and is consistent with the 1891 and 1901 Census data. His place of birth is given on his RN record and the 1891/1911 census as Nottingham although the 1901 Census gives Newark. His four siblings were born in Newark. At the time of the 1881 census Richard and Mary and their baby daughter Alice were living as boarders at 31 Albert Street, Newark. Richard gave his occupation as engine driver and Mary was a dressmaker. The head of the household in which they were living was a widow, Eliza Asling (52), a malster; Eliza was probably one of Mary's relatives. In 1891 Richard and Mary were living at 9 Priest's Yard, Newark. Only two of their children, Samuel (4) and Joseph (7 months), were in the household on the night of the census. Their eldest child, Alice, was in the home of her paternal grandparents, Samuel and Mary Asman, at 31 Albert Street, Newark. Richard and Mary had a boarder, William Shaw (42), who was a labourer. Richard died at the early age of 38 in 1897 (registered Oct/Nov/Dec); his youngest child, Alfred, was born the same year. Three years later in 1900 (Apr/May/Jun) his widow married William Revill who worked as a blacksmith's striker. In 1901 Mary and William were living at 8 Long Row, Newark, with four of Mary's children, Samuel (15), Joseph (10), Annie (8) and Alfred (4). Her eldest child, Alice, had married John Thomas Bollands in 1899. Samuel joined the Royal Navy in 1903 and his mother died three years later in 1906 age 45. The family had dispersed by 1911. Joseph was living with his married sister Alice Bollands, her husband and their five young children at 7 Lincoln Street, Newark. Samuel was serving with the Royal Navy in the Medway and Annie was a live-in domestic servant at 20 Kirkgate, Newark, in the household of Edward and Elizabeth Smith who had four young children. Alfred has not been traced on the 1911 Census but neither has a record of his death been found. Joseph enlisted in the 2/8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in 1914 (71434 lance corporal) and served in France from 28 June 1915. He was twice wounded, on the second occasion losing an eye, and was discharged unfit for further service following a medical board in June 1917. He was discharged to 26 Harcourt Street, Newark, and died of pneumonia on 30 October 1918. Tragically, he died just a fortnight after the birth of his son, also named Joseph (he and his wife had lost two other children at a few months old in 1912 and 1914) and his widow died age 28 in December the same year.
Samuel joined the Royal Navy on 25 August 1903 on a 12 year engagement. His date of birth is given incorrectly on his RN record as 21 April 1885; the discrepancy may have been deliberate as it allowed Samuel to immediately join on a 12 year engagement, which he would not have been able to do had he declared he was under 18 years old. He served in the following ships and shore establishments: Pembroke II 25 August 1903-31 August 1903 (Stoker 2nd Class); HMS Northumberland 1 September 1903-31 December 1903; HMS Acheron 1 January 1904-15 March 1904; Pembroke II 16 March 1904-18 April 1904; HMS Endymion 19 April 1904-30 November 1904 (Stoker, 15 September 1904); HMS Cumberland 1 December 1904-17 February 1905 (Cells 10 days) and 23 February 1905- 31 December 1906 (Stoker 1st Class 1 July 1906); Pembroke II 1 January 1907-23 May 1907 (Cells 5 days) and 29 May 1907-11 June 1907; HMS Adventure 12 June 1907-9 August 1909; Pembroke 10 August 1907-27 August 1909; HMS Cormorant 28 August 1909-25 November 1909 (28 days HL [hard labour] break out of ship) and 24 December 1909-31 March 1910; Pembroke II 1 April 1910-2 May 1910; HMS Antrim 3 May 1910-4 (-) 1912; HMS Shannon 5 May 1912-23 January 1913; HMS Assistance 24 January 1913-12 November 1913; HMS Shannon 13 November 1913-9 March 1914; Pembroke II 10 March 1914-27 July 1914; HMS Actaeon 28 July 1914-10 June 1915. Record noted ‘NP2786/15. DD [discharged dead]. Lost when HM TB No 10 was torpedoed on 10th June 1915.’ As can be seen from Samuel's record, his naval career was not entirely blameless. Torpedo Boat No. 10, part of the Nore Local Defence Flotilla, was lost in the North Sea while on a combined search operation for reported submarines. She went to the aid of Torpedo Boat No. 12 which was sinking after an explosion and shortly afterwards TB 10 suffered an explosion, broke in two and sank. Reports suggested either a mine (laid by German submarine UC11, Walter Gottfried Schimdt) or that she torpedoed herself. Over 20 of her crew were lost and one died later of wounds. Samuel's body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.
Register of RN deaths: 'Relatives notified. Sister, Emily (sic), 4 George Straw (sic), George Street, Newark, Notts.' Samuel's brother, Joseph Asman, gave his address as 4 George Street Row, George Street, Newark, when he enlisted in 1914. Joseph's wife's name was Mary but the address makes it likely that his brother and sister-in-law had been named as Samuel's next of kin. Article published 19th June 1915 in the Newark Herald :- Son of late Mr & Mrs R. Asman. Younger brother of Mr Joseph Asman, 4 George Street Row, Newark. Attended Christ Church School and worked at Messrs. Cafferatas before joining Royal Navy 12 years ago. Lost when TB No. 11 was torpedoed by a U-boat off the East coast. Brother,Joseph Asman, was with 2/8th Sherwood Foresters at Luton in 1915.
