Samuel Etches
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Samuel Etches was born in 1897 in Carlton and was the son of Elijah a general labourer at gas works, and Fanny Etches (nee Peake) of 278 High Street, Old Basford, Nottingham. His father Elijah was born in 1867 in Carlton and his mother Fanny Peake was born in 1877 also in Carlton. They were married in 1896; the marriage was recorded in the Basford Registration district. They went on to have seven children: Alice b1896 Carlton, Samuel b1896 Carlton, John b1900 Carlton, William b1904 Carlton, Harold b1906 Carlton, Mabel b1908 Basford and Fanny b1910 Basford. In the 1911 census the family are living at 53 Browns Croft, Basford, and are shown as Elijah 44 yrs a general labourer, who is living with his wife Fanny 34 yrs and their children Alice 15 yrs a lace worker at home, Samuel 13 yrs a lace room brusher, John 11 yrs scholar, William 7 yrs a scholar, Harold 5 yrs, Mabel 3yrs and Fanny 1 yr.
Eighteen year-old Private Samuel Etches, enlisted at Nottingham on 18th May 1915. He gave his age as 18 yrs 217 days and date of birth as 17th October 1896; he stated he was a coal miner/pony driver. He served with ‘C’ company 10th Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. He landed in France on 16th December 1915. He was wounded accidently on 24 February 1916 and died of his wounds later the same day. He is buried in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery. The circumstances of his death were the subject of a court of enquiry held some days later (date illegible) before Major Keown 10th battalion Sherwood Foresters. The enquiry heard from a number of witnesses including Lieutenant T W Wilcox who was in charge of ‘C’ Company 10th battalion during a practice bombing session on 24th February 1916. During the session all the company were given instruction on ‘bombing’ and when they threw the bombs, that thrown by Private Samuel Etches exploded prematurely either in his hand or when he threw it. The resulting explosion killed one man and badly wounded Private Etches and seven of his colleagues. (The remaining papers of this enquiry are missing from his army service record) Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
In memoriam published 24th February 1919 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “ETCHES. – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Samuel Etches, Sherwood Foresters, died of wounds, in France, February 24th, 1916, aged 18. Gone from our home, but never from our hearts. – From sorrowing mam, dad, sisters and brothers, and nephew Dicky.” (NEP item and photograph courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.)
