Samuel Irving Preece

Samuel Irving was the son of Harry John and Annie Elizabeth Preece (neé Irving). His father Harry John Preece was born in Cookham, Berkshire, in 1863, the son of Samuel Moffott Preece and his wife Ann (neé Blinko). In 1881 Harry was an art student, living with his widowed mother in Cookham. His mother Annie Elizabeth Irving was born in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, in 1869. The record of their marriage has not yet been traced, but they had two sons, Samuel Irving b. Maidenhead 1892 (A/M/J Cookham Berks) and Howard Blinko b. Tewksbury 16 November 1898. Harry was a Baptist minister, appointed to Maidenhead Baptist Church. In 1891 he and his wife Annie (21) were living on Marlow Road, Cookham, Berkshire. However, by 1901 the family home was at 1 Tolzey Lane, Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire. Although Harry was not in the house on the night of the census Annie, Samuel (8) and Howard (2) were there together with Harry's mother, Ann Preece. Also in the household was a female general servant. In 1911 the family was living at 33 Marlborough Avenue, Reading. Only Annie and Howard were in the home on the night of the census. Samuel was at Kelham Hall, Newark-on-Trent. His parents were still living on Marlborough Avenue, Reading, when Samuel was killed in 1917. However, the later CWGC record gave their address as 74 Belle Vue Road, Ramsgate, Kent. Harry and Annie were living in Bridport, Dorset, when Harry died in 1938 and Annie was still living there the following year when the England & Wales Register was compiled. Annie was sharing the home with a widow who was employed as a domestic help. Annie was living at the same address when she died in 1951. Samuel's brother Howard served in the Royal Navy, entering as a Boy 2nd Class (J42195) straight from school on 22 July 1915. On 16 November 1916, his 18th birthday, he joined on a 12 year engagement. He was rated Able Seaman on 3 October 1917 and discharged shore in November 1919 on a free discharge.