Harry Samples
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harry Samples was born in 1895 in Nottingham and was the son of Harry a bricklayers labourer and Mary Samples née Jackson of 19 Chesterfield Street Nottingham. His father Harry was born in 1875 in Nottingham and his mother Mary Jackson was born in 1876 in Durham. They were married in 1885 in Nottingham and went on to have 13 children, sadly 8 of whom died in infancy or early childhood. Their surviving children were all born in Nottingham and were: Annie b1886, Auberon Hebert b1889, Mary Ellen b1891 Harry b1895 and Bernard Samples b1893. In 1911 the family were living at 19 Chesterfeidl Street, Nottingham, and were shown as Harry 36 yrs a brick layers labourer, he is living with his wife Mary 35 yrs and their children Mary Ellen 20 yrs a lace hand a clipper, Harry 16 yrs a dyers labourer and Bernard 8 yrs. y lived at
Private Harry Samples, enlisted at Nottingham on 15th May 1915, he gave his age as 20 yrs and 3 months, his address as 19 Chesterfield Road, Nottingham and his occupation as that of a dyers labourer. He served with the 16th Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire) Regiment (Chatsworth Rifles), and was killed by German artillery fire on 23rd December 1916. He is buried in Essex Farm Cemetery.
'Roll of Honour' published 6th January 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- SAMPLES. – Killed in action, December 23rd, 1916, Private H. Samples, Sherwood Foresters, aged 22, beloved son of Mr. and Mrs. Samples, 19, Chesterfield-street. He bravely answered duty's call, his life he gave for one and all, but an unknown grave is the bitterest blow, none but aching hearts can know. – From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters, brother, and aunt Eliza.” In memoriam published 22nd December 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SAMPLES. – In loving memory of Pte. Harry Samples, Sherwood Foresters, killed in action December 23rd, 1916. Sleep on, dear son, in a hero's grave, a grave we may never see, but as long as life and memory clings we shall always remember thee. R.I.P. – Sorrowing mother, father, sisters, and brothers.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
