HUMBERSTONE, Samuel [of Southwell]

Humberstone, Samuel [of Southwell]

By Mike Kirton

Born 1889 – Killed in Action 31st July 1915

British Army

Samuel Humberstone, a lace maker with E. Carey & Sons, Southwell, was the son of William Humberstone, also a lace maker, and Annie Selina Humberstone.  He had three brothers: Albert (b. 1887), Arthur (b. 1891, killed in action 1917) and William (b. 1894).  He was married to Lilla and had two children, Albet and John, they lived in Westgate, Southwell.  His education took place at the National School in Southwell. 

In 1912 Samuel enlisted with ‘H’ Company, 8th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters, the local territorial force and went with them to France in late February 1915 as a corporal (Service No. 1424).  The 8th Battalion went into action very quickly as they were part of the first territorial division in the front line on the Western Front.  They were fighting near Ypres.  Reports in the Newark Advertiser in June and July 1915 mention that a number of Southwell men had done excellent work following the Germans blowing three mines under the battalion’s trenches, and one of these was Samuel Humberstone. Sadly Samuel was killed-in-action on 31st  July during a heavy engagement in the ‘Salient’, in what was a very difficult time for the battalion.  A memorial service was held in the Minster in August 1915 for Samuel and for Corporal Frank Wilcox, and Privates Frank Paling, Samuel Oliver and J Watson, all Southwell men.

Samuel Humberstone is commemorated on the Menin Gate at Ypres.  He was awarded the Victory, British and 1914-15 Star medals.

Extracted from Southwell at war 1914-1919. {SEE Books For Sale section on this website for details of this book]