QMS 3758018 Samuel Worstall

 

In 1881 at Broomy Furlong Farm in Hartshorne. His father, 41, is a farmer of 6 acres employing one labourer.  His mother is also 41, Violet is 10, and Samuel 6. The farm servant lives in the household.

 

In 1891 his father is a farmer, at Short Hazell’s Farm, Woodville Road, Hartshorne.  Samuel is 16, listed as a farmer’s son, his brother William is 9.

 

His father declared bankruptcy in June 1896 and the farm’s household furniture, livestock, etc., were sold by auction.  His father died in October 1898, aged 58 and his mother five days later, aged 60. 

 

In 1901 Samuel is lodging at 8 Victoria Crescent, Swansea. He is 26, single, a brewer’s traveller. He also appears in Kelly’s Directory as Ind Coupe manager, 14-15 Waterloo Street, Swansea.

 

On 16th April 1902 Samuel married Irene Isabel Goatman in St. Thomas’ Church, Rhyl, Flintshire. Their daughter Irene Marjorie was born in April 1903 in Swansea. Samuel’s name appears on the Swansea Electoral roll for 1903-4 at 18 Bryn Road.  Another daughter Isabel Kathleen was born on 13/3/1905. 

 

Samuel originally enlisted in the Army joining the 6th King’s Royal Rifle Corps, but the details are not known.

 

In 1911 his wife and children are living with her aunt, Isabel Bates, who is running the Carlton Private Hotel, Mumbles, Swansea.  Irene, 31, is assisting in the business, Marjorie is 7, Kathleen is 6.

 

Samuel enlisted in Liverpool on 5th November 1914, in 20th Bn King’s Liverpool Regiment as Sergeant 22585, giving his age as 37, and his occupation as bookkeeper. He is described as being 5’ 9 and a half inches tall, weighing 151 lbs, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and brown hair.  He gives his brother William Worstall as his next of kin, living at Hartshorn Road, Woodville, near Burton on Trent. This is later crossed out and replaced with the name of his wife, Irene, at the Carlton, the Parade, Mumbles, Swansea.  He gives his religion as C of E.  He states he belongs to 6th Royal Rifles but purchased his discharge.

 

Samuel shipped to France with his battalion on 7th November 1915 (he was to serve in France until July 1920).

 

2/11/1916 Appointed Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant 

22/3/1918 Posted 1/6th Bn K.L.R.

4/9/1917 Sum of 30 shillings credited to his a/c, being half the £3 purchased for discharge.

 

A son, Vivian Desmond, was born on 21/9/1918 in Swansea.

 

17/4/1919 Posted 13th Bn K.L.R.

 

29/5/20  Admitted to No. 35 General Hospital, Calais. His medical notes record TB in lungs, considerable wasting, progress not very satisfactory.  A Statement as to Disability shows that Samuel suffered from deafness in the left ear, chronic catarrh from gas poisoning (started 21/11/1917) and laryngitis through constant exposure followed by gas poisoning. He had been treated at the 3rd General Western Hospital, Neath. 

 

23/7/1920 To U.K. sick, admitted to Royal Herbert Hospital, Woolwich. The medical notes show much wasting, debilitated, both lungs affected, no family history of TB.

 

6/9/1920 Discharged from Hospital and Army, no longer physically fit, incapacity 100% while in sanitorium.

 

Samuel died of TB at the Sanitorium, Newport, Monmouth, on 12th October 1920.  

 

He was buried in Oystermouth Cemetery, Swansea in a private grave, inscribed, “In loving memory of Samuel Worstall who died 12 Oct 1920 aged 46 years”.

 

There are 85 First and Second World War burials in the Cemetery.

 

Samuel served in the Army for 5 years and 306 days.  He earned his three medals. 

 

His widow Irene, living at the Carlton Hotel, received a Grant of £7.  Irene died in 1952, aged 54, leaving an estate valued at £1,208-11-2d.  His son Vivian served as a 2nd Lieutenant in World War Two in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.