G/1926 Pte Charles Smith Samways, 8th Bn, Royal Fusiliers

G/1926 Private Charles Smith Samways of the 8th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, was killed in action on the 8th January 1916. He was 26 years old, the husband of Effie Grocott (formerly Samways), of The Avenue, Cheadle, Stoke-on-Trent.

Soldiers Died in The Great War (SDGW) records his number as 1026, and his regiment as the Royal Fusiliers (City of London Regiment). Both are incorrect. According to SDGW, Charles was born in Norbury, Derbyshire and was living there at the time of his enlistment in Rocester (Staffordshire).

Charles's number indicates that he joined the Royal Fusiliers in August 1914, and his medal index card states that he was overseas in France by the 1st June 1915. He is buried in Brown's Road Military Cemetery at Festubert.

At the time he enlisted, Charles had been married to Effie (nee Marlow) for less than a year. Their marriage was registered at Uttoxeter in the December quarter of 1913. After his death, and as confirmed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Effie married John B Grocott, their wedding registered at Cheadle in the June quarter of 1918.

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Sources:

Ancestry.co.uk (MIC, Free BMD)
Army Ancestry
Army Service Numbers 1881-1918
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Soldiers Died in The Great War