Samuel Vaughan was born at Sycarth in summer 1891. His father, Edwin, was the blacksmith in the smithy at Sycarth. He was the seventh of nine children with elder siblings Margaret, Allen, Edwin, Richard, Miriam and David. The younger siblings, Catherine and Thomas, were born in 1895 & 1898 respectively. His brother Richard was also killed on war service (Private 17435 Richard Vaughan). Their mother was Laura. In 1900, their father died and it would seem their mother moved into Oswestry living at 10 Trinity Street. Samuel and 2 brothers would all work in the Cambrian Railway works. Samuel was a machinist, Richard a railway wagon builder and Edwin an engine fitter. By 1911 Laura and children David, Samuel and Thomas were living at 4 Swan Crescent. They would later move to 7 Castle Street.

Samuel had joined the Territorials in 1/4 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry prior to the war. At the outbreak of war he had volunteered for overseas service and went with the battalion to India and Far East for which he was awarded the Territorial Forces Medal. The battalion returned to England in 1917 and went over to France on 27 July  attached to 190 Brigade 63 (Royal Naval) Division. Samuel is listed as killed on 28 December 1917* in the line on Welch Ridge opposite Marcoing. He was a victim of a shell. In a letter to his brother David, his commanding officer, Lieutenant HS Trumpler**, wrote ‘…Sam was hit by a shell whilst on duty in the trenches and died immediately. He was buried by his comrades, mostly Oswestry boys, a good soldier and a good comrade’. Samuel was 26. His grave must have been subsequently lost or destroyed and he is commemorated on the Thiepval Monument – where his brother Richard is also recorded. They are also remembered on the Cambrian Railway and St Oswald’s Church war memorials.

*No casualties are recorded in War Diary for 28 December, however 10 casualties are recorded in the period 23-27 December 1917. It is possible he was wounded at this time and DoW on 28 December or is wrongly listed as KIA.

** see also Corporal 200533 Thomas H Jones, 1/ 4 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. KIA 30 December 1917, Thiepval Memorial (unknown) and Sergeant 200073 William Pryce Davies, 1/4 Bn King’s Shropshire Light Infantry. KIA 1 January 1918, Fifteen Ravine British Cemetery, Villers Plouich

Acknowledgements.

References and Sources

END