9306 Corporal Samuel Roberts
8th(Service)Battalion
Devonshire Regiment
1st July 1916
Born in 1895 in Cove, Tiverton,Devon.
His parents were John Roberts(1858-1929) and Elizabeth Morrish(1866-1930). They married on 20/03/1889.
Samuel had 3 brothers; John Francis(1892-09/09/1916),
William Ben(born on 23/03/1893)
and Charles(24/09/1905-1974).
He also had 3 sisters; Alice Maud Mary(09/09/1889-15/10/1958),Elizabeth Kate(1897-1934)
and Amy Daisy(30/04/1906-1967).
In both the 1901 & 1911 census, the family were recorded as living at Windsor Cottage Rackenford, Morchard Bishop,Devon. John was a farm labourer as was Samuel by 1911.
He enlisted in Blackawton Devon as Private 9306 into the
2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment. He was later promoted to Corporal and transferred to the 8th(Service)Battalion.
His date of disembarkation into France was on 06/11/1914.
He was killed in action on 01/07/1916.
He was awarded the 1914-1915 Star,the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
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Western Times Friday 28 July 1916 -" Corpl Sam Roberts of the Devons, son of Mr and Mrs J Roberts, Blindwell cottage was killed in action in the great advance on July 1st. His many friends may remember that he received a bullet wound in the breast at Xmas 1914 and his life was saved by his pocketbook carried in the breast pocket. He was then invalided for a considerable time. On again returning to the Front he soon became corporal. The war office notified his death on Friday and a letter was also received from the Battalion saying that with many other comrades he had buried him in the military churchyard at ______ in the presence of the General , his staff and many other officers and men. Much sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family".
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His brother John, a Lance Corporal(8885) in the 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment was killed in action a few months later on 09/09/1916. He is buried at Vermelles British Cemetery Pas de Calais France. Reference V.B.16.
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