SAMUEL HAYNES 1880–1957

Samuel Haynes 1915 ed
Photograph from family collection

Brother of Harry, George and William

Born 9th August 1880 Radcliffe on Trent

Married  in 1901 to Grace Phipps in Nottingham, children Winnie born 1902, Florrie Clarke born 1905 and Phyllis born 1909

Died 1957, Nottingham

1881 Census

Age 7 months living in 5 Lenton Street, Nottingham with parents and brother Henry Percy 2.

1891 Census

Age 10 living at 51 Dane Street, St Anne’s, Nottingham with father Henry, aged 37,  ironmongers assistant, and Zillah 32 (both born Radcliffe on Trent), brothers Henry Percy 12 and William Brewster 6 and George 4.

1901 Census

Age twenty, living at Cooper Street, St Ann’s, Nottingham with father Henry, a clerk, mother Zillah and brothers Harry Percy, a clerk, Samuel, a cabinet maker, William, a messenger and George, an office boy.

1911 Census

Aged thirty cabinet maker living at 158 Blue Bell Hill Road, Nottingham with wife Grace, twenty-eight, daughters Winnie, nine, Florrie, six, Phyllis, two, mother in law Elizabeth Phipps and brother in law Harold Phipps

Military Service

Rank: Private

Service Number: 164643 previously 2040

Military Unit: Machine Gun Corps previously 1/1st Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (South Notts. Hussars) 1st Mounted Division

Theatre of War: Egypt

10.6.15: Enlisted

The division arrived in Egypt in July 1917 and were placed under orders of Desert Mounted Corps. In April 1918 they merged with the Warwickshire Yeomanry to form Battalion B of the Machine Gun Corps. In May they sailed back to France on HMS Leasowe Castle, which was torpedoed. Rescued men returned to Egypt then finally arrived in Italy, June 21st 1918 from where they moved on to Etaples, France arriving August 19th 1918. They were then renamed 100 Battalion MGC (source www.1914-1918.net).

Information from his granddaughter:“He clung to wreckage for several hours which resulted in loss of the use of both thumbs for the rest of his life.”

Torpedoed in the Mediterranean, May 27th 1918

On May 27th, 1918, Samuel Haynes was being conveyed on the troopship HMS Leasowe Castle from Alexandria to Marseilles. The ship was carrying 2,900 troops plus crew in a convoy consisting of six transports including HMS Lily. The ship was struck on the starboard side at 12.25 a.m. approximately 100 miles from Alexandria by a torpedo fired from a German submarine. Around forty boats and rafts were thrown overboard and troops began leaving the ship. HMS Lily returned to assist, narrowly escaping going down with the Leasowe; rescue operations were carried out until about 2 a.m. when the ship sank rapidly at the stern. 102 men lost their lives including eight officers and forty four other ranks from the South Notts. Hussars. The majority of the men on board were saved. William Vickerstaff, from Radcliffe, lost his life in the incident.

For more information including survivors’ accounts see www.greatwarforum.org, also www.scotlandswar.co.uk

8.12.19: Discharged due to sickness. Silver War Badge 519810

9.12.19: Awarded a 70% disablement pension due to paralysis of muscles of both hands. He received a weekly pension of 28 shillings plus 7 shillings (£1.40p plus 35p) for his wife and one child. Address 66 Sherwood Street, Nottingham.

Samuel Haynes
Sam Haynes with Phyllis in Mesopotamia. Photograph courtesy of family

Haynes, Samuel ed 1880-1957 Private 16476 Machine Gun Corps formerly South Notts Hussars

Medals Awarded: British War and Victory

Other information

His brother George emigrated to Canada with his family in 1913. He fought in the war with the 2nd Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force with the rank of Lance Sergeant; he was injured at Vimy Ridge on 12th March 1917. A third of his leg was amputated in France, however when he was invalided back to Canada the remaining section of his leg up to the thigh was removed and he was provided with an artificial limb and a 75% disability pension.

1921 Census

Address: 16 Sherwood Street, Nottingham

Employment: Cabinet Maker

Household: mother Zillah, daughters Winnie, shorthand typist Raleigh Cycle Co, Florrie, Phyllis.

1939 Register

Address: 10 Charlton Street, Nottingham

Occupation: Joiner

Household: he was a widower and Helena Haynes was his housekeeper

Reasons for inclusion on Radcliffe on Trent Roll of Honour

Born in Radcliffe on Trent.