Name
Samson Mansell
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/03/1916
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
13023
Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex Regiment)
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CITE BONJEAN MILITARY CEMETERY, ARMENTIERES
IX. F. 14.
France
Headstone Inscription
In Loving Memory Of My Beloved Brother Never Forgotten
UK & Other Memorials
St Mark’s Church Plaque, Colney Heath, London Colney Village Memorial, Not on the St Albans memorials, We are not aware of any memorial in Tyttenhanger Green
Pre War
Samson was born in Tyttenhanger Green, Hertfordshire and, as with his brother Cecil, who also died, lived in the last house in Tyttenhanger, away from The Plough PH (1901). He was the son of Samson and Alice May Mansell, of Tyttenhanger Green, St. Albans.
The parish records of St Mark’s Church indicate that Samson was baptised on 28th August 1892. The 1901 census identifies Samson (8) as one of seven children (five boys, two girls). He was the brother of Cecil, who also died serving in the Great War. Prior to the outbreak of war Samson was a prominent member of Highfield Hall Cricket Club. At over six feet tall he made a fine bowler, in fact he achieved a cricketing “hat trick” in an important game and was presented with a club cap by the team for his achievement. Before enlisting in 1910 Samson worked at Highfield Hall for Charles Morris.
Wartime Service
Samson joined the 4th Middlesex Regiment in 1910, aged 17, and went out to the front on 13th August 1914. Having been through many engagements he returned to England after being wounded and went back again in November 1915, returning to the trenches around Christmas of 1915. On the 15 March 1916 his Battalion were in positions near Armentiers, France. At 6pm, a German shell struck the trench killing Sergeant Mansell, and wounding Captain T S Wollacombe and one other rank.
Acknowledgments
Graham Clark – World War One – The Fallen of London Colney, Grace Clark, Jonty Wild, Gareth Hughes, Paul Johnson
