Name
Samson Mansell
1892
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, London Colney Roll of Honour, Not on the St Albans memorials, We are not aware of any memorial in Tyttenhanger Green
Pre War
Samson MANSELL was born in 1892, in Tyttenhanger Green, Hertfordshire, son of Samson/Sampson Mansell, a Groom Coachman and Alice Mary Mansell (nee Thurkettle). One of their 11 Children although one died in Childhood.
His parents were married on 19th November 1883, at St Thomas, Bethnal Green, London/Middx.
The parish records of St Mark’s Church, Colney Heath, Herts, indicate that Samson was baptised on 28th August 1892.
1901 Census records Samson aged 8, living with his parents, four brothers, and two sisters, Ellen (7) and Alice (4), in Tyttenhanger Green, Herts. The last house in Tyttenhanger Green, away from The Plough PH. His father was now employed as a Bricklayers Labourer.
Samson enlisted in the 4th Battalion, Duke of Cambridges Own (Middlesex Regiment), in 1910, aged 17, issued with the service number L/13023.
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
At the outbreak of war, Samson was still serving with the Middlesex Regiment. 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 15th March 1916, his Battalion were in positions near Armentieres, France. At 6pm, a German shell struck the trench killing Sergeant Mansell, and wounding Captain T. S. Wollacombe and one other rank.
He is buried in Cite Bonjean Military Cemetery, Armentieres, France. Grave Ref: IX. F. 14.
Additional Information
His effects of £10-02s-04d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £12, went to his sister, Eliza Mansell.
His Headstone inscription “IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY BELOVED BROTHER NEVER FORGOTTEN” was requested by his eldest sister Eliza Mansell, of Clarendon House, 175 Willesden Lane, N.W. 6.
His younger brother Private 22682 Cecil Percy Mansell of the Bedfordshire Regiment, died on 23rd October 1918, of wounds received in action.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Graham Clark – World War One – The Fallen of London Colney, Grace Clark, Jonty Wild, Gareth Hughes, Paul Johnson
