Photo: Dorothy Hall
Photo: Dorothy Hall
In Kirk Merrington Churchyard is a family headstone which reads:-
In loving memory
of
George
beloved son of
Samuel and Sarah
Hartnell
born July 18 1886
died Feb. 25 1906
also Isabella
beloved daughter of the above
born April 6 1894
died Aug. 25th 1907
also the above
Samuel George Hartnell
who died Dec. 6th 1918
aged 58 years
Thy will be done
Also of their son
Gunner S. Hartnell R.G.A.
who fell
in action Aug. 8th 1918
aged 21 years
His name shall remain for ever
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Samuel Hartnell was born in about 1897 in Kirk Merrington, County Durham, the fifth born son of Samuel George Hartnell of Sheffield (1861) and Sarah Jane Teasdale born in Spennymoor (1864). He was one of seven children, six boys and one girl. His father at the age of 20 migrated north and was a boarder with the Willis family living at Bolam’s Place, Whitworth. He found employment as a coal miner - hewer. Samuel George married Sarah Jane in 1883 in the district of Bishop Auckland and their first home was at 42 Edward Street, Whitworth but when son Samuel was born they were living in Middleton. By 1911 Samuel George was a wagon way man below ground and his elder sons had followed in their father’s footsteps as miners.
Samuel was a good football player.
London Daily News 11/05/1911 reports:-
The team which will represent England in the Schools match against Scotland at Newcastle on Saturday next includes - S. Hartnell (Spennymoor).
The Sunderland Echo 12/11/1913 reports :-
The Sunderland Club has signed on Samuel Hartnell, the Bishop Auckland centre forward, his registration papers coming back to Mr Kyle yesterday. Hartnell is an Amateur and will continue to play as such, still retaining his membership with the Bishop Auckland Club. He was only 16 years of age last January, is 5 foot 8 inches in height and weighs 10st. 8lbs. We understand that the Darlington and other clubs were anxious to secure his services.
Samuel Hartnell enlisted in Middlesbrough as a Gunner 311355 Royal Garrison Artillery, Northumberland (North Riding) 111th Heavy Battery (RGA - TF). He was killed in action, at the age of 21, August 8th 1918 and is interred at Warloy - Baillon Communal Cemetery Extension, grave VI H 9. The cemetery is 21 kilometres north of Amiens, near Arras. He was unmarried and his parents were living at 57 West Chilton, Ferryhill, Co Durham at the time of his death.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
Samuel Hartnell is remembered at Chilton on C107.01, C107.04 and C107.12
