Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Samuel McKay was born March 9th 1889 at St. James Gateshead, one of 10 children of whom only 6 survived, 4 sons and 2 daughters born to Samuel McKay Snr born 1848 at Newtowmards, Northern Ireland and wife Maria Hall of Gateshead born 1854. Married at Warrington in 1873 four of their children were born there 1876 to1880. They had moved back to Maria’s home town of Gateshead by 1881 living at 50 Frank Street with newborn son Charles a mere 3 months old. Samuel was employed as a glass presser later changing occupation and working as a machine driller (metal). By now the elder sons were also employed Henry as a cabinet maker, Charles was an upholsterers apprentice, their daughter Margaret a dressmaker, Samuel aged 12 and his younger siblings were scholars.
In 1914 Samuel enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne and was assigned as Private 9534 to the 11th Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) a battalion of the New Armies. Under the orders of the 77th Brigade, 26th Division they moved to Codford St. Mary at Warminster but by December 1914 were in billets at Bristol. Moved back to Warminster in February 1915 they went to Sutton Veny. Mobilised during 1915 they came under the orders of the War Office. Departing as part of the British Expeditionary Force they landed at Boulogne, September 20th 1915 but in November sailed for Salonika via Marseilles. The regiment as part of the 26th Division participated at the Battle of Horseshoe Hill in 1916 an offensive against the Bulgarians which began in August.
Having risen through the ranks the now Lance Corporal 9534 Samuel McKay Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) was killed in action, November 19th 1916. His body was originally interred at Kalanova Military Cemetery, grave 2. A. 16. in the foot hills north east of Causstica. After Armistice in December 1920 the task of bringing war dead from Kalanova, Causstica and Hadzi Bari Mah Military Cemeteries into Karasouli Military Cemetery began. His body was exhumed and reburied with all reverence and honour at Karasouli Military Cemetery, Polykastro (previously Karasouli), Greece, grave F. 1278., March 23rd 1921. At the time of his demise he was 27 years old and single.
As his sole beneficiary his mother received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal sent to her at 5, Grange Terrace, High Heworth Lanes, Felling-on-Tyne.
Samuel’s eldest brother William McKay, a miner employed by Messers Bowes & Palmer Limited, Springwell Colliery, near Gateshead living at Albion House, Springwell also served. He joined at Newcastle, July 22nd 1908, the Territorial Force as Private 416 assigned to the 1st Northumbrian Field Ambulance Royal Army Medical Corps having previously served for 4 years in the 1st Durham Royal Engineers Volunteers from which he voluntarily resigned. Between 1908 and 1912 he rose to the rank of Corporal stationed at Berwick, Haltwhistle, Richmond and Scarborough. He was promoted again in 1914 to Sergeant whilst at Greystoke Training Camp and reengaged, his service period having expired, March 20th 1915 for the duration of the war, service number 392001. Remaining at “home” until January 8th 1917 he was drafted to France with the Expeditionary Forces returning to England September 7th 1917 having served in total 9 years 4 months and was discharge at the age of 41 years, October 7th 1917, “time expired”. He received the awards of the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Territorial War Medal.
Samuel McKay’s mother Maria McKay nee Hall died aged 73 years in 1927, his father Samuel McKay Snr in 1934 aged 86 years, both registered in the district of Gateshead.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest in Peace.
Samuel McKay is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
