From the 1880s through the early part of the 20th century, massive pogroms and the May Laws in Russia caused many Jews to flee the Pale of Settlement. Of the East European Jewish emigrants, 1.9 million (80 percent) headed to the United States, and 140,000 (7 percent) to Britain. The chief mechanism was chain migration in which the first successful member(s) of the chain send information, local currency (and sometimes tickets or money for tickets) to later arrivals.
Samuel was a picture frame maker just like his father and when he enlisted on the 10th March 1899 at Hamilton, the family was residing at 42 Charlotte Street, South Shields. In 1911 the family were residing at 21 Wharton Street, still in South Shields.
He signed up for 7 years with the colours and 5 years in the reserve. He was 19 years and 4 months old.
In 1915 Samuel and Charlotte were residing at 15 Charlotte Street, South Shields.
He was in the Militia, but was enlisted into the Royal Regiment of Artillery, his service number was 34149. Samuel was 5 feet 4 5/8ths inches tall, weight 115lbs, with a fresh complexion, blue eyes and dark brown hair.
Samuel became a naturalized British subject on the 19th February 1915.
Samuel was immediately posted to Woolwich 14th March 1899 and was a Driver. First to the 70th Battery, then to the Base Depot as excess to numbers. Then on the 9th March 1900, he is posted as a driver to the 53rd Battery, again transferred to the 67th Battery on the 13th October 1901.
Was in Ladysmith when Sir George White arrived in Natal (see notes under the 21st Battery, 1st Liverpool, and 1st Devon). The 53rd was engaged at Rietfontein on 24th October, and did exceptionally good work at Lombard's Kop on the 30th. During the siege they had much fighting. On the night of 7th December they took part in a reconnaissance which Sir George White said was well carried out. On 6th January, during the great attack, the battery excelled its previous efforts. "These guns, most ably handled, came into action on Klip River Flats, ... and inflicted very heavy losses on the enemy". On the day of the relief the 53rd and 67th were sent out to harass the retreating enemy, but the horses were too far gone. Major Abdy was mentioned in Sir George White's despatches of 2nd December 1899 and 23rd March 1900, and in the earlier despatch 1 officer, and in the later 7 non-commissioned officers and men were also mentioned. The 53rd long remained about Lydenburg. In his final despatch General Buller mentioned Major Gordon, and said "he has a good battery". Two non-commissioned officers were also mentioned. Throughout 1901 the 53rd continued to operate in the Eastern Transvaal under General W Kitchener, Colonel Campbell, and other column commanders.
Samuel served in South Africa from the 21st March1900 till the 31st October 1901, then India from the 1st November 1901 till returning home to the UK on the 24th March 1903. He spent 1 year 144 days in India and prior to this 1 year 225 days in South Africa.
He was awarded an extra 1d a day for Good conduct on the 10th March 1902.
Posted to the 7th Depot as a Driver on the 14th February 1903. He was discharged as medically unfit due to epilepsy on the 20th March 1903.
His character was described as Very Good. His medal entitlement was the Queens South Africa Medal with 4 clasps Belfast, Cape Colony and Laing's Nek.
Belfast : A clasp inscribed "Belfast" will be granted to all troops who, on August 26th or 27th 1900, were east of a north and south line drawn through Wonderfontein (the garrison and troops quartered at Wonderfontein on those dates will not receive this clasp) and West of a north and south line through Dalmanutha Station, and north of an east and west line through Dalmanutha Station.
This description was subsequently changed to read: A clasp inscribed "Belfast" will be granted to all troops, who, on August, 26th or 27th, 1900, were east of a north and south line drawn through Wonderfontein (the garrison and troops quartered at Wonderfontein on those dates will not receive this clasp), and west of a north and south line through Dalmanutha Station, and north of an east and west line through Carolina, the word Carolina being substituted for Dalmanutha Station in the original text.
Cape Colony : A clasp inscribed "Cape Colony" will be granted to all troops in Cape Colony at any time between October 11th, 1899, and a date to be hereafter fixed, who received no clasp for an action already specified in the Cape Colony nor Natal clasps.
Laing's Nek : A clasp inscribed "Laing's Nek" will be granted to all troops of the Natal Field Force employed in operations, and north of an east and west line through Newcastle between June 2nd and 9th, 1900, both dates inclusive.
Source : Anglo Boer War Website
Driver Samuel Pearlman is on the QSA roll of the 53rd RFA (WO100/142p10) for the clasps Belfast CC and Laing’s Nek.The supplementary roll (WO100/142p180) for the 67th Battery, shows the clasp SA01. This confirms the 4 clasps listed on his papers.
Thanks to Anglo Boer war Website.
His father was now residing at 18 Thomas Street, South Shields, and the final discharge date was 20th May 1903 at Woolwich. Now 23 years 6 months, with a future residence address of 42 Milton Street, South Shields. He had completed 4 years and 72 days Military service.
Samuel married Charlotte who was born 19th March 1880, and had one child called Beatrice.