On the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, France is the name of 290785 Private Arthur Sample, serving with the 1st/7th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, who died 15/09/1916.
Colin McMillan has provided the following:
Arthur Sample was born in Ancroft in Northumberland in or about 1883.
In 1891 as an 8 year old he was living at 27 Mawson Street, Byker. His father was 35 year old David Sample who was a mason born in South Charlton, Northumberland, and his mother was 31 year old Eleanor Sample who was born in East Ord. Arthur had an older brother, 12 year old Frederick who was born in Detchant, and two younger siblings: Isabella (3) who was born in Fallodon, and Thomas (2) who was born in Broomford.
By 1901 David was dead and the oldest child, Frederick, was then the head of the household. Eleanor (41) was still with the family as was Arthur (17) who worked as a farm hand. Isabella (13) was then shown as Mary I Sample but Thomas was no longer there. However, there were two new siblings: Margaret (7) and Alexander (6), both of whom were born in Alnwick. The family address was East Ditchburn Farm, Eglingham, Northumberland.
In 1911 Arthur was living as a boarder with Thomas and Ellen Morton at 6 Buss Lane, Widdrington Colliery. He was a coal miner stone man and still single.
Arthur enlisted at Alnwick into the 1st/7th (Territorials) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers as Private 290785. He was killed in action in the France and Flanders area of the Western European Theatre of War on 15th September 1916 and was awarded the Victory Medal, the British War medal and the 1915 Star.
At the time of his death his mother had remarried and become Mrs Eleanor Thompson and was living at 10 Union Street, Morpeth.
Morpeth Herald 06/10/1916 carries the following:
Mrs E. Thompson, 10 Union Street, Morpeth, has received official notice that … her second son, Private Arthur Sample, N.F., has been wounded in France on 15th September.
Morpeth Herald 17/11/1916 carries a the following:
Mrs Thompson, of Plessey Farm, Cramlington, late of Morpeth, has received official information that her second son, Private Arthur Sample (No. 2934) [sic], N.F., previously reported wounded, is now reported wounded and missing since 15th Sept.
Morpeth Herald 24/11/1916 carries the following appeal:
Private Arthur Sample, N.F., Widdrington (late of Alnwick) who was reported wounded is now reported wounded and missing since Sept. 15th. Mrs Thompson, of Plessey Farm, Cramlington (his mother), will be thankful for any news about him.
His brother Alexander also died in WW1.
Arthur Sample is remembered at Morpeth on M17.01, M17.09 and M17.29 at Widdrington on W54.01 and in the Battalion History.
