Samuel Boyd Quibell

Samuel was born in 1891 in Newark and was the son of Oliver, a chemical manufacturer, and Elisabeth Quibell of Shalem Lodge, Newark. They were married in 1889 and had 6 children all of whom survived; they were Samuel Boyd b1891, Eleanor b1893, Arthur H b1894, Elizabeth b1896, Ruth b1901 and Oliver Henry b1907, all the children were born in Newark. In the 1901 census the family are living at 32 London Road, Oliver is a chemical manufacturer and is living with his wife Elisabeth and their five children, Samuel, Eleanor, Arthur, Elizabeth and Ruth, also at the address are two servants. By the 1911 census the family is living at Shalem Lodge, London Road, Newark. Oliver is 47 years of age and a manufacturer of fertiliser and sheep dip; he is living with his wife Elisabeth and their children, Samuel 20 years and a tanner Elizabeth, Ruth and Oliver Henry. The family are employing 3 servants, a cook, a general domestic and a nurse. Samuel's probate was proven in London on 24th March 1916 and shows - Samuel Boyd Quibell of Shalem Lodge, Newark, Major 4th battalion HM East Yorkshire Regiment, died on 5th February 1916 at 10th Casualty Clearing Station, Belgium whilst on active service, his effects of £1762 18 shillings and 9 pence were left to his father Oliver Quibell a manufacturer.

He had been educated at Miss Wallis's private school in Newark and the Magnus School before proceeding to the Leys School, Cambridge. On leaving he joined his grandfather’s tannery, Thomas Holmes and Son, in Hull

The following is an extract from the Magnus School, Newark diary of the 'Great War': 'Sunday 5 February 1916: The youngest Territorial Major in the British Army died after being wounded twice in three weeks. Samuel Boyd Quibell, 25, the eldest son of factory owner Oliver and Elizabeth Quibell of Shalem Lodge, London Road, Newark, had been educated at Miss Wallis's private school in town and the Magnus before proceeding to the Leys School, Cambridge. On leaving he joined his grandfather’s tannery, Thomas Holmes and Son, in Hull. Having been in the Cadet Corps at school, he obtained a commission in the 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment (Territorial Force), was gazetted Captain aged 22 and became the youngest Major at 24. He went to the battlefront on 23 April 1915 and within a few days was among the novices called-up to relieve Canadian soldiers who had borne the brunt of the Germans’ first gas attack. On 5 January 1916 he was hit in the jaw and neck by a fragment of shell, but was adjudged fit again in a week. On 23 January he was hit in the chest by a bullet. Doctors diagnosed a glancing wound. For a few days, Sam made good progress, but then had a relapse which proved fatal. He is remembered in Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.'

(1890-1916) Obituary from “The Times” – Major Sam. B. Quibell, 4th East Yorkshire Regiment (T.F.), who died of wounds in France on February 5, was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Quibell, of Shalem Lodge, Newark. He was educated at the Magnus Grammar School, and the Leys School, Cambridge. On leaving school, he joined his grandfather Mr. J.H. Holmes, the head of the firm of Messrs. Thomas Holmes and Son, tanners, of Hull. He had been in the Cadet Corps at school, and while at Hull obtained a commission in the 4th East Yorkshire Regiment (T.F.) six years ago. He was gazetted captain when 22, and attained his majority on the field, and being only 24 years old was the youngest major in the Territorial Force. He went to the front with his regiment on April 23 and took part in the second battle of Ypres, after which he was the senior officer, the commanding officer and 17 officers of the battalion having been either killed or wounded. He was wounded twice within three weeks. On the first occasion, while helping wounded officers of another regiment to a dressing station, he received a slight wound in the neck. He recovered within a few days, and returned to duty, but soon afterwards he suffered a gunshot wound in the chest, which proved fatal. A brother officer writes:– “We shall miss him greatly, but his cheery example will not leave us, and he will be present to encourage us on to do our bit as he did his. He was cheerful even in our greatest trial, and we feel we must do our utmost to feel the same, although it is most difficult.” Article published 12th February 1916 in the Newark Herald :- Eldest son of Oliver & Elizabeth Quibell, Shalem Lodge, Newark. Commenced his education at Miss Wallis’s school, Newark and proceeded to the Magnus Grammar School. Afterwards to the Leys school, Cambridge. On leaving school he joined his grandfather, Mr J.H. Holmes, the head of the firm of Messrs. Thomas Holmes and Son, tanners of Hull. He had been in the cadet corps at school and while at Hull obtained a commission in the 4th East Yorks (Territorial Force). Gazetted Captain when 22 and at 24 was the youngest Major in the TF. He was with his regiment on embodiment after the outbreak of war and proceeded to Hedon on the Humber. Subsquently he was at Newcastle and Darlington before proceeding to the front on April 23rd, 1915. Within a few days were called up to relieve the Canadians who had born the brunt of the first gas attack. On Jan. 5th was hit by a piece of shell in the jaw and neck, but was fit again in a week. On Jan 23rd he was hit in chest with a bullet which gave him a glancing wound. For a time made good progress, but had a relapse which proved fatal.