Samuel Finch

Samuel Finch was born in 1885 at Radford the son of William (died Nottingham 1904 aged 54) a bicycle hand and Hannah Finch (née Priest). His father was born at Radford in 1852 and his mother in 1856 at Bedworth Worcestershire. Married in 1875 at Nottingham, they had twelve children. Samuel’s siblings to survive infancy were William b.1877 Clay Cross, David b.1879 Clay Cross (killed in action 16/9/1916), Martha b.1883 Radford, Hannah b.1889 Radford, Mabel b.1892 Radford, John b.1895 Radford and Drucilla b.1898 Radford. In 1901 and 1911 they lived at 10 Brassey Street Radford Nottingham. Samuel married Norah Kinton in 1912 at Nottingham. They had two children, Hannah b.1912 and Norah b.1913.

In 1911 Samuel was a brazier in a bicycle works.

Sergeant Samuel Finch, enlisted at Nottingham and served with the 2nd Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment. He landed in France on 11thNovember 1914 and was killed in action at Hooge on 9th August 1915. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate. Menin Gate Panel 39 & 41

Samuel’s brother in law was also killed during the Great War : Gunner Thomas William Morley, 25th Divisional Ammunition Column, was killed accidentally on 5th August 1916. He is buried in Bouzincourt Communal Cemetery Extension. He was the husband of Mrs Hannah Leavesley (formerly Morley née Finch) of 49 Mitchell Street Radford Nottingham Nottingham Evening Post 9th August 1916. “FINCH. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Sergt. Samuel Finch, killed in action August 9th, 1915. We often speak his loving name, and shed a silent tear; time cannot alter love so deep and true, one year but brings to us our grief anew. – Loving wife and children. “FINCH. – In sacred memory of our dear brother, Sergt. S. Finch, killed in action August 9th, 1915. He died a true hero. – Sister Hannah, brothers Dick, Tom (in France).” Obituary published Nottingham Evening Post, 24th October 1916. “FlNCH. — Killed in action. September 13th, 1916. Sergeant David Finch, Sherwood Foresters, of 28, Auckland-street, Radford, brother of Sergeant Samuel Finch, killed in action, August, 9th, 1915, also brother-in-law of Gunner Thomas W. Morley, 49, Mitchell-street, killed in action, August 5th, 1916. In a far and lonely battlefield, where the trees their branches bend, lie our loved ones, gone to their untimely end. Silently the shades of evening gather round our lonely door, silently they bring before us faces we shall see no more. Duty nobly done. — Broken-hearted mother, soldier brother Jack, & sisters.” In Memoriam notices courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.