Name

Samuel Mercer

Description

Newspaper Photograph of Lance Corporal Samuel Mercer.

Life Story

Name: Samuel Mercer.

Service Number: 18464.

Rank: Lance Corporal.

Battalion: 14th Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 12th May 1892, Belfast.

Died: 1st July 1916.

Address: 163 Snugville Street, Belfast

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Samuel Mercer, son of James and Elizabeth Mercer, lived with his at 163 Snugville Street, Shankill Road, Belfast.

The 1901 Ireland Census has Samuel living at 32 Hudson Street, Shankill Road, Belfast, with his mother, father, occupation, Van Driver Domestic Servant, two sisters, Mary Anne, 6 years, May, 3 years, and brother Robert, 12 years.

Samuels father James died on the 5th October 1909.

The 1911 Ireland Census has Samuel now living at 96 Snugville Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, Shop Keeper, two sisters, Mary Ann, Reeler (Mill), May, 13 years, Winder (Mill), and brother James Henry, 5 years. His Grandmother Mary Ann Brown also lives with them. Samuels occupation at this time is given as Hotel Porter.

Samuel was a member of the Orange Order, St John's Church, Malone, Temperance L.O.L 702.

Samuel joined the Royal Irish Rifles.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France on the 5th of October 1915.

Samuel Mercer was a Lance Corporal in A Company 14th Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed In Action on the 1st of July 1916.

He had been reported as Missing for some time before his family finally received confirmation of his death in action.

A local newspaper states.

Lance Corporal Samuel Mercer (18464) Royal Irish Rifles, is posted as wounded and missing since July 1. Any information regarding his whereabouts would be thankfully received by his mother, Mrs L A Mercer 163 Snugville Street.

Another states.

Lance Corporal Samuel Mercer Royal Irish Rifles who is officially reported killed in action, was a son of the late Mr James Mercer and of Mrs Mercer, 163 Snugville Street, Belfast.

Samuels Soldiers Effects were left to his mother.

A Pension Application Form shows his mother as claimant.

A Dependant Pension Form also shows his mother as claimant.

His Will, signed and dated the 26th of May 1916, left his Property and Effects to his mother Elizabeth Ann too.

He received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star.

He is Remembered at Thiepval Memorial, France.

To Remember Is Ton Honour

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