Name

Samuel Rosbotham.

Description

Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Corporal Samuel Rosbotham.

Life Story

Name: Samuel Rosbotham.

Service Number: 3390.

Rank: Corporal.

Battalion: 7th Battalion.

Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.

Born: 1st July 1898, Shankill Road, Belfast.

Died: 9th August 1917.

Address: 32 Woodvale Avenue, Belfast

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Samuel Rosbotham, son of Stewart and Sarah Rosbotham, lived at 32 Woodvale Avenue, Greater Shankill Area, Belfast

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The 1901 Ireland Census has Samuel living at 46 Mayo Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his mother, occupation Dairy Business, father, Dairy Business, six sisters, Kate, 15 years, Mary Jane, 14 years, Maggie, 12 years, Beatrice, 7 years, Sarah, 7 years, Elizabeth, under 1 year, and four brothers, Alexander, 21 years, Flax Dresser, John W, 19 years, Bricklayer, Stewart, 17 years, Stone Cutter, and Robert W, 10 years

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The 1911 Ireland Census has Samuel living at 16 Mayo Street, Belfast with his mother, father, Dairy man, six sisters, Kathleen, 24 years, Shorthand Writer and Typist, Mary Jane, 22 years, Margaret Anne, 21 years, Blouse Maker, Beatrice, 17 years, Machinist, Sarah, 17 years, Machine Embroiderer, Elizabeth, 9 years, and four brothers, Alexander, 28 years, Labourer in Mill, John Wiggins,26 years, Bricklayer, Stewart, 23 years, Stone Cutter, and William Robert, 19 years, a Shipwright

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Samuel joined the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers.

He was posted as part of the British Expeditionary Force to France.

Samuel was a Corporal in 7th Battalion Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was Killed In Action on the 9th of August aged 19 years.

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A local newspaper states

A SOLDIER AND A MAN.

Official intimation from the War Office has been received by Mr and Mrs S Rosbotham, 32 Woodvale Avenue, Belfast, stating that their son, Corporal Samuel Rosbotham R Innis Fus, was killed in action on 9th August 1917 while in charge of a machine gun section. Before enlistment the deceased was an apprentice shipwright in the employment of Messrs Workman Clark Co, Ltd and joined on the outbreak of war, being only 16 years of age. He was a great favourite in his company, and had seen a good deal of active service, having served in France for over 14 months. He was a member of St Matthews Cadet Corps, and was a very promising non-commissioned officer. His death is the more tragic occurring on the eve of his homecoming. His brother Sgt Stewart Rosbotham, R Ir Fus, is serving in France since the outbreak of war. The following tribute has been received from the commanding officer of deceased's company:, I regret to inform you that your son Cpl S Rosbotham, was killed in action on the night of 9th August, during the fighting in Flanders. He was carrying a machine gun into action and was unfortunately hit be a piece of shell and died instantly, suffering no pain. I knew your son for the past 12 months, and he was always cheerful and bright even in the most adverse circumstances no better boy was there in his company, and what he had to do he did it well. His death is deeply regretted b both the officers and men of A Co0mpany. I offer my sincere sympathy, and trust that the fact of your son being killed while doing his duty gallantly as a soldier and a man in the front line trenches during one of the biggest battles of the war will be some small consolation to you

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See his brother also: Sergeant Stewart Rosbotham Royal Irish Fusiliers.

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Samuels Soldiers Effects were also left to his mother.

His Will, signed and dated the 28th of June 1916, left his Property and Effects to his mother Sarah.

A Pension Application Form shows his mother as claimant.

A Dependant Pension Application Form shows his mother Sarah as claimant also

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Samuel received the British War Med and Victory Medal

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He is Remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Belgium.

To Remember Is To Honour

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