Ref ID: 51651241580
Name
Samuel Charles Preece.
Description
Newspaper Photograph of Stoker 1st Class Samuel Charles Preece.
Life Story
Name: Samuel Charles Preece.
Service Number: SS/103563 (RFR/DEV/B/3896)
Rank: Stoker 1st Class.
Battalion: HMS Majestic.
Regiment: Royal Navy.
Born: 2nd February 1886, Holmer, Herefordshire, England
Died: 27th May 1915.
Address: 43 Upper Townsend Street, Belfast
.
Samuel Preece, son of Samuel and Sarah Preece, lived at 43 Upper Townsend Street, Shankill Road, Belfast
.
The 1891 England Census has Samuel living at Grandstrand Road, Hereford with his mother, father, occupation, General Labourer, and three sisters, Rosetta, 10 years, Sarah A, 6years, and Isabella, 1 year
.
The 1901 England Census has Samuel living at 27 Market Place, Egremont, Cumberland, England with a Mr William Barnes,36 years, Boot and Shoe Dealer and Clogger, Mary Barnes, 31 years, and William Barnes, 4 years. His occupation at this time is given as Apprentice Clogger
.
The 1911 Ireland Census has Samuels wife living at 16 Lime Street, Belfast
.
Samuel had married Jennie Preece, Nee Reilly, on the 5th August 1909 within Christ Church, Church of Ireland Church, Belfast.
His address at time of marriage is given as HMS Devonshire, England.
.
Samuel signed the Ulster Covenant on the 28th of September 1912, Ulster Day, within Belfast City Hall
.
Samuel joined the Royal Navy on the 15th August 1906 for 5 years plus 7 years Special Service.
He served on a number of ships throughout his career, including the following: HMS Vivid II, HMS Donegal, HMS Diamond, HMS Leander, before transferring to Royal Fleet Reserves, Devonport, on the 13th August 1911.
He was then mobilised on the 13th July 1914, serving aboard HMS Victorious and then on to HMS Majestic.
Samuel was a Stoker 1st Class aboard HMS Majestic Royal Navy when he Died At Sea on the 27th May 1915 aged 29 years, his ship having been sunk by a torpedo fired from the German Submarine U-21.
.
A local newspaper sates.
Stoker Samuel Charles Preece, who was lost on H.M.S Majestic at the Dardanelles on 27th ult, was employed at the G.P.O, Belfast, before the war. His widow lives at 46, Upper Townsend Street, Belfast, and his parents in Herefordshire
.
Dependant Pension Application Forms show his widow as claimants.
Naval Pensions To Widows Of Men Whose Death Is Attributable To War like Operations shows his widow as claimant also.
.
Samuel received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914-1915 Star.
.
He is Remembered at Plymouth Naval Memorial, United Kingdom.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1915
Classification
Newspaper, Photograph, - Belfast Telegraph
