Ref ID: 5752
Name
Samuel Easton.
Description
Belfast Telegraph Newspaper Photograph of Rifleman Samuel Easton.
Life Story
Name: Samuel Easton.
Service Number: 9258.
Rank: Rifleman.
Battalion: 2nd Battalion.
Regiment: Royal Irish Rifles.
Born: Ballymacarrett, County Down.
Died: 26th October 1914.
Address: 19 Byron Place, Belfast
.
Samuel Easton, son of William and Stepmother Sarah Easton, lived with his wife and children at 19 Byron Place, Belfast
.
The 1901 Ireland Census has Samuel living at 63 Riga Street, Shankill Road, Belfast with his wife, Rose Ann, occupation, Spinner Flax, and in laws
.
The 1911 Ireland Census has Samuel living at 34 Warwick Street, Belfast with his mother, father, brother Thomas, 31 years, and daughter Mary, 7 years. Samuels occupation at this time is given as General Labourer
.
Samuel had married Rose Ann Easton, Nee Miskimmon, on the 4th December 1896 within Trinity Church Belfast. They went on to have three children, their names and dates of birth are as follows: Samuel Robert born 11th of September 1901, Mary born 16th of October 1903, and William born 8th June 1912
.
Samuels occupation before enlistment is given as Rivet Heater in Harland and Wolff.
.
Militia Attestation Papers show Samuel joined the Royal Irish Rifles on the 9th April 1894.
He served in South Africa in 1901-02, and was then discharged, Time Expired, on the 8th of April 1904.
Aged 36 years of age Samuel was accepted Fit for Duty yet again on the 15th August 1914.
Samuel was a Rifleman in 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles when he was Killed in Action at Neuve Chapelle, France on the 26th of October 1914
.
A local newspaper states.
Mrs Easton, 19 Byron Place, Belfast, has received notification that her husband, Rifleman Samuel Easton, 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles, was killed in action at Neuve Chapelle on October 26. Deceased, who was a carter in employment of Messrs, Cullen, Allen, was in the North Belfast Regiment of the Ulster Volunteer Force. He leaves three children
.
Samuels Service Records, although hard to read and understand, have two letters among them. One letter has been wrote by his wife, another by his mother, which is a request for information regarding her two sons.
Mother.
Sir could you give me any news of my two sons, they are at the front. I would like to know if they are living or dead. I haven't heard from them since the -6 or the 17. I remain your obedient Sarah Easton
.
Wife.
Sir I have got no word ----my husband this past weeks, would you please let me know if he ------and O----. It could possibly be if he is alive and Ok.
.
Samuels Soldiers Effects were left to his widow Rose Ann.
Dependant Pension Application Forms show his mother, widow Rose Ann and children as claimants
.
See brother also: 5634 Rifleman Thomas Easton 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles
.
Samuels British Military Index Card shows that his son Samuel Robert Easton, who lived at 68 Louisa Street, Belfast, applied for his father Medals, his wife Rose Ann having sadly died on the 18th of March 1920
.
Samuel received the British War Medal, Victory Medal and 1914 Star.
.
He is Remembered at Le Touret Memorial, France.
To Remember Is To Honour
.
Theme
Shankill Roll of Honour
Date
1914
Classification
Newspaper, , Photograph - Belfast Telegraph
