No.3030, Rifleman, Samuel Henry GILDER
Aged 32
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Samuel Henry GILDER was born in Fakenham, Norfolk (Walsingham Q3-1883 4B:281), son of William and Charlotte GILDER (née GALLEY). 1891 census...Aged 7, he was at ClayPit Cottages, Holt Road, Fakenham with his father William GILDER [47] farm labourer born East Barsham, Norfolk; his mother Charlotte [45] born Stoke Holy Cross, Norfolk; brothers Arthur W.[20] a butcher and Daniel V. [2]; sisters Laura S. [13], Thirza S. [11] and Verena Agnes. [5]; uncle Samuel W. GALLEY [30] labourer born Caistor. 1901 census...Aged 17, a postman, he was boarding at East End, Wells next the Sea with widow Mary A HUDSON and her family. His parent were at Clay Pits, Fakenham (father now teamster) with sister Verena [15] book binder born Fakenham, brothers Daniel and Donald [8] born Fakenham; boarder postman Percy TEMPLE [16] born Wells. 1911 census...Aged 28, a postman, he was boarding at 34 High Street, Haverhill with barber George and Edith GOODMAN and their family. His widower father was still at Claypits, Fakenham with brother Donald (shop assistant) and married sister Margaret Thompson [36] born Fakenham and her daughter May [3] born Accrington, Lancs. His mother had died in 1909 and 2 of her 13 children had also died. His sole legatee was his sister Mrs Leonora Frances CARTER. Leonora was born in Fakenham in 1876. His father was still at the Claypits, Fakenham. |
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He enlisted in London, when resident in Cambridge.
According to the South West Suffolk Echo 20th May 1915:- "News of the death of Rifleman S.H.Gilder of the Post Office Rifles, reached Haverhill this week and created quite a painful sensation in this town. Deceased, who was 31 years of age, had been employed as a postman in Haverhill for about six years and was familiarly known as "Sammy the Postman". At all times he performed his duties with efficiency and smartness, and the very nature of his occupation brought him in contact with practically everyone in the town.His sister, Mrs. Carter, is Matron of Tattingstone Institute (near Ipswich). ". Not having found the war diary, the extract from "History of the Post Office Rifles" says it was their first action, in the trenches at Festubert, around places such as La Quinque, Dead Cow Farm, Welsh Chapel and suffered many casualties CWGC figures put the dead on 18th May at six. |
photo from www.ww1cemeteries.com
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