No.24704, Private, Samuel STEWARD
Aged 20
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Samuel Steward was born in Woolpit (1st qtr 1897 Stow 4a:852) son of Samuel Walter and Marion STEWARD(née PETITT)
1901 census...Aged 5, he was at The Warren, Woolpit with his father Samuel STEWARD [39] shepherd born Wetherden; his mother Marion [38]; sisters Marion [16] born Norton, Ellen [13] born Harleston, Florence [11], Harriett [9], Sarah [7] and Jemima [2]. All the younger children were born in Woolpit. 1911 census...Aged 14, a farm labourer, he was at Weston Hindle, Thelnetham nr Diss with his parents, sisters Harriett and Jemima; brothers William [10] and Charles [8] both boys born in Woolpit. On the pension card his parents were at 33 North Hill, Rushbrook No documentary connection with Great Barton except the Memorial Service in Great Barton reported on 7th July 1917 when his name was included in the Roll read out by the Vicar . Father being a shepherd meant the family did move around quite frequently |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds
The action where he was killed was the attack on the chemical works at Rouex. from Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment" and the war diary:- 28th April - 4.25 a.m. Barrage commenced, 4:27 a.m. battalion advanced but was held up and driven back by very considerable hostile machine gun fire from a trench which had been entirely missed by our barrage. What was left of the battalion formed up in our front line. 5:30 a.m. Major Tuck went up to our front line to reorganise our defences. In the front line were 5 officers, 300 other ranks (including 2 officers and 60 other ranks from 16th Royal Scots. 9:45 a.m. The enemy counter attacked from Roeux, capturing MOUNT PLEASANT WOOD and part of CEYLON TRENCH. 10 a.m. All communications with the front line were cut. The enemy driven out of CEYLON TRENCH and MOUNT PLEASANT WOOD. 10 p.m. The battalion moved out of front line trench & support line to enable the heavy artillery to bombard the chemical works. They moved back into the front line at midnight. On this horrific day for the 11th Suffolks, CWGC records 106 killed of which 82 have no known grave.
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