Sam Naylor was killed in action on this day in 1916.
Sam was born in Lancaster in 1877, the son of an agricultural labourer. He lived for much of his life in Gargrave, Yorkshire where he worked in a mill or iron foundry.
He was employed in the New Brighton Saw Mills before moving to Accrington, Lancashire where he worked as a moulder at Newbank Works. At the 1911 Census that family lived at 10 Cedar Street, Accrington (since demolished though No.16 is still there). At this stage there were 9 people living in the 4 rooms of this 'two up, two down' cottage, the parents and children aged 13,12,10, 8,6,4 and 3.
Having seen previous service, Sam was a reservist at the outbreak of war and, after being mobilised, he saw service in France for a short time before being invalided back home with frostbite and discharged.
After immediately re-enlisting, Sam was sent to Gallipoli in October 1915 and, from there his unit moved on to Mesopotamia in order to take part in the relief of Kut al Amara.
Sam Naylor was killed in action during the attack on the Beit Aisa line on 18 April 1916. He is commemorated on the Basra Memorial, Iraq.
Sam was married to Christina and the father of nine children. His brother George served and died, as did Sam and Christiana's two oldest sons 18081 S/Cpl Albert (born May 1897) 11th/7th E. Lancs Reg: and died 37103 Pte Sam (born 1898) E.Lancs Reg: served and died also.
Pte Sam Naylor
18 April 1916 killed in action
Initial research by David O'Mara.
Sources: Ryan Family Tree, Ancestry : English Census; English Census returns 1881, 1891, 1901, 1911. The Western Front Association Pension and Ledger Cards on Fold3 from Ancestry.