No.162860, Private, Samuel John William AMES
Aged 47
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Samuel John William Ames was born in 1871 (Kensington Q3-1871 1A:142), son of John Samuel and Eliza AMES (née APPLEGATE).
CWGC have him born in Ingham, that seems incorrect, his father however was born in Ingham..
1881 census...Aged 9, (William J.S.) he was at 184 Portobello Road, Kensington with his father John S [41] draper, born Ingham, Norfolk (sic); brother Edward [7] and Herbert [4], both born in Kensington. Mother not found. 1891 census...Aged 19, a jewellers traveller, he was still at 184 Portobello Road, with his parents (mother Eliza [40] born Kensington) and brothers Edward S [18], Ernest W [16] and Herbert J. [14] all scholars. Apparently he married Florence Sophia ILLSLEY in Qtr 3 Fulham 1a:640. Their son, John Samuel James AMES was born 1895 in Blackfordby 4th Quarter in ASHBY-DE LA ZOUCH Volume 07A Page 81 1901 census...Samuel and Florence not found. Their son was with his ILLSLEY grandparents in Ashby de la Zouch. His parents and brothers Edward S (clerk CC), Ernest W (clerk CC) and Herbert J (Costumier's Assistant) were still at 184 Portobello Road 1911 census...Samuel and Florence not found, son John was still with his grandparents. His parents and brother Edward and Herbert were still at 184 Portobello Road. The pension card has his mother as a dependant, at 184 Portobello Road. Son John was killed on the Somme on 11th September 1916 serving in the Royal Field Artillery D Battery 177th Bgde #91601. His grandmother Mary Illsley was at Ivy Cottage, High Street, Woodville nr Burton on Trent. |
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His Army service records are often faint and disjointed. One form states he had returned from Argentina which may explain why he was not found on some
census.
He enlisted in Truro 6th Labour Battalion, Duke of Cornwall's Light Infantry.. Medical on 15th March 1917, a clerk, gave age as 32 years old, from 184
Portobello Road, London (father John Samuel AMES address). Born Notting Hill, Surrey. He seems to have some strange ideas as to his age.
Medical grade B3. He was 5 feet 9.25 inches (175.9 cm)tall, chest 36" to 39" (91.4 to 99.1 cm), weighing 134 lbs (61 kg). The family form completed in 1920 by his father fails to state age of any them. Father John Samuel AMES, mother Eliza AMES of 184 Portobello Road, London, brother Herbert J also lived there, while brother E Walter was at 72 High Street, Leigh on Sea. It was noted that both brothers attended Samuel's funeral. No mention of a widow, had they perhaps separated?.Perhaps they had gone to Argentina leaving John behind. His family seemed not to know He served a period of 5 days from 19th July 1918 of Field Punishment, No 2 which entailed being shackled, but free to move, for up to 2 hours per day. That was for losing iron rations. His only other transgression appears to have been causing a nuisance in barracks, 19 days confined to camp. He embarked at Folkestone for Boulogne on 31st May 1917 where he joined Labour Corps base Depot before going to 249 Divisional Employment Company on 4th June. Then to 722 Labour Coy on 17th October 1917 and 127 Labour Coy., on 18th March 1918. He was with 756 Area Employment Company on 27th October 1918, before being evacuated to England on MT Brighton with debility on 3rd January 1919 ex No.18 General Hospital, Camiers. He was admitted to Ampton Hospital on 6th January. He died from acute bronchitis There is a letter, dated 15th March 1917, said the bearer, Samuel Ames, 184 Portobello Road, Notting HIll, London had just arrived from Argentina through the Patriotic League for the purpose of enlisting but having been passed in Category B3 has not been accepted. He is registered in Truro where he attested and as soon as the card is received it will be forwarded to the man who will change his address to London. Another, dated 12th April 1917 Bodmin from the Recruiting Officer pointing out that Samuel had no pay outstanding as Class B Reservists were not paid, if he wished to enlist he was advised to present himself to the nearest recruiting office stating his capabilities as a clerk as the Army were in need of clerks Another , 20th April 1917 says he was posted to the 33rd Middlesex Regiment as a soldier clerk. (clerks were not released at the end of hostilities) 30th March 1921 the address for forwarding his belongings was to Mrs Florence Sophie Elsden, of Deerholts Hall Farm, East Stonham, Stowmarket, one of the few references to his wife who had married Charles F ELSDEN in Ashby de la Zouch in Q1-1921. His "Soldiers Personal Effects entry has "widow Florence".
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