Devonshire Regiment Band c1915

My Great-Grand-Mother's brother, William Francis Sampson is standing second from the left. He died from injuries in the Great War in France on July 15th, 1916.
Does anyone know of any records in existence concerning this group of soldiers?

Excellent photo Devon , thanks for sharing it with us.
I will have a dig around and see what information I can find for you.
Welcome to MI.Net

Hi

I had a look at William to see what records could be found for him. It appears that his army record did not survive the blitz of London in WW2

I have found the record held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission for this soldier.
He was Private 21316, 11th Cheshire Regiment, died 15th July 1916 aged 39. He was the husband of Ellen of Red Hill House, Brixham, devonshire, and he is at rest in Boulogne Eastern Cemetery, France.

The cap badge in the photograph is in the shape of a star,The same shape as the Devonshire and Cheshire Regiments. The Devonshire Regiment has in the centre has a Castle of Exeter. The Cheshire Regiment has two oak leaves and an acorn in the centre.

I will have a look to see what else can be found



Copy from Ancestry.co.uk
UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 about William Francis Sampson
Name: William Francis Sampson
Birth Place: Michigan, U.s.a.
Death Date: 15 Jul 1916
Death Place: France and Flanders
Enlistment Place: Brixham, Devon
Rank: Private
Regiment: Cheshire Regiment
Battalion: 11th Battalion
Regimental Number: 21316
Type of Casualty: Died of wounds
Theatre of War: Western European Theatre

So are we saying he was always Cheshire Regiment Alf ?

Hi Andrew

According to the records found, yes. I could find no other record with the same full name and date of death.

Thanks for information on my Uncle. Good to get confirmation on the details of William's life.

a couple of links that might help.

http://www.cheshiremilitarymuseum.co.uk/ regt museum

http://www.1914-1918.net/cheshire.htm the long long trail

I have had a closer look at the photo and the drums do have the castle in the middle of the badge. So why is he recorded as being with the Cheshire Regiment.


1911 census



Photo of William
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=56257985&PIpi=91530927