Samuel Hodgkinson was born on 31.05.1896 in Burslem, Staffordshire, to parents Samuel Hodgkinson, born in Burslem circa 1871, and Mary Ann (nee) Simpson, born in Burslem on 20th January 1875. They married at St John's Church, Burslem, on 22nd December 1895. 

Samuel was the eldest of 6 children born in Burslem, namely: Mary Ann Hodgkinson born 9th December 1898; Arthur Hodgkinson born 3 July 1902; Frederick Hodgkinson born 18th December 1904; John Hodgkinson born 1910 and Albert Hodgkinson born 20th June 1912. 

In the Census of 1901, we can see Samuel, aged 4, living with both his parents and sister Mary Ann, aged 2, at 20 William Street, Burslem. His father was employed as a Potter's Placer. 

The Census of 1911 shows Samuel aged 14 living at 16 Lower Street, Burslem with his parents and siblings Mary Ann aged 12, Arthur aged 8, Frederick aged 6 and John aged 1. His father remains a Potters Placer, and Samuel himself is employed as a Lithographic Printer. The record also shows insight into the family as parents being married for 15 years and having had 6 live births,5 Children alive, and 1 died. 

On Monday, 11th October 1920, the Sentinel Newspaper reported the tragic double drowning of two boys, Edwin Moore, aged 9, of 18 Wood Street, Burslem, and John Hodgkinson, aged 10, of 16 Lower Street, Burslem, who were attempting to launch a raft onto the pond near the racecourse Pit, Hanley. Albert, the older brother, was with the boys at the time of the accident and had watched John attempting to rescue Edwin, but both young boys died at the scene.    

After the war, in the 1921 census, Samuel and his wife Mary Ann lived at 16 Lower Street, Burslem, with their grown children Mary Ann, aged 22 years 6 months, Arthur, 18 years 11 months, Frederick, 16 years 6 months, and young Albert, aged 9. All still working in the Potteries. Samuel Hodgkinson died on July 2nd, 1939, aged 68. 

In August of 1915, Samuel joined the army with ‘B’ Coy 13th Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment as Private 29547 Hodgkinson. There is unconfirmed information that Samuel initially joined the Notts Derby Regiment as Private 29750, according to Soldiers who died, but no other supporting evidence is found. Although the 18th Sherwood Foresters were absorbed into the 13th Yorkshires in April 1916, it is possible.

No information survives that can inform us of Samuel's journey to the front and what actions he may have taken part in prior to events leading to his capture. But we do know from German Prisoner of War records that he was reported missing between 9th and 13th April 1918, having been captured at Armentieres on the 11th April 1918 during the Battle of Lys, which began on the 9th April 1918 to 29th April 1918. It was part of the German Operation Michael 3rd Offensive known as Georgette. The battalion war diary gives quite a comprehensive account of the fighting at this time. The battalion was in retreat owing to the strength of the enemy push, which started on the 21st March 1918 and had the British reeling and caused them to engage in a fighting retreat. On the 9th April 1918, the battalion had come to a place at Bois Grenier and, along with half the 20th Middlesex Regiment, formed a line some 300 meters long. It was now on the 11th April that Sir Douglas Haig issued his famous ‘BACKS TO THE WALL’ order; it was decided they would hold this line at all costs, no more retreat. We are told how the Yorkshires fought with artillery, machine guns, rifle fire, grenades, rifle grenades, trench mortar, and beat off successive German attacks. So fierce was the fighting that the battalion was forced to make limited tactical retreats to Touquet Parmentier and Pont D’Acuelles. The Germans forced their way into British positions, were fought off, various counterattacks were made, and many men were lost, dead, wounded, and captured over this period.

Sadly, Samuel's death is recorded soon after, having died of dysentery on the 2nd July 1918. This is supported by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Soldiers' Died records, and contemporary newspaper reports. 

He is buried in the Terlincthun Cemetery, Wimille, plot number XME7.

Samuel is commemorated on the Royal Doulton war memorial in Burslem and the war memorial in the grounds of St John's Community Church, Woodbank Street, Burslem.   

There are newspaper reports from the Staffordshire Sentinel that inform us of his capture and death and previous employment with Messrs Doulton and Company. One carries a very good image of Samuel.

Samuel was entitled to the British War Medal and Victory Medal. 

Sources.

Ancestry.com. England, Select Marriages, 1538-1973 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2014.

Original data: England, Marriages, 1538–1973. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.

1901 Census Class: RG13; Piece: 2595; Folio: 126; Page: 32

The National Archives of the UK (TNA); Kew, Surrey, England; Census Returns of England and Wales, 1911

Western Front Association; London, England; WWI Pension Record Cards and Ledgers; Reference: 098/0451/Hod-Hod

Military-Genealogy.com, comp. UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2008. Original data: British and Irish Military Databases. The Naval and Military Press Ltd.

National Army Museum; Chelsea, London, England; Soldiers' Effects Records, 1901-60; NAM Accession Number: 1991-02-333; Record Number Ranges: 850001-851500; Reference: 518

https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/List/791739/698/37609/ 

HODGKINSON, SAMUEL in UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 - Fold3 

Page 19 - UK, Historical Documents Library, 1900-1960 - Fold3 

CWGC

National Archives War Diaries WO95

https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000347/19180610/069/0004?noTouch=true 

Staffordshire Sentinel - Monday 10 June 1918

Staffordshire Sentinel - Thursday 27 February 1919 

Staffordshire Sentinel - Wednesday 02 July 1919

Staffordshire Sentinel  20.01.17.