Born: 1891, Idle
Died: 25 September 1916
Buried: No known grave
Address: 423 Harrogate Road, Eccleshill
Parents: Evan and Mary Ann
Spouse: Bertha, nee Elliott
Siblings: Five
Occupation: Labourer
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: St Luke’s, Eccleshill; Thiepval Memorial
Children: Dennis
Regiment: West Yorkshire
Sam Murgatroyd
Sam Murgatroyd was born in 1891
in Idle, the son of decorated soldier
Evan Murgatroyd Mary Ann.
Evan died in 1905 aged 47 years
when the family were living at 1
Tomlinson’s Buildings, Idle.
Mary Ann re-married in 1908 to
Henry Peacock and the family went
to live at 33 Albion Road, Idle.
Sam at 20 years of age was
working as a labourer in a brass
foundry.
On the 30th of March 1914 Sam
married Bertha Elliott at Holy
Trinity Church, Idle. Bertha was
23 years of age and the daughter of
Dennis Elliott a fitter. One son
Dennis was born in 1915 and when
Sam enlisted he and
Bertha were living at 423
Harrogate Road.
Sam enlisted on the 20th
December 1914 as Private
17704 in the 1st Battalion
of the West Yorkshire
Regiment (Prince of
Wales Own).
Little is known about his
service but his Division
took part in the opening day of the
Somme Offensive 1st July 1916.
His Battalion was one of the first to
go over the top and although there
was a massive loss of life Sam
survived this Battle of Albert.
He was killed in action
on the 25th of September
1916 on the first day of
the Battle of Morval 25th
to 28th September. Sam
was 25 years of age.
His body was never
recovered for burial and
he is remembered on the
Thiepval Memorial
where 72,195 soldiers
are commemorated.
He left his effects to his widow
Bertha who received £5.13.2d on
the 8th of February 1917 and a War
Gratuity of £7.10.0d on the 9th of
February 1919.
.
Researched and written by Jean
Britteon, to whom many thanks
