SPRATTON LOCAL HISTORY SOCIETY

Samuel was born on 13 January 1885 in Spratton, the son of Samuel Manning, a farm labourer and his wife Elizabeth, both from Spratton families.  In 1911 aged 26 he was living with his parents, Elizabeth’s single brother William Smith, a shepherd, and Samuel and Elizabeth’s granddaughter Annie, aged 6 in a cottage in Middle Turn, Spratton (now Brixworth Road).  Samuel (senior) had been a bootmaker when he was younger, and Samuel (junior) followed his father’s former trade and worked from home. Samuel was a Baptist by religion.

He volunteered on 31 May 1915 aged 30 and served as a saddler/driver in the Royal Army Service Corps.  In January 1917 he was posted to Salonica and subsequently Alexandria and Egypt.  He was involved in engagements on the Vardar and Strumica fronts.  In August 1918 he was wounded and in hospital and it is unclear whether he saw active service again.  However, he was medically examined at Blackheath in July 1919 and demobilised the following day with a very good reference from the army. He was awarded the 1915 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.

Later he lived in Smith Street, Spratton and he died in December 1949 in Northampton.