Samuel Charles Piercy was baptised at St. Matthews 23rd February 1869 to Samuel and Elizabeth (Williams). It is believed he married Mary Ellen Lamb in Chester in 1890. They had 9 children born, 7 living at the time of the 1911 census. Known children include Elizabeth, Ellen, Samuel, Hannah, Lily, Ethel and James. Samuel Charles was living in Lane End in all censuses from 1871 to 1911. His occupation was a shipper of bricks.
A Pension Ledger entry for Samuel is on www.ancestry.co.uk. It says that Samuel Piercy, Private 20095 in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers died on the 26th July 1915 as a result of carcinoma of the stomach whilst on active service. The card also says that his widow was Mary Ellen Piercy of Brook Street, Buckley (Born 28th December 1867). Three children were listed. Lily was born 17th June 1900. Ethel May was born 22nd March 1902 and James was born 29th May 1904. Mary Ellen was awarded a pension of 25/6d a week from the 29th May 1916.
Samuel Charles was granted a Commonwealth War Graves Commission memorial, also showing that he had served in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, but few other military records have been found for him. No census records report him as a soldier. At age 46 in 1914 he was too old to volunteer and in fact at that time even men who had previously served in the army would be accepted only up to the age of 45.
Samuel Charles was buried at St. Matthew’s on 29th July 1915 with the following placed on a small white headstone:
Royal Welsh Fusiliers
20095 Private S.C. Piercy
Royal Welsh Fusiliers
Who died 26 July 1915
aged 47 years
Samuel Charles was not named originally on the Hawkesbury Memorial but was added in 2020.
