Samuel Hilditch was born in 1884 in Caerwys, Flintshire.

The census of 1891 records him living with his family at Rose Cottage Tremeirchion. Head of the household was John, a 36 year old Joiner who had been born in Caerwys. His wife Catherine, was 34. She had been born in Leeds, Yorkshire. Their listed children were John H 11, Samuel 7, Thomas 5 and Sarah E was 1 month old.

The next census of 1901 finds the family living in Maes y Dre Mold. John Hildtich was 44 and a Carpenter, Catherine his wife was 45. The listed children in the household on census night were Samuel, 17, a Bricklayer’s Labourer, Thomas 15 was a Labourer in the Tin Plate works, Sarah Elen was 10 and Ernest Asquith was 5 (he had been born in Leeds).

I believe that Samuel married Alice in 1909 (not proved but a Samuel Hildtch married an Alice Ann Worthy in West Derby that year)

The 1911 census records the residents of 5, Knowlsley Grove, Dawber Street in the District of West Derby, Liverpool. The household included Samuel Hilditch and his little family. Head of the household was 48 year old widow Catherine Matthews. Her daughter Annie Quirk 26, her son Joseph Quirk 12 and another son William Henry Matthews 8 were listed. Also in the house was niece Alice Hilditch . The form tells us she had been married for 1 year and had a child.  Samuel Hilditch was listed as a Boarder. He was 26 and had been born in Holywell. He was a married man who worked as a Dock Labourer. Alice Winifred Hilditch was 4 months old and was a boarder.

UK Soldiers Who died in The Great War 1914-19. accessible on www.ancestry.co.uk confirms the regimental details at the top of this page. It says he was born in Holywell (the district included Caerwys). It adds that he enlisted in Liverpool  and this source tells us he was killed in action.  His Medal index card, also on Ancestry, lists his two medals.

The register of soldiers’ effects in which the Army calculated what monies were owed to deceased soldiers, includes an entry for Samuel.  His widow Alice was paid a total of £3..17sh ..7d in 3 separate payments.

David Littler Jones in his booklet ‘Tremeichion War Memorial’ quoted an extract from the Regimental War Diary of 1916,

“30780 Pte Samuel Hilditch born in Flintshire, a resident of Liverpool- killed in action on Vimy Ridge 1st June 1916.”