John Cubin Posted 13 July , 2005 Share Posted 13 July , 2005 Attached is a photo of a headstone in Anstruther. No doubt many an old sweat claimed to be the first to set foot in France, but can anyone be sure? The only information on Samuel Barlow is from the register held by Fife Council which states that he was buried in 1928. Nothing more. Local newspapers at the time don’t have as much as a death notice. In case the picture is not clear enough, the inscription is as follows: “The First Contemptible to land in France. Samuel Barlow. Aged 56. John Aldridge killed in action Dardanelles Aug 17th 1915. Alexander Aldridge Engineer, Golden Lane London died Nov 3rd 1917 aged 58.” John Aldridge according to SDGW was a Corporal in the 11th Div. Signal Coy. R.E. Born Liverpool, enlisted London and was kia on Aug 8th 1915. CWGC gives his date as Aug 17th 1915 and his age 28, son of Mary Aldridge of Glasgow and the late Alexander Aldridge. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7:29am Posted 13 July , 2005 Share Posted 13 July , 2005 it is quite interesting the 1901 census shows Alexander Aldridge 38 born Liverpool living in London Clapham job Engineer Fitter and John Aldridge 17 born Liverpool living London Clapham job Engineer Fitter. Like father like son!! but difficult to know who Samuel was or what was the link. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cubin Posted 13 July , 2005 Author Share Posted 13 July , 2005 Yes, Jim, it's intruiging. Samuel would have been 42 years old when he claims to have gone to France in 1914. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PPCLI Posted 13 July , 2005 Share Posted 13 July , 2005 Yes, Jim, it's intruiging. Samuel would have been 42 years old when he claims to have gone to France in 1914. Possibly: Corporal Samuel Barlow, 163, 2nd Highland Light Infantry see: MIC Nice low regt. no. and 2nd HLI were in the 2nd Division, one of the first Divisions to move to France. Stuart Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cubin Posted 14 July , 2005 Author Share Posted 14 July , 2005 Could be him, Stuart. Thanks for that. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muerrisch Posted 15 July , 2005 Share Posted 15 July , 2005 I think you will find the Lines of Communications battalions [subsequently formed into 19 Bde] were first ashore, other than liaison staff, spies etc. Dates spanned 10 to 14th August from memory. HLI not in that select band. To my sorrow, 2 RWF were SECOND! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Cubin Posted 15 July , 2005 Author Share Posted 15 July , 2005 Thanks l b. Wonder how many pints old Samuel got with his tale. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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