Jump to content
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Sergeant Samuel Gilleney MM and Bar Died of Wounds 4th April 1918


kathleen donaldson

Recommended Posts

I have without success tried to find Sergeant Samuel Gilleney who DIed of Wounds 4th April 1918 on CWGC. I have everything else for him including his entry on SDGW I have tried Ancestry and different spellings of his surname Gilheney/Gillheeney etc can't find him, his grandaughter is going to France next year so if anyone can help I will be eternally grateful. .

Link to comment
Share on other sites

kathy

You will see from the CWGC cemetery notes that wounded were brought to PIQUIGNY to be treated at Casualty Clearing Stations 5 and 46 at the time of Samuel's death.

There is a chance that,as a senior NCO, his wounding will be noted in the unit War Dairy,so it might be worth seeing it to discover the unit's position on the day.

Maybe one of our Artillery experts here can identify which group the 1/2 Lancs Heavy Battery were attached to so that you can know the Diary reference.

Sotonmate

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thanks Sotonmate here is a copy of the Newspaper reports I have transcribed for Samuel which may be of interest to members of the Forum.

Prescot and Huyton Reporter 14th September 1917

CORPORAL S. GILLENEY

The third hero to receive the distinction is Corpl Samuel Gilleney who resided before enlistment at Parkers Row, Rainhill. A soldier friend writing Mrs. Gilleney said: -

"Your son Sam has been awarded the Military Medal for keeping his gun in action after a Bosche shell had set the covering of the gun on fire. It was at a critical time, as the battery was waiting to start the barrage for the boys to go over the top. He has also shown great courage under trying circumstances on quite a number of occasions. All the boys out of our battery are very proud of him, of course myself included. I don't know whether he has let you know or not, but I thought it would be nicer for you to hear it from someone else."

This hero belongs to the Royal Garrison Artillery. He enlisted on August 5th 1914, and has been in France more that a year and a half. Before the outbreak of hostilities he worked at Lea Green pits, where he was employed for a period of 17 and half years.

London Gazette notification of Corporal Samuel Gilleney being awarded the Military Medal 308110 Cpl. S. Gilleney, R.G.A. (Rainhill) published 30th October 1917

Prescot and Huyton Reporter 19th April 1918

MILITARY MEDALIST KILLED

News has reached Mrs. Gilleney 33, Brook Street, Whiston that her son Sergt Samuel Gilleney, M.M of the Royal Garrison Artillery, died from wounds in France on the 4th inst. The gallant soldier won the Military Medal last year and since then he has received the bar to the medal and been recommended for the D.C.M. He enlisted on August 5th 1914, and has been in France about three years. Before joining up voluntarily he resided at Parkers Row Rainhill and worked at the Lea Green colliery, where he was employed for a period of 17 and half years. It may be interesting to state that the deceased soldier won the Military Medal under the following circumstances: -

For keeping his gun in action after a Bosche shell had set the covering of the gun on fire. It was at a very critical time as the battery was waiting to start the barrage for the boys to go over the top. He has shown great courage under trying circumstances.

London Gazette notification of Sergeant Samuel Gilleney being awarded a bar to his Military Medal

308110 Cpl. S. Gilleney, M.M., R.G.A. (Rainhill) published 22nd February 1918

Gilleney Grove on the Sandstone Estate, Delph Lane, Whiston is named in honour of Sergeant Samuel Gilleney and his brother Thomas Gilleney who died of War related injuries in 1918

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...