Samuel Worstall

Quartermaster Serjeant Samuel Worstall – The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), 13^th Battalion

Early Life

Samuel Worstall was born in 1875 at Hartshorne, Derbyshire, the son of Thomas Worstall and Sarah Betteridge, who were married in 1860 at Hartshorne.

1881 Census

The 1881 Census records the Worstall family living at Broomy Furlong Farm, Hartshorne, where Thomas (41) was a farmer of 67 acres, employing one labourer. His wife Sarah, also aged 41, managed the household. Their two children were Violet (10) and Samuel (6). A farm servant, David Press (30), also lived with the family.

1891 Census

By the 1891 Census, the family remained at Broomy Furlong Farm. Thomas (51) was still working as a farmer, and Sarah (57) assisted on the farm. Present were Samuel (16), now a farm labourer, and William (9), who attended school. Two farm servants, Joseph Morrell (52) and Thomas Pegg (14), were also employed there.

1901 Census

The 1901 Census records Samuel, aged 21, living as a lodger at 8 Victoria Crescent, likely employed in clerical or administrative work. His move away from the family farm reflects the growing trend of rural men seeking employment in towns and cities during the late Victorian period.

Marriage and Family

In 1902, Samuel Worstall married Irene Isabel Goatman in Rhyl, Flintshire. Although few personal details are known, their marriage marked a new chapter in Samuel’s life, connecting him to North Wales — a region where he would later be remembered and eventually buried nearby.

Military Service

At the time of his enlistment, Samuel’s occupation was recorded as Bookkeeper, indicating that by the early 20th century he had established himself in a skilled clerical profession.

Service Papers

He enlisted in November 1914, shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, joining The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), 6^th Battalion. His service papers have survived, offering valuable insight into his record and career. Initially ranked Serjeant, Samuel was later promoted to Quartermaster Serjeant, reflecting his reliability, competence, and experience.

The King’s (Liverpool Regiment)

The King’s (Liverpool Regiment), one of the British Army’s oldest and most respected regiments, was founded in 1685 and maintained strong recruitment links to Liverpool, Cheshire, and North Wales. During the First World War, the regiment expanded to include both Territorial and Service battalions, serving in a range of theatres from the Western Front to the Middle East.

Samuel first enlisted with the 6^th Battalion, a Territorial Force unit responsible for home defence and training duties during the early part of the war. As the conflict progressed and the need for experienced non-commissioned officers grew, Samuel transferred to the 13^th Battalion (Service Battalion) — one of the battalions formed under Kitchener’s New Army in October 1914.

The 13th Battalion went on to serve with distinction on the Western Front, taking part in the Battle of the Somme (1916), Arras (1917), Ypres (1917), and the Hundred Days Offensive (1918) that led to the Armistice.

Role as Quartermaster Serjeant

As Quartermaster Serjeant, Samuel held a key logistical post, overseeing supplies, transport, and equipment within the battalion. His duties included the distribution of food, ammunition, uniforms, and stores — responsibilities that demanded efficiency, foresight, and a strong sense of duty. His promotion to this senior non-commissioned rank attests to the respect and trust he earned throughout his service.

Death

Quartermaster Serjeant Samuel Worstall died on 12^th October 1920, at Newport, aged 45, from the effects of tuberculosis. The illness, often contracted or worsened by the damp and unsanitary conditions of trench life, was tragically common among returning servicemen. Years of exposure, exhaustion, and poor wartime nutrition left many vulnerable to respiratory diseases that continued to claim lives well after the war’s end.

Burial

Samuel Worstall
Oystermouth Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Following his death, Samuel’s body was returned to Swansea, where he was laid to rest at Oystermouth Cemetery.

At the time, the repatriation of soldiers was uncommon. Under the policy of the Imperial War Graves Commission (now CWGC), those who died overseas were buried near the battlefield where they fell. However, men like Samuel — who succumbed later to illnesses directly connected to their service — were interred in their home communities, often with official war headstones. Samuel’s burial at Oystermouth reflects both his survival beyond the Armistice and the enduring impact of war on veterans’ health.

Legacy

Born in rural Derbyshire, Samuel Worstall’s life journey — from farmer’s son to Quartermaster Serjeant in one of Britain’s most historic regiments — exemplifies quiet dedication and service. His civilian background as a bookkeeper no doubt contributed to his skill in managing logistics and supplies, making him an invaluable figure within his battalion.

His death from tuberculosis serves as a poignant reminder that the human cost of the Great War extended far beyond the battlefield. Today, his grave at Oystermouth Cemetery stands as a lasting tribute to his perseverance, professionalism, and sacrifice — and to the many soldiers whose battles continued long after the guns fell silent.