Samuel Thomas Gammon – Welsh Regiment, 14th Battalion

Private Samuel Thomas Gammon – Welsh Regiment, 14^th Battalion

The Somme

Samuel Thomas Gammon

The 1^st of July 1916 marked the opening day of the Battle of the Somme, one of the largest and most costly offensives of the First World War. On that day alone, the British Army suffered more than 20,000 men killed and tens of thousands more wounded, making it the bloodiest day in British military history. Although the fighting continued for months, it was not until the 10^th of July 1916 that the 14^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment became directly involved. On that day, the battalion went into action for the first time on the Somme battlefield during the assault on Mametz Wood, a heavily fortified German stronghold of dense trees, trenches, and machine-gun nests. Their advance into the wood resulted in severe losses as they faced fierce resistance and intense defensive fire. Among those who fell during this initial assault was Private Samuel Thomas Gammon, one of many Welsh soldiers who lost their lives in this tragic and defining engagement.

Early Life

Samuel Thomas Gammon was born in 1887 at Oystermouth, the son of Samuel Gammon and Jane Owens.

1891 Census

At the time of the 1891 Census, the Gammon family were living at John Street, Mumbles. Samuel, aged 28, was recorded as a fisherman. His wife, Jane, is not listed in the census entry, but their children present were Elizabeth (8), Mary Ann (6), Maggie (5), and Samuel (4), all noted as attending school. Also living at the address was Jane Owen (35), sister-in-law and housekeeper, along with her son David (2).

1901 Census

By the time of the 1901 Census, the family had moved to Pond Steps, Mumbles. Samuel, then aged 39, continued to work as a fisherman and his wife Jane was recorded as aged 47. Their children present at this time were Maggie (13), Samuel (13), David (12), and Richard (8).

In 1910, Samuel married Gladys Mason.

1911 Census

The 1911 Census records Samuel and his family living at George Bank, Mumbles. Samuel, aged 23, was still working as a fisherman, and his wife Gladys was aged 21. Also present was their infant son, Samuel T., aged just two months.

Military Service and Death

Mametz Wood, Somme

Samuel later enlisted and served as a private with the 14^th Battalion, Welsh Regiment. On 10^th July 1916, the day of his death, the battalion were engaged in their first major action on the Somme during the assault on Mametz Wood.

The 14th Welsh were ordered forward as part of a wider British attempt to seize the heavily defended woodland, where German troops held strong positions supported by machine-gun and artillery fire.

Fighting conditions were severe: dense forest, shattered tree-lines, and tangled undergrowth restricted movement, while concealed German redoubts and interlocking fields of fire from the edge of the wood inflicted heavy losses on the advancing men. The approach to the wood lay over ground swept by shell bursts and small-arms fire, with many units forced to cross open earth scarred by earlier bombardments. Orders were often difficult to relay, visibility was poor, and men became disorientated in the smoke and debris as the battalion pushed deeper into the trees.

Despite their determination, progress was slow, and as the 14th Welsh attempted to secure a foothold inside the wood, they encountered fierce resistance from German infantry fighting from dug-in positions, concrete machine-gun posts, and hastily prepared trenches. Under these harsh conditions, the battalion suffered very heavy casualties. Many of those killed, including Samuel Thomas Gammon, fell during this costly first day of fighting at Mametz Wood, a battle that became one of the defining and most tragic actions for Welsh regiments on the Somme.

Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects

Samuel Thomas Gammon
Thiepval Memorial
Credit - findagrave

The Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects record that Samuel was killed on 10^th July 1916, the same day the battalion’s losses were recorded at Mametz Wood. His name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France.