Samuel Hollingsworth (1881–1959)

Gunner

Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)    
Royal Garrison Artillery 188785 Unit 342 Siege Battery

Photo courtesy Hilda Turner

Samuel Hollingsworth in WW1 uniform

Biography
Samuel was born at Crich in 1881, the son of Henry and Ellen Hollingsworth. He worked at Lea Mills before enlisting at Crich in December 1915 aged thirty-four, suffering from rheumatism. He had married Martha Ann Allen in July 1904. He was with the Foresters on enlistment and transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery as a signaller and gunner. Although he had enlisted in 1915 it was not until January 1918 that he was mobilised as a gunner entering France in June 1918, before being demobbed to Mount Pleasant, Crich, in April 1919.
He was a gifted tenor horn player, playing for both Lea Mills Band and Crich Brass. Before the war he used to play for the famous “Besses o’ th Barn Band”, from Lancashire, when they were at their best, touring America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand with them and winning many solo contests.

As with other Lea Mills employees he received food and clothing parcels from JB Marsden-Smedley.

Samuel conducted Crich Brass 1952 to 1953; he died in 1959.

Sam Hollingsworth postcardSam Hollingsworth postcard

Christmas Card from Chicago dated 1906

Photo of Sam ollingsworth in Band uniform Photo of Sam Hollingsworth in bandsman uniform

Sam Hollingsworth on tour

Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.

Army Service Record
He enlisted at Crich on 11December 1915, aged 34 years and 5 months employed as a hosiery hand. His height was 5ft 5½in; weight 122lb. The next-of-kin was his wife Martha Ann Hollingsworth of Rose Cottage, Crich; they married 27/07/04. Two children William Henry and Mary Ellen. It is recorded that he was rheumatic and joined Sherwood Forresters on enlistment then transferred to R.G.A. as a signaller. He was awarded the British War and Victory Medals.
11/12/15 Attested
12/12/17 To Army Reserve
05/01/18 Mobilized as a gunner
14/05/18 RGA at Bettisford, trial as signaller 2nd Class
14/05/16 Granted compassionate leave with free warrant
29/06/18 Granted Embarkation Leave
06/06/18 Posted to B.E.F. in France as a gunner
13/07/18 To 342 Siege Battery from Base
16/04/19 Demobbed to Mount Pleasant, Crich

Newspaper Reports

Derbyshire Times 4 August 1906
Many will be pleased to hear that Mr S. HOLLINGSWORTH, of Crich, has been honoured by being selected as solo tenor horn player in the famous Besses o’ th’ Barn Band, who have just started on a tour round the world. Mr HOLLINGSWORTH has been a player of the Lea Mills Prize Band for some time past.

Belper News 29 November 1907
The Besses o’ th’ Barn Band, who sailed from Australia last week, after their tour there, includes Mr Sam HOLLINGSWORTH, of Crich, who is a horn player. His many friends are arranging to welcome him home in a suitable manner. A committee has been formed, and a meeting held at the Kings Arms Hotel. Mr John KNEEBONE has been appointed secretary, and Mr W. WILLGOOSE treasurer, to try and raise subscriptions to get up a torchlight procession to greet Mr HOLLINGSWORTH on his return.

Derbyshire Courier, 29 March 1919
Crich, Lea and Holloway
The total number of men who have entered the Army and Navy from Crich since the beginning of the war in 1914 appeared to be about 300, of whom 60 had been killed and about 40 others seriously and permanently disabled.
The return to civil life of Gunner Samuel Hollingsworth has given great satisfaction to Crich parishioners generally and to music lovers in particular. Before joining up, Gunner Hollingsworth was beginning to see the fruits of his labour as bandmaster and conductor of the Crich Silver Band. During his absence Mr WT Curzon has deputised with much success, and on his return to the bandroom at their recent practice Mr Hollingsworth found that, despite war’s levy on the men, the band was still forging ahead. With over two dozen players and an excellent set of instruments, backed up by the skilled tuition of their returned leader, a rosy future is promised.

Derbyshire Courier, 30 August 1919
Mr S Hollingsworth and members of the Crich silver band were successful in a contest at Barrow Hill, on Saturday. Although it was their first attempt in the contest field since the band has been reconstituted, they gained the second prize in the quickstep piece, and fourth in the selection contest, against a number of high-class bands. A good future is assured for the band now that several of their former players have returned from military service.

Derbyshire Courier, 30 August 1919
An impressive memorial service for Lea and Holloway men who fell in the war was held at Christ Church, Holloway, on Sunday and was conducted by the Rev Canon WG Mosse, vicar of St Annes, Moseley, Birmingham. The congregation, which was representative of all classes, included the local discharged and demobilised soldiers and sailors, who marched in charge of ex-Sgt Foster from Lea Shaw to the church, headed by the Crich Silver Band. A portion of the church was also reserved for the relatives of the fallen. The service opened with the National Anthem, played by the band, under the batton of Mr S Hollingsworth. Canon Mosse preached from the text, “What mean ye by the service?” and emphasised the fact that if we must honour the memory of the fallen we must stand by the principles for which they fought and died. The hymns sung were: “For all the Saints,” “There’s peace and rest in Paradise,” and “Fight the good fight.” Miss B Price was the organist. After the sermon the band played the Dead March in “Saul,” and the “Last Post” was sounded by Mr S Hollingworth. Following the service the ex-soldiers reformed at the church gates and marched back to the Green, Holloway. The necessary arrangements had been made by the committee of the local branch of the Federation of Discharged and Demobilised Soldiers and Sailors.

Letter to JB Marsden-Smedley

I am quite well
I have received your parcel dated Sep 11th
Letter follows at first opportunity.
S. Hollingsworth
Oct 1st, 1918


CENSUS INFORMATION

1891: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Henry Hollingsworth Head 60 Chimney sweep Sutton in Ashfield
Ellen Hollingsworth wife 51   Crich
Samuel Hollingsworth son 9   Crich

RG12 piece 2747 folio 7 page 7

1901: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Alice Bunting Head (single) 52 Factory hand hosiery Bonsall
Frederica Bunting daughter 34 At home Crich
Samuel Hollingworth boarder 19 Factory hand hosiery Crich

RG13 piece 3231 folio 64 page 14

1911: Crich

Forename Surname Relationship Age Occupation Where born
Alice Bunting Head (single) 62 Factory hand bleacher hosiery Bonsall
Ann Bunting sister 59   Bonsall
Frederica Bunting sister 46   Crich
Samuel Hollingsworth nephew (married) 30 Factory hand machinist hosiery Crich
William Henry Hollingsworth nephew 1   Crich
Florence Allen neice 6   Crich

RG14PN20984 RG78PN1251 RD436 SD4 ED13 SN116

1918 Voters List
Samuel Hollingsworth, Crich, absent on military service.

1939 Register: Mount Pleasant, Crich
Samuel Hollingsworth b.6 June 1881; hosiery operative FWK
Martha A Hollingsworth b.10 September 1882
one closed record