THE SHORT lives of brothers, Percy and William Samuel, read out by Harlow Council’s Paul Keen.

This is one of our 128 films paying tribute to the men of Harlow who gave their lives in WW1.

Thanks to Harlow Council’s Civid Fund and HTS Ltd for help in this project.

Never Forget.

Percy and William’s parents were Christopher Samuel, born in Harlow in 18641 and Emily Ann Stracey, born in Sawbridgeworth in 18702. They married in Harlow in the summer of 18893 and Percy Samuel was born in Harlow in the spring of 18914. William Samuel was born in Harlow in the summer of 18975.
The 1901 census shows Percy and William residing in Garden Terrace, Harlow with their parents and siblings Beatrice, Ethel and Walter. Christopher was working as an agricultural labourer. The 1911 census shows Percy living in Old Road, Harlow with his wife Emma and their one year old daughter Lillian. Percy was working as a butcher’s roundsman looking after ponies. Percy and Emma were to have two further children, Percy, born in 1913 and Albert, born in 1915. During this period the family moved to Enfield. Percy married Emma Day in Harlow in the summer of 19106.
Private William Samuel, 29314 enlisted in Harlow and joined the 1st Battalion of The Essex Regiment. The regiment fought in Gallipoli and then on the Western Front.
William appears to have been held as a Prisoner of War (POW), during The First Battle of the Scarpe and died on 14 April 1917, aged 19. He is commemorated on The Arras Memorial to the Missing, France, Bay 7. Register index number MR20 in the absence of burial information by the Germans
Private Percy Samuel, G/43528, was most likely to have been conscripted in 1916 into the 1st Battalion of The Middlesex Regiment. He fought in numerous battles during the war. Percy was killed in action on the first day of The Second Battle of The Scarpe, during The Battle of Arras, on 23 April 1917, aged 26. Percy’s death was just nine days after the death of his younger brother. Percy is commemorated on The Arras Memorial to the Missing, France. Bay 7. Register Index Number MR20.
At the time of Percy’s death, his wife Emma was living at 51 Main Avenue, Bush Hill Park, Enfield. Percy and William’s family were residing in The High Street, Harlow.