Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Samuel James Maltby, was born in Cambridge in 1889 to Samuel, a robe maker and tailor, and Sarah Maltby. He was one of 13 children.

In 1901 the family lived at 24 Norfolk Street, Cambridge, moving to 41 Norfolk Street by 1911. Samuel, a general labourer, was boarding at 22 St Mathews Street, Cambridge.  On attestation he is cited as a bill poster with the New Theatre Company.

Samuel enlisted as a Special Reservist in the Suffolk Regiment on 19 February 1914.  He sailed to France with the 1st Battalion Suffolk Regiment on 23 February 1915 which served at Ploegsteert, Kemmel, Poperinghe and the front line at Zonnebeke.  On 24 April 1915, he suffered a foot injury and was sent back to the UK.

On 19 January 1916, he sailed for Mesopotamia with the 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, 18th Brigade 6th Poona Division, part of the Indian Expeditionary Force.  In April 1916, he became seriously ill with stomach problems and was admitted to a military hospital in Bombay.  On his way home from India he contracted cholera and was hospitalised in Alexandria and then the Western General Hospital, Manchester, where he was diagnosed with a weakened heart, caused by active service and climatic conditions; he was discharged as medically unfit on 14 November 1916. Samuel passed through Peterborough East Station on 30 October 1916 and signed the visitors’ book.

Samuel was awarded the 14/15 Star, British War, Allied Victory Medals and Silver War Badge.

He married Mabel Frost in 1917 and lived at 9 Leader’s Row, Cambridge and worked for Cambridge City Council. In the 1939 Register he was still living at 9 Leader’s Row with his wife, Mabel; he was listed as a Corporation labourer and Mabel was a college bedmaker. Samuel died in Newmarket in 1971.

Three of Samuel’s brothers also served:  Sidney with the Royal Garrison Artillery, George, with the 18^th Training Reserve and Royal West Surreys.  Frank with the Yorkshire Regiment, who was killed on 19 July 1917 and is buried in Heninel Military Cemetary.

Samuel’s great nephew has been traced and has kindly supplied much of the information above.  http://familyatwar.co.uk/index.php/home/brothers–cousins/