Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Samuel McGrow was born on 27 December 1885, in Dunbar, Scotland the son of George and Isabella McGrow. He had seven siblings.

In 1901 the family were living at 18 Moir Street, Glasgow. Samuel married Elizabeth Christie at Rutherglen on 9 April 1907. On his attestation they were listed as living at 5 Silvergrove Street, Bridgeton, Glasgow and had one child Isabella, born in 1912; a further child, Andrew, was born in 1917.

On attestation Samuel stated that he was a plater by trade, but his last employment prior to war service was as a plasterer for Alexander Stevens & Co Ltd, Shipbuilders, Linthouse, Glasgow.

Samuel enlisted on 5 December 1915 to the 5th (Reserve), Argylle and Sutherland Highlanders and was mobilised and posted on 31 May 1916.

When Samuel passed through Peterborough East Station and signed the visitors’ book on 12 May 1917, he was travelling with two comrades Lance Corporal Langskail and Private R Menzies.  They wrote: “Stranded here for 8 hours Sunday 21st May but found “a home from home” in the G.E.R. “Soldiers & Sailors Rest room” to the Ladies of which we offer our most grateful thanks and best wishes.”

On 29 November 1918, he had two spells of hospitalisation and was charged with overstaying sick leave by five days and forfeited five days pay. On the 10 April 1918, he was known to be serving in France and was demobilised on 20 February 1919.

Samuel was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Samuel McGrow.