Born on 16th October 1896 at Leytonstone, eldest son of John Major (Ship Painter & Plumber) and Frances Amelia Wright, he was baptised at St John the Baptist Leytonstone on 17th December 1896. 1901: “Sammy” was with his family at 46 Chadwick Road, Leyton. 1911: He was a Boarding Pupil at “Bengal Lodge” Gresham’s School, Cromer Road, Holt, Norfolk, in a house run by Major John Chambre Miller. He entered the school in 1909 and remained there until 1913. He was also educated at Kent Coast College. In 1911 and at the time of his death the family home was at “Allerford” 94 Hermon Hill, Wanstead.
When war broke out he enlisted as a Driver in “A” Battery, Honourable Artillery Company, of which his Father had once been Captain. He went with them to Egypt, arriving on 21st April 1915, and so qualified for the 1914/1915 Star. In June 1916 he returned to England for Officer Training which he completed and was Commissioned on 9th August 1916. He was then posted to the Royal Field Artillery for service in France, where on 7th January 1918 he became a Lieutenant. In February 1918 he was serving with C Battery 157 Brigade.
During 24th February 1918 he was performing duty as a Liaison Officer in the front line near Boesinghe in Northern Ypres when he was struck in the head by a machine gun bullet and killed instantly.
His parents chose the words “For England” to be carved into his gravestone
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.Com
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Woodford Times
Gresham’s School Magazine