232085 Pte Samuel Charles Mace British Army 2nd Btn Coldstream Guards from:Lancefield Street, Queens Park, London (d.2nd Aug 1917) Samuel Mace was born 20th Dec 1888 in Leicester and joined the Coldstream Guards on the 7th May 1906 in that city. His trade before entering the army was a moulder. His education within the Army took place at the Duke of York's Royal Military School; Royal Hibernian Military School; Industrial School under Home Office or Local Government Board. He obtained a Certificate of Education 2nd Class on 6 July 1906 and also passed swimming in 1906 and passed Ambulance Class at Aldershot on 19th March 1907. He married Mabel Cove on 25th December 1911 and they had three children - Eileen, Samuel Alan (known as Alan) and Joan born in 1916 the day after Samuel returned to the front.
His military history sheet shows that he served at home from 7th May 1906 until 25th August 1914. From 26th August 1914 until 14th December 1914 he was with the Expeditionary Forces Overseas. Between 15th December 1914 and 8th August 1916 he was serving at home. From the 9th August 1916 until 2nd August 1917 he was with the Expeditionary Forces Overseas. His wounds were: Shell wound shoulder - Routed 6.11.14
and a Gun shot wound to the head at Bolsinghe.
He died on 2nd August 1917 from this second wound in No. 46 Casualty Clearing Station, France and Mabel was notified on the 8th August (the day before Joan's first birthday). He is buried at Mendinghem British Cemetery 4 1/2 miles NW of Poperinghe - Mabel was notified of his burial place on 19th November 1917. His total years of service was 11 years 88 days.
Mabel received 26/3d a week War Widow's Pension from 11th Feb. 1918. Sam's Service Record doesn't indicate whether there was any backdated pension to August 1917. Mabel received Sam's posthumous campaign medals in 1922 - a 1914 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
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