| Rank | Private |
| Service # | A 1280 |
| Unit # | 33rd |
| Resident | Chatham |
Regimental number: A1280. Reference: RG 150, Accession 1992-93/166, Box 4219 – 40, Item: 454343, PDF: 4219-SO40. Date of Birth: 22/02/1874 in London, England. Married to Francis Heather of 208 Inches Ave., Chatham, ON. From Samuel’s “Will” Francis was living at 41 Dover Rd., Chatham, ON. Occupation labourer
Attestation: 12 Apr. 1915 at London, ON., age 41 years, 2 months. Height 5’ 5”, dark complexion, hazel eyes and dark brown hair, 135 #. A sailor tattoo on the right forearm. Enlisted with the 33rd Bn. Enlisted to the the 33rd Batt. His unit sailed 13/03/1916.
Private Heather enlisted Apr. 1915, proceeded overseas with the 33rd battalion and joined the 1st battalion in France the latter part of August.
He was examined 9/07/15 at St. Martin’s Plain, England. Age 42 years, 137 lbs. vision good Transferred to the 12 Batt
Drafted to the 1st Cdn. Battalion 29/08/15 – Nominal Roll. Samual was reported on the unit 5/09/15. He was granted a 9 day leave 9/04/16 and rejoined the unit 16/04/16.
Attached to stretcher-bearers of the 1st battalion going through all engagements until killed by a German shell Apr. 26, 1916.
It was reported that Pte. KIA 26/04/16. He was eligible for the 1914 / 15 Star (401280). The Memorial Cross went to his mother Mrs. S. Heather Hemingford Rd., Islington, England (757404) and his wife Heather received the Scroll and Plaque
The Death of Pte. Sam Heather A1280.
From a letter of Pte. J. Foy – Writing to Mrs. Francis Heather.
Printed in the Chatham Daily Planet 2 June, 1916.
It is with deep regret and sorrow that I write these lines in acknowledgement of the receipt of your box, which came today.
Our comrade, Mr. Heather, as you will by now have been informed, has fallen doing his duty, even up to the instant of his death.
The Germans were shelling our position heavily at the time, and Mr. Heather was called to attend a wounded man; he was running up the trench toward the man, when a shell struck him, killing him instantly
He died a noble death, endeavoring to aid a stricken comrade, but still the blow is here, and my heart goes out in sympathy to his now twice bereft family
I took the liberty of dividing the parcel amongst the lads in the S.B. (Stretcher Bearers) section, as Sam would have done had he been living to receive it.
I am.
Sincerely yours,
Pte J. Foy,
B. 1st Battalion,
C.E.F. , France.
Age: 43 KIA Date of Death: 26/04/1916. Service No: A/1280
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead Grave/Memorial Reference: XV. F. 15. Cemetery: HOOGE CRATER CEMETERY.
The Heather Family
” There were now drafts of Chatham men arriving at the front [2nd. Contingent C.E.F.] and LaMarsh describes their meeting at the cook wagon. “The new chaps said they are better than the original first contingent bunch; that they were more entitled to credit for enlisting when they knew what they were up against, while we of the first didn’t.” This of course evoked a great storm around ‘the cooker’. Getting into the fray was Albert BATES, Joe IVISON and Clate.
“Sam HEATHER, the father of Jimmy [Thomas James] had also arrived with the new draft. Son Jimmy”, LaMarsh reported, “treated him with lofty disdain, as the old ‘veteran’ to a rookie”. It seems that all of the, “old Chatham boys left in the company have secured their strips. Can you imagine”, ponders Clayton, “Jimmy orders to his father, threatening him with incarceration in the ‘clink’ while his fond and devoted parent comes back with ‘wait till I get you home and you will get what for.”
Ironically Clate goes on to write, However Sam is a smart looking soldier and I hope sincerely that Jimmy[also a stretcher bearer] never has the duty of carrying his father out on a stretcher.” In fact it was the exact opposite, it was Sam who carried the mortally wounded Jimmy 18/03/1916, to the C.C.S. [Casualty Clearing Station].
Nursing Sister L. E. Jolley, Sister in Charge
No. 2 Clearing Station – 18 March, 1916
Letter to Mrs. S. Heathe
Dear Mrs. Heather,
I am very sorry indeed to tell you your son Pte. T. J. Heather was brought in here to No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station very severely wounded in the hands, forehead and right leg. Everything possible was done for him and we made him happy and comfortable as we could but he passed peacefully away at 1:45 this afternoon.
I believe his father helped to bring him in when wounded so no doubt you will hear particulars from him. I told him I would write and let you know we were taking care of him and he sent his love and hoped you would not worry
He will be laid to rest in a part of the cemetery here reserved for our brave troops and a little wooden cross bearing his name and date marks each resting place.
I enclose a lock of his hair, I am sure you will like to have.
With much sympathy.
Yours Sincerely,
L.E. Jolley
Sister in charge.
The story did not end here.
The Death of Private Sam Heather A1280.
From Pte. J. Foy Letter
Printed in Chatham Daily Planet 2/06/1916.
Writing to friends in Chatham.
It is with deep regret and sorrow that I write these lines in acknowledgement of the receipt of your box, which cane to-day
Our comrade, Mr. Heather, as you will by now have been informed, has fallen doing his duty, even up to the instant of his death
The Germans were shelling our position heavily at the time, and the late Mr. Heather was called to attend a wounded man; he was running up the trench toward the man, when a shell struck him, killing him instantly
He died a noble death, endeavoring to aid a stricken comrade, but still the blow is hear, and my heart goes out in sympathy to his now twice bereft family
I took the liberty of dividing the parcel amongst the lads in the S.B. Section, as Sam would have done had he been living to receive it. I am
Sincerely yours,
PTE. J. Foy,
S.B. 1st Battalion
C.E.F.France.
A second son, Samuel R Heather [M2/153336], serving with the Imperial Army would also not survive the war. This left the widow Mrs. Heather alone with five children still at home.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
| Cenotaph | Chatham and Kent County Cenotaph - Chatham |
| Sources | Chatham Daily Planet (22-06-1917), Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Chatham Daily Planet (27-07-1917), Chatham Daily Planet (27-09-1919), Centennial Chatham 1895-1995 - John Rhodes, Park Street Methodist Church, Books of Remembrance for the Great War 1914 - 18. At St. Andrews UC, Chatham - January 2010, Chatham Daily Planet (02-06-1916) |
| Supplemental Information | Wife: Mrs. Frances F. Heather, Chatham Children: Samuel (killed in action), William, Mabel, Albert, Matthew, Joseph, Donald, Viloet |
| Height | 5'5" |
| Weight | 135 lbs. lbs |
| Eye Colour | Hazel |
| Age | 41 yrs. 2 mths. |
| Complexion | Dark |
| Hair | Dark Brown |
| Race | white |
| Birthplace | London, England |
| Religion | Anglican |
| Last Place of Employment | William Gray-Sons-Campbell Company, Chatham |
| Average Earnings | 21/wk |
| Marital Status | married |
| When Enlisted | April 1915 |
| Where Enlisted | London, Ontario |
| Allowance from Patriotic Fund | 25/mth |
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