Samuel Vergette
16
September 1898 – 4 October 1917
Born at 247 Eastfield Road, Peterborough,
Samuel Vergette was the only son of Charles Tomson Vergette
and his wife Maria (née Anderson). He had two younger
sisters, Katharine Alice and Evelyn. His father was an
auctioneer of 55 Broadway, and Mayor of Peterborough during
the First World War. Samuel's first school was Miss Mays,
he then entered The King’s School on 5 May 1908 aged 8. At
the age of 13 he left King’s to continue his education at
Wellingborough Grammar School. He was successful in
examinations and athletics, and played in the First XI in
both football and cricket. At the age of 16 in 1914 he left
Wellingborough to become a pupil in the firm of Messrs Fox
and Vergette, Auctioneers.
At the age of 17 he was gazetted to the
4th
Battalion Lincolnshire
Regiment on 3 October 1915. His army career was amazing: he
sailed for France 6 days later on 9 October to join his
battalion, and held positions as Sniping Officer,
Intelligence Officer and finally Acting Captain and
Adjutant. He was killed in action aged 19, at Polygon Wood
during the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as The Battle
of Passchendaele.
We know very little of Samuel, except that he packed his
short life with achievement, spirit and service to the men
he so bravely led. His memory may be best summed up in the
words of Brigadier-General Rawlings in his letter to
Samuel's parents. “He was a splendid boy, full of courage
and spirit, with a brilliant brain. He was the life of the
Lincolns, always ready for work and never tired, a perfect
example to all subalterns. Hardly 19, he had the confidence
and knowledge of one 10 years older.”
His effort was said to be worthy of a V.C. But he did not
receive either the V.C or the M.C, but he was mentioned in
Sir Douglas Haig’s dispatches for distinguished service in
the field.
Samuel's body was never found, and he is commemorated, like
Cyril Crick, on the memorial panels at Tyne Cot Cemetery,
Passchendaele. A memorial plaque and window to him are to
be found in Glinton Parish Church.
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