Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday February 28th, 1919

COALVILLE SOLDIER’S DEATH

MILITARY FUNERAL AT HUGGLESCOTE

The death has occurred in hospital of Private Samuel Harold Deacon, aged 26, of the R.A.S.C. eldest son of the late Mr Samuel Deacon, of Jackson Street, Coalville. Deceased enlisted on October 9th, 1914, and subsequently went to Italy. His health gave way, and he was sent back to England, and had been in hospital at Warrington for nine months.

As a youth he was employed by the Midland Meat Co. at their shop in High Street, Coalville, and immediately before joining up, he was a butcher on his own account at Syston. His widow and two children reside at Sileby, and his mother at Jackson Street, Coalville, and much sympathy is felt for them at the receipt of the sad news.

The funeral took place on Wednesday afternoon from the house of the deceased’s mother, Mrs Tingle, Jackson Street. The body was enclosed in a polished elm coffin, mounted with brass furniture, shrouded with the Union Jack, and borne in a hearse, the bearers being Coalville soldiers in khaki. The first portion the service was held at Christ Church, Coalville, conducted by the Vicar, the Rev. S. Hosking, who read the service at the Baptist Burial Ground. The mourners were: The widow and seven year old son, Mr T. G. Deacon (eldest brother), Mrs E. Tingle (mother), Mr Alfred Deacon (youngest brother of deceased), Mr Wm. Allsopp of Sileby (uncle of deceased), Miss Ruby Deacon (sister of deceased), Mr B. L. Tingle (step-father), Mrs E. J. Burdett, of Ashby (aunt), Mr and Mrs T. Deacon, uncle and aunt (Ellistown), Mr and Mrs Jas. Gutteridge, aunt and uncle (Coalville), and Mrs G. Dakin, aunt of the widow.

Military honours were accorded, a firing party from the Wigston Barracks preceding the cortege from Coalville to the grave, where three volleys were fired, and a bugler sounded the “Last Post.” The beautiful floral tributes from the family and friends included a wreath from the widow and children, and a harp with broken string from deceased’s mother and family.

The coffin breast-plate bore the engraved inscription: “Samuel H. Deacon; died Feb. 22nd, 1919. Aged 26 years.”

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby 22/7/2018.