Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Samuel Hubbard, a shoe trade worker, born 1859 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire (son of Richard Hubbard, 1835-1885 and Eliza Shipley, 1825-1868) and his wife Jane Hubbard (nee Payne, married on the 14th April 1884 in the Church of St. Mary de Castro, Leicester), born 1854 in Leicester and baptised on the 15th January 1854 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester (daughter of George Payne, 1823 and Elizabeth Watts). Samuel Herbert was born in the October quarter of 1888 in Leicester and was baptised on the 2nd December 1888 in the Church of St. Mary de Castro, Leicester. Samuel’s father died in January 1891 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. In April 1891 Samuel was residing at 14, Jarrom Street, Leicester, together with his widowed mother and sister Charlotte Elsie, born in the January quarter of 1886 in Leicester and baptised on the 14th February 1886 in the Church of St. Mary de Castro, Leicester. In March 1901 Samuel was employed as an errand boy and was residing in the family home at 127, Havelock Street, Leicester, together with his widowed mother and sister Charlotte, a shoe trade machinist. In April 1911 Samuel was serving a sentence of imprisonment in H.M. Prison, Vernon Street, Derby.
Samuel enlisted/attested into the Army Reserve (Special Reservists) on the 21st August 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 11803. He gave his place of birth as Leicester and age as 26 years 239 days. His marital status was given as married and his trade or calling as shoe hand.
He confirmed that he had previously with the 2nd Battalion Nottinghamshire & Derbyshire Regiment for 3 years.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 21st August 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 26 years 239 days, that he was 5 feet 7¼ inches in height, weighed 131 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 34½ and 37½ inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and his hair colour was brown, his physical development was described as good. The following distinctive marks were noted, 5 crosses and 1 star on right arm, anchor and cross left arm. He gave his religion as Church of England.
He gave his next of kin as his wife, Kate Hubbard, 2 Court D, Belgrave Gate, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Posted. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 21/85/14.
Commenced. Recruits Training. Pte. 21/8/14.
Posted. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 2/9/14.
Forfeits 6 days’ pay for absence. 22/12/14.
Posted. 2nd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 24/1/15.
Embarked. Southampton. 26/1/15.
Admitted. 2nd General Hospital, Havre, Infected ear. 3/2/15.
Discharged. To Convalescent Camp. 10/2/15.
Re-joined. Battalion for duty. In the Field. 17/3/15.
Killed in action. Place not stated. Pte. 25/9/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 21/8/14 – 25/1/15. 158 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 26/1/15 – 25/9/15. 243 days.
Total Service. 1 year 36 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
Samuel’s surviving service record is in poor condition, the hand written information in some cases is barely legible, damaged or missing entirely, however the content does offer at least a little descriptive insight into some of the events that took place during his period of service.
On the 25th August 1916, Samuel’s unmarried wife, Kate Maycock of 14, Garden Street, Belgrave Gate, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Pension of fifteen shillings to commence on the 22nd August 1916
NOTE:
The background to the relationship between Samuel Herbert Hubbard and Kate Maycock is somewhat difficult to understand given the passage of time and difficulty in analysing what information is available, however to offer some family background that is at least, according to official documents that exist in the public domain factual, I would like to begin with Kate Maycock’s life up to her second marriage in 1919.
Kate Beck was born in 1888 in Bagworth, Leicestershire the daughter of Nathaniel Beck, a coal miner, born 1842 in Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire and his wife Hannah Beck (nee Hargrave), born 1847 in Sutton Cheney, Leicestershire. Kate married Harry Maycock on the 1st August 1903 in St. Peter’s Church, Belgrave, Leicester. In April 1911 Kate is widowed and residing as a boarder at 4, Bonners Lane, Leicester. On the 5th September 1911 Kate gave birth to a daughter, Maud Maycock. In the October quarter of 1913 she gave birth to another daughter, Mary Maycock. And on the 10th September 1914, she gave birth to a son, Samuel Maycock, who was baptised on the 21st September 1914 in Christ Church, Leicester, he died on the 17th November 1914 in Leicester. There is no record of Kate Maycock ever marrying Samuel Hubbard. And in the January quarter of 1919 she is clearly recorded as Kate Maycock when she married Harry Smith in Leicester.
In the Army Service documents of Samuel Hubbard there are three items of particular interest, the first is in that in a written communication dated the 23rd November 1914, from Mr. G. G. Smith, the North West Leicestershire District Registrar of Births and Deaths, to the Military Authorities, he states that Kate Maycock makes claim that she married Samuel Hubbard immediately after the birth of Samuel Maycock, and the death certificate issued for Samuel Maycock clearly states “Son of Kate Maycock now the wife of Samuel Hubbard, Private, 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (News Vendor).”
Secondly, on the 30th October 1919, the Army Form W.5080, that was completed and submitted by Kate Maycock, she claimed that Samuel was the father of Maud Maycock, giving Maud’s address as Red Lion Cottage, Newbold Verdon, Leicestershire. In her statement she describes herself as Mrs. K. Smith, mother of deceased soldier’s child, 1, Cottage Place, Brook Street, Leicester.
Thirdly, Samuel claimed in his service record to have been married, and gave his wife as Mrs. Kate Hubbard as his next-of-kin.
Kate made a claim for an Army Pension in 1916, and the pension documents record her as an unmarried wife. However, no mention is made by her of any dependent children.
The War Diary records: 25 Sept-15 - At 5.30 am the Battalion was in positions of readiness in accordance with orders in four lines opposite their objective with bombing parties, sandbag parties and carrying parties all arranged and in position. At 6.00 am the first line got over the parapet quickly followed by the second, the left had to right form to get in line with the right as the trench ran back from a salient near the centre. As the first two lines went out the third and fourth filed into the vacant positions in the firing line. The gas affected a number of our men, and the smoke caused a dense fog and direction was difficult. Casualties began at once and the third line was ordered out to fill up gaps. Owing to the thick smoke it seemed likely that gaps would occur on the flanks and at 6.07 am the fourth line was sent out with special instructions to maintain touch with the units on either flank. At about 6.10 am the left were over the German parapet and our flag was seen flying on their lines. The left went forward with such dash that they outstripped the 2/8th GURKHAS and came in for a lot of fire from rifles and maxim guns from our right. This caused a good many casualties including all the officers and most of the NCOs of “A” Company which was the extreme left. Undeterred the men went on, got over the uncut wire and reached the road with parties of the 2/8th GURKHAS and gained their objective. In the meantime, our right had not fared so well. They went forward in good line under a heavy fire till held up by the German wire. A number of our men here were collected in the ditch in front of the German wire waiting for developments. Officer casualties. Killed Captain F. H. ROMILLY D.S.O., Captain E. C. DEANE, R.A.M.C. Died of wounds 2nd Lieutenant M. W. BROWNE. Wounded Lieutenant Colonel H. GORDON D.S.O., Captain W. C. WILSON, Lieutenant H. H. PHILLIPS, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. TANNER, 2nd Lieutenant H. H. HEMPHILL, 2nd Lieutenant V. E. ELLINGHAM, 2nd Lieutenant C. C. BAILEY, 2nd Lieutenant G. W. GROSSMITH. Slightly wounded Major F. LEWIS, Captain D. L. WEIR. Gassed 2nd Lieutenant W. WILSON. Missing and believed killed Lieutenant W. T. PICKIN, 2nd Lieutenant R. E. S. LODGE. Missing known to have been wounded 2nd Lieutenant C. G. WOODBOURN. Missing and no trace 2nd Lieutenant W. J. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant E. A. WILKINSON, 2nd Lieutenant T. R. LONGCROFT. Rank and file casualties. Killed 72. Wounded 217. Gassed 42. Missing 96. Wounded slightly but did not quit Battalion 3. What was left of the Battalion were relieved from the front line by the 2/39th GARWHAL RIFLES at 6.30 pm and moved into support and local reserve just in rear. Before the operations began the Battalion worked for a week in strengthening the front line and preparing the defences behind. Four very strong lines were constructed capable of resisting the enemy’s bombardment.
On Wednesday, November 3rd, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – OTHER CASUALTIES. – Mrs. S. Hubbard, wife of Private H. HUBBARD, 2nd Leicester’s, has received official intimation that her husband was killed in action in France on the 26th September. Private Hubbard was 26 years of age, and enlisted at the outbreak of the war. He leaves a widow and one child, who live at 96, Belgrave-gate. For many years he was a “Mercury” newsvendor.
On Friday, November 5th, 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. FALLEN LEICESTERS. - (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. S. HUBBARD, 2nd Leicester’s, age 26 years, killed in action. His relatives reside at 98, Belgrave-gate, Leicester.