SAMUEL BUCKLEY LARE 

Samuel B. Lare is remembered on the Barnton, Christ Church Memorial, which records he served with the East Lancashire Regiment.

C.W.G.C. remember one lad named Lare and that is Samuel Buckley Lare, L/Cpl., No 73410 with the Machine Gun Corps (Infantry) 56th Coy, died 20th September 1917, aged 25, at the Oxford Road Cemetery (ll.A.8) Belgium. Son of Arthur and Mary Lare of 48 Nursery Rd., Barnton, Northwich, with the personal inscription “Not gone from memory or from love but gone to his heavenly home above.”

N.A.M.C. have just 1 lad named Lare with a metal card and that is Samuel B. Lare, Pte., with the East Lancashire Regiment No 7/13013 and the Machine Gun Corps L/Cpl. No 73410. Awarded the 15 Star, British and Victory medals. T.o.W. (1) D.o.E. 17-7-15. It is noted on the card he was K in A 20-9-17.

This lads surname of Lare makes him quite unique. He is the only “Fallen” lad with the name Lare registered with C.W.G.C. for WW1 and even more surprising there is only 1 lad named Lare with a medal card on N.A.M.C’s. There are 4 other lads that have a variation of Lare as in Laring and Van Laere. This suggests other members of his family did not serve in a Theatre of War. See family members as recorded on Cheshirebmd.

Cheshirebmd records the birth of a Samuel B. Lare in 1892, Weaverham. Checking if the family was larger, Cheshirebmd records the birth of Arthur in 1894 and Harry in 1896, both born in Weaverham, both lads of an age to have served.

B. M. & Co., R.o.H. booklet records a Samuel Buckley Lare, L/Cpl., M.G.C. and it is recorded K.i.A., and with that Samuel is named on the Winnington Works Memorial.

Northwich Guardian 5th Oct 1917.               ROLL OF HONOUR, KILLED, LANCE CORPORAL S. B. LARE

“Poor lad, one of the best and bravest. Barnton has need to mourn the loss of this there dear sone and no mistake. We all feel it very keenly and extend our sympathy to his people and sweetheart.” Thus wrote Private Cope of Lydiatt Lane, Barnton, of a comrade, Lance Corporal Lare, of the machine Gun Corps, who has fallen in action. He was the son of Mr. Arthur Buckley Lare of 48, Nursery Road, Barnton, an old captain on the river craft of Messrs Brunner, and was 23 years of age. He was well known and very popular in the village. He was educated at the Brunner Schools and was also a scholar at the United Methodist Sunday School. Football was his favourite recreation and he captained the United Methodist team when they won the Sunday School League championship, whilst he also assisted Barnton Villa to win the Altrincham Cup. He gave great promise as a footballer. In civil life he was employed in the cooperage at Winnington works and enlisted within three weeks of the declaration of war. After completing his training in England he went to the front on July 17th 1915 and about twelve months later was transferred from the East Lancashires to the Machine Gun Corps. He was slightly wounded on July 17th this year but he continued with his corps. Coming home on leave in August, he returned on the 23rd of that month. Second Lieutenant Eckersley, writing to Mrs Lare says:- “I am exceedingly sorry to have to convey bad news to you. Your son, Lance-Corporal Lare of this company, was killed by a shell early in the attack which started on the 20th inst. Although I am not his section officer I know that he was a fearless and trustworthy soldier. On behalf of all ranks I offer you our heartfelt condolence in your great bereavement. Of his two section officers one was killed and the other wounded.

                                                                                     “One of the Bravest and Best.”

On Wednesday Mrs Lare received the following letter from Private J. Molyneux, one of her son’s comrades:- “No doubt by now you will have received the sad news which struck us all so hard a blow a few days ago. However, though my letter will be of little consolation to you in your great bereavement, I feel I must write to you and extend to you my deepest sympathy and also that of my pals, who feel the loss very sorely for surely never had a man a better friend than dear Sam.

I was with him two or three days before he went up the line and could hardly believe the news when I heard it. All that we Barnton lads can think and speak of is about him, for really we had roughed some hard times together and so to have even another taken from us.

As a soldier he bears the name of one of the bravest and best amongst his company and as a pal, well, I cannot speak of him too highly. Bert Coupe wishes to join me in sending deepest sympathy and hopes that all of you will find strength to bear your great burden. He answered the call and has died a noble death, doing his duty fearlessly and faithfully. Let us pray it hath pleased God to call him to nobler work. Try to cheer up and look to God for help in your distress. Accept this little note as a token of our feelings for you and in respect for a pal whom we can never forget. A cross has been put up over his grave during the last day or two by his mates who buried him.”

Reearch Bob H.