Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Births Sep 1897  Samuel Mansfield 7b 108

Deaths Jun 1918 Renshaw Samuel 21 Lambeth 1d 266

Samuel was the son of Samuel and Ann Renshaw (nee Warsop). His father Samuel was born in Mansfield in 1869 , the son of Henry and Ann Renshaw. The family was living at West Gate, Thompson's Alley, Mansfield, in 1871; Henry was a small ware dealer. By 1891 Henry and Ann were living in Bells Yard, Mansfield. Henry was a general dealer and Samuel (21) a rag merchant along with two of his brothers while three of their sisters were shop assistants, probably all working with their father. His mother Ann Warsop was born in 1872 in Mansfield,  the daughter of John and Emma Warsop. She was baptised on 1 June 1873 at Mansfield,  St John the Evangelist; her parents lived at The Lawns, Mansfield. In 1881 John, an iron moulder, and Emma were living at 31 Union Street, Mansfield, with their five children including Ann (9). Samuel Renshaw and Ann Warsop were married at the Mansfield Wesleyan Chapel in 1894 .They had at least four children, all born in Mansfield: Harold born abt 1894, Samuel b. 1897 , Edward Baden b. 6 May 1900  bap. St John the Evangelist 3 June 1900 and Thomas Alfred birth registered 1902 (Mansfield). There was probably also a daughter, Florence Annie b and died 1895 (Mansfield, mother's maiden name Warsop) . In 1901 Samuel, a dealer, and Ann were living at 7 West Gate, Thompson Alley, Mansfield, with their three sons Harold (6), Samuel (4) and Edward (11 months) and Samuel's nephew John H Renshaw (15). Samuel snr. died in Mansfield on 25 May 1903 aged 34

and was buried in Mansfield (Nottingham Road) Cemetery. The probate record gave his address as Rosemary Street, Mansfield. According to a newspaper report of Samuel jnr's death in 1918 it appears that Ann Renshaw and Samuel, if not her other sons, emigrated to Freemantle, Western Australia, in about 1909. Ann died in Freemantle on 8 March 1914 age 41. However, it would seem that Harold remained in England as in 1911 he was recorded living with his maternal grandparents, John and Emma Warsop, at 31 Union Street, Mansfield. Harold (17), surname Warsop on the census, was working as an assistant in a bottling stores (beer and stout). Harold enlisted in the South African Infantry and was killed in action on 17 July 1916. The youngest son, Thomas Alfred, has not been traced beyond 1919 and may have settled in Australia. However, Edward Baden was recorded marrying Ethel Hemsley in Mansfield in 1927 . In 1939 when the England & Wales Register was compiled Edward and Ethel (born 25 April 1902) were living at 21 Bleakhills Sheep Bridge Lane, Mansfield, with their son Edward Brian (born 25 April 1930). Edward Baden [who went by the name of Baden] worked for a hosiery manufacturer as a Cottons patent knitter labourer. He died aged 74 in 1974 ( Mansfield).

Samuel emigrated to Australia about 1909 and was a cigar maker's apprentice. Address given on enlistment on 7th September 1915 was 202 Adelaide Terrace, Perth, Australia.

Lance Sergeant Samuel Renshaw served with the 12th Battalion Australian Infantry. He embarked for Europe aboard HMAT Runic on 29th January 1916. He was severely injured by a shell burst on 8 May 1918 and was medically evacuated to England but died almost immediately after admission to  the King George Hospital, Stamford Street, Lambeth, South London from his wounds.

His brother Private Harold Renshaw, Service Number: 892 also fell. He was with the 2nd Regiment South African Infantry, and was killed in action on 17th July 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial at Pier and Face 4 C.

Great War fatalities from the Mansfield area, whose names do not appear on local memorials, are commemorated in the Book of Remembrance [Mansfield and District War Memorial] held by Mansfield District Council  at the Mansfield District Council Offices on Chesterfield Road, Mansfield.

A report published on 31st May 1918 in the Mansfield Reporter and Sutton Times reads :- “SERGEANT SAMUEL RENSHAW DIES OF WOUNDS. “Sergeant Samuel Renshaw, aged 20, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. S. Renshaw. Bells-yard, Westgate. has died of wounds in a London Hospital, we regret to state, and been buried at Mansfield. At the age of 12 he was taken out to Australia by his mother, and on the outbreak of war he enlisted and came over with the 12th Battalion Australian Imperial Force. He took part in many of the big engagements in France, notably  Pozieres, Bullecourt, and Bethune, and once he was one of only 22 out of 500 who answered the roll-call. A fine soldier he was, and was held in the highest esteem by his comrades. At his funeral the Australian Force was represented. It appears that a shell burst near to him, and badly injured his spine. He was brought to England but only lived a few days. He lost a brother in the Delville Wood fighting. A month after war broke out he enlisted.”

He left his estate to his brothers, Edward Baden Renshaw and Thomas Alfred Renshaw  in equal shares.