Henry (Harry) Samuels  First son of William Samuels and his wife Lucy Ann, née Messenger, he was born in 1870 (4Q), mother's maiden name Messenger. (Note: 1939 register records his birth as 9 November 1871 not 1870). His father was a bricklayer and his parents lived at Blue Ball Yard, Greenham Street, Greenham.
Later the growing family moved to Wards Cottages, Stroud Green East Side, and by the 1891 census Henry had joined his father working for GWR as a railway packer. In 1899 he married Kate Theresa Wait in Highclere. She was born in Burghclere. From the 1901 census they have moved to Daisy Cottages, 1 Railway Road, Newbury; his occupation plumber's labourer; and Isaac C. Johnson, a railway porter, is boarding with them. A daughter, Irene May Samuels, was born on 26 November 1904.
In 1911 the family are living at 14 Railway Road. Henry is still working with GWR as a general labourer. He was admitted to the National Union of Railwaymen on 27 February 1915: occupation/trade — labourer; trade — railway worker. They continued to live at 14 Railway Road. Theresa died on 13 October 1930 aged 58 and she was buried on 17 October: probate to her husband Harry Samuels, railway labourer.

In 1934 he married again to Wilhelmina Willmott and they are recorded in the 1939 register, still living at 14 Railway Road. Henry has retired from GWR, his final occupation being storekeeper. Wilhelmina's occupation is office cleaner.
He died on 12 December 1949 aged 79 years and on 14 December he was buried in the same plot as his first wife Kate Theresa. Probate went to his widow Wilhelmina. From the grave inscription it appears that she was known as Jessie.
His second wife Wilhelmina died on 20 May 1975. From the probate record she was still living at 14 Railway Road.

Mrs. P. Code NAl2, page 51
Sources: Birth Index 40.1870; 1871 to 1911 census; Marriage Index 3Q 1899 and 10 1934; 1939 Register; BBI; British Trade Union Membership Register, National Union of Railwaymen.

Author: D Duff
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