Thank you to Molly Worsfold and Tim Dumas from St. Bartholomew Church in Leigh for allowing Dorking Museum to reproduce their research. Thank you to Steve White from Redhill Centre for Local and Family History and Lenka Cathersides from Dorking Museum for additional information.
Samuel was born in Keady Armagh, in what is now Northern Ireland in 1887. His father, also Samuel, worked as a farmer, and his mother was Eliza (nee Managhan), who died in 1899.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the widowed Samuel Shiveral and his children: Samuel, Sarah and Maggie lived in Clea, Keady Rural, Armagh, Ireland. Samuel Snr was still working as a farmer.
In 1911 Samuel is at St Lucia Barracks, Borden, Hampshire and is listed as a private in the Royal Irish Fusiliers.
On 13th June 1913 Samuel married Hannah “Louisa” Fairbeard at St Bartholomew Church, Leigh. At this time he was listed as a Groom – Gardener. Louisa lived in Leigh.
Samuel and Louisa had a daughter: Margaret, who was born in the 1st quarter of 1915 in Milton, Kent.
Samuel enlisted into the Royal Irish Fusiliers sometime between 1905 and 1906. But by 1913 had left. At the outbreak of war he must have been called up probably because he was a reservist.
He enlisted at Hamilton Lanarkshire, Service Number 9115, into the 1st Battalion of his old Regiment. On 18th August 1914, the Regiment were at Harrow preparing for overseas service. On 23rd August they arrived at Boulogne France. Samuel had a very short war as he was killed in action on 14th October 1914 during the Battle of Messines.
He is buried in Meteren Military Cemetery Nord France, Grave Number l.C.98.
Samuel was awarded the 1914 Star, British and Victory Medals.
Samuel left to his wife Louisa £3, 5s and 1d on the 31st of March 1915 and a further £5 on the 17th of July 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
Louisa later moved to 6 Sea View, Halstow, Sittingbourne, Kent.
Shiveral Family History
Samuel’s father Samuel Shiveral Snr was born about 1841 in Armagh, Ireland. His mother Eliza Shiveral was born about 1850.
Samuel and Eliza married in 1873 in Castleblayney, Armagh, Monaghan, Ireland.
Samuel had two known siblings: Sarah born about 1877 and Maggie born about 1883, both in Armagh, Ireland.
| Born | Keady, Co. Armargh | |
| Son of | Samuel and Eliza Shiveral of Keady, Co. Armagh | |
| Husband of | Louisa Shiveral (nee Fairbeard) | |
| Regiment | 1st Battalion. Royal Irish Regiment | |
| Number | 9115 | |
| Date of Death | 14th October 1914 | |
| Place of Death | Messines, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in action | |
| Age | 27 | |
| Cemetery | Meteren Military Cemetery, Nord, France |
