Samuel Morgan Ormrod

Private 7177
16th Bn, Manchester Regiment

Only son of George and Louie Ormrod, of 67 Alexandra Rd South, Whalley Range, Manchester; husband of Clarice Evelyn Ormrod, of 21 Richmond Grove East, Longsight, Manchester.

At the time of the 1901 Census Samuel was living with his parents and siblings at 60 Ludlow St, Manchester.

The details recorded on the census entry are as follows.

Samuel was killed in action, aged 25, on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. At that time the 16th (Service) Battalion (1st City), Manchester Regiment, were attached to 90th Brigade, 30th Division. They were also known as the 1st Manchester Pals.

The 30th Division had been assigned to assault the village of Montauban at the southern end of the Somme Front, on the extreme right of the Allied offensive

Martin Middlebrook in The First Day on the Somme describes how the 16th Manchesters were one of three battalions who had been ordered to pass through the leading troops and attack the village of Montauban:

"At first all went well. As the three battalions advanced in perfect order up the slope, a few German shells fell among them, but the ground had been so pulverized by the British bombardment that the explosions in the soft earth caused few casualties. But the attackers were now in an exposed position with both flanks wide open, for the French had decided to go no farther and the 18th Division was held up by strong opposition.

On the left a single German machine-gun crew spotted the Manchesters and Scots Fusiliers and opened fire. The attack faltered ... A Manchester Lewis gunner engaged the German post and silenced it, but not before it had caused heavy casualties to all three battalions, particularly among the officers. All the leading company commanders were killed or badly wounded, one major losing both eyes."

In The Somme - The Day-by-Day Account Chris McCarthy describes how "at 08.30 a.m. 90 Brigade began its advance on Montauban, passing through 21 Brigade with 16th and 17th Manchesters. The 2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers were in close support. Despite machine-gun fire from Breslau Alley, they continued their advance, and the German machine-gun was finally wiped out by a Lewis-gun of 16th Manchesters. Under cover of a smoke-screen, the Manchesters and Royal Scots Fusiliers entered the village of Montauban at 10/03 a.m., to find it deserted. By 11 a.m. the second objective in Montauban Alley was entered. The Germans were pulling back in large numbers. The 16th Manchesters rushed the battery in Caterpillar Alley and captured the first three field guns of the Battle. Montauban was consolidated."

In British Battalions on the Somme, Ray Westlake notes that the 16th Manchesters "assembled in Cambridge Copse for attack on Montauban (1/7). On left of 90th Brigade's assault (17th Manchester on right), advanced along east side of Talus Boisé at 8.30 a.m. - soon heavy casualties from machine gun situated in old German line near Breslau Alley - Train Alley reached - Lewis gun team cleared machine gun from strong-point. Continued advance - all company commanders casualties. Montauban entered at 10.05 a.m. Official History of The Great War records men of 16th Manchesters drove German artillerymen from their guns in Caterpillar Valley."

By the end of the first day of the Battle of the Somme 30th Division had taken all its objectives.

Samuel has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing (Pier and Face 13 A and 14 C).

He is believed to be the S.M. Ormrod commemorated on the dedicatory plaque attached to the organ at St James' Church, Moss Side, Greater Manchester.

The Soldiers Died in the Great War Database records that Samuel was born in All Saints, Manchester, and enlisted in the Army in Manchester.