Samuel John Musk

A Private with the 11th Battalion, Samuel died on 9th of April 1918 at the age of 20. 

Samuel was born at Lowestoft in 1898, a son of Thomas John and Elizabeth Sarah Musk. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 20 April 1898, and his family lived at 237 Raglan Street and this was still their home in 1901. By 1911 they were living at 31 Haward Street, and later his parents lived at 16 Marine Parade.

Samuel enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. He joined the Suffolk Regiment, service number 20192, and was posted to the 11th Battalion in France. Samuel was an Army Signaller.  

On 5 April 1918 the 11th Battalion occupied billets at Erquinghem, France. The Germans began bombing Erquignhem on 9 April and the battalion immediately moved into front line trenches in anticipation of an attack which came from the direction of Fleurbaux, but was driven back. A second attack from the Feurbaix area took place on 10 April and later that day the battalion were ordered to withdraw to north of the River Lys. A further withdrawal on the 11th was hampered by sniper and machine-gun fire but the battalion reached the Armentieres-Bailleul railway. On the 12th the battalion moved into attack formation about one mile south-east of Bailleul and late in the morning became involved in the fighting. The next day there was a heavy artillery bombardment and the enemy attacked in force from Outerstern and the battalion had to fall back. During the 14th the battalion took up positions near Bailleul railway station and late in the day they were relieved and marched to Meulehook. On the 15th due to enemy advances they were again in the front line. The next day they were patrolling and digging in. During the 17th there was heavy shelling and attempts by the enemy to advance. The battalion were relieved at 2 a.m. on April 18. 

What precisely happened to Samuel is not known. He was reported missing at some point between 9 April and 19 April 1918 and was later presumed to have been killed in action between those dates. 

The battalion’s casualties between 9 and 19 April were:
Officers: four killed; four died of wounds; five missing, ten wounded
Other ranks: 39 killed; three died of wounds; 272 missing; 157 wounded