Samuel's Story.
Samuel Joynson was born on the 13th January 1896, and was the son of William and Christina Joynson of 74 York Street, Runcorn. As a boy he attended Balfour Road School from its opening in August 1908 until 1909 and was first employed on the Manchester Ship Canal tugs, before moving to Castner Kellner works at Weston Point.He enlisted at Runcorn on the 8th September 1914 with the 4th Bn. Cheshire Regiment, serving in France, Egypt, Palestine and again in France. In May 1916 he was seriously wounded by shrapnel at Vimy Ridge and was a patient in Bristol for 5 months, befofe being sent to Egypt in January 1917. He was then sent to France in July 1918 as an Officers orderly.
Samuel was affected by very severe gas poisoning and also extensive burns from mustard gas on July 29th , during an attack on Soissonaos Ourcq. He was evacuated to England, to Winchester Hospital, where he died on 8th August 1918.
His funeral took place on the 14th August in Runcorn with the Rev B.S. Sapwell officiating.
The coffin was brought to the graveside by four wounded soldiers from the Cottage Hospital, and the Castner Kellner cadets also attended in uniform, where the bugler sounded "The Last Post" at the graveside.
Compiled by Graeme Ainsworth and Percy Dunbavand.