Samuel Lemon
Surname: Lemon
Other names: Samuel
Locations in this story: Hartgrove, West Orchard, Shaftesbury, DorsetSouth AfricaFrance & FlandersBroadway, GloucestershireWest Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury, DorsetNeuve Chapelle, France
Story: Samuel Lemon was born at Hartgrove, West Orchard, Shaftesbury, on 23rd November 1875, the son of George Thomas Lemon, an agricultural labourer and Eliza Lemon (née Dibben) who came from Fontmell Magna. The family lived in East and West Orchard during his younger days. Samuel had previous service as a reservist with the 1st Dorset Volunteer Reserves but formally enlisted on 14th May 1894 and joined the Scots Guards (Service No. 414). He served in South Africa and received a number of campaign medals along with the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. He had a distinguished career, rising to Acting Company Sergeant Major. He married Priscilla Jane Plowman on 21st February 1903 at Christ Church, Broadway, Gloucestershire. It is not known if there were any children of the marriage.
On 5th October 1914, after the outbreak of the First World War, Samuel was posted to France. While there he received gun shot wounds to the thigh in March 1915. He was repatriated to the UK to recuperate and on the 1st June 1915 it was announced in the London Gazette that he had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The citation read: "Corporal S. Lemon, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards - For gallant conduct and devotion to duty at Neuve Chapelle from 10th-14th, March, 1915. In dressing the wounded under fire and directing the stretcher bearers. He was himself wounded whilst performing this duty." He was finally discharged on a pension on 13th May 1916, having completed the term of his engagement - 22 years service. He was also in receipt of the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.
The 1921 Census shows he took up residence at 9 West Orchard, Shaftesbury, where he was described as a General Labourer (out of work). By the 1939 Register he had moved to 54 West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury still as a General Labourer. During the Second World War he served in the Fontmell Magna Home Guard, retiring in 1942, aged 66. He died on 25th December 1953 and was interred in St. Andrew's Churchyard, Fontmell Magna.
Samuel's youngest brother, Charles (b.1886) also served in the conflict but was killed in action in 1916 while serving in France with the Royal Garrison Artillery.
Printed Source:
"A Local Hero. Samuel Lemon DCM (1875-1953)" by Dave Hardiman
On 5th October 1914, after the outbreak of the First World War, Samuel was posted to France. While there he received gun shot wounds to the thigh in March 1915. He was repatriated to the UK to recuperate and on the 1st June 1915 it was announced in the London Gazette that he had been awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal. The citation read: "Corporal S. Lemon, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards - For gallant conduct and devotion to duty at Neuve Chapelle from 10th-14th, March, 1915. In dressing the wounded under fire and directing the stretcher bearers. He was himself wounded whilst performing this duty." He was finally discharged on a pension on 13th May 1916, having completed the term of his engagement - 22 years service. He was also in receipt of the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star.
The 1921 Census shows he took up residence at 9 West Orchard, Shaftesbury, where he was described as a General Labourer (out of work). By the 1939 Register he had moved to 54 West Street, Fontmell Magna, Shaftesbury still as a General Labourer. During the Second World War he served in the Fontmell Magna Home Guard, retiring in 1942, aged 66. He died on 25th December 1953 and was interred in St. Andrew's Churchyard, Fontmell Magna.
Samuel's youngest brother, Charles (b.1886) also served in the conflict but was killed in action in 1916 while serving in France with the Royal Garrison Artillery.
Printed Source:
"A Local Hero. Samuel Lemon DCM (1875-1953)" by Dave Hardiman
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