William Thomas Samways

Story:
William Thomas Samways was born in Ashmore, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 24th April 1899 and baptised there on 9th July 1899, the son of Richard George Samways and Edith Emma Samways (née Farmer). He spent his early years with the family at Well Bottom, Ashmore.   He enlisted 5th Reserve Battalion of the Corps of Hussars as a Private (Service No. 69318).  He was discharged as being physically unfit for further service on 12th December 1919 - he had a valvular disease of the heart aggravated by his service and received a short lived pension.  No medal records have been found.   By the 1921 Census he was recorded as 'Thomas' living with his parents in Green Lane, Ashmore, working as a Ploughman.  He married Gladys A. Taylor in the Mere, Wiltshire, Registry area in 1928.   By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Bowers Barn Cottage, Iwerne Minster, Dorset, and was working as a Farm Carter.  He died in the Poole, Dorset, Registration area in 1977.