Hyde In War Time (1914-16) Page 38-39 ( Continued )

“Forty Gang” Heroes Continued 

Sniped While On Duty.

After spending only a few weeks in France, Private Samuel Smally., of George Street Hyde, a well known member of the “Gang,” was shot dead by a German sniper on the 3rd November, 1915. His regiment was holding a wood that had been taken by the British in the heavy fighting of the Loos battle, and he and a few comrades were repairing a trench that had given way in consequence of the heavy rain. For those who have had no experience of trench warfare in rainy weather it is not easy to realise the various dangers that beset the men engaged in it. At the moment he was shot, Private Smally was in imminent danger of either being drowned or buried alive under falling earth. In order to escape this fate he made a spring. This caused him to be seen above the trench by a sniper, and he was shot in the head. Private Smally, before enlisting on the 28th September, 1914, was a crane driver at the works of Daniel Adamson and Co., Hyde Junction. He was a married man, and his wife had no fewer that 14 relatives serving in France including a son, who, curious to relate, was going up to the trenches when her husband was being carried out.

Private SAMUEL SMALLY

Shot Dead By A Sniper Whilst Doing His Duty

Another Member Missing

An official intimation from the War-Office was received on November 15th, by Mrs Walker, Bower Street, Hyde, that her husband, Private John Walker had been missing since the 3rd October. Private Walker was in the battle of Loos. Before enlisting, the previous March, he was employed at the Snipe Colliery

Privates Robert Hopkins and Joseph Hopkins, brothers both members of the loyal “Forty Gang.” Their home was Rochfort Street.

Private ROBERT HOPKINS

A Loyal Member Of The "Forty Gang"

Before enlisting they were employed at the engineering works of Messrs. Joseph Adamson and Co. Both joined the Royal Engineers.

Private JOSEPH HOPKINS
A Loyal Member Of The "Forty Gang"

Private Joseph Hopkins Commonwealth War Graves Commission
   RECORD
...