In 1901, 10-year old Sam Hardman was living with his parents, Lawrence and Elizabeth, and his sisters Mary, Ann and Eleanor, at Radcliffe, Manchester. After the family moved from Radcliffe to Accrington, Sam was teaching at St. Andrew's Mission in Oswaldtwistle when war broke out in August 1914. The following month he enlisted into the ranks of the Accrington Pals. He wrote this letter on 30th June 1916, just a few hours before the Pals went into the attack on Serre on the opening day of the Battle of the Somme. Sam was killed in action during the attack. Left: Sam Hardman. Photograph courtesy of Tracey Gardner and Dorothy Parkinson. Full photograph

Transcript of letter

Sam Hardman's letter to his parents and sisters is reproduced here by kind courtesy of Tracey Gardner and Dorothy Parkinson.

© Andrew C Jackson 2006
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