Samuel Vergette
16 September 1898 - 4 October 1917
Born at 247 Eastfield Road, Peterborough, Samuel Vergette was the only son of Charles Tomson Vergette and his wife Maria (née Anderson). He had two younger sisters, Katharine Alice and Evelyn. His father was an auctioneer of 55 Broadway, and Mayor of Peterborough during the First World War. Samuel's first school was Miss May's. He then entered The King’s School on 5 May 1908, aged 8. At the age of 13, he left King’s to continue his education at Wellingborough Grammar School. He was successful in examinations and athletics, and played in the First XI in both football and cricket. At the age of 16 in 1914, he left Wellingborough to become a pupil in the firm of Messrs Fox and Vergette, Auctioneers.
At the age of 17, he was gazetted to the 4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment on 3 October 1915. His army career was amazing: he sailed for France 6 days later on 9 October to join his battalion, and held positions as Sniping Officer, Intelligence Officer and finally Acting Captain and Adjutant. He was killed in action aged 19, at Polygon Wood during the Third Battle of Ypres, also known as The Battle of Passchendaele.
We know very little of Samuel, except that he packed his short life with achievement, spirit and service to the men he so bravely led. His memory may be best summed up in the words of Brigadier-General Rawlings in his letter to Samuel's parents. “He was a splendid boy, full of courage and spirit, with a brilliant brain. He was the life of the Lincolns, always ready for work and never tired, a perfect example to all subalterns. Hardly 19, he had the confidence and knowledge of one 10 years older.”
His effort was said to be worthy of a Victoria Cross, but he received neither that or the Military Cross; however, he was mentioned in Sir Douglas Haig’s dispatches for distinguished service in the field.
Samuel's body was never found, and he is commemorated, like Cyril Crick, on the memorial panels at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Passchendaele. A memorial plaque and window to him are to be found in Glinton Parish Church.
