SLANEY, Samuel. Sergeant 68987, 200th Company, Royal Defence Corps, who died 4th March 1919 aged 31. He was formerly Private 6767, 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment and Private 45366 West Yorkshire Regiment. He was the son of Thomas and Mary of Balsall Heath, Birmingham and he was the husband of Margaret of Ivy Cottage, of Cleeve Prior. He is at rest in St Andrew\'s churchyard, Cleeve Prior, Worcestershire.
Some notes from what remains of his army record.
He joined the army as William on the 21st March 1903 aged 18 years and 5 months at Lichfield, Staffordshire. He was living with his parents at Balsall Heath and was by occupation a clerk. When he joined up he was serving with the 4th South Staffordshire Regiment Militia. On the 26th February 1905 he was transferred to the army reserve "B" and on the 31st July 1905 he re-joined the colours and was posted to South Staffordshire Regiment, Depot. He extended his service to eight years on the 22nd August 1905. On the 9th February 1911 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion and later his service included the Great War. He was posted to the 2nd South Staffordshire Regiment Depot on the 26th September 1914 . His service continued for the duration of war on the 17th September 1915. On the 2nd September 1916 he was transferred to 2nd (Home Service) West Yorkshire Regiment. He was transferred as Acting Sergeant on the 27th October 1917 to the 200th Reserve Protection Company, Royal Defence Corps. He served in Africa form the 9th June 1903 to 3rd June 1904, then returned to England. He the was posted to France where he fought in France and Belgium, returning to England on the 27thh September 1914. While in France he was admitted to No 6, Field Ambulance suffering from Haemorrhoids on the 25th September 1914. He was transferred to General Hospital at Rouen the same day and on the 27th September 1915 sent to a hospital in England on Hospital Ship, St, David. It appeared from his records that he was suffering from shell shock, while he was serving in Belgium and France 1914-1916. His heart was affected through shell shock continuing from June 1916, he was treated at No 1 General Hospital, London. On the 30th January 1919 he was transferred to Class Z. He was married on the 26th December 1910 to Miss Margaret Lizzie Nicholls at Bidford Church, Warwickshire. They had the following children, Ivy May born 14th June 1913 at Lichfield, Marjorie Ida born on the 5th May 1916 at Alcester, and Cynthia. Other addresses for his parents were 266 Grange Road, and 13 Poplar Road, both in Kings Heath.
