Have you examined the book
Forgotten soldiers: the Irishmen shot at dawn by Stephen Walker (Gill and Macmillan, e24.99) ISBN 9780717141821which mentions Samuel McBride pp 90-94 has anyone got a copy? To help identify his background.
Is the above where you Zion found his age 26
The Irish 1901 census nearest entry based upon that age would be the 4th son of Alexander a widower living in ref 6 in Ballyfore (Raboo, Antrim) If he was a year older then he might be the son of Edward and Maggie McBride living in ref 75 Sloan Road (Lisburn, Antrim)
That fact that he had associations also to
number 8225 noted by KGarrad, I have seen in my searches but this is carefully worded. So it may be someones mistake copied down in time or a reference to Peter Sands as you mention and which i list.The Medal card records are
Re
WW1 medal listings include
1. Reference: WO 372/12/182819
Description:
Medal card of McBride, Samuel
Corps Regiment No Rank
Royal Irish Rifles 18/301Private
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
2. Reference: WO 372/12/182820
Description:
Medal card of McBride, Samuel
Corps Regiment No Rank
Royal Irish Rifles 5/5009Private Also As listed by WGC
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
3. Reference: WO 372/17/162525
Description:
Medal card of Sands, Peter
Corps Regiment No Rank
Royal Irish Rifles 8225Lance Corporal
Royal Irish Rifles 8225Private
Date: 1914-1920
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
His grave is available to see on
http://www.ww1wargraves.co.uk/ww1_cemeteries/ww1_cemeteries_h.aspAccompanying text says:- Grave in Hyde Park Corner Cemetery of No 5009 Rifleman Samuel McBride 2nd Battalion Royal Irish Rifles executed for desertion at Hope Farm on the northern edge of Ploegsteert Wood on the 7th December 1916. Rifleman McBride had been sentenced to 2 years imprisonment with hard labour on the 25th January 1915 on a charge of desertion (having served with the B.E.F. since 6th December 1914) but was released on suspension on 3rd January 1916. Whilst the Battalion was in the Vimy Ridge sector in May 1916 Rifleman McBride went absent when his platoon were resting in a reserve position about 800 yards behind the front line. The men had been subjected to heavy fire especially from German trench mortars. On the 17th September 1916 an N.C.O. of No 2 Canadian Stationary Hospital apprehended the Rifleman at Outreau near Boulogne the Court Martial taking place on the 25th November 1916.
{note I think his grave is in BERKS CEMETERY EXTENSION which is separated from Hyde Park Corner Cemetery by a road.}
Looking for
a Samuel McBride elsewhere produces
www.familysearch.org a Samuel McBride Birth Jan - Mar 1889 Newtownards, but I think he is the other one included in the war medals
www.freebmd.org.uk a Samuel McBride Births Jun 1889 Cockermouth 10b 583
The district Cockermouth spans the boundaries of the counties of Cumbria and Cumberland it includes Sand Lane Parish Flimby where there are McBrides in the English census including a Samuel
www.GenesReunited.co.uk turning up in
treesSamuel McBride 1891 ... No Margaret Find out more
Samuel McBride 1889 Dalmellington ... No Alan Find out more
Samuel McBride 1889 Lethan Mill Ayrshir... No James Find out more
Samuel McBride 1886 Co Down ... No Raymond
Turning up in
English and Scottish census 1890Samuel McBride 1889 Dalmellington Son of Samuel b 1856 and Esther McBride All the family were born in Ayrshire Samuel in Dalmellington, Esther in Maybole Samuel had an older sister Isabella 1885 brother James b 1887 Samuel was a coal miner.[ Lethan Mill is 14 miles away]
I think that’s all I can offer. My condolences to all relatives JimG