Please confirm my theory

[McTalbert]

Samuel KENWORTHY (1893-1917)

I am trying to trace an S. KENWORTHY who appears on the Great War Memorial Plaque in Tanfield Lea Community Centre, Co. Durham.

I have managed to identify a Samuel KENWORTHY who died on 11th February 1917, aged 23 and was buried in Tanfield Churchyard on 15-Feb-1917. His grave does not have a headstone. The 1911 Census shows that at the time he was a coalminer, born in the Tyne Dock area of South Shields in 1893, the son of William Broadhead KENWORTHY and the late Esther KENWORTHY of 7, Shop Square, Tanfield Lea.

After advertising locally I have been loaned the attached photograph purporting to be of Samuel KENWORTHY who died on 11th February 1917.

 

It appears. However, that the man has 3 or 4 “Overseas Service” stripes on his right sleeve and as these were not introduced in December 1917 he could not heve been wearing them before his death in February 1917.

Before I disappoint the owner of the photograph is anyone prepared to confirm my theory?

In addition, it is unlikely that anyone can identify the lapel badge but can anyone identify the insignia above the “Overseas Service” stripes?

McTalbert

[KGarrad]

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission website lists 2 casualties under the name of S Kenworthy:

16447 Rifleman Sam Kenworthy, 11th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
Died 3/9/1916
Son of Linneaus and Elizabeth Kenworthy of 178 High Street, Stalybridge, Cheshire

Captain Stanley Kenworthy, 17th Bn. Manchester Regiment
Died 1/7/1916
Son of John Dalziel Kenworthy of Seacroft, St Bees, Cumberland
Husband of Dinah T Kenworthy

[Jebber]

Yes, they are overseas stripes and it looks like the badge of a WO2.

[MaxD]

Bit late to this but have we discounted RN seaman Samuel Kenworthy born 18 Sep 1893 S Shields, served from 1912 whose record (on FindMyPast) says that he died at Newcastle General Hospital 11 Feb 1917.

There's a familiarity about this info, has it been covered somewhere else?

MaxD

[stevej60]

Strange that no record exist's on the CWGC website for this man also his name is spelled with
two N's on the memorial again no trace on the CWGC site with this spelling,I love a good mystery
Ill see what I can dig up!

[stevej60]

You know I'm thinking Australian for that collar badge
https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/blog/australian-imperial-force-aif-badges-1914-1918

[barryd]

I am very familiar with Tanfield Lea and WW1 Soldiers who died from there and surrounding areas.

Two items of discussion.

The Durham Light Infantry Museum had a bound copy of the Stanley News with obits/photographs of servicemen who died WW1. Goodness knows where that is now.


There is a Samuel Kenworthy who died March Qtr. 1917 in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Aged 23. Free BMD.  I am suggesting that this may be the Seaman already mentioned. However same name, same age? So close but perhaps so far away. 

[stevej60]

The Chester Chronicle would be a good source of information too perhap's with a photo,it's looking
like a strong possibility this is the same man so perhap's a non-commemoration case for the CWGC
to deal with,I think either way the soldier in the photograph is not the same person.

[MaxD]

Note the parallel tread here which has the same answers to the same questions!:

http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?action=post;topic=794924.0;last_msg=6518671

(Stevej60 - you have sussed this already)

MaxD