Gott,+Samuel+Arnold

21st Battaltion West Yorkshire Regiment (Pioneers). Service number 839.
 * Corporal Samuel Arnold Gott**



1892: Birth in the 3rd quarter, at Cross Roads. Registered in Keighley. Parents Joseph and Alice Gott. Father's occupation: Joiner and builder. 1901: Census. Aged 8 years. Living at 2, Croft Place, Cross Roads with his parents and two brothers. 1911: Census. Aged 18 years. Living at 2, Croft Place, Cross Roads, with his Father, two brothers and one sister and a nephew. Occupation: Joiner (assisting in the Business - with his father). 1914: Won first prize of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters - silver medal. 1915: Joined the Army. 1917: Killed in action by a shell on 4th April. Buried in Fauborg D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras. Grave Reference: III. M. 28.

Remembered on the Cross Roads War Memorial in Cross Roads Bowling Club building in Cross Roads Park. Remembered on the Cross Roads Primitive Methodist Sunday School roll of honour.

Note: the Battle of Arras began on 9th April 1917 and Samuel's Pioneer company were involved in the extensive trench preparations that led up to it. He is named in the war diary, which was unusual for an enlisted man and quite notable, given the letter written to his parents by his commanding officer.

CROSS ROADS CORPORAL S. A. GOTT KILLED. News reached Mr Joseph Gott, Croft Place, Cross Roads, Keighley, on Tuesday morning from the Infantry Record Office, York, of the death in action of his youngest son, Samuel Arnold Gott, in France. Corporal Gott was 24 years of age, and joined the colours 14 months ago, and left for France last June. In civil life Corporal Gott assisted his father in the joinery and building business. From his early schooldays at Lees Council School he gave evidence of artistic taste and practical draughtsmanship, and he won prizes in national competitions before he was 12 years of age. He was earnest, hard working, and thorough, these qualities marking his career as a student in the practical course he attended at the Keighley Technical School Building Trades Department, where in 1914 he particularly distinguished himself and brought honour to Keighley by carrying off the first prize of the Worshipful Company of Carpenters for his model of a mansard roof truss, 30ft span, details half size. This carried with it £5, a certificate, and a silver medal, and the model was later purchased from the winner by the Board of Education for permanent exhibition in the South Kensington Science Museum. Corporal Gott's special qualifications had been put to excellent use at the front, and from time to time he had complete management in constructing and erecting military buildings of various types. His letters home were full of interest, and he clearly bent all his energies to the business of his particular unit, and faced all difficulties with cheerfulness and a keen sense of humour. Captain S. J. Brazier wrote Mr Gott on April 5: "I cannot sufficiently express my sorrow and that of every officer, NCO, and man in the company at the great loss we have sustained by your son's death. He was a good, brave soldier, and never knew what fear was; always put duty before everything, his work being always his first care. We all deeply sympathise with you in your very sad loss." Another letter has also been received from his friend, Corporal J. Hartley, who says: "As an NCO he was one of the most efficient and most popular men in the battalion." Corporal Gott was buried by the Chaplain in the cemetery of, in the presence of a number of his friends. As a gallant soldier, clever craftsman, of manly character, Corporal Gott will be greatly missed, and general sympathy is expressed with Mr Gott and his family. (Picture included on the same page)
 * Keighley News report dated 21st April 1917, Page 3:**

GOTT - In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Corporal Samuel Arnold Gott, aged 24 years (West Yorkshire Regiment Pioneers), who was killed by shell in France, April 4th, 1917, and was buried in Rue, D'Amiens Cemetery, Arras. He sleeps in a grave in a far-off land That comrades kindly made him: May he rest in peace in his narrow bed Where friendly hands have laid him.
 * Keighley News 'In Memoriam' section 6th April 1918:**

Also of our dear son and brother George Mundella Gott, of Croft Place, Cross Roads, who died April 20, 1914, aged 33 years. Only those who have lost can understand. From Father, Brother, Sister, and Nephew.

GOTT - In ever loving memory of our dear friend, Corporal Samuel Arnold Gott (West Yorkshire Regiment Pioneers), who was killed in action in France April 4th 1917. "May his reward be as great as his sacrifice." From his loving friends at 10, Halifax Road, Cross Roads.