Lance Sergeant Samuel Colledge served in the Great War with the 16th (Chatsworth Rifles) Battalion. The Battalion was formed in Derby on the 16th of April 1915, by the Duke of Devonshire (hence the name ‘Chatsworth’ after the family seat), alongside the Derbyshire Territorial Force (TF) Association.  

The Battalion spent the first 11 months of its’ existence training, before arriving in France, with Samuel, in March 1916. They were part of the 117th Brigade in 39th Division. Samuel and his division would have seen action in the Battles of the Somme (1916) and The Third Battles of Ypres (1917). 

Samuel was awarded the Military Medal for bravery (reported in the London Gazette on the 2nd of November 1917) while serving with  “A” Company.  This was awarded ‘for gallantry and devotion to duty during operations in the St Julien Sector between 31st July and 5th August 1917.’ 

The Battalion became reduced to cadre strength in May 1918 and transferred to 197th Brigade in 66th (2nd East Lancashire Division) in the August. It was, presumably, during this time that Samuel was transferred to the 1/6th Battalion The Sherwood Foresters and that he was with them at Bolognue, when the armistice was signed. 

 He survived the war and returned home.