2nd Lieutenant Samuel Wilfrid WAYTE MC
A Battery, 103rd Brigade Royal Field Artillery

Date of birth: 18th October 1894
Date of death: 7th October 1917

Died of wounds aged 22
Buried at Outersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul Plot I Row D Grave 49
He was born at Croydon on the 18th of October 1894 the younger son of Dr John Wayte MD, surgeon and physician, and Constance Harriett (nee Ward) of 65, Park Lane, Croydon in Surrey.

He was educated at the King’s School Canterbury from January 1908 to July 1912 being was granted a Junior Scholarship in July 1910. He played in the Rugby XV in 1911/12 and the Cantuarian described him as:- "Light, but neat with his feet." He rowed in the IV in 1912, was awarded his colours that year and was appointed as a Monitor in December 1911. He was member of the school Officer Training Corps from 1908 in A Company, Section 1, reaching the rank of Quartermaster Sergeant in August 1911 and achieving Certificate A in 1912. He was appointed as a monitor in December 1911.

On leaving school he went into manufacturing in Birmingham, becoming works manager in 1915 and lived at 9 Francis Street, Edgbaston in Birmingham.

He attested for service at 10 Stone Buildings, Lincolns Inn as Private 9757 in the Inns of Court Officer Training Corps on the 11th of December 1915 and was posted to the Army Reserve. At a medical examination, which was held the same day, it was recorded that he was five feet ten and three quarter inches tall and that he weighed ten stones and eight pounds.

He was called up on the 18th of October 1916 and was posted to A Company at Berkhamsted. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 27th of November 1916. He applied for a commission on the 18th of December 1916, expressing a preference for the Royal Field Artillery. His application was supported by Mr. McDowall, Headmaster of the King's School Canterbury. On the 27th of January 1917 he was posted to the Royal Artillery Cadet School at St John's Wood and arrived there on the 1st of February 1917.

On the 5th of June 1917 he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Field Artillery (Special Reserve of Officers) and embarked for France on the 26th of July 1917 where he joined 103rd Brigade in the field at Dickebusch, near Ypres and was assigned to A Battery.

On the 26th of August four officers, including Samuel Wayte, and thirteen other ranks from the Battery were wounded by the accidental explosion of Mills bombs while in forward positions at La Belle Alliance. His father received the following telegram dated the 31st of August 1917: -

"2/Lt. S.W. Wayte RFA 103 Brigade admitted No.2 Stationary Hospital Abbeville Aug twentieth ninth with contusion back (accidental) condition satisfactory. Any further reports will be sent when received."

He returned to his unit on the 5th of September while they were being relieved and were returning to reserve positions at Peselhoek. On the 13th of September 1917 103rd Brigade moved into positions close to Maple Copse with their headquarters based at Dormy House, near Zillebeke. From here they fired harassing fire in support of operations in the ongoing fighting for the Passchendaele Ridge. He was wounded again on the 20th of September while the Battery was firing in support of an attack at Inverness Copse. His father receiving the following telegram dated the 24th of September 1917: -

"Regret to inform you 2/Lt. S.W. Wayte RFA 103 Bde. wounded September twentieth. Further reports when received."

He was awarded the Military Cross in September 1917 and a letter, which formed the basis of his medal citation, regarding this action was published in the Canturian:-

"A certain Battery position N.E. of Ypres, which was in course of being relieved, was heavily shelled. The officers' mess and telephone dugout were blown in, and the occupants buried and two ammunition pits were set alight. Second Lieutenant Wayte, assisted by a private of a pioneer regiment, rescued three men from the debris in spite of heavy shelling and got them under cover. He then put out fires in the two ammunition pits, and extinguished the smouldering ammunition. Many men who had been wounded were dressed by this officer, who directed their removal, and remained in the position himself until they were got safely away. Second Lieutenant Wayte throughout the whole period showed the greatest coolness and contempt for danger."

The announcement of the medal appeared in the London Gazette on the 18th of October 1917 with the citation appearing in the Gazette on the 5th of March 1918: -

“For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. The battery position was very heavily shelled during a relief. The officers' mess and telephone dug-out were blown in and the occupants buried, and two ammunition pits were set alight. Accompanied by one man he rescued three wounded men from the debris in spite of heavy shelling and got them under cover. He then put out fires in the ammunition pits, and extinguished the smoldering ammunition. He dressed many wounded men and directed their removal, remaining on the position until they had all been got away. He showed the greatest coolness and contempt for danger.”

He returned to duty and was badly wounded in the right thigh at Millekrusse near Ypres on the 4th of October 1917. He was evacuated to 2 Casualty Clearing Station at Bailleul where he died of his wounds three days later.

His father received the following telegram dated the 6th of October 1917: -

"Regret to inform you No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station reports October sixth 2/Lt. S.W. Wayte RFA 103 Bde. dangerously ill gunshot wounds right thigh. Regret permission to visit cannot be granted. Further reports sent immediately received."

His father received a further telegram dated the 8th of October 1917: -

"Deeply regret to inform you that 2Lt. S.W. Wayte RFA 103 brigade died of wounds October seventh. The Army Council express their sympathy."

He is commemorated on the war memorial at Croydon.
 

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