Diss Family History Group

Samuel Richard BETTS, son of Thomas BETTS (c. 1859-c. 1904) and Hannah Wright DOWNING (1858-c. 1932), was born on 4 September 1892 in South Lopham, Norfolk. He was baptised on 28 October 1892 in South Lopham , the ceremony was conducted by Rev. J F BATEMAN, Rector - parents Thomas (labourer) and Hannah. The absent voter list for South Lopham shows Samuel serving as “T/2058 Sgt., 2nd (H.S.) Suffolks”. From this service number he is found on a Pension Ledgers and Index Cards entry showing service with the East Surrey Regiment, Norfolk Regiment, Suffolk Regiment, M.P.S.C. (Military Provost Staff Corps), and Labour Corps, and with a home address of Corner Farm, South Lopham. The First World War Campaign Medals listing gives service numbers for Norfolk Regiment Private 7685 and the 2nd H.S. Garrison Battalion Suffolk Regiment Private 35335, and also gives a disembarkation date (?) of 16 August 1914. Another Service Medal And Award Rolls Index gives a third service, East Surrey Regiment Private 12742. He died on 5 January 1944 in East Harling, Norfolk - age 51 years. He had his estate probated on 12 July 1944 in Norwich, Norfolk - “BETTS Samuel Richard of 16 The Crescent East Harling Norfolk died 5 January 1944 at Garboldisham-Lopham-road East Harling Administration Norwich 12 July [1944] to Annie Elizabeth Betts widow. Effects £55.”

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Last updated: Sun, 12 Jul 2026
BETTS, Samuel Richard
Family Historian Individual Narrative Samuel Richard BETTS, son of Thomas BETTS (c. 1859-c. 1904) and Hannah Wright DOWNING (1858-c. 1932), was born on 4 September 1892 in South Lopham, Norfolk. He was baptised on 28 October 1892 in South Lopham , the ceremony was conducted by Rev. J F BATEMAN, Rector - parents Thomas (labourer) and Hannah. Samuel appeared in the 1901 Census at Rectory Road in South Lopham - 8, scholar, living with parents Thomas (42, threshing engine driver) and Hannah (42), and siblings Margaret M (14), Elsie Jane..... View full FH text (See notes below) View Family Tree (See notes below)
Birth:	04.09.1892 : South Lopham, Norfolk : Reg. 1892 Q4 Guiltcross Norfolk Vol 4B Page 236
Baptism:	28.10.1892 : South Lopham, Norfolk
Marriage:	1932 to Annie Elizabeth CRISP : Reg. 1932 Q2 Thetford Norfolk Vol 4B Page 711
1901 Census:	South Lopham, Norfolk : 8, scholar, living with parents Thomas (42, threshing engine driver) and Hannah (42), and siblings Margaret M (14), Elsie Jane (13), Arthur Thomas (11, scholar), Bessie Hannah (9, scholar), Thomas William (6, scholar), Henry Albert (3) and Kate Thirza (1). (RG13 Piece 1866 Folio 21 Page 5 Schedule 35)
1911 Census:	- : No 1911 Census entry could be found for Samuel and he was definitely not a resident in South Lopham. He was shown to have been in military service in 4 different regiments (see below) so he may already have started his military career by the time of the Census. (Note:)
1921 Census:	South Lopham, Norfolk : 28y 9m, army pensioner, living with mother Hannah (widow, 62y 6m, household duties), brother Henry Albert (24y 1m, engine driver), and boarder Samuel Downing (70y 6m, old aged pensioner). (RG15 Piece 09901 Schedule 81 RD 239 RS 2 ED 19)
Death:	05.01.1944 : East Harling, Norfolk : age 51 years. : Reg. 1944 Q1 Wayland Norfolk Vol 4B Page 274
Probate:	12.07.1944 at Norwich, Norfolk : BETTS Samuel Richard of 16 The Crescent East Harling Norfolk died 5 January 1944 at Garboldisham-Lopham-road East Harling Administration Norwich 12 July [1944] to Annie Elizabeth Betts widow. Effects £55.
Military:	The absent voter list for South Lopham shows Samuel serving as “T/2058 Sgt., 2nd (H.S.) Suffolks”. From this service number he is found on a Pension Ledgers and Index Cards entry showing service with the East Surrey Regiment, Norfolk Regiment, Suffolk Regiment, M.P.S.C. (Military Provost Staff Corps), and Labour Corps, and with a home address of Corner Farm, South Lopham. The First World War Campaign Medals listing gives service numbers for Norfolk Regiment Private 7685 and the 2nd H.S. Garrison Battalion Suffolk Regiment Private 35335, and also gives a disembarkation date (?) of 16 August 1914. Another Service Medal And Award Rolls Index gives a third service, East Surrey Regiment Private 12742.
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