Private Samuel Wason, MM
Samuel Wason (or Wasson) was born on 23 July 1895 at Knockroe, Strabane, County Tyrone, the seventh of ten children of farm labourer David Wason and his wife Eliza (nee Allen).
Wason enlisted in the North Irish Horse on 19 or 20 November 1915 (No.1933). He embarked for France in 1916 or early 1917, where he was posted to one of the two North Irish Horse regiments there – probably the 2nd Regiment.
In September 1917 the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment was dismounted and most of its men, together with some from the 1st Regiment, were transferred to the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers – which was re-named the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion. Wason, like most of the men, was transferred on 20 September. He was issued a new regimental number – 41414.
Wason was wounded during the Battle of Cambrai in November or December 1917. However he soon recovered and rejoined his battalion.
In June 1918 Wason was one of a number of men of the battalion awarded a Military Medal for gallantry during the German spring offensive. The Larne Times reported in the following month:
41414 Private Sam Wasson, Royal Irish Fusiliers (of Gortin, Co. Tyrone), has been awarded the Military Medal for gallantry displayed in the German attack on the 21st March. Private Wasson joined the North Irish Horse, being afterwards attached to the Irish Fusiliers. He was a former member of Ryland U.V.F.