Born Surry England, CoE. Enlisted 6 July 1915 age 41, miner. His mother died in1878 and his father in 1897. He gave his Nok as his sister Elizabeth Helsin of Battle St, Cottesloe Beach, who raised him after his mother’s death. Samuel had three sisters and a younger brother. Embarked at Fremantle 24 November 1915 per A13 Katuna. He served in the Middle East from December 1915 to June 1916. In France he was declared missing in action on 20th July 1917 and later report from the German Red Cross confirmed he was dead. Elizabeth’s son, John Helsin MM, died of wounds in France 3 September 1918. The military listing of next of kin placed Samuel’s brother, W.J. Ridler of Yarraville Victoria, above Elizabeth to receive Samuel’s service medals: 1914-1915 Star, BWM and VM. See Helsin.
