Lieutenant Samuel Pierre Mercier
Samuel Pierre Mercier was born on 3 January 1887 at Woodview, Durrow, Queen's County, the ninth of eleven children of miller, merchant and gentleman David Mercier and Elizabeth Tracy Mercier (nee Cochrane). Educated at the Methodist College, Belfast, by 1911 he was living as a boarder at 9 Sea Road, Clontarf, West Dublin, and working as a clerk in a firm of jute manufacturers.
Mercier enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Belfast on 26 October 1914 (No.1334). The Belfast News-Letter reported that he played for the regiment in a rugby match at Ormeau on 27 February 1915. He was promoted to corporal on 1 June and sergeant on 28 July 1915, before embarking for France with F Squadron on 17 November that year.
On 27 November 1916 Mercier applied for a commission in the cavalry, Army Service Corps or artillery. He left France for the UK the following month where, after a period of leave, on 22 February 1917 he reported for duty at No.1 Cavalry Cadet Squadron at Netheravon. On 29 June 1917 he was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and posted to the 2nd Reserve Regiment of Cavalry at Newbridge.
Whether Mercier saw any further overseas service is unknown at present. It appears that he was attached to the Dorset Yeomanry (Queen's Own), most likely the 2/1st Regiment, which moved to Ireland as a cyclist unit in early 1918. On 29 December 1918 he was promoted to lieutenant.
From 1 July to 15 November 1919 Mercier served as a repatriation officer, with the temporary rank of captain. He relinquished his commission on completion of his service on 9 July 1920.
After the war Mercier worked as a business manager in Dublin. He died at Glengyle, Seafield Road, Clontarf, on 10 February 1947.