South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project |
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Military History |
| Theatre of War | Medals | Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial |
|---|---|---|
| France and Flanders | British War & Victory Medals | Arras Memorial |
| Arrived in Theatre | Medal Citation (if app) | SWFHS Area Memorials |
| After 1 Jan 1916 | ~ | Princethorpe: Cemetery | Water Pump |
| Stretton on Dunsmore | Marton | ||
| Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed | Date and Place Mobilised | |
| Battle of Arras | August 1914 at Coventry | |
| Place of Death | Previous Regiments or Units | |
| near Oppy | ~ | |
Circumstances Leading to Death (Normally from War Diary)
Alfred is listed as being killed in action on 9 May 1917 during the Battle of Arras. The war diary entry for the day is transcribed below and tells us that Alfred was one of two men killed by shell fire.Front Lines - Oppy 9-5-17: Battalion us relieved by 1/R West Kent, who take over the whole 13th Bde sector, and move back into 1st Reserve in trenches in front of Railway embankment from B.15.a.80.25 to B.15.d.4.4. The 2nd KOSB falling back to Support Trenches at about B.13.d. All ranks thoroughly glad to get out of the front line after 5 very trying and anxious days during which the Battn had lost five of its best officers and many fine NCO's & men.
A draft of 8 other ranks report for duty, of whom 7 are old Bttn men. 1 other rank killed (Alfred), 1 other rank died of wounds & 2 other ranks wounded - all shell fire. The weather is bright, warm & conditions dry. Battn strength 31 Officers 755 other ranks.
At 2am this morning the 95th Bde & 13th Bde counter attacked Fresnoy Wood and Village. 15/R War and 2/KOSB's carried out the attack for 13 Bde. The attack failed and the British Line remains unaltered. END
| Personal & Family History |
| Birth Date/Place | Baptism Date/Place |
|---|---|
| 2 Nov 1883 at Princethorpe | 6 Jan 1884 at Stretton on Dunsmore |
| 4 Jun 1887 at Wappenbury, St. Anne's RC | |
| Parents Names | Abode |
| Charles and Phoebe Smith | St Benedicts Terrace, Princethorpe |
| Wife | Marriage Date/Place |
| Ellen Smith nee Bosworth | Jan Qtr 1914 in Rugby District |
| Schools | Colleges |
| ~ | |
| Address History | Employment History |
| 1884 - Princethorpe | 1891 - Scholar |
| 1891 - Cottage, Princethorpe | 1901 - Coal Carter |
| 1901 - 37 Franchise Street, Handsworth (Boarder) | 1911 - Soldier |
| 1911 - British Army Barracks, Bombay, India | |
| 1917 - St Benedicts Terrace, Princethorpe | |
- Alfred's Register of Effects records a widow Ellen as his next of kin and BMD finds a marriage between Alfred Smith and Ellen Bosworth in Jan Qtr 1914 at Rugby. However his Pension cards, admittedly joint cards with brother John, show his mother Phoebe as next of kin.
- Brother of John Smith MM who also fell
