William SMITH (4)

13 September 1918

ADDINGHAM – TWO OF SIX BROTHERS KILLED

The death of Private W. Smith, of the York and Lancs. Regiment, was notified to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith, Church Street, by his commanding officer. The sad event took place in action on 2nd September.

“Private W. Smith,” says the C.O. “was a good soldier and was respected well by the officers and men of his Company. He has made the great sacrifice and given his life for the benefit of those who come after. I hope that fact will be a little comfort to you in your sad bereavement.”

Private Smith, who would have been 19 years of age on the 14th of this mouth, joined up on December 17th 1917, and went out to France on July 23rd. He was drummer in the Voluntary Training Corps for about three years, and was held in great respect. Previous to joining up he was employed as gardener by Mrs. Cooks, Summerfield, Ilkley. He is one of six brothers who have served their country in this tremendous struggle for the liberty of nations, one of whom, Private R. Smith, having already laid down his life and another, Private Tom Smith, is a prisoner of war in Germany. The sympathy of all who know them will go out to Mr. and Mrs. Smith in their great loss. We will give a photograph next week.

20 September 1918

CRAVEN AND THE WAR – THE LATE PRIVATE W. SMITH

We reproduce a photograph of Private Wm. Smith, York and Lancaster Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith, Church Street, Addingham, who, as reported in our columns last week, was killed in action on the Western Front on September 2nd last, aged 19 years. Prior to joining up in December 1917, the deceased soldier was gardener for Mrs. Cooks, Summerfield, Ilkley. He was one of six brothers who have served their country, and one of them, Private R. Smith, has also laid down his life for the common cause of humanity. We extend sincere sympathy to the bereaved family.