Albert SMITH

28 April 1916

LANCE-CORPL. ALBERT SMITH DIES IN HOSPITAL

After a succession of disturbing messages since the beginning of the month, the parents of Lance-Corporal Albert Smith, of 113, Scotland Road, Nelson, on Monday were apprised by telegraph from the military authorities, that his death had taken place the previous day (Easter Sunday), in the military hospital at Wimereux, Boulogne. Lance Corporal Smith was well-known in the Crosshills district. The youngest son of Mr. A. Benson Smith (formerly of the ‘Pioneer’ staff), deceased responded early to his country’s call, and joined the East Lancashire Regiment, being attached to the 7th Batt. After the usual period of training, he was moved to the Front at the beginning of July last year and passed unscathed through some trying engagements. He was devoted to his new calling, eager to make himself efficient, and his zealous discharge of whatever duty was allotted him gained him his first stripe and the confidence of his superior officers after a few months at the Front.

It was intended when the war was over and fullest details of its history might be published, that he should collaborate with his father in writing a connected story of the local battalion’s experience at the Front. His letters were – as was his nature – always of an affectionate character. War was alien to all his instincts, but the spirit of patriotism and a sense of duty impelled him to join the colours, a course he proudly justified when writing home to inform his parents of the step he had taken. He did not pass through his training without illness, and he was never as robust as he looked. But the trench experiences of last autumn and early winter found the weak places in many stronger men. It is certain that Lance-Corporal Smith remained at his post – loath to go on sick leave – for longer than he ought to have done, or would have done had his zeal for duty been less. Often he spoke of the discomforts of his trench experiences, having for days at a stretch to stand deep in water, and subsequently to let his clothes dry upon him; but he merely mentioned this as one of the necessary evils our forces had to contend with, and never complained in any querulous way about it. But nature exacted the inevitable penalty, and he had a month of excruciating suffering before death mercifully put a period to his pains.

Deceased’s fiancée writing to his parents on Wednesday, says in the course of her letter, “I saw his sergeant a fortnight ago; he was on furlough, and he told me that Bertie (deceased) had got measles from someone who had been home to Burnley, and that he had been complaining of rheumatism for a good while now; but he said he was in no danger; he says he is at a place called Rouen; had he been out of hospital he would have been home for Easter as he was the fourth man to come on pass after his sergeant.”

The official intimation of Lance-Corporal Smith’s death was received on Wednesday, the cause being set down as cerebo spinal meningitis.

Deceased (who was born at Keighley on the 19th September, 1891, and was therefore in his 25th year) was formerly in the employ of the Colne Cooperative Society, as a painter and decorator. It may be added that everyone of his male relations, of military age – both on the maternal and paternal side – is either serving with the colours, or (being married) has attested and is waiting his group call; ten cousins and an uncle (his father’s brother, Private G.B. Smith, of Crosshills are on active service; one cousin (Private Elvey Riddiough, of Lothersdale), is in hospital at Reedyford, Nelson, recovering from a wound received in action in France, another cousin is with the forces operating in Mesopotamia; two are in the R.A.M.C. (one of them in France), and the rest are at the Front in France.