Douglas SMITH

04 August 1916

EARBY – NEWS OF THE WOUNDED

Mr. Job Smith, 71, Water Street, Earby, received a telegram on Wednesday stating that his son Pte. Douglas Smith, 10th West Riding Regiment, was dangerously ill at a casualty clearing station in France. The nature of his wounds, if any, was not stated.

18 August 1916

EARBY – NEWS OF PRIVATE DOUGLAS SMITH

Mr. Job Smith, 71, Water Street, Earby, whose son, Pte. Douglas Smith, was last week reported to be dangerously ill at Rouen (France), has received a letter from a nursing sister stating that his condition is still critical though he is making satisfactory progress. He is wounded in the head and both legs.

25 August 1916

SMITH – August 18th 1916 from wounds received in France. Pte. Douglas Smith, Duke of Wellington’s, elder son of Mr. and Mrs. Job Smith, 71 Water Street, Earby, aged 21 years.

25 August 1916

EARBY SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS

On Saturday morning Mr. and Mrs. Job Smith, 71, Water Street, Earby, received an official intimation that their elder son, Pte. Douglas Smith, 10th Duke of Wellington’s had succumbed to his wounds in the 5th General Hospital, Rouen, on the previous day (Friday, August 18th). Though it was known that his condition was extremely critical, he having been wounded in the head and both legs, a message of a hopeful tone had been received during the week from the hospital, the last one a telegram on Thursday evening which spoke of “improvement, but still dangerous.” Pte. Smith was formerly a weaver in the employ of the Seal Manufacturing Co., Victoria Shed. He joined the Army in January last and went out to France on the 16th May. His death took place the day before his 22nd birthday. A general sympathy is expressed with the bereaved family.

Following the receipt of the official announcement from the Records Office, York, on Saturday, the stricken parents’ hopes were raised to buoyant expectancy on Monday by the receipt of a letter from their son, dated August 17th, (the day previous to his reported death); written in his own hand and couched in the most cheerful terms saying he was mending nicely. A pre-paid telegram was immediately despatched to the hospital at Rouen, asking for either confirmation or contradiction. Not until three days of agonising suspense was the matter set at rest by the receipt, yesterday afternoon, of the following two letters, one from the nursing sister and the other from the chaplain at the above mentioned hospital:–

“Dear Mrs. Smith, – I am extremely sorry to have to tell you of the death of your son, Private D. Smith, who passed away peacefully at 1-45 a.m. on Friday morning last. He got suddenly worse and towards the end became unconscious, so didn’t suffer any pain. His last words almost were about you and home. He was buried in the English cemetery near here. A little cross will be erected to mark the spot. He was such a brave boy, and always so patient and cheerful. I am so very sorry, yours sincerely, M. D. SAWYER (sister).”

The Rev. W. D. Richards (chaplain) wrote:– “I visited your dear boy several times and always found him brave and cheerful, and bearing his sufferings nobly. He at last passed away peacefully. It will no doubt comfort you to know that he received every attention that human skill and sympathy could provide. He is buried in St. Sever Cemetery, Rouen. The funeral was a military one with full honours.

“The grave will be carefully tended, and if you would like to have a photograph of it I will be pleased to arrange for one to be sent on to you.”

17 August 1917

SMITH – In ever loving memory of our dear son, Private Douglas Smith, who died of wounds at the 5th General Hospital, Rouen, August 18th 1916, aged 22 years.

He sleeps besides his comrades
In a hallowed grave unknown;
But his name is written in letters of love
In the hearts he left at home.
May the heavenly winds blow softly
O’er that sweet and hallowed spot,
Though the sea divides his grave from us
He will never be forgot.

From Father, Mother, Brother and Sister, Brook Terrace, Earby.

SMITH – In loving memory of our dear nephew, Private Douglas Smith, died of wounds, Rouen, France, in his 22nd year, 18th August, 1916.

We think of him in silence,
No eyes may see us weep;
But ever deep within our hearts
His memory we’ll ever keep.

From Aunties Patty and Lizzie and Cousins Netta, Winnie and Hetty.

16 August 1918

SMITH – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Douglas Smith, who died of wounds at the 5th General Hospital, Rouen, August 18th, 1916.

As long as life and memory last
We shall always think of thee.

From Father, Mother, Sister, Brother, Brook Terrace, Earby.

SMITH – In loving memory of Private Douglas Smith, who died of wounds August 18th, 1916.

"Too dearly loved to be forgotten.”

Aunties Pattie and Lizzie; Cousins Netta, Winnie and Hettie, Stretford.

15 August 1919

SMITH – In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Douglas Smith, died of wounds August 18th, 1916.

“Ever in our thoughts.”

From Father, Mother, Sister and Brother, Earby.

SMITH – In ever loving memory of our dear nephew and cousin, Private Douglas Smith, died of wounds at Rouen, 1916.

“Too dearly loved to be forgotten.”

From all at Stretford.

20 August 1920

SMITH – In loving memory of Pte. Douglas Smith, who died of wounds in Rouen, 1916.

“As long as life and memory last.”

From all at Stretford.

SMITH – In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Pte. Douglas Smith, who died of wounds at Rouen, August 18th, 1916.

“He lives in the hearts he left behind.”

From Father, Mother, Sister and Brother, Earby.