Main CPGW Record
Surname: SMITH
Forename(s): George
Place of Birth: Etwall, Derbyshire
Service No: 13127
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2nd Battalion
Division: 5th Division
Age: 17
Date of Death: 1915-08-18
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: II. E. 8.
CWGC Cemetery: CITADEL NEW MILITARY CEMETERY, FRICOURT
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EMBSAY-WITH-EASTBY, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
George Smith (born 12 January 1898) was the son of Joseph and Sarah Anne Smith, née Hodge. Joseph was born at Sutton on the Hill, Derbyshire and Sarah at Sowerby, Yorkshire.
1901 Etwall, Derbyshire Census: Egginton Road - George Smith, aged 3 years, born Etwall, son of Joseph and Sarah A. Smith.
1911 Etwall, Derbyshire Census: Egginton Road - George Smith, aged 13 years, born Etwall, son of Joseph and Sarah Smith.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte George Smith, 13127, West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 13 March 1915.
George is commemorated on the Midland Railway War Memorial at Derby.
Information from Etwall and Burnaston Local History Society website: George is commemorated on the Etwall War Memorial as is his brother-in-law, Private John Rushby, 5623, 1/7th Bn Northumberland Fusiliers, the husband of Hilda Daisy Rushby, née Smith.
A short biography of George is included in: ‘Though lost to sight to memory ever dear – Embsay-with-Eastby First World War Roll of Honour’ by Jane Lunnon, David Turner, Chris Lunnon (2018).
Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry
View Entry in CPGW BookEntry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:
SMITH, George, aged 17, Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, was employed as a porter at Embsay Station, killed in action 1915.
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Private George SMITH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 5th Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Citadel New Military Cemetery, Fricourt
CWGC Headstone
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
03 September 1915
EMBSAY – ROLL OF HONOUR
News has reached the village of the death of another of our brave lads at the Front, in the person of Private George Smith. The deceased lad was a native of Etwall, near Derby, and was employed as a porter at Embsay Station, but at the outbreak of war he enlisted in the 2nd Duke of Wellington's, and crossed to France early last February. A comrade of the fallen soldier has written, stating that the brave boy (who was only 17 years of age) was shot through the head while in the trenches, and had always distinguished himself as a brave and daring soldier. A memorial service was held in the Parish Church at Etwall on Sunday last, and the Union Jack floated at half-mast, deceased having been a chorister there up to the time of his leaving Etwall for Embsay.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
03 September 1915
EMBSAY’S ROLL OF HONOUR
News has reached the village of the death of another of our brave lads at the Front, in the person of Private George Smith. He was a native of Etwall, near Derby, but at the outbreak of the war was a porter at Embsay Station. Deceased enlisted in Skipton in the 2nd Duke of Wellington’s, and crossed to France early last February. A friend of Private George Smith (who was only 17) has written stating that he was shot through the head while in the trenches. He also states that he was a brave and daring soldier. A memorial service was held in the Parish Church at Etwall on Sunday last, deceased having been a member of the choir up to the time of his leaving Etwall for Embsay.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – EMBSAY
Pte. George Smith of the 2nd Duke of Wellington’s Regiment. Was employed at Embsay Station. Killed in action. Seventeen years of age.
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