John Edward SMITH

04 August 1916

CERTIFICATE OF MERIT FOR A SKIPTON SOLDIER

A certificate of merit for gallantry in the field has been awarded to Private John Edward Smith, of the 2nd Bradford ‘Pals’ (18th West Yorkshire Regiment), whose wife and two children live at 14, Back Water Street, Skipton. Signed by Major H. Martin, the certificate bears the inscription:– ‘For gallantry, courage and coolness under heavy fire during the action of July 1st, 1916 – in the commencement of the Battle of the Somme in the Colincamps Sector.’

Pte. Smith, who enlisted on April 22nd, 1915, first went out to Egypt with his regiment and was afterwards sent to France. He was formerly employed at Belle Vue Mills, Skipton.

25 August 1916

SMITH – Reported killed in action in France, Private John Edward Smith, West Yorkshire Regiment, of 14, Back Water Street, Skipton, aged 26 years.

25 August 1916

SKIPTON SOLDIER REPORTED KILLED – WINNER OF THE CERTIFICATE OF MERIT

On Friday last Mrs. Smith, of 14, Back Water Street, Skipton, received a telegram from the Infantry Records Office, York, stating that her husband Pte. John Edward Smith, of the 18th West Yorkshire Regiment (2nd Bradford ‘Pals’), had been dangerously wounded by a gunshot in the head, and that he was in No. 1 Casualty Clearing Station in France. Later she received a letter from the Rev. Archibald H. Robertson, the chaplain to the regiment, which contained better news. Mr. Robertson wrote as follows:– “I am writing to tell you that your husband, Pte. John Smith, of the 18th West Yorkshire Regiment, is wounded and is in this hospital. There is no need for any anxiety as he is making good progress.”

Later, however, a letter was received from Pte. M. Edmondson, another Skipton soldier, stating that Pte. Smith had been killed. This letter was sent to the writer’s mother in Crossley Place, Skipton, and was as follows:– “I am very sorry to say that poor John Smith has gone under. He was struck with a piece of shrapnel and died a few hours later, so please would you mind going up to their house and breaking the sad news. I would have written myself, but don’t know his wife’s address. By the way, I have heard from a good source that he won the D.C.M. on July 1st but I will let you know later if it is correct. You can take it for granted, however, that he did so. The last time I was in the trenches I was saying that there was only him and me left from Skipton in the regiment, and now I am the only one.”

Twenty-six years of age, Pte. Smith was employed at Belle View Mills, Skipton, prior to enlisting on April 22nd, 1915. He first went out to Egypt with his regiment and was afterwards sent to France. It is only quite recently that he was awarded a certificate of merit for gallantry in the field, which bears the inscription:– ‘For gallantry, courage and coolness under heavy fire during the action of July 1st, 1916 in the commencement of the Battle of the Somme in the Colincamps Sector.’

13 October 1916

SMITH – October 7, 1916, in hospital at Dover, from wounds received in France, Pte. John Edward Smith, West Yorkshire Regiment, of 14, Back Water Street, Skipton, aged 26 years.

13 October 1916

SKIPTON'S ROLL OF HONOUR – WINNER OF A CERTIFICATE OF MERIT: PTE. JOHN EDWARD SMITH KILLED

We also regret to record the death from wounds received in action of Pte. John Edward Smith, of the West Yorkshire Regiment (Bradford ‘Pals’), whose home was at 14, Back Water Street, Skipton. In our issue of August 25th we stated that deceased lay in a precarious condition in a casualty clearing station in France, and a letter which was published on that date from another Skipton soldier stated that “poor John Smith had gone under.” This distressing news was premature; for later Mrs. Smith received information that her husband had been removed to Dover Hospital and that he had been seriously wounded in the head, and had undergone several operations. Subsequently she received a message asking her to proceed to Dover, as her husband was in a serious condition. She made the journey and her husband died in her presence on Saturday morning last.

Only a short time ago deceased was awarded the Certificate of Merit for Gallantry in the Field. The Certificate, which is signed by Major H. Martin, bears the inscription:– “For Gallantry, courage and coolness under fire during the action of July 1st, 1916 – the commencement of the Battle of the Somme in the Colincamps sector.” Pte. Smith, who was 26 years of age, enlisted on April 22nd. He first went out to Egypt with his regiment, being afterwards transferred – about 12 months’ ago – to France. He was formerly employed at Belle Vue Mills, Skipton.

Deceased had, we understand, also been recommended for the D.C.M. His brother, Pte. Joe Smith, it will be recalled, was killed in the Dardanelles. The two soldiers married sisters and the latter resided together for some time in Back Water Street, after their husbands went to the Front.

MILITARY FUNERAL

The funeral, which was associated with military honours, and aroused considerable public interest, took place at Waltonwrays Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon. Hundreds of people lined the route of the procession from the house in Back Water Street to the Cemetery, and the final rites were also witnessed by a large and sympathetic crowd. About 200 officers and men of the Durham Light Infantry at the Raikes Camp took part, and the cortege was headed by the Skipton Volunteer Band (in charge of Bandmaster Metcalfe), which played the ‘Dead March’ the whole of the way to the Cemetery. The procession was also joined by the Rev. L. Gaunt, the Congregational Minister, who conducted the service. Along the route of the procession many blinds were drawn as a mark of respect to the memory of one who has given his life for King and Country. The coffin, wrapped in a Union Jack, was carried from the chapel in the cemetery to the graveside by six stalwart soldiers, and at the final rites, the ‘Last Post’ was sounded by a bugler from Raikes Camp. It is interesting to record that another Skipton man who served at the Front with deceased, and was one of the latter’s pals, was present at the funeral – Pte. Guy, of Skipton, who played with the band, and who has been temporarily invalided out of the Army. The wreaths placed on the grave included two from the sisters who had nursed deceased at the Dover Hospital.

04 October 1918

SMITH – In proud and loving memory of a dear husband and father, Private John Edward Smith, who died October 7th, 1916, at the Military Hospital, Dover, from wounds received in action.

While he lies in peaceful sleep,
His memory we shall always keep.

From his Wife and Two Children, 14 Back Water Street, Skipton.

SMITH – In loving memory of a dear son and brother, Private John Edward Smith, who died October 7th, 1916, at Military Hospital, Dover.

“When all is silent, Jesus watches over my son’s lonely grave.”

From Father and Mother, Brother and Sisters, Manchester.

03 October 1919

SMITH – In loving memory of a dear husband and daddy, Pte. John Edward Smith, died of wounds at Dover, Oct. 7th, 1916.

Three years have passed since that sad day
When Jesus called my dear husband away;
When night’s are long and friends are few,
It is then, dear husband, I long for you.

From his loving Wife and two little girls, Elsie and Edith, 14 Back Water Street, Skipton.

10 October 1919

SMITH – In sad but loving memory of my two dear Sons, Pte. Joe Smith, 2nd East Lancs., killed in action October 21st, 1915, in the Dardanelles Campaign; also Pte. John Smith, 18th West Yorks., died of wounds October 7th in hospital at, Dover, 1916.

Dearer to us than words ran tell
Are our thoughts of those we loved so well
‘Tis only those who have loved and lost
Who can now realise war’s bitter cost.

From Father, Mother, Sisters and Brother, 78 Newmarket Street, Skipton.

08 October 1920

SMITH – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, John Smith, who died of wounds at Dover, October 7th, 1916.

We never saw our dear one die –
Him that we loved so well;
We could not stand beside him
To hear his last farewell.
Yet someday we shall meet him,
Then no more shall we be sad,
For we know he’s in God’s keeping,
In that far off better land.

Ever fondly remembered by his Father, Mother, Brother and Sisters, 11 James Street, Oakworth.

SMITH – In loving memory of my dear husband and father, Private John Edward Smith, died of wounds at Dover, October 7th, 1916.

“Ever remembered.” – R.I.P.

From his loving Wife and two little girls, Elsie and Edith, 14 Back Water Street, Skipton.