Main CPGW Record
Surname: SMITH
Forename(s): John James
Place of Birth: Earby, Yorkshire
Service No: 40627
Rank: Rifleman
Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Irish Rifles
Battalion / Unit: 1st Battalion
Division: 8th Division
Age: 32
Date of Death: 1916-11-15
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: EARBY, YORKSHIRE
Local War Memorial: KELBROOK, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
John James Smith was the son of James and Alice Smith, née Hartley. James was born at Earby and Alice at Lothersdale, Yorkshire.
1891 Earby, Yorkshire Census: Chapel Street - John Smith, aged 6 years, born Thornton [Thornton-in-Craven Parish], son of James and Alice Smith.
1901 Earby, Yorkshire Census: 18, Spring Terrace - John J. Smith, aged 16 years, born Earby, son of Alice Smith (married).
John was married to Alice Ann Briggs in 1911.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte John Smith, 30613, York. R.; 40627, R. Ir. Rif.
See also:
‘Earby in the First World War’ by Stephanie Carter, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2014).
‘Our Finest Crop’ by Steven Marshall, published by Earby & District Local History Society (2020).
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, John James, aged 32, Royal Irish Guards, Lynwood, Sough Bridge, [Earby], killed in action Nov. 25, 1917.
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Rifleman John James SMITH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Royal Irish Rifles
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 8th Division
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Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918
Title page
Ireland's Memorial Records 1914-1918
Rifleman John (James) Smith
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
22 December 1916
EARBY SOLDIER KILLED
The relations of Pte. John Jas. Smith have received a War Office intimation that he was killed in action on the 25th ult. Deceased, who was 32 years of age, was formerly employed as tape-labourer at Messrs. A. J. Birley’s. He joined the Royal Irish Rifles in July last, and had only been in France about three weeks. Pte. Smith was married and leaves a wife and one child at Lynwood, Sough Bridge. He was a deacon of the Earby Baptist Church, where a memorial service was held on Sunday, conducted by the Rev. W. A. Livingstone. We will give a photograph of the deceased next week.
29 December 1916
EARBY – PRIVATE JOHN JAMES SMITH
The above is a photographic reproduction of Private John James Smith, of the Royal Irish Rifles, formerly employed as a tape labourer by Mr. A. J. Birley, Earby. As reported in last week’s ‘Craven Herald’, he was killed in action in France on November 25th 1916. Pte. Smith leaves a widow and one child, who live at Lynwood, Sough Bridge, Earby.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
22 December 1916
EARBY SOLDIER KILLED
The relatives of Pte. John Jas. Smith have received a War Office intimation that he was killed in action on the 25th ult. Deceased, who was 32 years of age, was formerly employed as tape-labourer at Messrs. A. J. Birley’s. He joined the Royal Irish Rifles in July last, and had only been in France about three weeks. Pte. Smith was married and leaves a wife and one child living at Lynwood, Sough Bridge. He was a deacon at the Earby Baptist Church, where a memorial service was held on Sunday, conducted by the Rev. W. A. Livingstone.
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