Main CPGW Record
Surname: SMITH
Forename(s): John William
Place of Birth: Leeds, Yorkshire
Service No: ---
Rank: Greaser
Regiment / Corps / Service: Mercantile Marine
Battalion / Unit: S.S. 'Leinster' (Dublin)
Division: ---
Age: 49
Date of Death: 1918-10-10
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: W. P4. 11.
CWGC Cemetery: DEAN’S GRANGE CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)
Additional Information:
John William Smith was the son of Joseph and Hannah Smith, née Brown. Joseph was born at Meanwood and Hannah at Alwoodley, Yorkshire.
1871 Leeds, Yorkshire Census: 22, Moortown Lea, Chapel Allerton - John W. Smith, aged 2 years, born Moortown Lea, son of Joseph and Hannah Smith.
1881 Leeds, Yorkshire Census: Moortown Lea, Chapel Allerton - John Wm Smith, aged 12 years, born Moor Allerton, son of Joseph and Hannah Smith.
The British Army Service Record for John William Smith (8329) exists but may be incomplete. (John served in the army from 26 July 1886 to 25 July 1902.)
John was married to Mary Maguire at Dublin, Ireland, in 1890.
In the CWGC entry John William Smith's father is named as John William Smith; this is incorrect. His brother, George, (see the 'Craven Herald' and 'West Yorkshire Pioneer' entries) is also named in the above censuses and was living in Skipton by about 1887.
John is commemorated on the Mercantile Marine Memorial in Dean's Grange Cemetery.
Data Source: Craven Herald Article
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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---
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Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Mercantile Marine
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View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
The Sinking of RMS 'Leinster' (Simeon Hughes)
Courtesy of Holyhead Maritime Museum
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
18 October 1918
KILLED BY THE GERMANS
Mr. George Smith, the water inspector at the Skipton Urban Waterworks, has received a telegraphic message that his brother, Mr. J.W. Smith, of 17 Desmond Avenue, Kingstown, Ireland, was drowned by the torpedoing by the Germans of the ‘Leinster.’ Deceased had worked in the engine room of the destroyed ship for thirteen years, and a particularly sad feature about the case is that he leaves a wife and ten children, two of the sons being in His Majesty’s Forces. Mr. Smith visited Skipton last summer on his holidays.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
18 October 1918
Skipton Man’s Brother Drowned
Mr. George Smith, water inspector at the Skipton Waterworks, has received a wire to the effect that his brother, J.W. Smith, of 17, Desmond Avenue, Kingstown, Ireland, was drowned on Oct. 10th by the sinking of the mail steamer Leinster. The deceased had been in the navy about 13 years, and was engaged in the engine room of the ill-fated vessel. He leaves a widow and ten children, one son being in the navy, and another in the army. He paid a visit to Skipton last summer.
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John William Smith is my great grandfather on my mother’s side.
John William Smith -> Patrick Smith -> Anne Smith -> Helen Brady Ryan
I am interested in making contact with other descendants in UK or Ireland.