Main CPGW Record
Surname: SMITH
Forename(s): Joseph
Place of Birth: Bury, Lancashire
Service No: 20448
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: East Lancashire Regiment
Battalion / Unit: 6th (Service) Battalion
Division: 13th (Western) Division
Age: 23
Date of Death: 1915-10-21
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Panel 114 to 118.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: HELLES MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Joseph Smith was the son of John Edward and Elizabeth Smith (née -) and brother of Private John Edward Smith (18/ 870) (q.v.). Their father was born at Embsay, Yorkshire and mother at Caernarfon, Caernarfonshire, Wales.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 18, Crossley Place, Brook Street - Joseph Smith, aged 9 years, born Bury, Lancashire, son of John E. and Elizabeth Smith.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 54, Newmarket Street - Joseph Ernest Smith, aged 19 years, born Bury, Lancashire, son of John E. and Elizabeth Smith.
Joseph was married to Florence Elton in 1914.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Joseph Smith, 20448, 6 Bn East Lancashire Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: (2b) Balkans. Date of entry therein: 2 September 1915.
A belt buckle that belonged to Joseph and said to have been brought or sent home from Gallipoli, is kept in the Craven Museum, Skipton.
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, Joe, 6th Duke of Wellington’s, Back Water Street, [Skipton], killed in action Oct. 21, 1915.
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Private Joseph SMITH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: East Lancashire Regiment
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 13th (Western) Division
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'West Yorkshire Pioneer and East Lancashire News'
Private Joseph Smith
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12 November 1915
SKIPTON MAN KILLED IN ACTION
The sad news of the death in action in the Dardanelles of Private J. E. Smith, of the 6th Battalion, East Lancashire Regiment, who resided, when at home, in Back Water Street, was received on Monday in a letter from a comrade, who wrote on the 22nd October as follows: –
“It is with deep regret I have to write to you with regard to your husband’s death which happened last night at Chocolate Hill about 4-30. His death was caused by a splinter of a shell which hit him on the head, death being instantaneous. He never spoke. We buried him in a soldier’s grave, with a cross inscribed ‘In loving memory of 20448, Private J. E. Smith, of the 6th East Lancs. Regiment, who was killed in action on the 21st October. R.I.P.’ The officer in command of the Company, all the men and myself hope you will bear this sad news bravely, as you will have the satisfaction of knowing that he died a soldier’s death for a good cause. He was a good, clean soldier, and proved it during the time he was with us. Allow me to express my deepest sympathy in your loss.”
Captain Goffrey, commander of the unfortunate young man’s Company, wrote as follows: - “Allow me to express deep regret on losing one of the best soldiers in my Company and a brave man in your husband.”
As will have bean gathered, Private Smith is a married man and leaves a young wife and baby, and it is a tragic coincidence that he was killed on his wife’s birthday.
For many years Private Smith had worked in the dye house connected with the Belle Vue Mills, Skipton, and he enlisted in April of this year, and embarked for the Dardanelles in September. Deep regret is felt for the widow in her great loss.
12 October 1917
SMITH – In ever loving memory of Private J.E. Smith, dearly beloved husband of Florence Smith, killed in action in the Dardanelles, October 21st, 1915, aged 24 years, late of Skipton.
Whilst the light last I shall ever remember,
And in the darkness I shall never forget.
From his sorrowing Wife and little Jeleen. 9, Wighill Street, Sutton-in-Craven.
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.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
12 November 1915
SKIPTON MAN KILLED IN THE DARDANELLES
A Tragic Coincidence
The sad news of the death in action in the Dardanelles of Private Joe Smith, of the 6th Battalion East Lancashire Regiment, who resided when at home in Back Water Street, Skipton, was received on Monday in a letter from a comrade, who wrote on the 22nd October as follows:– “It is with deep regret I have to write to you with regard to your husband’s death, which happened last night at Chocolate Hill, about 4.30. His death was caused by a splinter of a shell which hit him on the head, death being instantaneous. He never spoke. We buried him in a soldier’s grave with a cross inscribed ‘In loving memory of 20448 Pte. J.E. Smith, of the 6th East Lancs., who was killed in action on the 21st Oct. R.I.P.’ The officer in command of the company, all the men, and myself hope you will bear this sad news bravely, as you will have the satisfaction of knowing that he died a soldier’s death for a good cause. He was a good clean soldier and proved it during the time he was with us. Allow me to express my deepest sympathy in your loss.”
Capt. Gaffney, commander of the unfortunate young man’s company, wrote as follows:– “Allow me to express deep regret on losing one of the best soldiers in my company, and a brave man, in your husband.”
As will have been gathered, Pte. Smith, who was only 23, is a married man and leaves a young wife and baby. It is a tragic coincidence that he was killed on his wife’s birthday.
For many years Pte. Smith has worked in the dye house connected with Belle Vue Mills, Skipton. He enlisted last April, and embarked for the Dardanelles in September. Deep regret is felt for the young wife in her great loss.
24 December 1915
CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – SKIPTON
Pte. Joe Smith, 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, who resided in Back Water Street, Skipton, killed in action on October 21st. Left a young wife and baby. For many years worked in the dye-house at Belle Vue Mills.
20 October 1916
In loving memory of Pte. Joe Smith, of the East Lancashire Regiment, killed in the Dardanelles, October 21st 1915.
In a cold and silent graveyard,
Where the trees their branches wave,
Lies a loving son and brother
In his cold and silent grave.
We think of him in silence,
And his name we often call,
Though there’s nothing there to answer
But his photo on the wall.
– From his Mother, Father, Sisters and Brothers.
Hallam’s Yard, Skipton.
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