Main CPGW Record
Surname: SMITH
Forename(s): Maurice
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 2736
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/6th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 20
Date of Death: 1915-12-19
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: III. F. 4.
CWGC Cemetery: TALANA FARM CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Maurice Smith was the son of John Henry and Elizabeth Jane Smith, née Hawkins. Both parents were born at Skipton, Yorkshire.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 7, Hallams Yard - Maurice Smith, aged 5 years, born Skipton, son of John H. and Elizabeth J. Smith.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 25, Westmorland Street - Maurice Smith aged 15 years, born Skipton, son of John Henry and Elizabeth Jane Smith.
The British Army Service Record for Maurice Smith exists but may be incomplete.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Maurice Smith, 2736, West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 14 April 1915.
See also: ‘Guiseley Terriers: A Small Part in The Great War – A History of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment’ by Stephen Barber (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, Maurice, Duke of Wellington’s, son of Mr. J.H. Smith, formerly of 25, Westmorland Street, [Skipton], killed in action Dec., 1915.
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Private Maurice SMITH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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View Additional Image(s)
Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Private Maurice Smith
Photograph taken by John Henry Smith, the father of Private Maurice Smith
John Henry and Elizabeth Jane Smith
John Henry and Elizabeth Jane Smith, née Hawkins, the parents of Private Maurice Smith
Photograph taken by John Henry Smith, the father of Private Maurice Smith
Talana Farm Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Aurel Sercu, Boezinge, Belgium
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
07 January 1916
ANOTHER SKIPTONIAN KILLED – PRIVATE MAURICE SMITH
Mr. J.H. Smith, formerly of 25, Westmorland Street, Skipton, and now 5, Swinton Place, Bradford, has received information that his son, Pte. Maurice Smith, No. 2736, of the 1/6th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, has been killed.
The sad news came to hand in a letter from Capt. R. Nicholson, stating that the unfortunate young fellow was killed on December 20th, and extending the sympathy of the officers, N.C.O.s and men with the family in their bereavement.
Deceased was a popular and well-respected youth. He was formerly connected with the Skipton Company of the 6th West Riding Cadet Battalion, and joined the Territorials shortly after the outbreak of war. News of his death will be received with regret by a large circle of friends.
20 December 1918
SMITH – In loving memory of Private Maurice Smith. 1/6th Duke of Wellington’s, killed in action December 19th, 1915. – R.I.P.
From Father, Mother and Family, 6 Greenfield View, Skipton.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
07 January 1916
ANOTHER SKIPTON MAN KILLED
Still one more name is added to Skipton’s long roll of honour, news having been received that Pte. Maurice Smith of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, and son of Mr. J.H. Smith, photographer, late of 25 Westmoreland Street, Skipton, has been killed at the Front.
The sad news was received in the shape of the following letter written by the chaplain of the unfortunate young man’s company:– “It is my painful duty to inform you that your son, No. 2736, Maurice Smith, was killed in action on December 20th. Both the officers, N.C.O.s and men are exceedingly sorry to lose him, and they all send you their sympathy in your bereavement.”
Pte. Smith, who was only about 20 years of age, was a well-known Skipton lad, and was formerly in the local Cadets. For a time prior to the war he was employed at Messrs. Edmondson and Co.’s printing works. His parents now reside at Bradford.
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