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Norman SMITH

Main CPGW Record

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): Norman

Place of Birth: Embsay, Yorkshire

Service No: 3318

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 1/6th Battalion

Division: 49th (West Riding) Division

Age: 26

Date of Death: 1915-08-05

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: C. 3.

CWGC Cemetery: COLNE VALLEY CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Norman Smith was the son of John and Mary Smith, née Watson? John was born at Embsay, Yorkshire and Mary in Scotland.

1891 Embsay, Yorkshire Census: Centenary Place - Norman Smith, aged 3 years, born Embsay, son of John and [stepson of] Mary J. Smith. [John had married Mary Jane Lawson (born Crakehall, Yorkshire c. 1862) in 1890.]

1901 Embsay, Yorkshire Census: Rose Terrace - Norman Smith, aged 13 years, born Embsay, son of John and [stepson of] Mary J. Smith.

1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 20, Greenfield Street - Norman Smith, aged 23 years, born Embsay, Yorkshire, son of John and [stepson of] Mary Jane Smith.

The British Army Service Record for Norman Smith exists but may be incomplete.

Norman is listed in the Nominal Roll of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment): Pte N. Smith.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Norman Smith, 3318, W. Rid. Rgt. Theatre of War first served in: 1 - France. Date of entry therein: 14.4.15. K. in A. 5.8.15.

British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Norman Smith, 6/3318, 1/6 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 5.8.15.

Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Norman Smith, 3318, 1/6 West Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 5.8.15. In action. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father and Sole Legatee - John. £9 7s. 4d.

UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Norman. Name(s) on card(s): Dependant: Mr John Smith, born 1854. Relationship: Father. Address: 20, Greenfield Street, Skipton.

A short biography of Norman is included in: ‘Though lost to sight to memory ever dear – Embsay-with-Eastby First World War Roll of Honour’ by Jane Lunnon, David Turner, Chris Lunnon (2018).

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 Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record:

SMITH, Norman, aged 26, 6th Duke of Wellington’s, of 20 Greenfield Terrace, Broughton Road, [Skipton], killed by a bomb, Aug. 5, 1915.

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Private Norman SMITH

Private Norman SMITH

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): Norman

Born:

Residence:

Enlisted: Skipton, Yorks

Number: 3318

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 1/6th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 05/08/15

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): Norman

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 6/3318

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: "A" Coy. 1st/6th Bn.

Age: 26

Awards:

Died Date: 05/08/1915

Additional Information: Son of John and Mary Smith, of 20, Greenfield St., Broughton Rd., Skipton, Yorks.

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War Diary of the 1/6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

5 AUGUST 1915

TRENCHES

Fine day. Enemy shelled the trenches and neighbourhood of Battalion Head Quarters, damaging Communication Trench between E29 and F30 and Communication Trench between E29 (A Coy) and Bn H.Q. Notice over German Trench “Warsaw has been conquered”.

Casualties: No. 3318 Pte N. Smith. A Coy. Killed by Bomb [hand grenade] in Trenches 4 A.M., buried C13 b33. Sheet 238 B Series 1/4000 3rd Edition Belgium-France.
No. 3112 Pte F. West. D Coy. Shrapnel wound in head 5.30 P.M.
No. 2536 Pte R. Jenkinson. C Coy, bullet wound in head 11.30 P.M. Ration fatigue.

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13 August 1915

SMITH – Killed in action, Pte. Norman Smith (son of Mr. John Smith, 20 Greenfield Street, Skipton) of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington’s Regiment, aged 26 years.

13 August 1915

ANOTHER SKIPTON SOLDIER KILLED

One of the latest sacrifices that a Skipton household has been called to make has been brought to light by the sad news of the death of Pte. Norman Smith, son of Mr. John Smith, of 20, Greenfield Street, Skipton. An intimation of the young man's death was received by his parents at the end of last week. It stated:–

“My dear Mrs. Smith, – It is my painful duty to inform you that your son Norman was killed this morning by one of the enemy.

“Death was instantaneous, so the poor fellow had no suffering. At times like these, mere words fail to convey sympathy. I, and my platoon, feel for you in your hour of grief. We realise that we have lost a trusty comrade – a man who always did his duty – a fine type of British manhood. He has been laid to rest quite near Horace Marshall. Poor lad, his troubles are over, and yours is the burden.

“Believe me, in deepest sympathy, E. J. C. Supple.”

Enlisting in October 1914, the deceased soldier joined the ranks of the 6th Battalion Duke of Wellington's West Riding Regiment, and it was while he was fighting with that regiment that he gave his life. Pte Smith was but 26 years of age, and was single. His last letter was received on Friday, July 30th. The late soldier was a journeyman tailor employed by Mr. G. Leathley, of Otley Street, Skipton.

Two other brothers are also in the service of the country. One of them, Private John Wm. Lawson, of the 5th West Yorkshire Regiment, is a prisoner of war at Hostrup, in Germany. The other, Private Norris Gilbert Smith, is attached to the Royal Engineers at Borden, Hants. He is expecting to go to the Front shortly.

20 August 1915

A TOUCHING LETTER

Further news of the death of Pte. Norman Smith, of the 6th West Riding Regiment, has been received by the young man's parents who reside at 20, Greenfield Street, Skipton. The information was received at the end of last week, and took the form of a brief note from a friend of the deceased soldier. It stated:–

“We were getting our rations for the day, when the Germans sent over a big bomb which burst in the parapet where we were standing and killed him instantly. Other two lads were very lucky in not being killed. Before exploding the bomb rolled off the parapet on to another soldier's back. We all scattered, but Norman, and though I shouted to him, he must not have heard me. We made a dash for him, but were not in time, and he got the full force of the bomb. We were pals to the finish; always got our meals together, and stuck to one another as we did in civil life, so you can tell how much I shall miss him, as well as you at home.”

Major C. M. Bateman, of the same regiment, in a letter to Mrs. Smith, says:– “We are all very sorry to lose him, for he was a splendid soldier, and always cheerful under most trying circumstances.”

04 August 1916

SMITH – In loving memory of Private Norman Smith, who was killed in action August 5th, 1915.

‘Though lost to sight, to memory dear.’

From the Family.

03 August 1917

SMITH – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Norman Smith, killed in action August 5th 1915.

“To memory ever dear.”

From the family, 20, Greenfield Street, Skipton.

02 August 1918

SMITH – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Norman Smith, killed in action August 5th, 1915.

“To memory dear.”

From the Family, 20 Greenfield Street, Skipton.

01 August 1919

SMITH – In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother (Norman) killed in action August 5th, 1915.

“To memory dear.”

From the family, 20 Greenfield Street, Skipton.

06 August 1920

SMITH – In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother (Norman), killed August 5th, 1915.

“To memory dear.”

From the Family, 20 Greenfield Street.

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13 August 1915

ANOTHER SKIPTON TERRITORIAL KILLED

This week it is our painful duty to record the death of yet another Skipton man who has given his life in the service of the country, the patriot being Private Norman Smith, of the 6th Battalion (Duke of Wellington’s) West Riding Regiment.

Private Smith’s home was at 20, Greenfield Terrace, Broughton Road, Skipton, where he resided with his parents until October of last year, when he joined the local battalion. He was 26 years of age, and a single young man, and up to the time of enlistment was employed by Mr. Leathley, tailor, of Otley Street, with whom he had been employed for about two years. Prior to this he was in the service of Mr. H. Watson, tailor and outfitter, of Caroline Square. Perhaps he was best known in the vicinity of Skipton as a footballer, of which he was no mean exponent whilst with the Niffany Rovers team, being a tall, finely built young fellow. His early demise will be lamented by the many to whom he was known both as a sportsman and friend.

On enlistment he proceeded into training with the aforementioned battalion, and in April last went out with it to the Front. The sad news of his death was conveyed to his parents by Lieut. E.J.C. Supple, who is in charge of the 4th platoon of ‘A’ Company, who wrote as follows to deceased’s parents:–

“It is a very painful duty to have to inform you that your son, Norman, was killed this morning (August 5th) by one of the enemy’s bombs. Death was instantaneous, so the poor fellow had no suffering. At times like these mere words fail to convey the sympathy I and my platoon feel for you in your hour of grief. We realise we have lost a trusty comrade, a man who always did his duty, a fine type of British manhood. He has been laid to rest quite near to Horace Marshall, also of ‘A’ Company.”

Private Smith had not been previously wounded, but had been in hospital for a short time suffering from septic poisoning. He had a very narrow escape about three weeks ago, a bomb dropping quite close to him and three other privates whilst they were in the trenches, but fortunately it did not explode, and of course they all escaped injury. The last letter received from Private Smith now makes pathetic reading. It was only received last Friday. In it he stated that he was “in the pink” of condition, that he was expecting to be soon out of the trenches for a week, and was looking forward to the time when he would return to Skipton. He also mentioned that the men of the 6th Battalion were to be granted leave to return home in small sections, though it might be a long time ere he was fortunate enough to get away, as only two or three were allowed leave at a time.

It is interesting to note that Private Smith has two brothers in the Army. One, Private John William Lawson (a half-brother, son of deceased’s mother by her first marriage) was with the 5th [2nd?] West Riding Regiment, but is now a prisoner of war in Germany, being captured in February last. He was at Parchim (Mecklenburg-Schwerin), but has since been returned to a prisoners’ camp at Hostrup. He is a reservist, and would have completed his service with the Army by Christmas, 1914, had not war been declared. The second brother is Private Norris Gilbert Smith, a Royal Engineer, now in course of training at Borden Camp, Hants., he expects to go to the Front shortly, and was home on leave quite recently. Before enlistment he was a porter on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway.

20 August 1915

HOW PRIVATE NORMAN SMITH OF SKIPTON MET HIS DEATH – Comrade’s Touching Letter

As we reported in last week’s issue, Private Norman Smith, of the 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, and son of Mr. John Smith, of 20 Greenfield Street, Broughton Road, Skipton, was killed at the Front by the exploding of a bomb on August 5th. This weekend a letter has been received from Private A. Walton, of Skipton, who was a friend of Private Smith’s, and who is at the Front, explaining clearly how his comrade met his death. The letter is as follows:– “No doubt you will have got word about Norman’s death, and I do not know how to express my deepest sympathy for you all at home. It cast a gloom over us all here for he was a favourite with us all. We were getting our rations for the day when the Germans sent over a big bomb, which burst in the parapet where we were standing and killed him instantly. Two others were lucky in escaping with their lives. Before bursting the bomb rolled off the top of the parapet on to F. Thornton’s (another Skipton lad) back. We all took cover as best we could but Norman, and though I shouted to him he must not have heard me. We made a dash forward but were too late. Norman getting the full force of the bomb. He was laid to rest 200 yards behind the firing line with many other brave lads who have fallen. There will be a cross erected at the head of his grave with his name, number of the words, ‘Killed in action’ inscribed upon it. We were pals to the finish, always got our meals together, and stuck to one another as we did in civil life, so you can tell how much I shall miss him, as well as you at home.”

Writing to the parents, Major C.M. Bateman, of the above-mentioned battalion, states that Private Smith met his death at the point where the German trenches are only 25 yards away from their own. They were all very sorry to lose him, for he was a splendid soldier, and always cheerful, even under the most trying circumstances. He offered them his deepest sympathy in their sad bereavement.

24 December 1915

CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – SKIPTON

Pte. Norman Smith, 6th West Riding (Duke of Wellington’s) Regiment, 26 years of age, a single man, killed by a bomb on August 5th. Parents reside at 20 Greenfield Terrace, Broughton Road, Skipton. Prior to enlisting was employed by Mr. Leathley, tailor, of Otley Street, Skipton.

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    One Response to Norman SMITH

    1. Adrian Smith February 10, 2024 at 4:10 am #

      I have his medals from WW1.
      Adrian Smith, his great nephew.

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