Main CPGW Record
Surname: SMITH
Forename(s): Percy Edgar
Place of Birth: Skipton, Yorkshire
Service No: 307540
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 1/7th Battalion
Division: 49th (West Riding) Division
Age: 28
Date of Death: 1918-03-15
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: V. A. 15.
CWGC Cemetery: DUHALLOW A.D.S. CEMETERY
CWGC Memorial: ---
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: SKIPTON, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Percy Edgar Smith (born 12 August 1888) was the son of Aaron and Sarah Ann Smith, née Maltby. Both of Percy's parents were born at Keighley, Yorkshire.
1891 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 15, Canal Street - Piercy [sic] Smith, aged 1 year, born Skipton, son of Aaron and Sarah A. Smith.
1901 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 1, East Castle Street - Percy E. Smith, aged 11 years, born Skipton, son of Aaron and Sarah A. Smith.
1911 Skipton, Yorkshire Census: 35, Moor View, Brougham Street - Percy Edgar Smith, aged 21 years, born England, son of Aaron and Sarah Ann Smith.
Percy was married to Lily Gallagher in 1911; she married Louis Charles Hudson in 1922. Lily was the sister of L/Corporal Fred Gallagher (2413) (q.v.).
The British Army Pension Record for Percy Edgar Smith exists but may be incomplete. (Percy was a pre-war member of the Territorial Force: Regimental Number 80).
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Percy E. Smith, 307540, W. Rid. R. K. in A. 16.3.18.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Percy Edgar Smith, 307540, 1/7 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 16.3.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Percy Edgar Smith, 307540, 1/7th Bn W. Riding Regt. Date and Place of Death: 15.3.18. In Action. Belgium. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Widow and Sole Legatee - Lily. £19 1s. 7d.
UK, WW1 Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923: card(s) exist for Percy. Name(s) on card(s): Widow: Lily, born 11.12.90. Address 1. 6, Newmarket Street, Skipton. Address 2. 20, Sheep Street, Skipton, Yorks. Children: Kenneth, born 8.12.11.
The 1921 Census shows that Lily and her son Kenneth were living with her mother, Elizabeth Ann Gallagher at 20, Sheep Street, Skipton. The 1939 Register shows that Lily and her husband Louis were living at Highfield, Raikes Road, Skipton. Lily died in 1958.
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, Percy Edgar, aged 28, West Riding Regiment, of Newmarket Street, Skipton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Smith, Brougham Street, killed in action Mar.14, 1918.
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Private Percy Edgar SMITH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 49th (West Riding) Division
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Duhallow A.D.S. Cemetery
CWGC Headstone
Courtesy of Aurel Sercu, Boezinge, Belgium
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
22 March 1918
ANOTHER SKIPTON TERRITORIAL FALLS
We regret to hear that Mrs. Smith, confectioner, Newmarket Street, Skipton, has received information that her husband, Private Percy Edgar Smith, West Riding Regiment, was killed in action on March 14th. In a letter to Mrs. Smith, Private E. M. Smith (deceased’s brother) stated that her husband was killed by an enemy shell whilst sitting in his dugout, and that he had verified the information by enquiry at headquarters and was attending the funeral. The writer added:– “He has died for King and Country and a good cause. He was, I can safely say, a good soldier.”
The sad news is confirmed in a letter to Mrs. Smith from another brother, Private R. S. Smith, who adds:– “He has done his duty for freedom and those he left at home.”
Deceased, who was interred near to another Skipton soldier named Riley, of Russell Street, was 28 years of age, and was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Smith, of Brougham Street, Skipton. Mobilised with the local Territorials at the outbreak of war, he went to France in October 1916. His time expired at Christmas last year, but after a month’s leave at home he returned to the Front in January last. Prior to the war he was a turner in the employ of Messrs. Marsden and Naylor, Skipton, and was a member of the Cononley Association Football Club.
14 March 1919
SMITH – In loving memory of Private Percy Edgar Smith, killed in action March 14th, 1918.
When nights are long and friends are few,
Dearest how I long for you;
Oh, Lord, Thy purpose I cannot see;
But all is well that’s done by Thee.
From his sorrowing Wife and Child, 20 Sheep Street, Skipton.
12 March 1920
SMITH – In loving memory of a dear husband and father, Private Percy Edgar Smith, killed in action March 14th, 1918, aged 28 years.
Today recalls sad memories
Of a dear one gone to rest;
And those who think of him today
Are those that loved him best.
From his sorrowing Wife and Son, of 20 Sheep Street, Skipton.
18 March 1921
SMITH – In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. Percy E. Smith, killed March 14th, 1918.
However long my life may last,
Whatever land I view,
Whatever pain or grief I have
Till death I think of you.
From his loving Wife and Child, 20 Sheep Street, Skipton.
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
22 March 1918
SMITH – Killed in action March 14th, Pte. Percy Edgar Smith, of the West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Smith, confectioner, Newmarket Street, Skipton, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Aaran Smith, of Brougham Street, Skipton, aged 28.
22 March 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Private Percy E. Smith Killed
Pte. Percy Edgar Smith, of the Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, husband of Mrs. Smith, confectioner, Newmarket Street, Skipton, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Aaran Smith, of Brougham Street, Skipton, was killed in action on March 14th. Pte. E. M. Smith, brother of the deceased, in a letter to Mrs. Smith, states:– “1 am sorry to say that your husband was killed on March 14th by a German shell whist sitting in his dugout. I could have dropped when 1 was told. I went right away to their battalion headquarters to see if it was correct, and to my sorrow I found it was so. I also saw him, and I am going to his funeral today. He has died for King and country and a good cause, and also I can safely say he was a good soldier. He walked four miles to see me about a week ago, and he had tea at our billet.” Another brother, Pte. S. Smith, has also written confirming his death, and added that he had done his duty for the freedom of those he had left at home. The deceased soldier’s brothers have also written to their parents, one of them stating that Percy had been buried next to another Skipton lad named Riley, who resided in Russell Street. Pte. Smith, who was 28 years of age, had for eight years prior to the war served in the local Territorials, and was mobilised on the outbreak of hostilities. He went to France in October, 1916. His time expired about Christmas last year, but after a month’s leave at home be returned to France in January last. He was formerly employed as a turner by Messrs. Marsden and Naylor, Skipton, and was also a member of the Cononley Association Football Club.
26 April 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Skipton Soldiers Wounded
Pte. Robert S. Smith, of the West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. Smith, of 35, Brougham Street, Skipton, was shot through the left foot on April 11th. Pte. Smith, who is 23 years of age, was formerly employed by Messrs. Dixon, Firth Shed, Skipton. Another brother, Pte. Percy Smith, was killed on March 14th, while another brother, Pte. E. Smith, is at present serving in France.
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