Main CPGW Record
Surname: SMITH
Forename(s): Ralph
Place of Birth: Cowling, Yorkshire
Service No: 267061
Rank: Private
Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Battalion / Unit: 2/4th Battalion
Division: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
Age: 34
Date of Death: 1918-03-27
Awards: ---
CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 6.
CWGC Cemetery: ---
CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL
Non-CWGC Burial: ---
Local War Memorial: COWLING, YORKSHIRE
Additional Information:
Ralph Smith was the son of James and Susannah Smith, née Hutchinson. Both parents were born at Cowling, Yorkshire.
1891 Cowling, Yorkshire Census: Garden Terrace - Ralph Smith, aged 6 years, born Cowling, son of James and Susannah Smith.
1901 Cowling, Yorkshire Census: Keighley Road - Ralph Smith, aged 16 years, born Cowling, son of James and Susannah Smith.
1911 Cowling, Yorkshire Census: 213, Keighley Road - Ralph Smith, aged 26 years, born Cowling, son of James and Susannah Smith.
British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte Ralph Smith, 267061, W. Rid. R.
British Army WW1 Medal and Award Rolls: Pte Ralph Smith, 267061, 2/4 W. Rid. R. K. in A. 27.3.18.
Army Registers of Soldiers' Effects: Pte Ralph Smith, 267061, 2/4th Bn W. Riding. Date and Place of Death: 27.3.18 France. To whom Authorised/Amount Authorised: Father - James. £17 14s. 7d.
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, Ralph, 3, Garden Terrace, [Cowling], killed in action 1918.
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Private Ralph SMITH
Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 62nd (2/West Riding) Division
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Additional Photo(s) For Soldier Records
Private Ralph Smith
Courtesy of Rev. Robert D. Carter (Formerly vicar of Holy Trinity, Cowling)
Cowling Hill Baptist Burial Ground
Family gravestone
Cowling Hill Baptist Burial Ground
Family gravestone - detail of memorial inscription
View Craven Herald Articles
View Craven Herald Articles
13 July 1917
COWLING – Wounded on Sentry Duty
Private Ralph Smith, of the West Riding Regiment, and Garden Terrace, Cowling, has been wounded while serving in France. On July 2nd, just before the break of day, while on sentry duty in the trenches, he received a bullet wound in the fleshy part of the upper part of the right arm, and is now at the 3rd Australian Red Cross General Hospital. After repeated rejections Pte. Smith enlisted in the early part of the war, previous to which he was employed as a warp twister by Messrs. John Binns and Sons, Croft Mills.
19 April 1918
Private Ralph Smith, Cowling
Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, of 3 Garden Terrace, Cowling, have received the sad news of the death of their son, Private Ralph Smith, West Riding Regiment. He enlisted 8th March, 1916, and went to the Front February 4th, 1917. He was killed whilst assiduously and heroically following his duties as stretcher bearer, just seven days after return from leave. Before enlisting he was employed as a loomer and twister by Messrs. John Binns & Sons, Ltd. He was at one time a popular player for the Cowling Cricket Club.
26 April 1918
COWLING
A Memorial Service was conducted on Sunday morning at the United Methodist Church by the pastor, Rev. W. Whitehead, to the memory of Private Ralph Smith, who was killed in France, as reported in our last issue. The choir sang the anthem ‘God is a Spirit.’
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles
19 April 1918
SMITH – Killed in action, Pte. Ralph Smith, of the West Riding Regiment, son of Mr. and Mrs. James Smith, 3, Garden Terrace, Cowling.
19 April 1918
CRAVEN AND THE WAR
Cowling Soldier Killed
Mr. and Mrs. James Smith. of 3, Garden Terrace, Cowling, have received the sad news of the death of their son, Pte. Ralph Smith, of the West Riding Regiment. He enlisted on March 8th, 1916, and went to the front on Feb. 4th, 1917. He was killed whilst assiduously and heroically following his duties as stretcher-bearer, just seven days alter returning from leave. Before enlisting he was employed as loomer and twister by Messrs. John Binns and Sons. Ltd. He was at one time a popular player for the Cowling Cricket Club.
26 April 1918
COWLING
MEMORIAL SERVICES – A funeral service took place on Sunday morning at the United Methodist Church in commemoration of the late Pte. Ralph Smith, who was recently killed in France. The Preacher was Rev. W. Whitehead, who paid a well-deserved compliment to the memory of Pte. Smith. and spoke in terms of sympathy and consolation to his relatives and the large gathering of friends. The choir rendered the anthem, ‘God is a spirit’ and Miss Florence Whitaker played the ‘Dead march’ in ‘Saul.’ – At the Ickornshaw Wesleyan Chapel on Sunday morning, a funeral service was held in memory of Gunner John Whittaker, killed at the front. Rev. H.P. Thomas was the preacher.
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