Reuben SMITH

31 December 1915

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Pte. R. Smith writes:– “Your most welcome parcel to hand. Don’t forget to thank all the Addingham people for us. It is getting quite a hot shop out here. The shells are coming over from morning to night, and they make it quite uncomfortable for us, for they shell poor Tommy’s trenches. But you cannot blame them, as our men also do the same to them–but it is no picnic, I can tell you. The trenches are in a bad state, and the parapets fall in without anyone touching them. It is awful going into them for water; we have to keep the pumps going all the time.”

13 October 1916

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Pte. R. Wall, writing to Mr. Flint, says:–“Thanks for splendid parcel. For about a week we have been blessed with ideal weather and if it only continues for another month or so there will be a great change in the situation. It is quite evident that the idea is to advance as far as possible before the winter conditions prevail, for, as you know, advancing over heavy ground is practically out of the question. About a week ago I passed R. Smith and W. Dixon. I was not able to have a chat with them, but they looked well.”

03 November 1916

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels:–

Private W. Dixon, writing from No. 2 Convalescent Camp, Rouen, says: “ I was sorry to hear about W. Waggitt’s death. R. Smith told me about him. They were both together when he got killed. Smith got wounded. I was wounded the day before. I don’t think the war will last much longer. Sooner it is over the better. We go down to Rouen nearly every day to the football matches or the pictures. We have a very good football team, they play Rouen and other teams.”

17 November 1916

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters in acknowledgement of parcels:–

J.G. Waggitt, of the 19th Batt. C.F.A., 2nd Canadian Division, writes:–“Thanks for parcel; it is kind of you to send me parcel, and nice to think the people at home have not forgotten us. We are having very bad weather here just now. I wish it would clear up for a while. It seems to hinder us quite a lot, but we have the satisfaction of knowing it is just the same for Fritz. I saw some of the Addingham boys just before my brother was killed, but they are not around here now. I had a little talk with Reuben Smith a few days before he was wounded. He was with my brother at the time. We don’t get much news these days.”

22 December 1916

ADDINGHAM – SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters:–Pte. R. Smith writes: “I received your most welcome letter and P.O. I don’t think I shall be long before I get my leave. I expect it just after Christmas, then I shall be able to see you all, if I am lucky. We have just come out of the trenches for a few days. I think I have earned my leave, but never mind, I am living, and that is everything. My friend Waggitt got killed in front of my eyes. I wish all of you a merry Christmas.”

29 June 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following acknowledgment of parcels sent out:–

Pte. W. Townson writes from the Royal Berks. War Hospital, Reading:– “Thanks for yours of the 18th and P.O., which will come in handy later on, that is when I can get out a bit. I am pleased to say my wound is doing very nicely, and yesterday I was able to get up for a short time. Before long I am hoping to spend a few days at home. I am sorry to hear the news about Reuben; we have lost some good lads from the old village.”

29 June 1917

SMITH – Died of wounds, June 11th, Pte. R. Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith, of Addingham.

29 June 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIER DIES OF WOUNDS

Mr and Mrs. F. Smith have received the following official intimation of the death of their son, Pte. R. Smith, from the Infantry Record Office York:– “We regret to inform you of the death of your son, Pte. R. Smith, West Riding Regiment, in No. 2 Casualty Clearing Station, France, on June 11th, from shrapnel wounds in left arm, left shoulder, and fractured humerus.”

The following letter was received from the Roman Catholic chaplain by his mother:– “I am the R.C. chaplain at No. 2 Canadian Clearing Station. Your son went to our hospital and I had the privilege to give him the last sacrament. I deeply regret to inform you that he died in our hospital. I buried him in our cemetery close to the hospital. His grave is Plot 14, E27. The burial took place yesterday, the 12th of June. I beg you to accept in this trial for yourself and your family my most sincere condolence. I can assure you that he will have a part in my prayers, more especially at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.”

Pte. Smith has seen a good deal of active service, joining up in the early period of the war and experiencing some stiff fighting, having been wounded several times. His brother, Pte. J. Smith, was one of the survivors of the torpedoed transport. There are still four brothers in the army and one in the navy, as well as a brother-in-law in the army.

20 July 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint had received the following letters in acknowledgment of parcels sent out:–

Signaller Fred Stapleton, of the 7th Cameron Highlanders, writes:– “Thanks for cigarettes which will be greatly appreciated. I am keeping in the best of health. Sorry to hear about R. Smith being killed. I was speaking to his brother, who is in the Bradford Pals, only a few days ago. The weather is rather changeable. We have had a lot of rain recently. Living in tents is none too comfortable when these showers are prevalent, and it is pleasant to see your equipment being carried down stream occasionally. Believe me this is not an exaggeration, and it is inclined to make one have a sense of insecurity not being able to swim. I could do with a week-end at Blackpool.”

31 August 1917

ADDINGHAM SOLDIERS’ LETTERS

Mr. Flint has received the following letters:–

Pte. G. Sutcliffe writes:- “Thanks for parcel. I am quite fit again and going up the line this week. Sorry to hear that A. Stapleton has lost his right hand, and that R. Smith got killed. His brother was with me in the convalescent camp and told me.

26 April 1918

Further Addingham Casualties

We regret to announce further casualties amongst Addingham men. Pte. Tom Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith, Church Street, Addingham, is a prisoner of war in Germany. Pte. Smith, who is in the Yorkshire Regiment, has written home stating that he is sound and that they have to wait for further information before replying. He is 31 years age, and joined up in March, 1916. He went to France in September, 1917. He is one of six brothers, five in the army and one in the navy, one of whom, Reuben, was killed in action.

13 September 1918

Addingham Soldier Killed in Action

News of the death of Pte. W. Smith, of the York and Lancaster Regiment, was conveyed to his parents Mr. and Mrs. F. Smith, Church Street, in a letter from his commanding officer, who wrote:– “It is with deep regret that I have to inform you of the death of your son, who was killed in action on 2nd Sept. Pte W. Smith was a good soldier and was respected well by the officers and men of his company. He has made the great sacrifice and given his life for the benefit of those who come after. I hope that fact will be a little comfort to you in your sad bereavement. With deepest sympathy, yours very sincerely, J. Eckersley, O.C. ‘B’ Coy. 2/4 York and Lancaster Regiment.” Pte. Smith, who would have been 19 years of age on the 14th of this month, joined up on December 17th, 1917, and went out to France on July 23rd. He was drummer in the Volunteer Training Corps for about three years, and was held in great respect. Previous to joining up he was employed as gardener at Mr. Cook’s, Summerfield, Ilkley. He is one of six brothers who have served their country in this tremendous struggle for liberty of nations, one of whom, Pte. R. Smith, having already laid down his life, and another, Pte. Tom Smith, is prisoner of war in Germany. The sympathy of all who know them will go out to Mr. and Mrs. Smith in their great loss.