William Henry SMITH

Main CPGW Record

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): William Henry

Place of Birth: Colne, Lancashire

Service No: PO/1327(S)

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Royal Marine Light Infantry

Battalion / Unit: 1st Royal Marine Battalion

Division: 63rd (Royal Naval) Division

Age: 36

Date of Death: 1917-04-28

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: Bay 1.

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: ARRAS MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial(s): Not Listed (View Names Not Listed on a Local War Memorial)

Additional Information:

William Henry Smith (born 8 November 1880) was the son of Leeming and Martha Smith, née Smith. Both of William's parents were born at Cowling, Yorkshire.

1881 Colne, Lancashire Census: 46, Burnley Road - William H. Smith, aged 1 year, born Colne, Lancashire, son of Leeming and Martha Smith.

1891 Colne, Lancashire Census: 21, Knotts Lane - Wm Hy Smith, aged 11 years, born Colne, son of Leeming and Martha Smith.

1901 Colne, Lancashire Census: 32, Thomas Street - Willie Smith, aged 21 years, born Colne, son of Martha Smith, widow.

1911 Ramsbottom, Lancashire Census: Model Lodging, Paradise Street - Wm. Hy. Smith, aged 32 years, born Colne, Lancashire. Widower. [William was living with his sister Annie, and brother-in-law, Thomas Kipling, who was a lodging house keeper.]

Royal Naval Division Casualties of The Great War: William Henry Smith. Service History: Enlisted Manchester 11/1/16; Embarked RM Brigade 28/6/16; 1st RM Bn. Draft for BEF 17/12/16. Notes: A Warper, Cotton Mill; b. Colne, Burnley, Lancs. 8/11/1880; Next-of-Kin on enlistment: Brother, Albert, Spring Cottage Lodge, Nelson, Lancs., later of: 146 Hibson Rd., Nelson, Lancs.; Son of Leeming & Martha Smith, of Cowling, Yorks.

William was the youngest brother of Captain Albert Smith OBE, JP, DL (see above). He was a Member of Parliament from 1910 to 1920 for the Clitheroe Division and then Nelson and Colne. He served in the Great War with the King’s Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment). Sent to Gallipoli, he commanded ‘D’ Company 1/7th Bn Manchester Regiment for a brief period before being invalided home due to illness. [This information about Albert was made known to CPGW by Jordan Cassidy.]

William is commemorated on the Colne War Memorial.

Photograph: 'Colne & District Roll of Honour & War Record 1914-1919'.

Data Source: Commonwealth War Graves Commission

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Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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