Name
Frederick Howard Smethurst
23 May 1889
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/08/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Serjeant
M2/227502
Army Service Corps
700th M.T. Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Searched but not found
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LEEDS (LAWNSWOOD) CEMETERY
Screen Wall. W. 446.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Tring memorials, Plaque, St John's Baptist, Church, Croydon
Pre War
Frederick Howard Smethurst was born in Streatham, Wandsworth on 23 May 1889 (baptised 7 Jul 1889) to George Smethurst, civil engineer, and Sophia Matilda (nee Bates). Frederick was educated at MID-Whitgift School.
On the 1881 Census the family of parents, Ernest C (born 1871), George H (born 1872), Annie S (born 1875) and Cyril V were living at 48, Upper Fant Road, Maidstone, Kent.
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Ernest (agent east india merchant), George H (student civil engineer), Annie, Cyril and Frederick (born 1889) were living at Horestead, Lewin Road, Streatham, London.
On the 1901 census the family of parents, George, Cyril and Frederick were living at 80, Alexander Road, Croydon, Surrey.
On the 1911 Census Frederick , a railway clerk, was lodging with the Beynon family at 47. Dartmouth Road Hendon, Middx.
Frederick married Margaret May Hyland on 11 Sep 1912 at All Souls Church, Marylebone, London.
Wartime Service
Frederick enlisted on 7 Oct 1916 in the Army Service Corps as Private M2/227502 , no Service Record was found for him. He was posted to 700Motor Transport Company in Sheffield and was soon progressed to Sergeant Major.
He was involved in a collision with a taxi cab while cycling in Leeds and died from his injuries on 17 Aug 1917.
His Commanding officer wrote: “In peacetime, my greatest friend – in wartime my most efficient and devoted officer.“ (it should be noted that his C.O. was also his brother, not identified).
Additional Information
War Gratuity £8 5s and arrears of £8 8s 5d was paid to his widow Margaret who also received probate of £74 14s 4d.
His Brother Charles (see C V Smethurst on database) served with 2/1st Battalion Honourable Artillery Company (Infantry) and was killed in action on 31 Mar 1917.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
