Name
Arthur Smith (*1)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/10/1918
22
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
10688
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HIGHLAND CEMETERY, LE CATEAU
Plot I, Row E, Grave 4.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford
Pre War
Son of Lucy (nee NICHOLS) SMITH of Watford, and William Henry Lewis John SMITH.
His parents married 20 July 1891 at St Mary’s, Watford. William died 1920 in Watford aged 60, and was buried 9 December in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Lucy died 1953 in the Watford district aged 85.
Arthur was born 7 July 1896 in Watford, and baptised 26 August 1896 at St Mary’s, Watford. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 4 he lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings. On the 1911 Census, a newsboy aged 14, he still lived in Watford, with his parents and four siblings.
Officially recorded as born, living and enlisted in Watford.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Watford; was entitled to the Victory, British War and 1914-15 Star medals, his qualifying date being 30 July 1915, and was killed in action.
There is an article about and a Death announcement for Arthur in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 9 November 1918; and another article in the issue dated 16 November 1918.
Additional Information
Has a entry in the National Roll of the Great War. Unfortunately, Arthur’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing. His brother John died 24 April 1918 and also features on Watford Borough Roll of Honour. *1 With common names like “A Smith”, if no other (or insufficient) information accompanies the memorial entry, such and regiment or date of death, then it is difficult to be certain that we have identified the correct man for the name appearing, if and when further information is found or provided, this entry may be amended.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
