Name
Alfred George Smith
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/05/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
79316
Royal Garrison Artillery
139th Siege BLY.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. NICOLAS BRITISH CEMETERY
I. K. 7.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
Alfred was the son of William and Kate Smith, born in Hatfield circa 1887.
In the 1901 census Alfred was 4, is living with his parents and three siblings at Cranborne Terrace, Hatfield. His father was a fishmonger. In 1911 Alfred was at school, and still living with his parents and now 5 siblings at 7 Cranborne Terrace, Pond Hill, Hatfield. His father still a fishmonger.
Officially recorded as born in Hatfield and was living there when he enlisted in Watford.
Wartime Service
Alfred George Smith became Gunner 79316, Royal Garrison Artillery.
The Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of July 1916, in the twenty third list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Smith Alfred George –Cranborne Terrace – RGA.” Then in June and July 1917: “Killed in Action - Alfred Smith – R.G.A.”
As we went to print last month the news of Gunner Alfred smith’s death had come to hand and a memorial service was held in the Parish Church on the last day of the month to commemorate a much loved choir boy. The following letter has been received by the parents of Gunner Alfred Smith will serve to sustain the character which all his friends knew him to bear. “By this letter I desire to express to you the deepest sympathy of the whole Battery at the sad loss of your son, Gun. Smith A.G., who was killed in action May 16th. It was a great blow to his friends in the Battery, as he was one of the most popular men I have in the Battery. I always found your son very keen and always anxious to do his best, no matter what job he was given to him. He was always cheerful and never complained at the hardships we sometimes all had to undergo. By the death of your son the Battery lost one of its best gunners and I intended to promote him when the opportunity arose. I regret that I am unable to tell you where your son was buried but a letter to the attached address will tell all the details. I know this had been a great blow to yourself and his mother and in conclusion I again send you the sincerest regret of both officers and men.
Yours Truly, R.C. May, Major. R.G.A."
Additional Information
Alfred in also commemorated on the family headstone in St Luke’s Churchyard, with the inscription:
In loving memory
Alfred George Smith (our Bob)
killed in action May 16th 1917
aged 19.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs Smith (Mother) of Pond Hill, Hatfield received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
