Name
Frederick Smith
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/10/1917
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
26023
Bedfordshire Regiment
4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 48 to 50 and 162A.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Baldock memorials, St Michael and All Angels Church, Walthamstow
Pre War
Frederick Smith was born in 1891 in Walthamstow, Essex, the son of Richard and Fanny Smith (nee Riches) and one of 6 children, although two died in infancy. He was baptised on 23 November 1891 in Walthamstow at St Michael and All Angels Church.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at Harvey Park Road, Walthamstow and his father was working as a turkish bath attendant. His father died in 1911 and on the 1911 Census he was living with his widowed mother and older brother Edwin at 37 Mansfield Road, Walthamstow and was working as an apprentice in gold block book binding.
He was said to be living in Baldock, Hertfordshire when he enlisted in nearby Hitchin.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hitchin and joined the Bedfordshire Regiment, serving with the 4th Battalion in France and Belgium.
Frederick was listed as missing and death was presumed on or since 30 October 1917 during the Second Battle of Passchedaele. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium.
Additional Information
His mother, Frances, received a war gratuity of £7 10s and pay owing of £1 7s 0d. A pension card was been found which gives his mother's name and address but no details of any pension received.
His mother was living at 23 Northcote Road, Walthamstow with his brother Edwin and sister in law Ethel in 1921.
N.B. There are two Frederick Smiths named on the Memorial inside St Michael and All Angels Church, Walthamstow. As Frederick was baptised in the church which is situated on Northcote Road where his mother was living in 1921, it is likely he would have been named on that memorial.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson
