Name
Herbert Smith
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/03/1918
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Sergeant
4/6477
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Mentioned in Despatches four times
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
POZIERES MEMORIAL
Panel 28 and 29.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Ashwell Village Memorial,
St Mary’s Church Roll of Honour, Ashwell
Pre War
Herbert grew up on Silver Street, Ashwell, and was a farm labourer.
Wartime Service
He served in the 2nd battalion, the Bedfordshire Regiment. He arrived in France on 11th November 1914 and joined the rest of the battalion at Bailleul the following day. The remainder of the year was spent on a relatively quiet front around Fleurbaix. He was promoted to Sergeant and served until 1918. He was due to return home for a month's leave, but was killed in action on March 25th or 26th.
An article by Martin Ford in the Mercury Midweek(*1) of the 11th of March 2015 describes how, on the 12th of March 1915 Herbert was involved in a heroic action where a small group of nine men took 49 Germans prisoner after attacking their trenches with grenades. Captain Charles Foss, who led the attack, described it as follows: "We felt very naked and above ground in the open field - at least I did. The dyke caused me some amusement - none of the bombers were inclined to get their feet wet and I thoroughly sympathised with them - wet puttees are so cold."
The men then launched their attack with grenades. Captain Foss wrote: "The bombs, the first I had seen go off in anger, frightened me with their noise and the mess they made of the local German. They also stirred the Germans into activity. They got up and crowded around us with their hands up." The men then took 49 prisoners and secured the trench.
Herbert went on to be described as a "distinguished bomber" by the regiment and was mentioned in despatches four times by the end of 1915. He was promoted to Sergeant. His listing in De Ruvigny mentions that he was commended for his work in the field more than once.
An article in the Hertfordshire Express published on 4th of May 1918 reports he had been killed in action on 21st of March after having been in France for over three years on the Special Reserve. He had received a certificate from his General after having been commended for his excellent work. He was due to come home on a month's leave, usually given to an old soldier on completion of the term of service for which he enlisted.
Additional Information
Herbert was the eldest son of George and Lilla Smith, of Silver St., Ashwell, Baldock, Herts. They lost another son, Harry, on the 16th of January 1916, who was in the 1st Hertfordshire Regiment, also a sergeant.
*1 A newspaper article on Cap C Foss, which includes information on Herbert, is included in our Archive under Biographies (HAW) - Additional Information.
Acknowledgments
Derry Warners
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson
