Name
Harold Arthur Smith
7 March 1894
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
11/01/1916
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
8394
East Surrey Regiment
9th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY
I. B. 5.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Baldock Town Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Baldock
Pre War
Harold Arthur Smith was born on 7 March 1894 in Baldock, Hertfordshire, the son of George and Elizabeth Smith and one of seven children although two died in infancy. He was baptised on 22 April 1894 in Baldock.
On the 1901 Census the family were living at 4 Prospect Terrace, Baldock, Herts and his father was working as a horsekeeper on a farm. They remained at the same address in 1911, at which time Harold was working as am iron founder's labourer.
He had a child, Harry George Davis (born early 1914), with Ethel Maud Davis and he allocated a portion of his pay to her when he was called up.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Hitchin, Herts on 5 September 1914 and was initially posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment, being transferred the following month to join the East Surrey Regiment and he served with the 9th Battalion in France from 6 October 1915.
Harold was killed in action on 11 January 1916 and is buried in the Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium.
Additional Information
There is a pension card in respect of Mrs Ethel Maud Davis of Morton Street, Baldock, Herts, his "unmarried wife". She was awarded a pension of 2 shillings a week. There is no mention of his illegitimate son Harry George Davis.
His mother received a war gratuity of £5 10s and pay owing of £5 11s 11d.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Adrian Pitts, Paul Johnson
