Name
James Smith
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
03/05/1917
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
22714
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Markyate Village Memorial, St John The Baptist Church Memorial, Markyate
Pre War
James smith was born in Markyate, Caddington, Beds. In 1888 to Aaron Smith, labourer, and Susan (nee Loveridge).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Thomas (born 1883), Riley, Born 1886), Sophia (born 1888), Minnie (born 1891), Alfred (born 1893), Emily (born 1896) and James were living at North Cottages, Markyate.
On the 1911 Census the family of parents Thomas (farm labourer), Riley (farm labourer), Sophia, Alfred (general labourer) and James were living at Church Walk, Dunstable.
Wartime Service
No Service record was found for James.
He was enlisted as Private 22714 in the Bedfordshire Regiment probably around March 1915 and was posted to 7th Battalion of the Regiment. As part of 54 brigade, 18 (Eastern) Division James may have taken part in the Battles of the Somme; Albert (1 - 13 Jul), Bazentin (14 - 17 Jul), Thiepval (20-28 Sp), Ancre Heights 1 Oct-11 Nov) and Ancre (13 - 18 Nov). Continuing in this area the division took part in Operations on the Ancre (4 Jan- 13 Mar 1917) before moving the Arras area to take part in the 3rd Battle of the Scarpe (3 - 4 May 1917). During the action James was reported Missing in action and his death was presumed to have occurred on 3 May 1917. His remains were not recovered and he is remembered on the Arras Memorial.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £6 10s and arrears of £5 3s 10d was paid to his mother. Brother Albert served with Essex Regiment as private 29210 and was killed inaction 4 days prior to James on 28 Apr 1917.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Anne & Gordon Mead
