Name
Joseph Smith
Abt. 1898.
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/08/1917
18
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
28425
Essex Regiment
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 39.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
He has no Headstone. He is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing in Belgium.
UK & Other Memorials
Cheshunt Town Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Cheshunt (*1)
Pre War
Joseph Smith was born Abt. 1898, in Edmonton, Middx, son of William and Mary Smith.
Wartime Service
Joseph enlisted at Bedford, Beds, posted to the Essex Regiment with the service number 28425.
On completion of his training, he served on the Western Front. He was killed in Action on 13th August 1917, (possible during the 1st Battle of Passchendaele, 31st July – 10th Nov 1917), he has no known grave, he is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial to the missing in Belgium. Panel 39. At the time of his death he was serving with the 10th Battalion, Essex Regiment.
Additional Information
His mother Mary Smith received a Dependents Pension of 7/- a week from 5th March 1918, and his effects of £8- 7s-1d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £10-10s-00d.
The only positive records found for Joseph where his military records. CWGC, SDITGW, Medal Index Card (MID) and the Army Register of Soldiers Effects. His Service Record was not found.
*1 The Cheshunt Town Memorial lists two J Smiths – James (a Lance Corp Middlesex Regiment) and Joseph (a Private in the Bedfordshire Regiment and then Essex Regiment), so it is clear who the names commemorate. The St Mary’s Church Memorial (Cheshunt) also lists two J Smiths both are recorded as privates; the first listed was in the Middlesex Regiment, and although actually a Lance Corporal, he looks very likely be James. The second was in the Bedfordshires, that means he could be Joseph however he was in the Essex Regiment when he died, There was also a John Edward with a connection to Cheshunt, who was in the Bedfordshires when he died. So this listing could commemorate either, but perhaps the latter is most likely.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
