Name
Joseph Arthur Smith
10 Jun 1897
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/03/1918
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Royal Marine Light Infantry
2nd R.M. Bn. R.N. Div.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. HILAIRE CEMETERY, FREVENT
V. E. 1.
France
Headstone Inscription
IN EVER LOVING MEMORY OF DEAR BOY JOE AND OF HIS MOTHER NOW RE-UNITED
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Letchworth memorials
Pre War
Joseph Arthur Smith was born in Gravesend on 10 Jun 1897 (baptised 4 Aug 1897,Milton next Gravesend) to Ernest Smith, grocer’s manager, and Alice (nee Tracey).
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Gerald (born 1894, Joseph, Alice M (born 1901), Ellen Tracy (Alice’s sister, born 1869, a book keeper) and Louise Ostler (born 1887, domestic servant) were living at Shenley Road, Elstree, Barnet, Herts.
On the 1911 Census Joseph was living at the Central Hotel, Letchworth with his brother Gerald and sister Alice M, his Mother Alice was the manager of the Hotel.
Wartime Service
Joseph enlisted as Private 1929 in the Royal Marine Light Infantry at Crystal Palace, London on 30 Jan 1915 and trained at Deal, Kent. He was posted to the Divisional Train of the Royal Naval Division, promoted to Lance Corporal on 20 Mar 1915, he was placed in the Draft for the Middle East Force on 30 Apr 1915, landing at Alexandria on 18 May 1915 and on to Mudros on 2 Jun 1916. He was promoted to Corporal on 1 Jul 1915. Following the General Withdrawal from Gallipoli The Royal Naval Division went to France landing at. Marseilles in 23 May 1916. Being absorbed in the B.E.F it was renamed 63rd (Royal Navy) Division.
Joseph was treated at 3rd (RN) Field Ambulance for Deafness on 21 Aug 1916, returning to Duty on 12 Nov 1916.
Joseph returned UK for Officer Training on 23 Jan 1917 and was commissioned as Second Lieutenant, RMLI on 27 Jun 1916.
He was posted to a Draft for B.E.F. on 8 Dec 1917 and was posted to 2nd RM Battalion 15 Dec 1917, part of 118 Brigade (2nd Royal Marine)Battalion, 63rd (Royal Navy) Division. The Division were in the First Battles of the Somme 1918 (German Spring Offensive) at St Quentin (21-23 Mar) and the 1st Battle of Bapaume (24-25 Mar 1918. Joseph was wounded, shrapnel wound to the abdomen on 26 Mar 1918 and died on 27 Mar 1918.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
