Name
John Edward Smith
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
22/09/1917
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
27075
Bedfordshire Regiment
2nd Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
OUTTERSTEENE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION, BAILLEUL
I. B. 25.
France
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary the Virgin Church Memorial, Cheshunt (*1)
Pre War
John Edward Smith was born in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, son of John E. Smith.
No Birth, Baptism or Census records was found for John Jr.
Wartime Service
John Jr. enlisted at Cheshunt, Herts, posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment with the service number 27075.
John died on 22nd September 1917, of wounds received in action. He is buried in Outtersteene Communal Cemetery Extension, Bailleul, France. Grave Ref; I. B. 25.
*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 - so not this man. 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 (this man) 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.
Additional Information
His effects of £3-10s-00d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £6-10s-00, went to his father John Smith.
The only records found for John where his military records, CWGC, SDITGW, Medal Index Card (MID) and the Army Register of Soldiers Effects. His Service Record was not found.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
