Name
Samuel Smith (3296)
1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
21/05/1916
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
3926
London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
1st/8th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 10.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
Berkhamsted Town Memorial,
St Peter's Church Memorial, Berkhamsted,
Sunnyside Memorial, Berkhamsted
Pre War
Samuel Smith was born on 22 March 1888 in Berkhamsted, Herts, the son of Samuel and Rose Smith and baptised on 20 May 1888 at Berkhamsted.
On the 1891 Census the family were living at George Street, Northchurch, where his father was working as a general wood turner. They had moved to 3 Hamilton Road, Berkhamsted by 1901 and remained there in 1911. Samuel was then working as a postman, having commenced his employment with the Post Office on 20 March 1910.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in London in 1915 and served with the 1/8 Battalion, London Regiment, also known as the Post Office Rifles. He was initially given the Reg. No. 3926, later being changed to 371656.
He was killed in action and death was presumed on or since 21 May 1916 during the enemy attack at Vimy Ridge. Samuel has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His father received a war gratuity of £3 and pay owing of £3 11s 5d.
The Post Office awarded his parents a pension of £1 7s a week under the Superannuation Act as Samuel had worked for them for 6 years 2 months prior to his death.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
Jonty Wild
