Name
Wilfred Smith
1895
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/10/1916
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
27888
Bedfordshire Regiment
7th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
St Andrew's Church Memorial, Bramfield
Pre War
Wilfred SMITH was born in Bramfield, Hertfordshire, in late 1895, son of George Smith a Farm Cattle Man and Jane Smith (nee Kilby). One of their 10 children, son Ernest died aged 14, in 1892.
Wilfred was Baptised on 24th November 1895, in Bramfield, Herts.
1901 Census records Wilfred aged 5, living with his parents, five sisters and two brothers, James (15), and Roland (13), at The Cottage, Bramfield, Herts.
1911 Census records Wilfred aged 15, his employment is given as Helping the Estate Woodman, living with his parents, four sisters, brothers James (25) and Roland (23), their address is given as Bramfield, Nr. Hertford, Herts.
Wartime Service
Wilfred travelled to the County Town of Hertford to enlist, posted to the Bedfordshire Regiment and issued with the service number 27888.
On completion of his training Wilfred was sent to France, seeing action on the Western Front. He was Killed in Action on 25th October 1916, possible at the Battle of Ancre Heights (1st Oct – 11th Nov 1916), which was part of the Battle of the Somme. (1st July – 18th Nov 1916). He has no known grave; he is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial to the missing on the Somme. Pier & Face 2C. At the time of his death he was serving with the 7th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment.
Additional Information
His effects of £1-14s-07d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £3, went to his father George Smith.
His mother Jane Smith was awarded a dependents pension of 4/- a week from 10th July1917, increased to 5/- on 6th November 1918.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Stuart Osborne
Jonty Wild
