Name
William Harold Smith
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
17/07/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
17521
The Queen's (Royal West Surrey Regiment)
1st Bn.
'B' Coy.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ROCLINCOURT MILITARY CEMETERY
I. D. 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH
UK & Other Memorials
Bishop's Stortford Town Memorial,
Holy Trinity Church Memorial, Bishop's Stortford,
Bishop's Stortford Methodist Church Memorial (possible)
Pre War
William Harold Smith was born in 1896 in Bishop's Stortford to Herbert and Emily Smith, and baptised in Bishop's Stortford on 31 May 1896.
On the 1911 Census he was living with his family at 47 Oak Street, New Town, Bishop's Stortford and working as a bookstall assistant.
Wartime Service
He enlisted on 11 December 1915 at Harwich. The address of 1 Hamilton Street, Parkeston, Harwich was initially noted on his enlistment form but was crossed out and replaced with his family's address at 47 Oak Street, Bishop's Stortford. He may have been lodging in Harwich at the time.
He was mobilised on 21 January 1916 and posted to the 10th Bedfordshire Regiment. He transferred to the Royal West Kent Regiment on 21 September 1916 and was killed in action on 17 July 1917.
Additional Information
A war gratuity of £6 awarded to father Herbert, as well as pay owing of £9 10s 8d. While living at 47 Oak Street, New Town, Bishop's Stortford, his father ordered hid headstone inscription: "FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH".
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
