John Thomas Greensmith
He was a farm labourer on enlistment.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
John Thomas Greensmith was born in 1895 at Rufford, Nottinghamshire, he was the son of John a timber yard horseman and Maud Minnie Greensmith née Chapman and the brother of Ernest, Fred, Mabel, Gertrude and Harry Greensmith.
His father John was born in 1872 at Wellow, Nottinghamshire, his mother Maud Minnie was born in 1873 at East Bridgford, they were married in 1890 their marriage was recorded in the Southwell registration district, they went on to have 10 children, sadly 4 were to die in infancy or early childhood.
In the 1911 census the family lived at Rufford Mill Cottages near Ollerton Nottinghamshire, John Greensmith 39 yrs is a timber yard horseman, he is living with his wife Maud Minnie 38 yrs and their children Ernest 18 yrs a farm labourer, John Thomas 16 yrs a farm labourer, Fred 7 years of age, Mable Ada 6 yrs, Gertrude 3 yrs of age, Harry 2 years of age. When John enlisted they lived at 33 Antill Street and later 13 Bostock Yard Penfold Lane (both Stapleford Nottinghamshire).
Private John Thomas Greensmith, attested on 31st August 1914 at Worksop giving his age as 20 years he was a farm labourer, he served with the 2nd Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment landing in France on 1st March 1916 and was killed in action on 19th September 1916. He is buried in Vermelles British Cemetery.
In memoriam published 18th January 1917 in the Nottingham Evening Post :-
“GREENSMITH. – Killed in action, September 18th, Private J. T. Greensmith, Lincolns, aged 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Greensmith, Stapleford, late of Rufford. Deeply lamented.”
Above is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
John Thomas Greensmith
Commonwealth War Graves Commission headstone marking his grave at Vermelles British Cemetery, pas de Calais.
Courtesy of Murray Biddle