Robert Smith
He was a regular worshiper at the primitive Methodist chapel , Bawtry
He was a contractor at Rossington Main Colliery
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Robert was born in 1877 in Ashby, Lincolnshire the son of George and Elizabeth Smith, of Skellingthorpe, Lincoln;
He was the husband of Sarah Jane Ash née Mabbott (born 21st June 1884) (formerly Smith), they were married in 1904 their marriage was recorded in th Gainsborough registration district, they lived at Fern Cottage, Church Walk, Bawtry, Doncaster. they had 3 children, Dorothy born 16th November 1905, Ernest born 20th August 1907 and Mabel born 28th June 1910.
In the 1911 census he and his family are living at Glebe Cottage Rossington Doncaster he is 34 years of age born in Ashby Grange,Lincs and is a horseman on a farm he is married to his wife Sarah Jane 27 years born Willoughton, Lincs and they have been married for 6 years they have three children Dorothy born 1905 Sheffield Ernest born 1907 Sheffield and Mabel born 1910 Wentworth.
Commencing 20th March 1916 his widow was awarded a pension of 20 shillings and 6 pence a week, which was incresed to 26 shillings and 3 pence a wek on 4th April 1917.
his widow was to remarry to become Mrs Ash she lived at Church Wall, Bawtry, Yorkshire.
He enlisted earley in the war on 6th February 1915 at Doncaster. He served with the 1st battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry. He was killed in action at Kemmel near Bailleul on Friday 10th September 1915. He is buried in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium
The news of his death was conveyed to his widow by the reverend C G Danbury,Weslyan Chaplain who wrote :-
'It is my very sad duty to inform you that your dear husband 21536 Pte R Smith 1st King's own Yorkshire light Infantry was killed in action early this Friday morning.He was in the trenches doing his duty when a bullet shot him through the heart. I went up and buried him at 11 o'clock today,he lies by the side of many others who have given their lives for their King and Country'
additional research and information Peter Gillings
Robert Smith
Commonwealth war grave headstone marking his grave at Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, France . Courtesy of Murray Biddle