Marton Smedley
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Marton Smedley was born in 1893 in Nottingham and was the youngest son of Thomas, a lace manufacturer, and Mary Hannah Smedley née Taylor of 18 Milner Road, Sherwood, Nottingham. His father was born in 1862 in Nottingham , his mother Mary Hannah Taylor was born in 1863 in Fenton Lincolnshire. They were married in 1890 and had three children: Dorothy b1891, William b1892 and Marton b1893; all being born in Nottingham. His father Thomas had previously been married to Eunice Riley in 1881 in Basford, they had 4 children before Eunice died in 1888 in Nottingham aged 24 yrs; their children were Bertram b1882, Percival b1884, Vincent b1885 and Eunice Maud b1887. All the children were born in Nottingham. In the 1911 census the family are living at 18 Milner Road, Sherwood Rise, and are shown as Thomas 49 yrs a lace manufacturer; he is living with his second wife Mary Hannah 48 yrs and his children Eunice Maud 24 yrs a milliner, Dorothy 20 yrs no occupation given, William 19 yrs a plumber and Marton 17 yrs a glass painter. His brother William enlisted in the Canadian Infantry and died of wounds in June 1916 (Ypres Menin Gate Memorial).
Rifleman Marton Smedley enlisted on 14th November 1914 in Nottingham, he was 20 yrs and 10 months old, his address was 18 Milner Road, Sherwood, his father Thomas was his next of kin of the same address. He stated his occupation was that of a stained glass painter he was posted to the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He embarked from England on 19th May 1915 and joined the British Expeditionary Force the same day. On 16th August 1915 he suffered a fractured leg and was returned to England. Following treatment and rest he returned and joined the 9th battalion Kings Royal Rifle Corps in the field on 14th February 1916. On 20th May 1916 he was found asleep whilst on sentry duty, he was tried at a Field General Court Martial on 31st May 1916, he was found guilty and was sentenced to two months Field Punishment No 2. On 24th August 1916 he was in action and was reported missing, later it was confirmed he had died in action on that date. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial (Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B).
His elder brother Pte. William Smedley, Princess Patricia's Light Infantry (Canadian Infantry), was wounded and taken prisoner on 2nd/3rd June 1916, dying in German hands on 13th June 1916. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial Ypres. Nottingham Post notice (abridged) 10 March 1917: 'Smedley. Previously reported missing now killed in action August 24th 1916, Rifleman Marton Smedley, KRR, age 22, youngest son of Thomas and Mary Smedley, 18 Milner Road, Sherwood, Nottingham.' In memoriam notice published in the Nottingham Evening Post dated 24th August 1917:- “SMEDLEY. – In loving remembrance of our dear sons, who answered the duty called, Rifleman Marton Smedley, K.R.R., killed in action August 24th, 1916, and Private William Smedley, P.P.C.L.I., died a prisoner of war from wounds received in action June 3rd, 1916.” Above in memoriam is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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