Arthur Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Arthur Smith was born in 1878 at Southwell and was the son of William a Maltster and Elizabeth Smith of 20 Back Lane, Southwell. His father William was born in 1843 and his mother Elizabeth was born in 1846 both were born in Southwell, they were married and went on to have the following children, George b1867, Mary 1869, Annie b1871, Edmund b1873, Ellen b1876, Arthur b1878,, Bessie b1881 and Thomas Smith b1883, all were born in Southwell . In 1881 the family lived on Back Lane and in 1891 on King Street (both Southwell). Arthur was the husband of Amelia Robinson they married on 24th September 1913 , they had a son George Arthur Smith born 23rd April 1914 and they lived at Norwood Lodge, Southwell. On the 25th February 1918 his widow Amelia was awarded a weekly pension of 21 shillings and three pence for herself and son.
Sergeant Arthur Smith first enlisted into the 1st battalion Sherwood Foresters Regiment in August 1896, he saw service in the Boer War winning a DCM in 1900 for his actions at the battle of Dimond Hill. He went on to serve with the Regiment in China and India he was discharged in 1908. He was mobilised from the Special Reserve at Newark on 4th September 1914 standing 5' 7" and weighing 128 lbs. He saw service in the Dardanelles taking part in the Sulva Bay landings and was eventually evacuated to Egypt. He was sent to France in July 1916 and saw action on the Somme and at Ypres he was killed in action on 4th August 1917 having no known graves his name is commemorated on the Menin Gate Panel 39 and 41 Personal effects returned to his family were disc, wallet and photographs
Special Reserve This was a form of part-time soldiering, in some ways similar to the Territorial Force. Men would enlist into the Special Reserve for 6 years and had to accept the possibility of being called up in the event of a general mobilisation and otherwise undertake all the same conditions as men of the Army Reserve. Their period as a Special Reservist started with six months full-time training (paid the same as a regular) and they had 3-4 weeks training per year thereafter. A man who had not served as a regular could extend his SR service by up to four years but could not serve beyond the age of 40. A former regular soldier who had completed his Army Reserve term could also re-enlist as a Special Reservist and serve up to the age of 42.
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