Stephen Naysmith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Father: Norman Naysmith, born in 1872 at Carlisle, working as a sugar boiler at a confectioners. Mother: Susannah Naysmith, born in 1870 also at Carlisle. Brothers: John George, born in 1894 at Houghton-le-Spring, working as a fitter, Norman V., born in 1898 at Houghton, Robert H., born in 1909 at Nottingham and Sidney, born in November 1910 in Nottingham. Sisters: Mary E., born in 1896 at Houghton, working as a lace mender, Margaret, born in 1901 in Carlisle, Susannah, born in 1906 in Carlisle and Lily, born in 1907 in Nottingham. The family lived at 106 King's Meadow Road, Meadows, Nottingham.
Pte. Naysmith was called up and attested on 27/02/1917 at Derby and was posted to the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was then posted to 4th Infantry Reserve Battalion on 01/03/1917. On 11/03/1918 he was transferred to the Sherwood Foresters. He embarked at Folkestone for France on 08/03/1918 and arrived at Boulogne the same day. On 01/05/1918 the battalion was moved to the Chemin des Dames Ridge, and on 26/05/1918 they were warned of a pending attack. The following day there was an intense bombardment by the Germans and massed infantry attacks followed. The battalion attempted to make a fighting retreat but within the day it had ceased to exist as 680 men of all ranks became casualties. Pte. Naysmith was reported missing on that day, but it was not until 28/07/1919 that he was confirmed as dead. His body was finally recovered and he was buried at Jonchery sur Vesle British Cemetery.
Pte. Naysmith's brother, John George, "Jack" died on 18/06/1916. Nottingham Post obituary (abridged), 18 July 1916: 'Naysmith. On 18th inst., 106 King's Meadow Road, John George, son of Norman and Susannah Naysmith in his 23rd year.'
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