Ernest Owen Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Ernest Owen, known as Owen, was born in 1896 (J/A/S), the son of John and Elizabeth Smith. His father completed the 1911 Census with the information that he and his wife had been married for 25 years and had had nine children born alive of whom only six were still living. Six children were named on the three census between 1891 and 1911: Elizabeth, John, Henry, Ernest Owen, Alice and Harriett (b. 1901 A/M/J). All the children were born in Nottingham. In 1891 John (28 b. Arnold), a framework knitter, and his wife (29 b. Sneinton), a lace worker, were living at Main Road, Carlton, with their two-year old daughter, Elizabeth. Ten years later in 1901 they were living at 23 Regent Hill, Sneinton, in the ecclesiastical parish of St Matthias. They now had six children; Elizabeth (12), John (9), Henry (6), Ernest Owen (4), Alice (2) and Harriett (2 weeks). In 1911 the family was living at 14 Robin Hood Terrace, Nottingham. John Smith was now a school caretaker. All six children were still living at home; Elizabeth (22) was a lace hand, John (18) worked for a milk seller, Henry (17) was an apprentice, Owen (14) was apprenticed to an ironmonger and Alice and Harriett were still at school. In May 1914 at the age of 17y. 10m Owen enlisted in the Imperial Service Battalion, Territorial Force. The family home was still 14 Robin Hood Terrace. Owen was the first of the three brothers to be killed. Harry served with the King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry (Private) and was killed on 18 November 1916 (Thiepval Memorial). John (Jack), who served with the Durham Light Infantry (375643 Private), was killed on 31 May 1918 (Soissons Memorial). Owen's father completed a form for the army on 31 May 1919 listing his son's surviving blood relatives. By then the family home was at The School House, Douglas Road, Ilkeston Road, Nottingham, and John's three daughters, Elizabeth, Alice and Harriett, were still living with their father. It also looks as though John gave a different address for his wife (entry largely illegible) although the CWGC record, which was compiled at a later date, names both parents and gives their address as The School House.
He enlisted in the Territorial Force on 11 May 1914 when he was not quite 18 years old. He enlisted the same day as his friend Ernest Carter (2084), another 'Dako Boy', and also George Herbert Kiddier (service number 2086) who may also have been a member of the Boys' Club. However, George Kiddier was discharged as no longer fit for military service on 2 October 1914. Owen served in France from 28 February 1915. He reported sick on 7 June 1915 and was admitted to NMDF Amb. suffering from debility but was discharged to duty a week later on 14 June. He and Ernest Carter served with the 1/7th Robin Hood Battalion and both were killed in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt on 13 October. They are both commemorated on the Loos Memorial (Owen - Panel ref 87-89). Owen qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
He served as Owen Smith and this is the name given on the 1911 Census. He is also commemorated on the Dakeyne Street Boys' Club as Owen Smith. The form of surviving relatives completed by Owen's father in 1919 was witnessed by OW Hind of Fletcher Gate, who established the Dakeyne Street Boys Club and was its first captain. His personal effects comprising letters, postcards and a disc were returned to his father in early 1916. His father was his legatee. Owen's death was reported in the Boys Brigade Gazette of 1 March 1916. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour; 5 November 1915: ‘Smith. Killed in action, October 13th, Private Ernest Owen Smith, 2087, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters aged (-) years, youngest and dearly-loved son of (-) and Elizabeth Smith, Robin Hood-terrace. Other (-) and I think of you, and think of how you (-) you could not say good-bye before you closed your eyes. No loved ones stood beside you to bid you (-) farewell; not a word of comfort could you (-) those that loved you well. From sorrowing mother, father, brothers, and sisters; also brother Harry (-) in France.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 18 December 1916: ‘Smith. Killed in action, November 18th, Private Henry (Harry) Smith, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, aged 22, dearly-loved son of John and Elizabeth Smith, Ilkeston-road School House, and loving brother of the late Private Owen Smith, Robin Hoods, killed October 13th 1915. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. Christ will link the broken chain closer when we meet again. From sorrowing father, mother, sisters, and soldier brother Jack [John]’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co,uk) Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 19 November 1917: ‘Smith. In loving memory of our dear sons and brothers, Private Harry, killed November 18th, 1916; also Private Ernest Owen, killed October 13th, 1915; and their dear friend, Private Jack Vickers, killed November 18th, 1916 [John Wm, KOYLI, Thiepval Memorial]. Sweet is the memory of those we loved as dear. Reunited in death. From loving mother, father, sisters and soldier brothers.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) 'In memoriam' notice published 18th November 1918 in the Nottingham Evening Post: SMITH. – In loving memory of our dear son and brothers, Pte. Harry Smith, [1] Yorkshire Light Infantry, killed Nov. 18th, 1916; Pte. Ernest Owen Smith, Robin Hoods, killed October 13th, 1915. We loved you in life, you are dear to us still, but in grief we must bend to God's holy will; the sorrow is great, the loss hard to bear, but angels, dear sons, will guard you with care. – Loving mother, father, sisters, brothers, Jack [2] (missing).” 1] Pte. Harry Smith, 2nd Battalion King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, was killed in action on 18th November 1916. He is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial. [2] Pte. John Smith, 1/6th Battalion Durham Light Infantry, was killed in action on 31st May 1918. He is commemorated on the Soissons Memorial. He was the 26 year-old son of John and Elizabeth Smith, School House, Douglas Road, Nottingham. Above in memoriam and further information are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 18 November 1919: ‘Smith. In loving memory of our dear sons and brothers, Pte Harry, King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, killed in action November 18th, 1916; Private Owen, October 13th 1915; Pte Jack, May 27th 1918. We miss thee when the morning dawns, we miss thee when the night returns, we miss thee here, we miss thee there, dear lads we miss thee everywhere. Mother, father, sisters and brother.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
