William Smedley
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- Military History
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He was the son of Thomas Smedley, a lace manufacturer, and Mary Hannah Smedley (nee Taylor) of 18 Milner Road and later 26 Birrell Road, Sherwood Rise, Nottingham. His father was born in 1862 in Nottingham, his mother Mary Hannah Taylor was born in 1863 in Fentonm 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 four children before Eunice's early death 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 who 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 Marton served in the 9th Battalion King's Royal Rifle Corps (Private) and was killed in action on 24 August 1916 (Theipval Memorial).
William Smedley enlisted at Valcartier, Quebec, Canada on 24th September 1914, he was 22 yrs and 8 months old, he was a plumber and he stated he had been born in Nottingham, England on 10th November 1891, his next of kin was his mother Mary Smedley of 18 Milner Road, Sherwood. He served with the Princes Patricia Canadian Light Infantry and was wounded and taken prisoner on 2nd/3rd June 1916, dying in German hands on 13th June 1916. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial.
Nottingham Evening Post, 22nd August 1916. “SMEDLEY. – Died from wounds received in action June 3rd, 1916, Private William Smedley, Canadian Infantry, aged 24 years, the dearly beloved son of Thomas and Mary Smedley, 18, Milner-road, Sherwood, Nottingham, grandson of the late William Taylor, Marton, Lincoln.” Nottingham Evening Post, 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 notices from Jim Grundy facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.
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