Charles Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Charles was the son of Joe and Sarah Smith of 14 Birkin Avenue, Nottingham. He married Elizabeth Ann Brady in 1907 (J/A/S Nottingham). They had five children of whom four survived infancy: Beatrice b. abt. 1909 St Ann's, Elsie b. 1911 (O/N/D Nottingham/Brady), Annie b. 1912 (J/A/S Nottingham/Brady) and Florence birth registered 1914 (J/F/M Nottingham/Brady). In 1911 Charles (25) a bobbin and carriage hand (lace machines) and Elizabeth (24) were living at 14 Chadburn Street, Dame Agnes Street, St Ann's, Nottingham, with their one-year old daughter, Beatrice. They had had two children, one of whom had died. The notice of Charles' death in the local paper in 1915 described him as 'late of Bunbury Street' (Meadows, Nottingham), and information provided by relatives is that the family also lived at 41 Lea Street, Radford. His widow Elizabeth married William Thompson in 1919 (A/M/J Nottingham) and then lived at 40 Garden Street, New Radford.
He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial (Panel 26 and 27).
CWGC record: 'Son of Joe and Sarah Smith, of 14, Birken Avenue, Nottingham; husband of Elizabeth Ann Thompson (formerly Smith), of 40, Garden St., New Radford, Nottingham.' Nottingham Evening Post 6 April 1915: “SMITH. – Killed in action, March 12th, at Neuve Chapelle, Corporal C. Smith, 1st Sherwood Foresters, beloved husband of Elizabeth Smith, late of Bunbury-street. Respected by all, and deeply mourned. Did his duty.” Notice courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918 Registers of Soldiers' Effects: payments to widow Elizabeth Ann for self and children. Document annotated 8 September 1919: 'widow Elizabeth Ann Thompson'. Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 13 March 1916: ‘Smith. In loving memory of my dear husband Lance-Corporal Charles Smith, 1st Sherwood Foresters, killed in action, March 12th 1915 at Neuve Chapelle. A light is from our household gone; a voice we loved is still; a place is vacant in our home which never can be filled. From his loving wife and children.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Nottingham Evening Post, 'In Memoriam', 13 March 1916: ‘Smith. In loving memory of my dear son, Lance Corporal Charles Smith, 1st Sherwood Foresters, killed in action, March 12th, 1915, at Neuve Chapelle. One sad year has passed away since our great sorrow fell, but in our hearts we mourn the loss of him we loved so well. Mother, step-father, sisters, brothers, sister-in-law Emily.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk) Text on biography left on the Midland Railway Company Employees' memorial, November 2018: ‘Charles was a porter here at the Midland Railway Station in 1914 before he went to war. He was married to Elizabeth Brady and they lived at 41 Lea Street in Radford. On the 1th March 1915, Charles’ name appeared on the list as having been ;killed in action.’ He died at Neuve Chapelle in France, aged 29. He was one of the many men whose bodies were never recovered. Corporal Charles Smith’s name in on a memorial at Le Touret Military Cemetery. Remembered by his family on the anniversary of the end of World War One 11th November 2018.’
