Harry Smith
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Harry, who was registered at birth as 'Henry', was 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 (Jack), Henry (Harry), Ernest Owen (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 the third son, 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 die in the war. He served with the 1/7th Robin Hood Battalion Sherwood Foresters (2087 Private) and was killed on 13 October 1915 in the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt (Loos Memorial). John served with the Durham Light Infantry (375643 Private) and was killed on 31 May 1918 (Soissons Memorial). Owen's father completed a form listing his son's surviving blood relatives on 31 May 1919; by then the family home was at The School House, Douglas Road, Ilkeston Road, Nottingham. 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); nevertheless, the CWGC record, which was compiled at a later date, names both parents and gives their address as The School House.
Harry has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.
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. Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, 18 November 1919: ‘Smith. In loving memory of our dear sons and brothers, Pte Harry [Henry], King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, killed in action November 18th, 1916; Private Owen [Ernest Owen], October 13th 1915; Pte Jack [John], 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)
No Photos