Pte 50211 Edward Smith

• Age: 19
• From: Horncastle Lincs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 19th Btn
• K.I.A Sunday 29th July 1917
• Commemorated at: Menin Gate Memorial
  Panel Ref: Panel 4 & 6

Edward Smith was born in the September quarter of 1898 in Horncastle, the son of Charles Smith and his wife Ann (nee Cross). His parents married in the June quarter of 1882 in Horncastle.

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 37 Village St, Belchford. Edward is two years of age and is living with his parents and five siblings. His father is a 40 year old carter on a farm, whilst his mother is 41 years of age. His siblings are recorded as; Olive aged 11, Fred aged 10,  George aged 8, Jane aged 7 and William aged 4.

The 1911 Census finds Edward now aged 13 working on farm at Maidenwell, Louth, Lincs. He is living with his parents and younger brother Arthur aged 7. His parents have been married for 29 years and all seven of their children have survived.  

He enlisted in Lincoln and was serving in the 19th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 50211 when he was killed in action died on the 29th July, 1917 aged 19.

Edward has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial at Ypres in Belgium.

The site of the Menin Gate was chosen because of the hundreds of thousands of men who passed through it on their way to the battlefields. It commemorates casualties from the forces of Australia, Canada, India, South Africa and United Kingdom who died in the Salient. In the case of United Kingdom casualties, only those prior 16 August 1917 (with some exceptions). United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after that date are named on the memorial at Tyne Cot, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war. New Zealand casualties that died prior to 16 August 1917 are commemorated on memorials at Buttes New British Cemetery and Messines Ridge British Cemetery.

The YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL now bears the names of more than 54,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield with sculpture by Sir William Reid-Dick, was unveiled by Lord Plumer on 24 July 1927.

Soldiers Effects to father Charles, no Pension record found

He is also commemorated on the St Peter & St Paul, War Memorial, Belchford.

We currently have no further information on Edward Smith, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact