L/Cpl 27547 James Smith

• Age: 35
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.K.17

James Smith was born in Liverpool on 12th August 1882 the son of William Smith and his wife Elizabeth (nee Sinclair). James was baptised on 12th October 1882 at St Peter's Church, Liverpool.

The 1891 Census finds James aged 8, a scholar living at 38 Thames St Court, Toxteth with his parents and two siblings. His father, James, is 33 years of age and employed as a coachman, he was born in Ireland, his mother Elizabeth is aged 38 and born in Scotland. His siblings are recorded as; Nellie 15 born in Scotland, and George 10 a scholar born in Liverpool.

On the 1901 census he is aged 18, a ship steward living at 46 Bowring Street, Toxteth. His father James is now 43 and an omnibus driver, mother Elizabeth is 48, brother George 21 a coachman, and nephew William Sutherland 9 b,Scotland.

When his sister Nellie married in 1905 it was stated father William Smith was deceased, by 1911 there is no positive record for mother Elizabeth.

He married Florence Mary Knott on the 14th June, 1911 at St John the Divine, Church of England, Fairfield, Liverpool. (Banns date 21st May, 1911). James was employed as a ship steward and was aged 29 when he married. Florence Mary was born in 1884 in Liverpool and was the daughter of Catherine Knott and the late James Knott. Her father had been a photographer.

The 1911 Census showed Florence Mary living at 81 Parton St, Liverpool with her mother Catherine who was aged 69, born 1842 in Llaneilian, Anglesey. Florence was employed as a boot trade shop assistant. 

James was serving in the 17th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Lance-Corporal No 27547 when he was killed in action on the 27th June 1916. (SDGW shows 27/06/1917)

THe 17th Battalion was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, began on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicts quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions.

The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57”

James was one of those referred to in the diary who was killed in action on 27^th June 1916.

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.

His widow placed a notice in the Liverpool Daily Post on 18^th July 1916:  

“June 27, James, the beloved husband of Florence Smith, 15 Ivydale Road, Mossley Hill.”

Soldiers Effects and Pension to widow Florence M., there are no records of any children in the marriage.


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