Pte 72265 James Smith

• Age: 24
• From: Mossley, Lancs
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 31st October 1917
• Commemorated at: Kemmel Chateau Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: Y.5

James Smith was born on 01st July 1893 at Mossley and was baptised 6th August 1893 at St George's Church, Mossley. He was the son of James and Emma Smith (nee Riley), of Mossley, Manchester. They had married in 1869 at Saddleworth Register Office, Oldham. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 91, Manchester Road, Mossley, Ashton under Lyne, Lancashire. His father James is aged 56, born 1845 and employed as a stonemason’s labourer, whilst his mother Emma is aged 50 and has no occupation listed. At the time of the Census they have nine children, Ellen aged 31, Betty aged 26 and Bertha aged 19 are all employed as cotton card room hands, Samuel aged 23 is a cotton spinner, Fred aged 17, is a cotton picer, Herbert aged 15, is a cotton warehouse hand,  Emma aged 12 is an apprentice dressmaker, James aged 7 and James aged 5, born 1896. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 19 Manchester Road, Mossley, Lancashire. His mother Emma is a widow aged 60, born 1851 in Woodhead, Cheshire, she is a confectioner. She was living with six of her children at the time of the Census, Ellen aged 41, born 1870 no occupation, Bertha aged 29, born 1882 is a cotton slubbing frame tenter, Fred aged 27, born 1884 a machinist in an iron works, Herbert aged 25, born 1886 a packer in a cotton mill, Emma aged 22, born 1889 a woollen weaver and James aged 17, born 1894 a grocers shop assistant. All the children were born in Mossley.

James enlisted in Ashton under Lyne and originally served as Private 35451 in The Manchester Regiment and following a transfer was serving in the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 72265 when he was killed in action on the 31st October, 1917 aged 24 during the third Battle of Ypres.

He now lies in Kemmel Chateau Military Cemetery, Belgium. The Inscription on his headstone reads:

"TILL WE MEET AGAIN"

Kemmel Chateau was north-east of Kemmel village and the cemetery was established on the north side of the chateau grounds in December 1914. It continued to be used by divisions fighting on the southern sectors of the Belgian front until March 1918, when after fierce fighting involving both Commonwealth and French forces, the village and cemetery fell into German hands in late April. The cemetery was retaken later in the year, but in the interval it was badly shelled and the old chateau destroyed. There are now 1,135 Commonwealth burials of the First World War in the cemetery and 21 from the Second World War (which all date from the Allied withdrawal ahead of the German advance of May 1940). The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

He is also commemorated at the Men of Mossley War Memorial in St George's Church, Stamford Street, Mossley, Tameside.

Soldiers effects and pension to his sister Ellen.

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