L/Cpl 265312 John Henry Smith

• Age: 19
• From: Devonport
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• K.I.A Monday 3rd September 1917
• Commemorated at: Torreken Farm
  Panel Ref: C.11

John Henry Smith was born at 15 William Street, Devonport on the 15th March 1898 and baptised on the 31st March at St James the Great C.of E. Church, Devonport, Plymouth. He was the son of Charles and Elizabeth Ann Smith (nee France) who had married in June 1884. His father was in the Royal Navy. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 23 James Street, Devonport - Mother - Elizabeth A. Smith (b 1866) with children Charles R, Stanley, John H and Gladys. 

The 1911 Census has family living at 35 Boston Street, Bootle - Parents Charles and Elizabeth Ann have been married 28 years with 8 children born and 4 still alive) and children Charles, Stanley, John and Gladys Smith. The father Charles senior was a Royal Navy pensioner in 1911.

John Henry married Sarah Ellen McElroy in 1917 at Prestwich Registrar Office. Sarah Ellen was born in December 1896 at Salford. They had a daughter Annie born in March 1918 and John Henry never saw his daughter.

He enlististed in Liverpool and was serving in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Lance Corporal No 265312 when he was killed in action on the 3^rd September, 1917 aged 19 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

A report on his death appeared in the Bootle Times dated 28th September 1917

Lance Corpl J. H. Smith, K.L.R., son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, 35 Boston Street, Bootle, was killed in action on September 3rd. His brother Stanley fell on the field of battle in May, 1915.

He now lies in Torreken Farm Cemetery No1, Whytschaete, Belgium.

Wytschaete was taken by the Germans early in November 1914, and was recovered by Commonwealth forces during the Battle of Messines on 7th June 1917, but fell into German hands once more on 16th April 1918. The village was retaken for the last time on 28th September.  The cemetery, begun by the 5th Dorset Regiment in June 1917 and used as a front line cemetery until April 1918, it contains 90 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 14 German war graves.

He is also commemorated on the Bootle Civic Memorials and Marsh Lane Wesleyan Methodist Church, Bootle.

Soldiers Effects and pension to his widow Sarah Ellen and child Annie.

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

His brother Stanley Smith also fell  he was serving as 3008, 7th Battalion, The King's (Liverpool Regiment) when he died 16th May 1915 aged 24 and he is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial.

Stanley Smith was born at Devonport on the 8th August 1891 and was baptised on the 4th February 1898 at St.James the Great C.of E. Church, Devonport, Plymouth on the same day as his brother Charles Richard who was born on the 5th March 1885. The family home was at 15 William Street in 1898.

A report on his death appeared in the Bootle Times dated 4th June 1915.

COMRADES IN ARMS.

MARSH-LANE BROTHERHOOD MEMBERS KILLED IN ACTION.

The Marsh-lane P.S.A. Brotherhood meeting on Sunday afternoon last took the form of a memorial service in memory of two members who were killed in the charge of the 7th King's on May 15th - Stanley Smith, 23 years of age, of Boston-street and Tom Brown, 18 years, of Brookhill-road. They joined the local Bootle Battalion on the outbreak of war, and had been about three months in France.

An impressive service was presided over by Mr. S.F. Knott, of Folkestone, an ex-vice-president of the Brotherhood, and the hymns, "Peace, Perfect Peace" and "The Sands of Time" were sung with deep feeling by the members.

Mr. H.E. Sawle (hon. secretary) voiced the sympathy of the brethren with the bereaved parents and their appreciation of the noble sacrifice of the two young men who had given their lives for their country in the hour of need. Both youths were in active association as members of the Brotherhood, Stanley Smith having also been drill instructor to the Boys' Brigade, and  a worker in the Band of Hope. The fathers of the lads were both present, being also members of the Brotherhood. Mr. C. Smith is a Naval Reserve man who has been invalided home.

The Brotherhood Roll of Honour numbers 53 members serving with the Colours. several have been wounded, but Privates Smith and Brown are the first to die on the field of battle.

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