Pte 16484 John Henry Smith

• Age: 24
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
• Died Thursday 28th March 1918
• Commemorated at: Pozieres Memorial
  Panel Ref: P21-23

John Henry was born in Liverpool on 09th July 1893 the son of William Henry Smith and his wife Anna Hibbert (nee Barratt). His parents married in the first quarter of 1889 at St Silas' Church. He was baptised at St Silas' Church, Pembroke Place, Liverpool on 8th August 1893.  

His mother died aged just 28 in the fourth quarter of 1896. 

The 1901 Census shows John H. aged 7 living at Byford Street, Liverpool with his father, grandmother, an aunt and uncle, two brothers and two cousins.
His father is 35 years of age and head of the household, his grandmother Margaret Smith is 74 years of age. His two brothers are William E. aged 11 and Thomas Barrett aged 9. His uncle is the brother of his father Thomas B. and his aunt is Florence Smith their two children Jessie aged 3 and Frederick aged 1 make up the household.  

His father died aged 38 in the first quarter of 1904.

On 1911 Census he is living with his Uncle Thomas and Aunt Margaret Wilson at 88 Crown Street, Liverpool. He is 17, single and a sugar merchants clerk. Also in the household are his elder brothers William E and Thomas B. These are alongside the children of his aunt and uncle, John's cousins, William J. aged 22, Eleanor  aged 19, Bessie P. aged 17 and Albert  aged 13 

He enlisted at St George's Hall in Liverpool on 02nd September 1914 joining the  18^th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 16484. John's service records have survived, he gave his age as 21 years  and 30 days, and his occupation as a clerk, he’d previously served 4 years with 6/KLR. He was  5' 6" tall, weighed  103lbs, chest 34", had a fair complexion, blue eyes, fair hair and gave his religion as Church of England.

From the 23^rd September 1914 he was billeted at Hooton Park Race Course and remained there until 03^rd December 1914 when they moved into the hutted accommodation at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 18th 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. 

7.11.15 - Embarked for France

10.3.16 - Admitted to 96 F.A and 22 F.A with gastritis

12.4.16 - Resumed duty

17-20.7.16 - Admitted to 96 F.A, 102 F.A, 13 CRS with colic

2.9.16 - Entitled to Class II proficiency pay and awarded 1st good conduct badge for 2 years service

22.12 - 4.1.17 - On leave to UK

1.7.17 - Entitled to Class I proficiency pay

28.1.- 13.2.18 - On leave to UK

21-28.3.18 - Missing

He was mentioned in Divisional and Brigade orders for gallant and distinguished conduct, on 09th April 1917 (in the field). This was on the opening day of the Battle of Arras.

He was killed in action on 28^th March, 1918, aged 24, during the German Spring Offensive.

The Battalion Diary gives an insight into the chaotic events of the day

28^th March

At about 6am the enemy commenced to shell heavily the whole of the forward line and brought Trench Mortars and MACHINE Guns into action.

FOLIES was shelled and the area in the rear of the village as far back as LE QUESNEL.

Rations were received at dawn and parties were organised to carry them to the Companies on the right. Owing to the heavy fire, however, it was not possible to get them up.

Heavy fighting was in progress on the right from soon after dawn and at 8am the enemy was reported to be in possession of BOUCHOIR and progressing towards the BEETROOT FACTORY. About 10am  the 59^th Infy Brigade was notified that it was relieved by the French and the Battalions of that Brigade were at once withdrawn in the direction of LE QUESNEL.

At noon the enemy was bombarding the village and vicinity heavily and reports were received that he was in occupation of WARVILLERS on the left and ARVILLERS on the right.

The front line East of FOLIES continued to resist until about 2pm when the order was received from the 89^th Infy Brigade to the effect that the Battalions were relieved by the French and would withdraw at once to MEZIERES, where the men would be fed. Companies withdrew under some shelling and very heavy M.G. and rifle fire from the left , through K10 -K3 – North side LE QUESNEL to the main ROYE road and reorganised about D.29 c. The march from this point was conducted in good order despite the congested roads.

At MEZIERES it was decided to continue a rearward movement and the march was resumed via VILLERS-MOREUIL – MORISEL – ROUVREL, which village was reached about 7pm and the Battalion billeted. The men had marched 13 miles from the left position in good order and with practically no straggling. They were exhausted on arrival at ROUVREL, but in good heart.

Echelon ‘A’ of the Transport joined the Battalion at this village and the men were fed immediately on arrival. The night passed without incident. 

Originally listed as Missing,

Miss B. Wilson, of 88 Crown Street, Liverpool, contacted the International Red Cross concerning John Henry Smith, 16484, Bandsman, 2nd Coy, 7th Platoon.  She received a response dated 12th (XII?) 1918, notifying her that they held no information.

Additionally, his anxious family placed a request for information in the local press:

NEWS WANTED

Information is sought of Private J.H. Smith (16484), 18th Battalion, Liverpool (Pals), who has been missing since March 21 1918 - 88 Crown Street.

Sadly this request was to prove fruitless and John was eventually named and his death was presumed to be on 28th March 1918. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Pozieres Memorial in France.

The POZIERES MEMORIAL relates to the period of crisis in March and April 1918 when the Allied Fifth Army was driven back by overwhelming numbers across the former Somme battlefields, and the months that followed before the Advance to Victory, which began on 8 August 1918. The Memorial commemorates over 14,000 casualties of the United Kingdom and 300 of the South African Forces who have no known grave and who died on the Somme from 21 March to 7 August 1918.

The cemetery and memorial were designed by W.H. Cowlishaw, with sculpture by Laurence A. Turner. The memorial was unveiled by Sir Horace Smith-Dorrien on 4 August 1930.

Pension was awarded to Margaret Wilson (his Aunt that he lived with in the 1911 Census). 

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 elder brother was also killed in action and reported in the local press

Liverpool Echo 26th June 1917

SMITH - June 17, killed in action, Rifleman William E. Smith (K.L.R.), eldest son of the late William H. and Anna Smith, and nephew of Mr and Mrs T. Wilson, 88 Crown Street.

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.