L/Cpl 52027 William James Smith

• Age: 26
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Thursday 9th November 1916
• Commemorated at: Berles Position Military Cemetery
  Panel Ref: C.6

William James was born in Liverpool on the 07th September 1889 the son of James Smith and his wife Sarah Agnes (née Glover) who were married on the 02nd February 1885 at Blessed Sacrament Church, Walton. James gave his address as 179 West Derby Road, his father, William, whilst Sarah was of 175 Rice Lane, her father John. William was baptised on the 15th December 1889 at Our Lady Of The Immaculate Conception, St Domingo Road. 

On the 1891 Census the family were living at 4 Quarry Bank Cottages, Much Woolton, Liverpool. His father, James, is aged 31, a grocers assistant, born in Woolton, his mother, Sarah, is aged 32, born Liverpool as are the children; Jessie, aged 4, Agnes, aged 3 and William, aged 1.

On the 1901 Census the family have moved to 129 Upper Warwick Street, Toxteth Park. Liverpool. His father, James, is aged 42, a grocers manager, his mother, Sarah, is aged 31, children Jessie 14, a boot provisioners? assistant, Agnes 13, Beatrice 8 and Gertrude 5. William is residing with his Uncle Joseph Smith at 99 Wavertree Road.

His mother died, aged 47, in 1909.

On the 1911 Census the family have moved to 61 Overbury Street, Edge Hill. His father, James, is aged 52, a grocer and provisions dealer, children Jessie, aged 24, is a boot trade saleswoman, Agnes is aged 23, Beatrice aged 18, is a dressmaker, and Gertrude, aged 15, is a tailors apprentice. William is residing at 181 Chatsworth Street where he is now a grocer for his Uncle.

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Lance-Corporal No 52027.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on the 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th 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. 

William was killed in action on the 09th November 1916, aged 26, during the Somme Offensive.

The war diary suggests he was more likely to have been killed on the 8th:

20th Battalion War Diary - November 1916

FONCQUEVILLERS.

8th Nov - Enemy unusually active during the day with artillery and trench mortars.

9th Nov - A very quiet day, nothing of importance happened.

A second letter was sent on the 24th November 1916:

Dear Miss Smith,

I am sorry I have not been able to answer your questions before but as I am away from the battalion at present I have only just received your letter.

I am writing to one of our sergeants who is a Catholic to ask him to give the priest your message as I cannot do it myself, but i think you may rest assured about his burial--- his body was taken right out of the trenches and would have a decent christian burial.

I think I told you before that his death was instantaneous which is something to be thankful for when one thinks of the sufferings he was spared.

He was killed on the 9th of Nov, that is all I know but I trust the priest or my sergeant may be able to tell you as to his burial.

He was also remembered, on the first anniversary of his death, in the Liverpool Echo on the 09th November 1917; 

Roll of Honour - SMITH – In loving memory of L/Cpl William J Smith, the dearly loved and only son of James and the late Sarah Smith. Killed in action Nov 9 1916 age 26 years. R.I.P. Sadly missed by his sorrowing Father and Sisters – 22 Tunstall Street, Sefton Park.

His platoon leader wrote to his father on the 12th November, 1916:

Dear Mr Smith,

It is with great regret that I write to tell you of the death of your son Lance Corporal W J Smithof my platoon (No3 platoon, 20thKings Liverpool Regiment).
It was very bad luck for as he was walking along one of our own trenches a shell burst within a few .... ... him and although he was scarcely touched by the pieces the concussion caused instantaneous death.
You may like to know that we were in good trenches at the time where it was possible to carry him out easily for a proper burial behind the line.
He will be sadly missed by all---I liked him from the first and he was one of the first promotions I made in August.

A second letter was sent on the 24th November, 1916:

Dear Miss Smith,
I am sorry I have not been able to answer your questions before but as I am away from the battalion at present I have only just received your letter.
I am writing to one of our sergeants who is a Catholic to ask him to give the priest your message as I cannot do it myself, but i think you may rest assured about his burial--- his body was taken right out of the trenches and would have a decent christian burial.
I think I told you before that his death was instantaneous which is something to be thankful for when one thinks of the sufferings he was spared.
He was killed on the 9th of Nov, that is all I know but I trust the priest or my sergeant may be able to tell you as to his burial.

He now rests at Berles Position Military Cemetery, France where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"ENSHRINED IN HEART EMBALMED IN TEARS THY MEMORY SHALL NOT DIE R.I.P."

The village of Berles-au-Bois remained in British hands from the summer of 1915, when it was taken over from French troops, until the end of the War; but it suffered at times from severe shelling.

The village was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Wolverhampton.

Berles Position Military Cemetery was begun by the 46th (North Midland) Division in July, 1916, and used (largely by the same Division) until February, 1917. It lies in a long dip; and it was known also as The Ravine Cemetery and as Nobs Walk Cemetery.

There are now over 50, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.

The cemetery covers an area of 379 square metres and is enclosed by a low rubble wall.

William's death was reported in the Liverpool Echo 04th December 1916 -

DEATHS Killed in Action

SMITH - Nov 9 Killed in Action Lance Corporal William Smith only and dearly loved son of James and late Sarah Smith of 22 Tunstall Street, Smithdown Road (Deeply mourned)

He was also remembered, on the first anniversary of his death, in the Liverpool Echo on 09th November 1917 -

Roll of Honour - SMITH – In loving memory of L/Cpl William J Smith, the dearly loved and only son of James and the late Sarah Smith. Killed in action Nov 9 1916 age 26 years. R.I.P. Sadly missed by his sorrowing Father and Sisters – 22 Tunstall Street, Sefton Park.

He was remembered by his Father and Sisters in Liverpool Echo on Monday 11 November 1918;

Roll of Honour - SMITH – In loving memory of Lance-corporal W. J. Smith, the dearly loved and only son of James and the late Sarah Smith. Killed in action November 9, 1916, aged 26 years. R.I.P. Sadly missed by his sorrowing Father and Sisters, 22 Tunstall Street, Sefton Park, also Uncle, Aunt and cousin Theresa, 181 Chatsworth Street.

His Soldiers Effects, Army Pay 15s 11d, £3 War Gratuity of £3 and a pension of 11/- pw went to his father James.

On the 1921 Census at Tunstall Street, his widowed, father, James, is aged 62, and still a grocer, Mary Agnes is aged 33, Beatrice, is aged 28, a dressmaker, and Gertrude, aged 26, is an office clerk.

On the 1939 Register they are living at 75 Pitville Avenue, Mossley Hill. His father, James, date of birth 15th November 1858, is retired, with Beatrice, “cousin Theresa” and Mary. 

His father died, aged 84, in 1943.

His father's death was reported in the Liverpool Echo  on Tuesday 20th April 1943;

SMITH - April 19, at 75 Pitville Avenue, in his 85th year, JAMES, the dearly-beloved father of Jessie, Marie, Beattie, and Gertie. and beloved uncle of Theresa. Fortified with the rites of Holy Church. R.I.P. Requiem Mass at St. Anthony of Padua, to-morrow (Wednesday), at 9 a.m.; interment at St Mary's, Woolton, immediately afterwards.

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