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 on 07/9/1889 and baptised 15/12/1889 at Our Lady Immaculate Conception, Liverpool. He was the son of James Smith and his wife Sarah Agnes (nee Glover).

1891 Census - 4 Quarry Bank Cottages, Much Woolton, Liverpool - Parents with children Jessie, Agnes and William (Age 1)

1901 Census - 129 Upper Warwick Street, Toxteth Park- Parents with children Jessie, Agnes, Beatrice and Gertrude.

By 1911 father, James is now a Widower is with his four daughters as above at 61 Overbury Street.

William is residing with his Uncle Joseph at 99 Wavertree Road in 1901 and in 1911 at 181 Chatsworth Street where he is a Grocer. His uncle was a Grocer (Employer)

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving in the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Lance-Corporal No 52027 when he was killed in action on the 09th November, 1916 aged 26 during the Somme Offensive.

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.

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