Pte 32806 William Tebbutt Smith

• Age: 21
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.K.22

William Tebbutt Smith was born in 1895 in Bootle, the eldest of four survivng children born to Thomas Tebbutt Smith and his wife Ada (nee Highton) who married in St Michael's Church, Liverpool on 07th August 1893. The first child, Thomas Ernest, died in infancy in March 1894.

In 1901 the family lived at 11 Moore Street, Bootle. William is 6 years of age and lives with his parents and two younger siblings. His father, Thomas, is shown as a 49 year old “boilermaker’s helper” born in Liverpool, whilst his mother Ada is 28 years of age and was also born in Liverpool. His siblings are shown as; Percival aged 3 and Ada aged one, both born in Bootle.

His sister Ada died, aged 9, in the September quarter of 1909.

The  1911 Census shows the family living at 11 Dryden Street, Bootle.

William is described as a 16 year old shop boy out of work. He lives with his parents and three siblings. His father Thomas is now recorded as a 39 year old labourer, whilst his mother is 38 years of age. They advise that they have been married for 17 years and have had six children of whom four have survived. His siblings, all at school, are shown as Percival aged 13, Doris 9 and Alfred 6. 

A sister, May Simone was born in 1914. 

William was educated at Gray Street School and was a member of the Boys Brigade at St Leonard's Church. Prior to enlistment William was employed by Messrs McArthur, Timber Merchants of Regent Road, Bootle.

There is no service record available for William but his medal card shows him having received only two medals, although this may be incorrect.

William was serving in the 17^th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 32806 when he was killed during the German artillery bombardment on 27^th June 1916 aged 21.

The 17th Battalion was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th 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.

His medal index card shows that William earned two medals which would indicat that he arrived in France sometime after December 1915. 

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, began on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicts quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions.

The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57”

William was one of those referred to in the diary who was killed in action on 27^th June 1916..

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron.  It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.

His headstone bears the epitaph:

“HIS DUTY NOBLY DONE”. 

William was reported killed in the local press.

ONE OF TWO BROTHERS

Pte William Tebbutt Smith, of the Liverpool "Pals" who was killed in action on June 27th, was the elder son of Mr. and Mrs. T. Smith, of Dryden-street, Bootle, and was 21 years of age on his last birthday. He was employed by Messrs. McArthur, timber merchants, Regent-road, before joining the "Pals" in October of last year. An old boy of Gray-street School, and a former member of St Lonard's Boy's Brigade, Pte Smith was avery popular young fellow, and was esteemed by all who knew him. He took the keenest interest in his military duties, in which he quickly became proficient. Deep sympathy will be felt with his parents in the loss of a promising son, another son, aged 19 is in the Lancashire Fusiliers, and before the war was employed by the same firm as Pte. W.T. Smith. 

His effects went to his father. Pension to father, mother Ada.

William is commemorated on the following memorials:

Bootle Civic Memorial

St. Leonard’s C of E Church, Bootle.

Gray Street School

His brother, Percival Joseph Smith of 11 Dryden Street enlisted on 11^th December 1915 at Seaforth, giving his age as 18 years 8 months, his occupation as electric crane driver and his next of kin as his mother Ada. After being posted to 73^rd Training Reserve Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, he was deployed as L/Sergeant  and on 5^th February 1918 was discharged on medical grounds with the rank of Corporal. On discharge he stated that he had been employed as an electric crane driver with J. P. McCarthy & Sons, Regent Road, Bootle.

Percival died in the March quarter of 1924, aged 26 there is no proof from existing records that his death was war related.

His mother died in the September quarter of 1938, aged 65.

His father died in the January quarter of 1943 aged 71. His death was recorded in Leicester. 

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