Pte 22845 Herbert John Smith

• Age: 23
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Saturday 5th August 1916
• Commemorated at: Abbeville Cc
  Panel Ref: VI.L.4

Herbert John was born on the 06th May 1893 in Liverpool, the son of John Thomas Smith and his wife Elizabeth (née Chalmers) who were married 1875 in the West Derby Registration district.  

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 48 Albion Street, Everton. His father, John Thomas, is aged 46, his occupation shown as a labourer in a timber yard, his mother, Elizabeth, is also aged 46 but has no occupation listed. They have four children in the household; William aged 22, born 1879 is a joiner, Elizabeth Alice, aged 24, no occupation listed, Margaret aged 16 is a teacher and Herbert John aged 7.

The 1911 Census shows the family have moved and are living at 72 Mere Lane, Liverpool.  His father John Thomas aged 56, born in Liverpool in 1855, occupation joiner, his mother, Elizabeth, is aged 55, born in Liverpool in 1855 with no occupation listed. They have been married for 36 years and have had 5 children of which two have died. The three surviving children are listed as; Elizabeth Alice, aged 34, born 1877 is a book-keeper, Margaret aged 26, born 1885 is a teacher and Herbert John, aged 15, born 1896 is a fire insurance clerk. All the children were born in Liverpool. They had a boarder named David Leslie aged 27, born 1884 occupation Police Constable from Elgin, Scotland.

He was educated at Liverpool Collegiate School.

He enlisted on the 09th November 1914 in Liverpool, joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22845. He gave his age as 21 years and five days and his occupation as insurance clerk. He was described as being five feet seven and three quarter inches tall, weighed 126lbs, 34” chest, had a sallow complexion with grey eyes and light brown hair. He stated his religion as Presbyterian and gave his next of kin as his father John, of 82 Mere Lane. 

He received a gunshot wound to his head on 30th July 1916 and died of his wounds on the 05th August 1916, aged 23, following the attack on the village of Guillemont during the Somme Offensive.

The 20^th King’s Battalion Diary records:

“At 4.45am prompt the attack was launched. Unfortunately, a thick mist prevailed and it was impossible to see more than 10 yards ahead. This continued until about 6 o’clock when it lifted slightly, but it was still too hazy and impossible to see what was happening 100 yards ahead. This being so, it was not surprising to find that the attacking waves were experiencing great difficulty in maintaining connection.”

At 6am, Lt. RE Melly, No.1 Company, reported that his men had taken the German Maltz Horn trench.

At 6.30am, 2/Lt. CP Moore reported that he had 150 men, 4 Stokes Mortars and 2 Lewis Guns, but he was the only officer. He also said that due to the fog, both his “flanks were in the air” i.e. he was not in contact with neighbouring troops.

At 9.10am, Moore was still not in contact at his flanks, and now he had only 75 men, he had sent out 2 patrols and neither not returned. Later Moore established communication with the French on his right.

Around 10.00am, 2/Lt Musker reported that he had just over a company with him, but his left flank was suffering from German machine gun fire. Later he reported that he had over 30 casualties from the machine gun fire. His flanks were also “in the air”. No contact was made with this party until the remnants returned around 9.30pm, all runners sent were killed or missing. The War Diary states that this group had: ”held the ground won all day, and this permitted the consolidation of the ground won on the Maltz Horn ridge with little interference from the enemy”.

Relief for 20/Kings had been planned for 11.00pm, but it was 5.00am on the 31st July before it took place, ending a tragic day for the Liverpool Pals.

Casualties for 20^th Battalion were 16 Officers and 357 Other Ranks

When darkness fell on the battlefield the 30^th Division held a line from the railway on the eastern side of Trones Wood , southwards and including Arrow Head Copse, to east of Maltz Horn Farm. On this line the division was relieved by the 55^th Division during the early hours of the 31^st July. 

The events of 30^th July 1916 were regarded at the time as Liverpool’s blackest day. There follows an extract from The History of the 89^th Brigade written by Brigadier General Ferdinand Stanley which gives an indication of the events of the day.

Guillemont

Well the hour to advance came, and of all bad luck in the world it was a thick fog; so thick that you couldn’t see more than about ten yards. It was next to impossible to delay the attack – it was much too big an operation- so forward they had to go. It will give some idea when I say that on one flank we had to go 1,750 yards over big rolling country. Everyone knows what it is like to cross enclosed country which you know really well in a fog and how easy it is to lose your way. Therefore, imagine these rolling hills, with no landmarks and absolutely unknown to anyone. Is it surprising that people lost their way and lost touch with those next to them? As a matter of fact, it was wonderful the way in which many men found their way right to the place we wanted to get to. But as a connected attack it was impossible.

The fog was intense it was practically impossible to keep direction and parties got split up. Owing to the heavy shelling all the Bosches had left their main trenches and were lying out in the open with snipers and machine guns in shell holes, so of course our fellows were the most easy prey.

It is so awfully sad now going about and finding so many splendid fellows gone. 

His personal effects included 1 disc, 1 bunch of keys, bible, cigarette case, 1 diary, 1 fountain pen, 1 purse, packet of letters, photos and cards.

He earned his three medals. 
 
Soldiers Effects, Army Pay of £3 2d and a £7 10s War Gratuity went to his father John Thomas, and pension to his mother Elizabeth. 

He now rests at Abbeville CC and where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"TO LIVE IN THE HEARTS WE LEAVE BEHIND IS NOT TO DIE"

For much of the First World War, Abbeville was headquarters of the Commonwealth lines of communication and No.3 BRCS, No.5 and No.2 Stationary Hospitals were stationed there variously from October 1914 to January 1920. The communal cemetery was used for burials from November 1914 to September 1916, the earliest being made among the French military graves. The extension was begun in September 1916. During the early part of the Second World War, Abbeville was a major operational aerodrome, but the town fell to the Germans at the end of May 1940. On 4 June, an attempt was made by the 51st Division, in conjunction with the French, to break the German bridgehead, but without success. Towards the end of 1943, eight large ski shaped buildings appeared near Abbeville. These proved to be storage units for flying bomb components and they were heavily bombed by Commonwealth air forces. Abbeville was retaken on 4 September 1944 by Canadian and Polish units. Abbeville Communal Cemetery contains 774 Commonwealth burials of First World War and 30 from the Second. 

He was remembered on the first anniversary of his death in the Liverpool Echo on 30th July 1917:

SMITH - In proud remembrance of a true comrade Pte H.J. Smith (Bert), who died of wounds received in action on the Somme, July 30 1916 - Bertram Benson Sergeant Major R.A.M.C. (in France.)

Probate for Herbert was to John Thomas Smith – Stableman for £117.6.9d.

Herbert John Smith is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Liverpool Presbytery, Queens Road, Everton

Liverpool Collegiate School, Everton. 

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