The Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment

Private H Smith


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Private Henry SMITH, G/2384,  8th Battalion, Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment, killed in action, Flanders France, death assumed on or after, 26th September 1915.

1889, born St Lukes, Blackburn, Lancashire.

9th March 1912, Peckham St Annes, Lancashire, Henry Smith, married Winifred Berry, spinster. Died Blackburn District, September Quarter 1914, age 28.

Children - Winifred Smith, born 8th October 1912, Blackburn, Lancashire; Frank Smith, born 26th May 1914, Blackburn, Lancashire.

Enlisted  Blackburn, Lancashire, age 25 years & 8 months, height 5ft 6½ inches, weight 120lbs, fresh complexion, grey eyes, light brown hair, scar right knee, right foot, outside left shin, & back. Formerly labourer. Widower.

Allotment of Pay of 3/6 a week payable to Mr S Foster, Collector to Guardians, Cardwell Place, Blackburn, Lancashire.

Home, 9th September 1914 to 29th August 1915; BEF, 30th August 1915 to 26th September 1915.

9th September 1914, enlisted & posted Depot, Royal West Kent Regiment; 12th September 1914, posted 7th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 27th December 1914, transferred to Army Cyclists Corps; 27th December 1914, posted 18th Divisional Cyclist Company; 27th December 1914, transferred to 3rd Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 15th March 1915, posted 8th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment; 13th June 1915, Shoreham, overstaying his pass from 12.00 midnight till 9.20am 14th June 1915, 1 day confined to Barracks, forfeits 1 days pay; 30th August 1915, posted BEF; 26th September 1915, posted missing.

15th September 1919, pension of 22/- a week  for two children (1 male 1 female), (eldest child 8th October 1912, youngest 1914), (married 1912),payable to Samuel Foster, Guardian Union Offices, Blackburn, Lancashire.

17th October 1919, Infantry Records memo to Mr S Foster, Collector to Guardians, Cardwell Place, Blackburn, Lancashire - " I enclose herewith the official notification of the death of the above named soldier which has been presumed by the Army Council to have occurred on the 26th September 1915. I am informed by The Regimental Paymaster that an allotment of the soldiers pay was made to you and I shall feel obliged if you can furnish me with any particulars known to you in reference to his daughter Winifred born on 8th October 1912 at Blackburn."

9th November 1919, reply from Mr S Foster - "In reply to yours of 17th October 1919. The child Winifred is an inmate of the Blackburn Cottage Homes chargeable to the Guardians of the Blackburn Union. There has been nothing drawn for the maintenance of the child since 9th September 1919. I shall be pleased if you will now inform me if there is any further payment in respect to maintenance."

17th August 1920, Infantry Records - "Will you please note that any articles of personal property now in your possession or subsequently received by you belonging to the late No.2384. Private Henry Smith, 8th Battalion, Royal West Kent Regiment, should be despatched to Mr Samuel Foster, Union Officer, Blackburn, who should be informed that any articles forwarded are the equal property of Winifred and Frank, children of the late soldier."

26th October 1920, Infantry Records memo to Mr C E Bygrave, Clerk to the Guardians of the Blackburn Union, Union Officer, Cardwell Place, Blackburn, Lancashire. Medals etc  to be held in Trust for deceased soldiers son Frank Smith and are to be handed to him on attaining an age to appreciate their value.

15th November 1920, Statement of Relatives, (completed by J W Richardson, Secretary of Local War Pensions Committee in whose charge children are. Preston New Road, Blackburn, Lancashire) - Widow, none; Children - Winifred Smith, 8th October 1912, address unreadable; Frank Smith, 26th May 1914, address unreadable; Father, not known if living; Mother, not known if living; Brothers - not known if living; Sisters - not known if living.

Commemorated at Loos Memorial, Panel 95 to 97, France.


This page was last updated on 26-Feb-2022.

Copyright © 2008 Janet & Richard Mason