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David SMITH

Main CPGW Record

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): David

Place of Birth: Crosshills, Yorkshire

Service No: 38235

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 17th (Service) Battalion. (2nd Leeds)

Division: 35th Division

Age: ---

Date of Death: 1917-06-25

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: B. 3.

CWGC Cemetery: VILLERS-GUISLAIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY

CWGC Memorial: ---

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: CROSSHILLS, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: ILKLEY, YORKSHIRE

Local War Memorial: KILDWICK, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

David Smith was the son of Heaton and Jane Smith, née Roberts. Heaton was born at Cowling, Yorkshire and Jane at Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, Wales.

1881 Crosshills, Yorkshire Census: Lothersdale Road, Airview Place - David Smith, aged 9 months, born Crosshills, son of Heaton and Jane Smith.

1891 Glusburn, Yorkshire Census: Highgate House Cottage - David Smith, aged 10 years, born Crosshills, Yorkshire, son of Jane Smith (married).

1911 Ilkley, Yorkshire Census: 12, Middleton Road - David Smith, aged 30 years, born Crosshills, Yorkshire. [David was living with his unmarried sister, Elizabeth.]

David was married to Kate Alice Bell in 1913.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte David Smith, 38235, West Yorkshire Regiment.

Data Source: Craven’s Part in the Great War - original CPGW book entry

View Entry in CPGW Book

Entry in West Yorkshire Pioneer Illustrated War Record: ---

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Private David SMITH

Private David SMITH

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Prince of Wales’s Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 35th Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 35th Division

Data from Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 Records

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): David

Born: Crosshills, Yorks

Residence: Ilkley, Yorks

Enlisted: Ilkley

Number: 38235

Rank: Private

Regiment: Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

Battalion: 17th Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 25/06/17

Died How: Killed in action

Theatre of War: France & Flanders

Notes:

Data from Commonwealth War Graves Commission Records

CWGC Data for Soldier Records

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): D

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 38235

Rank: Private

Regiment: West Yorkshire Regiment (Prince of Wales's Own)

Unit: 17th Bn.

Age:

Awards:

Died Date: 25/06/1917

Additional Information:

View Additional Text

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England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1966

1917

SMITH David of 18 Middleton-road Ilkley Yorkshire a private in the West Yorkshire regiment died 25 June 1917 in France Administration Wakefield 26 November to Kate Alice Smith widow. Effects £306 4s. 9d.

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Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

13 July 1917

SMITH – June 25th 1917, killed in action on the Western Front, Pte. David Smith, West Yorks. Regiment, youngest son of Mr. Wilson Smith, Glusburn Green, Glusburn.

13 July 1917

GLUSBURN – WELL-KNOWN YOUNG MAN KILLED IN ACTION

Private David Smith, of the West Yorkshire Regiment, youngest son of Mr. Heaton Smith, of Glusburn Green, Glusburn, has been killed in action in France. Private Smith belongs to a well-known Glusburn family; his father having been a highly respected farmer at Glusburn Green up to his retirement a few years ago. The letter containing the sad news is from Captain P.H. Battishill to deceased’s wife as follows:– “It is with very deep regret that I have to write to tell you of the death of your husband on the 25th June. He was severely wounded by a shell when doing his duty in the front line. I do not think he can have suffered at all, as he was unconscious from the first. I hope you will accept the sincere sympathy of all his officers and comrades in the ranks, which I beg to pay on behalf my Company. I am very grieved to lose him. He was a very fine soldier, and cheerful doing dangerous work when he met his death.”

Private Smith had been in business in Ilkley for about twelve years as a master plasterer and concreter. He had built up a very extensive business, which he left on joining the Forces about nine months ago. He went to France last Christmas. He did a large amount of work for the Ilkley Urban District Council and all the railway work between Baildon and Embsay. He was a highly respected Churchman, and had a large number of friends both in business and private circles, and was highly esteemed by all with whom he came in contact. He leaves a widow and one child.

13 July 1917

GLUSBURN – FINE TRIBUTE TO A SOLDIER

Mrs. David Smith has received a letter from the chum of her husband, Private David Smith, of the West Yorkshire’s, who was killed in action on the 25th of June, as follows:–

“Dear Mrs. Smith, – How sorry indeed I am to have to write these few lines to you, but as a soldier and one of his pals, I feel it my duty to write to you. It was about ten o’clock on the night of the 25th June, and we were going up into the front line to do work, &c., when I and your dear husband and another two or three brought up the rear of this party, and going through a small valley the Germans dropped three shells amongst us. The shock of the second shell knocked me down and a piece of the steel hit David on the head, and I am deeply sorry to tell you he died on the way to the hospital. Now David joined up the same time as I, and we have been in the same Platoon together ever since, and I can tell you he was a good worker and a generous sort of chap. He was well liked by all who knew him and I am sorry to have to lose such a brave and reliable comrade. I suppose he will get a soldier’s funeral, and his grave will be marked by a small cross. I hope you will get to know later where it will be, but he has died for his country like a real soldier. I remain, yours respectfully, PRIVATE E. SIMPSON.”

27 July 1917

GLUSBURN

The photograph is that of Private David Smith of the West Yorkshire Regiment, son of Mr. Heaton Smith of Glusburn Green, whose death in action in France was reported in our columns of July 13th last. Private Smith was connected with a well-known Glusburn family, his father having been a respected farmer at Glusburn Green up to his retirement a few years ago. The deceased had been in business at Ilkley for about a dozen years as a master plasterer and concreter. He leaves a widow and one child.

View West Yorkshire Pioneer Articles

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West Yorkshire Pioneer Logo

13 July 1917

GLUSBURN – DEATH OF PRIVATE DAVID SMITH

Mr. Heaton Smith, of Glusburn Green, has received information that his son, Pte. David Smith, of Ilkley, has died from shell wounds in the head. Pte. Smith had lived at Ilkley for some years and was a master plasterer. He leaves a widow and one child. He joined the York and Lancaster Regiment at the latter end of 1916, and went out early in the present year. The following letter has been received by his wife from one of his pals, who writes:– “How sorry I am to have to write these lines to you, but as a soldier and one of his pals I feel it my duty. It was about ten o’clock at night on the 25th of June. We were going up into the front line to do work, myself and your dear husband and two or three more brought up the rear of the party. We were going through a small valley when the Germane sent three shells amongst us. The shock knocked me down and a piece of shell hit David on the head, and I am sorry to tell you he died on the way to the hospital. He joined at the same time as myself. He was a good worker and a generous sort of chap and liked by all who knew him. I am sorry to lose such a reliable comrade.”

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