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Joseph SMITH (1)

Main CPGW Record

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): Joseph

Place of Birth: Dent, Yorkshire

Service No: 6666

Rank: Private

Regiment / Corps / Service: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion / Unit: 'A' Coy 2nd Battalion

Division: 5th Division

Age: 31

Date of Death: 1914-09-19

Awards: ---

CWGC Grave / Memorial Reference: ---

CWGC Cemetery: ---

CWGC Memorial: LA FERTE-SOUS-JOUARRE MEMORIAL

Non-CWGC Burial: ---

Local War Memorial: KILDWICK, YORKSHIRE

Additional Information:

Joseph Smith was the son of Alfred and Margaret Ann Smith, née Stephenson. Alfred was born at Kildwick and Margaret at Morton, Yorkshire.

1891 Farnhill, Yorkshire Census: Hanover Street - Joseph Smith, aged 8 years, born Dent, Yorkshire, son of Alfred and Margaret A. Smith.

Joseph was married to Mary Elizabeth Grainger in 1910.

1911 Kildwick, Yorkshire Census: 15, Bucklar Hill, Farnhill - Joseph Smith, aged 28 years, born Kildwick, husband of Mary Elizabeth Smith. [Joseph and his wife were living with his parents, Alfred and Margret (sic) Ann Smith.]

The British Army Service Record for Joseph Smith exists but may be incomplete.

British Army WW1 Medal Rolls Index Cards: Pte J. Smith, 6666, 2nd West Riding Regiment. Theatre of War first served in: ( - ) [1 - France]. Date of entry therein: 10 August 1914.

A short biography of Joseph is included in: ‘Sedbergh and District 1914-1918 – But who shall return the children?’ Compiled by Sedbergh and District History Society. Edited by Diane Elphick (2016).

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:

SMITH, J., [Farnhill], West Riding Regiment, killed in action Sept. 19, 1914 in the employ of Sir. J.C. Horsfall, Hayfield, Glusburn, and left a widow and one child.

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Private Joseph SMITH

Private Joseph SMITH

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Regiment / Corps / Service Badge: Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 5th Division

Divisional Sign / Service Insignia: 5th Division

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

Soldiers Died Data for Soldier Records

Surname: SMITH

Forename(s): Joseph

Born: Dent, Yorks

Residence:

Enlisted: Keighley, Yorks

Number: 6666

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Battalion: 2nd Battalion

Decorations:

Died Date: 19/09/14

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): Joseph

Country of Service: United Kingdom

Service Number: 6666

Rank: Private

Regiment: Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regiment)

Unit: "A" Coy. 2nd Bn.

Age: 31

Awards:

Died Date: 19/09/1914

Additional Information: Son of Alfred and Margaret Ann Smith, of Bucklar Hill, Farnhill, Keighley; husband of Mary Elizabeth Smith.

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View Craven Herald Articles

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Craven Herald and Wensleydale Standard Logo

16 October 1914

SMITH – September 19th, killed in action at a place unknown in France, Joseph Smith, of Buckler Hill, Farnhill, aged 31 years.

16 October 1914

FARNHILL MAN KILLED IN FRANCE

The wife of Mr. J. Smith, a Reservist, of Farnhill, received official notification from the War Office that her husband had been killed in action in France, on Tuesday morning. Mr. Smith, who died on September 19th, was for the last two years on the Special Reserve. When he entered the army he was made a bandsman, serving in that capacity until his discharge, when he became a member of the Kildwick and District Brass Band. Prior to the outbreak of war, the deceased was in the employment of Sir John Horsfall, Hayfield, Glusburn, and at the commencement of hostilities he joined the forces at Halifax. On the 16th August he wrote home to say he was quite well and later a letter, dated September 27, was received by the wife of a soldier in the same regiment, residing at Sutton, stating that Smith was dead. Deceased leaves a wife and one child, for whom much sympathy is felt.

24 September 1915

SMITH – In loving memory of Bandsman Joseph Smith 6666, late of 15, Bucklar Hill, Farnhill, who was killed in action in France, September 19th, 1914, aged 31 years.

The blow was great, the shock severe,
We little thought his death so near;
And only those who love can tell,
The pain at not saying a last farewell.
From his loving Wife and Mother.

22 September 1916

SMITH – In loving memory of Bandsman Joseph Smith (West Riding Regiment) killed in action September 19th 1914.

He left his home in the flower of youth,
He looked so strong and brave;
We little thought how soon he’d be
Laid in a hero’s grave.
We often sit and think of him,
And think of how he died;
It seemed so hard for us to part
And never say good-bye.

Ever remembered by his Wife, Daughter and Mother, 15, Bucklar Hill, Farnhill.

05 January 1917

FARNHILL – IN MEMORY OF THE BRAVE

On Sunday a memorial service was held in the Primitive Methodist Chapel, Farnhill, for Pte. H. Walmsley (who death was recorded a fortnight ago in this paper), and for all who have given their lives for their country, especially for Joseph Green, Fred Dixon, Tom Allsop and Joseph Smith, who were old scholars of the Primitive Methodist Sunday School. The Rev. J.E. Woodfield preached a very touching sermon. There was a very large congregation, amongst whom were the members of the Volunteer Force under the command of Captain Alfred Clough, Sutton, members of the band, and a number of old scholars. An augmented choir sang the anthem ‘Our trust is in the Lord’ with great effect. Being the National Intercession Sunday, the prayers used were those provided on the form of service for the day. At the conclusion the ‘Last Post’ was sounded by Mr. Gordon Fowlds, a member of the Keighley Volunteer Force.

23 February 1917

FARNHILL – ROYAL NAVAL SEAMAN DAWSON’S DEATH

As briefly recorded in last Friday’s Herald, the news came to Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Dawson, of Main Street, Farnhill on the 14th inst. that their son, Royal Naval Seaman Walter Dawson, had died of wounds received in action. Seaman Dawson joined the Royal Naval Division in November 1915, and went to France with a land section of the Naval Division in July 1916. He took part in the ‘big push’, being in the light trench mortar battery. He had his last leave eight months ago. He was a well-known local footballer, playing with the Kildwick Old Boys for a good number of years, and was also a playing member of the Sutton United Football Club in the season when the United won the cup and medals. Shortly after his arrival in London he took part in a football match, and at the close one of the officers tapped him on the shoulder and said: “If you fight as well as you play football you will make a grand sailor”. He was a weaving overlooker at Messrs. J. Woodrow and Sons, Standard Shed, prior to joining up, was twenty-four years of age, and was married whilst on his last leave.

Seaman Dawson was a member of the Kildwick Conservative Club, and the club flag was flown half-mast as a token of respect to his memory. He was a thorough sportsman and highly respected, and was possessed of a bright and cheerful disposition. He had been closely connected with Kildwick Church, and had been a Sunday School scholar and formerly a choirboy. His brother, Archie Dawson, is with the Portsmouth Naval Yacht patrol.

A service to the memory of A.B. Walton Dawson was held in St. Andrew’s Church, Kildwick on Sunday afternoon. There was a large congregation and the service, which was a very impressive one, was conducted by the Rev. C. E. V. Hodge, M.A. In the course of his sermon on the words “Good Master what shall I do to inherit Eternal Life?” the Vicar showed how the lads who had given their lives had been called upon to make the greatest sacrifice of all in the service of their country, to leave all and to follow Christ. The Vicar extended his heartfelt sympathy to the bereaved parents and family.

Special prayers of intercession were offered for the souls of all who had given their lives from this parish:– Joseph Green; Joseph Smith; Walter Dawson; Harry Walmsley

At the close of the service the ‘Last Post’ was sounded on the cornet by R. Inskip, and the Dead March in ‘Saul’ was played by Mr. G. Spencer, the organist.

21 September 1917

SMITH – In loving memory of Bandsman J. Smith, West Riding Regiment, killed in action in France, September 19th 1914.

We oft shed tears and think of him,
His name we often call;
But we have no one to answer us
But his dear loving face on the wall.

From his Wife, Daughter and Mother, 15, Buckler Hill, Farnhill.

20 September 1918

SMITH – In loving memory or Joseph Smith 6666, late Bandsman 1st Duke of Wellington’s, who was killed in action 19th September, 1914.

Not dead to those who loved him,
Not lost, but gone before;
He lives with us in memory still,
And will for evermore.

From Mother and Family, Buckler Hill, Farnhill.

30 May 1919

KILDWICK & FARNHILL – A Mons Hero

Mrs. J. Smith of Buckler Hill, Farnhill, widow of the late Pte. Joseph Smith, of the Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding) Regiment, who was recalled to the Colours at the commencement of the war and paid the supreme sacrifice in the retreat from Mons, has this week received from the War Office the Mons Star which he earned, and also a letter of appreciation for the services rendered by him on that memorable occasion.

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16 October 1914

SMITH – Sept. 19th, killed in action at a place unknown in France, Joseph Smith, of Buckler Hill, Farnhill, aged 31.

16 October 1914

KILDWICK – KILLED IN ACTION

The official intimation, received on Tuesday last by Mrs. Joseph Smith, stating that her husband, Private Joseph Smith, of the 2nd Duke of Wellington’s West Riding Regiment, had been killed in action in the Battle of the Marne, has been received with deep regret throughout the whole district. Along with other Reservists from the district, the deceased was called to join his regiment and proceeded to Dublin. Several post cards have been received, simply stating that he was all right and in France. During his seven years’ service in the Army, Private Smith spent four years in India, and was a member of the band connected with his regiment. Since his return home as Reservist, he had been a member of the Kildwick and District Prize Brass Band. The deceased leaves a widow and one child.

23 October 1914

KILDWICK – MEMORIAL SERVICE

On Sunday evening a service to the memory of the late Private Joseph Smith, who died in action, was held in St. Andrew’s Church. Prior to the service the local Boy Scouts met at the Sutton Lane Top and marched to Kildwick. The funeral procession was formed at Bucklar Hill, the residence of Mrs. Smith, when the family, relatives, and a number of friends proceeded to the church, led by the Kildwick Brass Band, who played the ‘Dead March’ in ‘Saul.’ The service at the church was conducted by the Vicar and Rev. Canon Griffen.

24 December 1915

CRAVEN’S ROLL OF HONOUR – FARNHILL

Pte. J. Smith, West Riding Regiment, killed in action September 19th 1914. In the employ of Sir J.C. Horsfall, Hayfield, Glusburn. Resided at Farnhill, and left a widow and one child.

21 September 1917

SMITH – In loving memory of Bandsman J. Smith, West Riding Regiment, killed in action in France, Sept. 19, 1914.

We oft shed tears and think of him,
His name we often call;
But we have no one to answer us
But his dear loving face on the wall.

15, Bucklar Hill, Farnhill.

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