Serjeant (Thomas) Alfred SMITH.
Remembrance - The Yorkshire Regiment, First World War
Serjeant (Thomas) Alfred SMITH. 200396
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Serjeant (Thomas) Alfred SMITH.

Photo and biographical information below.

Serjeant (Thomas) Alfred SMITH. 200396. 4th Battalion Yorkshire Regiment. Killed 12 April 1918.
Born Richmond (Yorks), Enlisted Richmond, Resided Moortown (Leeds).
Buried PONT-DU-HEM MILITARY CEMETERY, LA GORGUE.

Serjeant (Thomas) Alfred Smith.
Serjeant (Thomas) Alfred Smith.

The following biographical notes are supplied by his great nephew Andrew Smith.

Thomas Alfred Smith “Uncle Alf” was born Jun 1894 to father Frederick Smith and mother Sarah Smith (nee Hainsworth) in Eccup, Moortown, Yorks WR. His eldest brother John William (Jack) Smith was employed as a gardener at Aske Hall, Richmond before moving to Cholmondley Castle, Cheshire and then emigrating to the US (Ridgefield, CT) in 1911. I *think* that Uncle Alf also worked as a gardener at Aske Hall, but can't now find where I got this from.

Assuming it is a correct match, the SDGW record for Serjt A Smith 200396 1st/4th Batt Yorkshire Regiment, wrongly shows his place of birth as Richmond, place of enlistment Richmond, place of residence Moortown. I believe the place of birth as Richmond is simply a clerical error - if he was working in Richmond, that explains why he enlisted there - the place of residence is correct..

From family photos of Uncle Alf, I think I have identified him as a sergeant in the Yorkshire Regiment - his cap badge looks to be a match.

So - I *know* that Uncle Alf was a sergeant in the Yorkshire Regiment - I *know* he was killed in Apr 1918 - I *believe* that I have matched him correctly with the A Smith 200396 bur Pont-du-Hem.

Thomas Alfred Smith was the middle of three brothers to serve in WWI. His elder brother Walter and younger brother Charles Edward (my grandfather) both volunteered late 1915. Walter served as Private briefly in the 2/6 Batt Territorial Force, South Staffs before transfer to 4th Special/Extra Reserve Batt S Staffs, was wounded in Jun 1918 and died on the operating table - he is buried Ivry sur Seine. My grandfather served as Private, then Corporal, firstly in the Yeoman Rifles, 21st Service Battalion KRRC then when they were disbanded in Mar 1918 transferring to the Suffolk Regiment, 12th (Service) Battalion (East Anglian) for the remainder of the war. He survived having been gassed and wounded on the Somme, and being hospitalized with “Spanish Flu”.

Uncles Alf and Walter are commemorated on a memorial in St John's Church, Airedale & Wharfedale Family History Society (awfhs.org)


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