David Smith

View David on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Service number:
27891
Rank:
Private
Service:
King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment)
Origin:
Date of birth:
28 May 1898
Date of death:
26 November 1917
Age at Death:
19
SMITH David

Known information

David Smith and his twin brother Robert were born at Ryhall on 28 May 1898, the sons of William and Betsy Smith. His father was a farmer and blacksmith in the village. David worked on the farm until joining the army on 14 September 1916 when he reached the age of 18. He went to France on 23 December 1916 with the Leicestershire Regiment and was later attached to the 11th Battalion King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment as a sniper. He was killed on 25 November 1917 at Graincourt, Cambrai. George Phillips wrote: "A letter from an NCO of the same regiment stated that he was killed instantly by the bursting of a shell while he was carrying a message to the firing line, a duty he had undertaken voluntarily during what was his term of rest. The writer added that David Smith was always a 'cheery boy,' and died a hero's death. A memorial service for him was held in Ryhall Church." David was only 19 years old when he was killed. He has no known grave and is remembered on Panel 3 of the Cambrai Memorial and also in Ryhall church.

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  • Ryhall Church
  • Ryhall Church interior
  • Ryhall Memorial
  • Ryhall Memorial 2
  • Cambrai Memorial 1
  • D Smith

User contributions

Mr Smith's memorial
By John Stokes on Wednesday 12th November '14 at 1:47pm
A Rutlander, living in Belgium
 

Rutland and The Battle of the Somme

More than 90 Rutland soldiers died in the Battle of the Somme which lasted from 1 July 1916 until the middle of November. Today they lie in cemeteries across the old battlefield in northern France or are remembered among the 72,000 names on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme. By using our interactive map, you can find out what happened to them.

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