South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


L/Corporal 9991 William James SMITH - 1st Battalion, Cheshire Regiment

Killed in Action on Tuesday 15th September 1914 aged 23


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Memorial
France & Flanders 1914 Star & Clasp, British War & Victory Medals La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
16 Aug 1914 in Havre, France ~ Kenilworth War Memorial
    Kenilworth St. Barnabas 
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted Kenilworth St. Nicholas 
First Battle of the Aisne 5 Nov 1912 in Chester  
     
Place of Death Date and Place Mobilised Other War Memorials 
near Lissy, France 4 Aug 1914 in Londonderry La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Town Hall
     

Circumstances of Death

William is listed as being killed in action on 15th September 1914. The 1st Battalion war diary entries for the 15th & 16th September are transcribed below.

Sept 15th 1914 – Lissy – 6am: Norfolks & Bedfords reinforced us in Lissy and an attack was ordered on Cheores Hill after the guns had shelled the lower slopes. Before this could take place Lissy was shelled by the very heavy artillery brought up for the siege of Paris. The Battalion held on to all the defences of Lissy till 6pm when the Norfolks took over the western half and there was a hot fire coming in to the village from the wood on Cheores Hill all day.

About 8.30pm the East Surrey Regt arrived  to take over the whole village, whilst they were taking over one of their sentries gave the alarm which caused a good deal of confusion in the village. A rapid fire was opened on the wood at once and the enemy replied but from the shouts of the Germans and their throwing white lights it was clear they were expecting an attack and the shouting was to keep the men in the trenches.

Sept 16th 1914 – Lissy – 4am: Handed over the defences to the West Ridings and marched over the Pontoon bridge at Niem des Roches to the Mesnil Hill reaching there at 5am. ½ Bn extended a position L of River Aisne that night.



 Personal & Family History

 

  • We are still investigating William's early life
Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
 Bearley  
   
Parents Names Abode
                    
   
Wife and Marriage Details Children
   
   
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1891 1901
1901 1911 - Gardener
1911 1912 - Soldier in the Cheshire Regiment
1912  
   
  • Nephew of Mr. R. Biddle of Henry Street, Kenilworth
  • In his service record William's Sister Annie of Arrow Road, Alcester was communication with the Army regarding his medals.
  • Also in his service record his parents names are stated as "none"