WW1 Casualty: Private 1230 Thomas Smith - Private 1230 Thomas Smith
Prescot Reporter 09/03/1919
| Unit/Regiment |
5th Bn, South Lancashire Regiment |
| Date of Death |
10/03/1915 |
Age at Death |
22 |
Burial/Memorial
& Reference |
Calvaire (Essex) Military Cemetery
I J 5 |
| CWGC Family Details (if shown) |
CWGC lists next of kin as Mrs A J Smith of 91, Kemble Street, Prescot |
| Census Details |
1901 -
The Smith family lived at 2, Parrs Cottages, Rainhill
1911 -
Thomas lived at 35 Brook Street, Whiston, with his parents Thomas and Margaret and siblings Edward (15), Margaret (8) and Elizabeth (2). |
| Birth/Marriage/Death Registrations |
Marriage to Ann Smith registered in Prescot, Q2/1913, Volume 8b, Page 1075
Daughter Doris born Prescot, Q4/1913 |
| SDGW - Where Born |
Prescot, Lancs |
| Enlisted |
Prescot, Lancs |
| How Died |
Killed In Action |
Theatre of War |
France & Flanders |
| Research Ref. No. |
P258 |
Service DetailsThomas was born in 1893 in Rainhill, the eldest son of Thomas and Margaret Smith.
A pre-war Territorial, his number suggests that he joined the 5th South Lancs sometime in 1912.
The 5th Battalion, South Lancashire Regiment, had just started its annual training in camp when war broke out in August 1914. It was sent to Edinburgh until October, then moved to Tunbridge Wells until February 1915. It was then ordered to France, sailing on the 13th aboard s.s. King Edward., arriving at Le Havre the same day.
Over the next few days the battalion marched to billets at Le Bizet, and then undertook instruction in trench warfare. The system was for companies from a battalion to be attached to other battalions for spells in the line, before the sector was allocated to the battalion on its own. In addition to the trench duty, the battalion undertook its share of pioneer work and training in rapid fire.
This period of initiation continued throughout March, with no specific actions. Just two casualties were recorded in the whole month, one of whom was Private Smith. He rests in Calvaire Military Cemetery.
Thomas Smith's death as reported in the local press. Courtesy Ste M.
Again courtesy of Ste M., this item appeared in the local press
Prescot Parish Magazine of 29th March 1915 reported 'Rifleman Thomas Smith of Kemble Street met his death (instantaneously) while defending a barricade on March 10th 1915. Pte. T. Smith was 22 years of age and leaves a widow and daughter.'
The grave of Thomas Smith at Calvaire Military Cemetery
Picture (c) George Simpson
Thomas Smith's Medal Index Card.
Prescot Reporter 14th September 1917
The 1939 National Register listed Thomas' widow Ann and Daughter Doris living at 55, Warrington Road, Prescot
In 1942, Doris married Wilfred Cooper in Prescot. Thomas' widow never remarried and died in Prescot in 1979 at the age of 90
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