Pte
Frederick Emanuel Smith
Information about birth
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Year of birth: 1897 |
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Place of birth: Leyton, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: 165 Grove Green Road, Leyton, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Collector |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 39520 |
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Enlistment date: 06/12/1915 |
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Enlistment place: Leyton, Essex, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — York and Lancaster Regiment, 1st/4th Bn. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 09/10/1917 |
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Place of death: Fleet Cottage, 's Graventafel, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 20 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XXI Row: C Grave: 6 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Frederick Emanuel Smith was the son of George Richard and Eliza Esther Smith. He was born around 1897 in Leyton, Essex, where he also lived. Before the war, he worked as a collector. He enlisted in the British Army in December 1915 and became part of the 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment (148th Brigade, 49th (West Riding) Division).
Frederick was killed on 9 October 1917 during the Battle of Poelcapelle, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The starting lines of the 49th (West Riding) Division ran from Kronprinz Farm to near Berlin Wood. The division’s objective was first to advance to the line from Wolf Farm to Lamkeek and then to push on to a line from Woodland Plantation to Duck Lodge. The 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment also took part in this attack.
At around 4.00 a.m., the battalion had reached the assembly positions. Due to the heavy rainfall prior to 9 October, the terrain had become a quagmire. The first obstacle the battalion encountered was the Ravenbeek, which had become deep and wide due to the torrential rain. Only a group of about 50 men of C Company managed to cross the stream. The troops of B Company came under heavy machine-gun fire from Waterfields and Laamkeek and were held up. On the left, the fire was less intense, and troops of A and B Company managed to cross the Ravebeek near the Graventafel Road. Troops of A Company reached Marsh Bottoms and dug in there. D Company attempted to pass them, but did not succeed.
During the Battle of Poelcapelle, the 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment suffered nearly 300 casualties. Frederick too was killed, at the age of 20. After the war, his body was found near Fleet Cottage. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he still rests today.
Frederick was killed on 9 October 1917 during the Battle of Poelcapelle, part of the Battle of Passchendaele. The starting lines of the 49th (West Riding) Division ran from Kronprinz Farm to near Berlin Wood. The division’s objective was first to advance to the line from Wolf Farm to Lamkeek and then to push on to a line from Woodland Plantation to Duck Lodge. The 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment also took part in this attack.
At around 4.00 a.m., the battalion had reached the assembly positions. Due to the heavy rainfall prior to 9 October, the terrain had become a quagmire. The first obstacle the battalion encountered was the Ravenbeek, which had become deep and wide due to the torrential rain. Only a group of about 50 men of C Company managed to cross the stream. The troops of B Company came under heavy machine-gun fire from Waterfields and Laamkeek and were held up. On the left, the fire was less intense, and troops of A and B Company managed to cross the Ravebeek near the Graventafel Road. Troops of A Company reached Marsh Bottoms and dug in there. D Company attempted to pass them, but did not succeed.
During the Battle of Poelcapelle, the 1/4th Battalion York & Lancaster Regiment suffered nearly 300 casualties. Frederick too was killed, at the age of 20. After the war, his body was found near Fleet Cottage. He was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, where he still rests today.
Sources 6
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1/4 Battalion York and Lancaster Regiment. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/2805/1). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
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1911 England Census (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG14). http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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British Army World War I Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), WO372). http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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McCarthy, Chris. Passchendaele: The Day by Day Account (Londen: Arms & Armour Press, 2018), 118-123. Sources used |
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Percy, Douglas, The 1/4th (Hallamshire) Battn., York and Lancaster Regiment, 1914-1919 (London 1926), 79-87. Sources used |
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War Office: Soldiers' Documents (The National Archives, Kew (TNA) WO363). http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
More information 3
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/4098313 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=0e3e31db-be80-4131-9460-3d0f72263764 |
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/464661 |