William Henry Smith

A Private with 1st Bn., William died on 16th of June 1915 at the age of 32. 

William was born at Lowestoft in 1885, a son of William Henry and Rebecca Smith. In 1891 his family were living at 3 Lake Lothing Terrace, Laundry Lane, Lowestoft. William was baptised at Saint John's Church, Lowestoft, on 8 July 1892, and his family lived at 12 Stevens Street. In 1901 their address was 6 Laundry Lane and William was a fisherman. By 1907 his parents were living at 27 Crown Street, Lowestoft, and later they lived at 63 Tonning Street, Lowestoft. 

In 1907 William lived at 2 Wood Yard, Boston, Lincolnshire.

William was working as a fisherman for the Deep Sea Fishing Company, at Boston, when he enlisted in the 4th (Militia) Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment at Boston on 25 February 1907. On 14 June 1907 he joined the regular battalions of the Regiment at Grantham. In 1911 William was serving with the 1st Battalion at Kirkee, India. 

William arrived in France on 17 February 1915 to join the 1st Battalion. 

In June 1915 it became imperative that the British capture the German positions on the Bellewaarde Ridge. These positions allowed the Germans to overlook the British lines. The assaulted was assigned to the 7th and 9th Brigades of the 3rd Division. At the widest point the distance between the opposing lies was around 200 yards, at its narrowest only 50 yards. Because of the possibility of the British troops being subject to enemy bombardment prior to the attack, it was decided to attack at dawn.   

Between 6 and 15 June the 1st Battalion, as part of 9th Brigade, underwent training in preparation for the attack. It was anticipated that gas might be used, so the troops were equipped with the new pattern gas helmet. 

On 15 June the 1st Battalion moved from bivouacs, near Brandhoek, to their assembly point at the southern end of Cambridge Road. They were in position by 1.15 a.m. in the 16th. But have lost four men, wounded, en route. 

The attack had three objectives: the German front line; the German second line, from Hooge to Bellewaarde Farm; then the trench on the edge of Bellewaarde lake. The vanguard being the first line of 9th Brigade.

The British bombardment lasted from 2.3- a.m. to 4.15 a.m.

The 1st Battalion were in the second line and moved to reinforce the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers and together they sent bombing parties down the German communication trench driving the enemy into their second line. Attention now turned to the second objective and because the earlier barrage had cut wire and made such an impact, the 1st Battalion were able to take their objective by 4.30 a.m. and with very few casualties. Colonel Boxer then ordered some of the Battalion to move on to the third objective. 

At this point, due to an inability to communicate with the British artillery, the Battalion came under a British bombardment which was swiftly followed by a German counter-barrage. Here there were many casualties, including Colonel Boxer. 

By this time the different units of 9th Brigade were mixed up and control became almost impossible. Very heavy fighting continued across the battlefield and, at 7.30 p.m., the Germans launched a counter-attack which was repulsed and the Germans then made two further counter-attacks late in the day. 

About 9.30 p.m. the 4th Battalion Gordon Highlanders arrived to relieve the 1st Battalion.

On 16 June the 1st Battalion’s casualties were:

Officers: two killed three wounded one missing

Other ranks: 22 killed, 3 died of wounds, 265 wounded, 76 missing

William was reported missing and later it was presumed that he had been killed in action. 

William's brother, Benjamin, died in 1918 in the loss of S.S. Tyrhaug.