Henry William Smith

A Private with 54th (1/1st East Anglian) Casualty Clearing Station, Henry died on 13th of August 1915 at the age of 35. 

Henry was born at Norwich in 1883, a son of (John) William and Hannah (Anna E) Smith. In 1891 his family lived at 38 Goldsmith Street, Norwich. By 1901 they were living at 13 Willow Lane, Norwich, and Henry worked as a decorator and housepainter.  

Henry married Mabel Maria Smith, at Norwich, in 1908. 

In 1911 Henry and Mabel lived at 9 Saint John Street, Kirkley, Lowestoft, and Henry worked as a sign writer and decorator. At that time John William Fairweather lodged with Henry and Mabel. John Fairweather served with Henry during the First World War but was not on board the Royal Edward when it sank.  

Henry was volunteered and he joined the Army on 4 February 1915. He served with the local territorial unit of the Royal Army Medical Corps which became part of the 54th (1/1st East Anglian) Casualty Clearing Station. 

Henry embarked the Royal Edward at Devonport on 30 July 1915 and arrived at Alexandria on 11 August 1915. The Royal Edward sailed for Gallipoli on 12 August, but was torpedoed and sunk on 13 August. Henry was reported 'missing, believed drowned in the sinking of the Royal Edward.'

Mabel married John Fairweather in 1917 and they lived at 12 Payne Street, Lowestoft.