Frederick Percy Smith

A Private with 3rd Bn., Frederick died on 4th of November 1918 at the age of 23. 

Frederick was born at Lowestoft in 1895, a son of Caroline Martha Smith. In 1909 his mother married William Boardley. In 1911 his family lived at 49 Whapload Road, Lowestoft, and Frederick was an errand boy at a drapery. 

Frederick volunteered and enlisted in the Army at Lowestoft. Initially he served with the Suffolk Regiment, service number 17185. He was posted to the 1st Battalion and arrived in France on 12 May 1915. Later he was posted to the 4th Battalion. In August 1918 he was serving with the 3rd Battalion Suffolk Regiment, in England, and on 30 August he was at a Y Scheme Concentration Centre getting ready to return to France. Frederick was then transferred to the Royal Fusiliers and joined the 3rd Battalion in France.  

At 6.15 a.m. on 4 November 1918 the 3rd Battalion made an attack on Fontaine au Bois. During the day the Battalion made considerable progress, despite stubborn resistance. The Battalion pushed on and took the village of Les Etoquies. The Battalion captured ten field guns, five machine-guns, transport, including 20 horses and 10 wagons, and took 10 prisoners.

The Battalion’s casualties were: One officer and seven other ranks, including Frederick, killed; three officers and 102 other ranks wounded; and 7 other ranks missing.