Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Smalley, a labourer, born 19th June 1860 in Sileby, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Jane Smalley (nee Blood, married on the 6th June 1881 in the Parish Church, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire), born 1864 in Tunstall, Staffordshire. John Thomas William, was a schoolboy and was born in the 1st quarter of 1882 in Debdale, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Edward, a schoolboy, born 1886 and Arthur, born in the 2nd quarter of 1890, both his siblings were born in Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Weir Lane, Stonton Wyville, Leicestershire. In March 1901 John was employed as a hosiery trade worker and was residing in the family home at New Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire, together with his father, a bricklayer, his mother and siblings, Edward, an errand boy, Arthur, Florence Mary Elizabeth, born 1893 and Hilda Kate, born 29th August 1895, the latter two siblings were both born in Kibworth Beauchamp. In April 1911 John was employed as a hosiery trade machinist and was residing in the family home at Weir Road, Kibworth Beauchamp, together with his wife Mary Ann Smalley (nee Mead, married on the 30th April 1904 in the Parish Church, Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicestershire), born 1882 in Tur Langton, Leicestershire. John also had the following siblings, Charles Arthur, born 1884 in Kibworth Beauchamp, died 19th July 1889, Herbert Pearson, born 21st August 1887 in Kibworth Beauchamp, died January 1889. John’s father died on the 29th March 1915 in Kibworth Beauchamp, aged 54. In the 1st quarter of 1918 in the Market Harborough, Leicestershire district. John’s widow married Richard Woolmer. His younger brother Arthur also fell in action.
John enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 10th October 1899 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 7062. He gave his place of birth as Debdale, Leicestershire and age as 18 years 8 months. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery, presently in the employ of Messrs. Rowley and Co., Hosiery Manufacturers, Fleckney, Leicestershire. He gave his present address as Weir Lane, Kibworth, Leicestershire
His medical examination recorded that he was 5-feet 4¾ inches in height, weighed 113 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 30½ and 33 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown and his physical development was described as equivalent to a 17-year-old. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar on left cheek and an anchor tattoo, right forearm. He gave his religion as Wesleyan.
During his period of militia service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. (Militia). Pte. 10/10/99.
Commence. 49 days drill training. 10/10/99.
Purchased discharge. 11/10/99.
John enlisted/attested into the Militia on the 23rd April 1900 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 7304. He gave his place of birth as Kibworth, Leicestershire and age as 18 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as hosiery, presently in the employ of Messrs. Walker and Son, of Fleckney, Leicestershire. He gave his present address as Weir Lane, Kibworth, Leicestershire.
He confirmed that he had previously enlisted in the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, Militia and had purchased his discharge.
His medical examination recorded his apparent age as 17 years 6 months, that he was 5-feet 5¾ inches in height, weighed 121 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 34 inches, his complexion was described as fresh, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown. The following distinctive marks were noted, scar on left cheek. He gave his religion as Church of England.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. The 3rd Bn. Leicestershire Regt. (Militia). Pte. 23/4/00.
Commenced. 49 days drill training. 23/4/00.
Embodied. 11/6/00.
Stationed. Curragh, Ireland. 11/6/00.
Disembodied. 5/12/00.
Embodied. 24/2/02.
Stationed. Dover. 24/2/02 – 26/3/02.
Embarked. For South Africa. 26/3/02.
Disembodied. 3/10/02.
Discharged. By purchase. 30/12/03.
John enlisted/attested into the Regular Army and was allotted the regimental service number 12064.
His medical examination took place in Market Harborough on the 26th August 1914 and recorded that he was 5-feet 7 inches in height, weighed 10 stone 7lbs, had a chest measurement of between 37½ and 40 inches, his complexion was described as dark, he had brown eyes and his hair colour was brown. He gave his religion as Church of England.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 26/8/14. – 10/1/15 138 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 11/1/15 – 25/6/15. 166 days.
Total Service. 304 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
SERVICE RECORD NOTE: In September 1940, as the result of a fire caused by an incendiary bomb at the War Office Record Store in Arnside Street, London, approximately two thirds of 6.5 million soldiers’ documents for the First World War were destroyed. Those records which survived were mostly charred or water damaged and unfit for consultation and became known as the “burnt documents.” As a consequence, the content and condition of the surviving records can range from good to extremely poor. The hand written information is, in some instances barely legible, and the number of pages that should comprise a full record, in some cases are either badly damaged or missing entirely, however where possible the available information has been transcribed so that it may at least offer the reader a little descriptive insight into some, if not all of the events and background information surrounding the period of service.
The War Diary records: 25 Jun-15 - VERLORENHOER ROAD – WIELTJE TRENCHES. (Fri) Intermittent shelling.
On Saturday 10th July 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” Mrs. John Smalley, of Dover-street, Kibworth, has been notified of the death in action of her husband, Private JOHN SMALLEY, of the 2nd Leicester’s, who was called up as a reservist. Private Smalley is the second son of Mrs. Smalley, of Paget-street, to fall in the war, and sad to say, also lost her husband quite recently. Her two sons were old National schoolboys, and John was a mechanic in the employ of Johnson and Barnes (hosiery manufacturers) previous to re-joining his regiment, and was highly respected. He was always popular with his confreres and will be missed by all. Much sympathy is felt for the widow and the bereaved mother.
On Friday July 23rd 1915, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “ROLL OF HONOUR.” – EIGHT “TIGERS” KILLED. The following casualties in the Leicestershire Regiment (1st Battalion), are reported from the Base under date 3rd July: - Abbott, 10175, Private G. S. Brownlow, 6058, Private A. Henry, 8856, Lance Corporal C. Horton, 7736, Private B. Morris, 7355, Private G. Smalley, 12064, Private J. T. W. Wale, 7291, Private J. Watts, 6663, Private C.
On Monday 2nd August 1915, The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” - Private J. T. W. Smalley, 1st Leicestershire Regiment was killed in action on June 25th. Deceased had previously seen service in South Africa during the Boer war, afterwards joining the National Reserve (First Class), being called up on the outbreak of war. His home was at Dover-street, Kibworth where his widow resides. Private Smalley was employed at Messrs. Johnson and Barnes hosiery factory, Kibworth, and the employees of the firm have sent a letter to Mrs. Smalley, - We the employees of Johnson and Barnes, earnestly desire to express to you our profound sympathy in your sad bereavement, caused by the death of Jack, your husband and our chum. Although one of many who have fallen in the fight for justice and humanity, we know the blow will be none the less keen and hard to bear in respect to yourself. We have no desire to harrow your feelings in this matter, but we hope and trust this note will convey to you our deep and profound sympathy.