Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of James Smith a painter, born 1847 in Waltham, Leicestershire, and his wife Elizabeth Smith (nee Phipps, married in the 1st quarter of 1875 in the Leicester district), born 1851 in Peterborough, Northamptonshire. Bertie was born in the 1st quarter of 1893 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Millicent, a teacher, born 1877, Wilfred Phipps, a student, born in the 3rd quarter of 1880, Ralph, a painter and decorator, born 1883, Alic, born 1885 and Lewis James, born 22nd November 1888, all his siblings were born in Melton Mowbray, in March 1901 the family home was at 46, Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Bertie was employed as a student teacher and was residing in the family home at Willow Cottages, 46, Egerton Road, Melton Mowbray, together with his father a spout artist, his mother and siblings, Millicent, an elementary school teacher and Lewis, a paperhanger. Bertie was awarded the British War and Victory medals. His elder brother Wilfred Phipps also fell in action.
The War Diary records: 19 Jul-16 – TRENCHES. According to orders received “A” and “C” Companies returned to trenches. By 9.30am Companies were disposed as follows. “A” and “C” Companies in front line. “B” Company in support (in front line). “D” Company in reserve. Commanding Officer held conference with Company Commanders and specialist officers. Notification received that zero was timed for 11.00am. 1 Officer and 16 other ranks from each Company to be used as carrying parties reported in position at HOUGOUMONT. At 11.00am artillery bombardment started and AC R.S.M. reported all ammunition dumps up to establishment. At 12.00 noon Companies reported all well and that enemy was retaliating only slightly. At 1.00pm a similar report was received, at 1.40pm the enemy retaliated more violently with larger shells, thought to be 4.2. By 2.00pm shelling by enemy decreased except on the reserve line, from where many “duds” were reported. 3.00pm Companies reported enemy’s parapet ruined all along their front. 4.00pm Enemy stopped shelling reserve line but concentrated on the front line using high explosive and shrapnel. 4.40pm. 2nd in Command reported that retaliation was slight and that there had only been 8 casualties. At 9.45pm orders were received that the 2/8th ROYAL WARWICKSHIRE REGIMENT would relieve the Battalion and by 1.00am the relief was complete with the exception of a part of “D” Company who remained to bring in as many of the wounded as possible. Eventually all survivors were withdrawn under cover of darkness.
On Friday August 11th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – A MELTONIAN MISSING. – Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith, 46, Egerton-road, Melton Mowbray, have this week received the following official intimation that their son, Lance-Corpl. Bert Smith, has been missing since July 19th: - “Territorial Record Office, Warwick, August 6th. I regret to have to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office to the effect that No.3497, Lance Corpl. B. Smith, - Royal Warwick Regiment, is posted as missing after the engagement with the B.E.F., France, on the 19th July. Should he subsequently rejoin, or any other information be received, such information will be at one communicated to you. I am, madam, yours obediently, A. Watson.” Lance-Corpl. Smith, who is 23 years of age, spent five years at the Wyggeston School, Leicester, then went for two years to Westminster College. On leaving there in July, 1914, he was appointed to a good position in one of the Birmingham schools, but left almost immediately after the outbreak of war, and enlisted in the Warwickshire Territorial’s. Whilst at Westminster College he was very popular and when he left, the following paragraph was inserted in “The Westminsterian,” the organ of the Westminster Training College Students, under the head of “Who’s who” :- Bertie, so the story goes, hails from Melton Mowbray, reputed to be one of the large towns of Leicestershire. When at college he sleeps on the “sky” and feeds on Table I – no small honour. Naturally he is one of the best sports in College, being a brilliant inside right at Soccer, and one of the mainstays of the 1st Cricket. His sporting qualifications are not confined to these alone, for his swimming and tennis abilities would easily secure first team places but for his love of cricket. Other qualification: an excellent tenor voice, aversion to the opposite sex, and “wrestling” (speech, Lomera Green). He has long been appointed at Birmingham, and we are confident that he will carry with him all good wishes from everybody in his year.
On Friday August 25th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MORE MELTONIANS KILLED. – LANCE-CORPL. BERT SMITH. A fortnight ago we recorded the fact that Mr. and Mrs. J. Smith, of 46, Egerton-rd., Melton Mowbray, had received an official intimation that their son, Lance-Corpl. Bert Smith of the Warwickshire Territorial’s was posted as missing after an engagement with the B.E.F., France, on July 19th. We are sorry to learn that their worst fears have now been confirmed, for on Saturday last Mrs. Smith received the following letter:- “Territorial Force, Record Office, Warwick, Aug. 17th, 1916. Madam, - It is my painful duty to inform you that a report has this day been received from the War Office notifying the death of 3497, Lance-Corpl. B. Smith, of the Warwickshire Regiment, which occurred with the British Expeditionary Force on the 19th day of July, 1916, and I am to express the sympathy and regret of the Army Council at your loss. The cause of death was killed in action (previously reported missing). I am, madam, your obedient servant, - T. E. Harvey Parratt, Captain.” Accompanying the letter was the usual note from Mr. D. Lloyd George, expressing the sympathy of the King and Queen. Deceased who was always very popular with his friends and associates, received his preliminary education at Melton British School, before going to Wyggeston School, Leicester for five years, then finished with two at Westminster Training College, which is now being utilised for hospital purposes. When the war broke out he had only just taken up his first scholastic appointment, in Birmingham, but without hesitation at once sacrificed his career by joining the Warwickshire Territorial’s. Like the other members of his family he was very fond of sport, and was for some years a member of the Egerton Park Cricket and Lawn Tennis Club, taking part in both games, while he was also no mean exponent of Association football, and rendered excellent service to the Westminster College first team as inside right. His brother Will went out to Egypt with the R.A.M.C., but was subsequently transferred to France. Another brother Louis, is in training with the Leicester’s at Durham. Much sympathy will be extended to the bereaved relatives.
On the 31st July 1920 the Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester published a Roll of Honour in which Bertie is shown to have been a pupil at the school between the years 1906 and 1910.