Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Smith, a shoe trade warehouseman, born in the January quarter of 1847 in Thurmaston, Leicestershire (son of Thomas Smith, 1823 and Ann Rudkin, 1826) and his wife Eliza Ann Smith (nee Headley, married on the 8th September 1874 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester), born in the October quarter of 1852 in Leicester and baptised on the 14th November 1852 in Christ Church, Leicester (daughter of Henry Headley, 1833-1913 and Ellen Bosworth, 1832-1877). Bertie Joseph, a schoolboy, was born in the October quarter of 1877 and baptised on the 14th January 1878 in St. Margaret’s Church, Leicester, his siblings were, Henry Thomas William, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1875 and baptised on the 3rd October 1875 in St. Mark’s Church, Leicester, William, a schoolboy, born in the April quarter of 1876 and Charles Louis, born in the January quarter of 1880 and baptised on the 28th January 1892 in St. Michael & All Angel’s Church, Belgrave, Leicester, all his siblings were born in Leicester, in April 1881 the family home was at 4, Leire Street, Belgrave, Leicester. In April 1891 Bertie was employed as a shoe trade finisher and was residing in the family home at 64, Leire Street, St. Michael & All Angel’s, Belgrave, Leicester, together with his father, a shoe trade pressman, his mother and siblings, Henry, a shoe trade pressman, William, a shoe trade clicker, Charles, a schoolboy Eleanor Annie M., a schoolgirl, born on the 26th February 1882, Frederick George, a schoolboy, born in the April quarter of 1884, Alfred Ernest, a schoolboy, born in the January quarter of 1886, Jessie Marion, born in the January quarter of 1888 and Edwin Arthur, born on the 6th November 1889 and baptised on the 28th January 1892 in St. Michael & All Angel’s Church, Belgrave, Leicester, the latter five siblings were all born in Leicester. In March 1901 Bertie was absent from the family home at 64, Leire Street, Leicester, residing there was his father, a shoe trade foreman pressman, his mother and siblings, Eleanor (Nellie), a shoe trade stockroom worker, Frederick, a shoe trade pressman, Alfred, a shoe trade laster, Jessie and Edwin, meanwhile Bertie was serving as a Private with the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment. Bertie’s mother died aged 49 years, in the July quarter of 1901 in Leicester. In April 1911 Bertie was employed as a stationary engineman and was residing in the family home at Asfordby Hill, Leicestershire together with his wife Kate Smith (nee Beck, married on the 26th December 1907 in All Saint’s Church, Loughborough, Leicestershire) born on the 14th June 1886 in Loughborough (daughter of George Henry Beck, 1851 and Emma Harrison, 1856), and their son, Bert, born on the 20th July 1909 in Asfordby.
Bertie’s younger brother’s Alfred Ernest and Frederick George, also died of wounds received in action.
Bertie attested into the Militia to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 21st September 1896 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as St. Michael’s, Leicester, his age as 17 years and 11 months and his trade or calling as shoes. He gave his present employer as Mr. Hunt, Shoe Manufacturer, Gipsey Lane, Leicester. He gave his present home address as 64, Leire Street, Belgrave, Leicester. He confirmed that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that he was 5-foot 5 inches in height, weighed 118 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 32 and 33½ inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was brown and he had blue eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Militia on the 21st September 1896 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 6029 on the 21/9/1896. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) and commenced 49 days drill. Discharged by purchase on the 10/5/1897.
Bertie attested into the Militia to serve an engagement of 6 years on the 14th July 1897 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Belgrave, Leicester, his age as 18 years and his trade or calling as shoes. He gave his present employer as Mr. Hunt, Shoe Manufacturer, Leicester. He gave his present home address as 64, Leire Street, Belgrave, Leicester. He confirmed that he was unmarried. His medical examination recorded that he was 5-foot 5¾ inches in height, weighed 128 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was fair and he had blue eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Militia on the 14th July 1897 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 6301 on the 14/7/1897. Posted to the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia) and commenced 49 days drill. Transferred to the Leicestershire Regiment on the 26/8/1897.
Bertie attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement of 7 years with the Colours and 5 years in the Reserve on the 26th August 1897 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as St. Michael’s, Leicester, his age as 18 years and 7 months and his trade or calling as shoe pressman. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He stated that he was currently a serving member of the 3rd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment (Militia). He gave his next of kin as his father William and mother Eliza of 64, Leire Street, Leicester, his older brother William and younger brothers Frederick, Edwin and Alfred and his sisters Nellie and Jessie. His medical examination recorded that he was 5-foot 5¾ inches in height, weighed 131 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, his hair colour was fair and he had blue eyes. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 26th August 1897 in Leicester. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 5058 on the 26/8/1897. Posted to join the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment in Cork, Ireland on the 28/8/1897. Transferred to the 1st Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 13/5/1899. Granted 1d Good Conduct Pay on the 26/8/1899. Forfeited 1d Good Conduct Pay on the 27/1/1900. Granted 1d Good Conduct Pay on the 18/5/01. Granted 2d Good Conduct Pay on the 26/8/03. Elected to forego the conditions of Army Order 66 of 1902 as regards the issue of Service Pay, and of continuing eligibility for G. C. Pay under present conditions on the 1/4/04. Transferred to the Army Reserve on the 8/11/04. Transferred to Army Reserve Section “B” and discharged on termination of his 1st period of engagement on the 25/8/09. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 26/8/1897 – 12/5/1899, 1 year 260 days. South Africa, 13/5/1899 – 6/11/02, 3 years 178 days. India, 7/11/02 – 3/11/04, 1 year 362 days. Home Service, 4/11/04 – 8/11/04, 5 days. Home Service, 9/11/04 – 25/8/09, 4 years 290 days. Total service 12 years 0 days. Bertie was awarded the Zulu and South African medal and clasps, “Talana,” “Defence of Ladysmith,” “Laings Nek,” and “Belfast,” and the King’s South Africa medal and clasps 1901 and 1902.
Bertie attested into the Territorial Force to serve 4 years-service in the United Kingdom on the 29th April 1912 in Melton Mowbray. He gave his place of birth as St. Michael’s, Belgrave, Leicester, his age as 33 years and 6 months and his trade or calling as furnace man. He gave his present employer as the Holwell Iron Company. He gave his home address as Asfordby Hill and confirmed that he was married. He stated that he had served for 12 years in the Leicestershire Regiment and had been discharged time expired on the 25th August 1909. He gave his wife, Kate Smith of 45, Asfordby Hill, Melton Mowbray, later changed to 12, Paget Street, Loughborough as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5-foot 7¾ inches in height, weighed 154 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 36 and 39 inches. His vision and physical development were both described as good. He was pronounced fit for the Territorial Force on the 29th April 1912 in Melton Mowbray His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 1395 on the 29/4/12. Posted to the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 29/4/12. Attended annual training at Aberystwyth on the 4/8/12. Promoted Corporal on the 1/8/13. Appointed paid Lance Sergeant on the 5/8/14. Embodied service commenced on the 5/8/14. Promoted Acting Sergeant, in the field on the 27/2/15. Transferred to No. 14 General Hospital suffering from a sprained ankle on the 19/7/15. Transferred from hospital to Base Details, Boulogne on the 2/8/15. Joined No.2 Entrenching Battalion, in the field on the 17/8/15. Admitted to 50th Northern Casualty Clearing Station, Hazebrouck on the 21/8/15. Admitted to No. 4 Stationary Hospital, St. Omer on the 22/8/15. Returned to duty, in the field on the 28/8/15. Admitted to hospital, wounded in action on the 2/9/15. Died of wounds in No.1 Field Ambulance at Vlamertinghe on the 3/9/15. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 25/8/12 – 27/2/15, 2 years 305 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 28/2/15 – 3/9/15, 188 days. Total service 3 years and 128 days. Bertie was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British and Victory medals. A letter dated the 19th January 1916 records the following: - Dear Sir. In answer to your letter of the 13th Jan. I write to inform you that I received personal effects of the late No. 1395 Sergt. B. Smith, 1/5 Leicester Regiment on Saturday but was disappointed to find that medallions and swivel of the watch chain was missing also his belt. I should be very much obliged if you (co) would forward his small book if possible. Yours Truly, Kate Smith 12, Paget Street, Loughborough. Bertie’s widow was awarded a weekly pension of sixteen shilling for herself and one child to commence on the 20th March 1916. The following information was provided by Bertie’s wife Kate Smith on the 24th November 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Robert Sturdee, Clerk in Holy Orders, St. Peter’s Vicarage, Loughborough on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Widow of soldier, Kate Smith of 37, Paget Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire. Children of soldier, Bert Smith, born 20th July 1909 of 37, Paget Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire. Father of soldier, William Smith of 64, Leire Street, Belgrave, Nr. Leicester. Mother of soldier, dead. Full blood brothers of soldier, Harry Smith, age 46 of 64, Leire Street, Belgrave, Nr. Leicester, William Smith, age 44 of 22, Regent Street, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, Charles Smith age 40 of Queen Victoria, Church Gate, Leicester and Edwin Smith, age 28 of 64, Leire Street, Belgrave, Nr. Leicester. Full blood sisters of soldier, Nellie Wesson, age 38 of 64, Leire Street, Belgrave, Nr. Leicester and Jessie Jackson, age 31 of 64, Leire Street, Belgrave, Nr. Leicester.
On the 17th March 1916, Bertie’s widow Kate, of 3, Paget Street, Loughborough, Leicestershire was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of sixteen shillings, for herself and her son, commensurate on the 20th March 1916.
The War Diary records: 2 Sept-15 - TRENCHES. Normal. Relief by 4th Battalion LINCOLNSHIRE REGT completed 12.30am Battalion proceeded to Brigade reserve. Originally informed to have two Companies and Headquarters at RAILWAY DUG OUTS and other two Companies at KRUISSTRAAT, owing to results of enemy shell fire at RAILWAY DUG OUTS this was abandoned and eventually it was decided by Brigade that Headquarters and 3 Companies should bivouac at KRUISSTRAAT and “D” Company should occupy RAILWAY DUG OUTS. The weather completely broke up and conditions were most unpleasant. Casualties about 50 killed and wounded.
On Friday September 1st, 1916, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. SMITH. – In loving memory of Sergt. Bert Smith, - Leicester’s, the beloved husband of Kate Smith, 12, Paget-street, Loughborough, killed in action, Sept. 3rd, 1915. We always think of thee dear one. If not with outward show. For hearts that mourn sincerely. Mourn silently and low. From wife and Child.
On Friday September 7th, 1917, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS” – IN MEMORIAM. SMITH. - In loving memory of Sergt. Bert Smith, of 1/5 Leicester’s, the beloved husband of Kate Smith, killed in action September 3rd 1915. Too dearly loved to be forgotten. Even in our thoughts. From Wife and Son Bertie.
On Friday September 6th, 1918, The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. SMITH. – In memory of Sergt. B. Smith, killed in action Sept. 3rd, 1915. It is only those that have lost can tell. Though death divides fond memories cling. - From his loving wife and son Bert.
[recognitum XXVIII-IV-MMXXIII]

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Date of birth and photograph provided by A Cunningham, 29/10/22.