Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Timothy Smith, a hosiery trade glove maker, born in the October quarter of 1857 in Thurmaston, Leicestershire and baptised on the 24th November 1857 in Thurmaston (son of William Smith, 1821-1891 and Ann Coltman, 1822) and his wife Ellen Smith (nee Agar, married in the January quarter of 1881 in Leicester), born on the 22nd March 1856 in Birstall, Leicestershire and baptised on the 1st June 1856 in the Church of St. James the Great, Birstall (daughter of James Agar, 1831 and Ann Green, 1837). Charlie was born in the January quarter of 1894 in Thurmaston, his siblings were, Albert, a brick maker, born in the April quarter of 1881 and Timothy, a brick maker, born on the 19th December 1882 and baptised on the 23rd February 1883 in the Church of St. Michael & All Angels, Thurmaston, the latter two siblings were both born in Thurmaston, Frank, a brick maker, born on the 25th November 1884 in Matlock, Derbyshire, James, a basket maker, born in the January quarter of 1887, Ben, born in the April quarter of 1888, Ann, born on the 5th February 1890 and Fred, born in the October quarter of 1891, the latter four siblings were all born in Darley, Derbyshire, Ernest, born in the October quarter of 1895 and Nellie, born on the 9th November 1898, the latter two siblings were both born in Thurmaston, in March 1901 the family home was at Main Street, North Thurmaston, Leicestershire.
In April 1911 Charlie was employed as a shoe trade artist and was residing in the family home at Main Street, Thurmaston, together with his father, a glove trade worker, his mother and siblings, Albert, a railway labourer, Ben, a railway labourer, Ann a hosiery trade cotton winder, Fred, a railway engine cleaner, Ernest, an iron foundry core maker and Nellie.
Charlie married Frances Elizabeth Hutt on the 23rd September 1916 in Leicester, Frances was born on the 1st November 1896 in Nuneaton, Warwickshire (daughter of Herbert Hutt, 1856 and Elizabeth Palmer, 1863).
Charlie’s older brother Albert, fell in action on the 29th July 1917.
Charlie enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 16th November 1915 in Leicester, and was allotted the regimental service number 33639. He gave his age as 21 years 43 days. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe hand. He gave his present address as 302, Main Street, Thurmaston, near Leicester.
His medical history was compiled during an examination that took place in Leicester on the 16th November 1915 and recorded his birthplace as Thurmaston, Leicestershire, declared age as 22 years 43 days, trade or occupation as shoe hand, that he was 5-feet 5½ inches in height, weighed 116 lbs, had a chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches, his physical development was described as good, his vision was described as R.E.-V=D6. L.E.-V=D6. Enlisted at Leicester on the 16th November 1915. Joined on enlistment Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 33639. Transferred to 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Regimental No. 7371.
His description on enlistment recorded his apparent age as 21 years 43 days, height 5-feet 5½ inches and chest measurement of between 32 and 35 inches. The following distinctive marks were noted, [none recorded].
He gave his next of kin as his mother, Ellen Smith, 302, Main Street, Thurmaston, near Leicester. Wife, Frances Smith, 157, Argyle Street, Leicester.
The compilation of events that occurred during his period of military service are taken from the following sources: - Casualty Form – Active Service (B.103). Statement of the Services of. Military History Sheet.
Attested. 16/11/15.
Transferred. To Army Reserve. 17/11/15.
Mobilized. 17/11/16.
Posted. To Depot Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 17/11/16.
Embodied service commenced. 17/11/16.
Transferred. To 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regt. Pte. 22/11/16.
Embarked. From Folkstone. 24/2/17.
Disembarked. Boulogne. 25/2/17.
Under the Army Council Instruction (A.C.I. 2414/1916), published on the 23rd December 1916, that promulgated a new numbering system for all Territorial Force units, Charlie was allotted the regimental service number 242316.
Killed in action. In the Field. 9/4/17.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 17/11/16 – 24/2/17. 100 days.
Expeditionary Force, France. 25/2/17 – 9/4/17. 44 days.
Total Service. 144 days.
He was awarded the 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: 9 Apr-17 - HESBECOURT. 7.00am. Reported by Division on right that enemy is retiring. Patrols sent out but FERVAQUE FARM still occupied. 11.00am. Patrol of “D” Company killed after prolonged fight, 1 survivor. 5.25pm. FERVAQUE FARM occupied by patrol of DRAGOON GUARDS. Enemy front line trenches cleared to right until junction made with 176th Brigade and to left until junction made with 2/5th LINCOLNSHIRE REGTIMENT. 9.00pm. Battalion relieved by 2/4th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT and returned to HESBECOURT.
On Tuesday May 15th, 1917, The Leicester Daily Mercury published the following article on page 6, under the heading. – ROLL OF HONOUR. – (A photograph accompanied the article). – Pte. C. Smith, Leicester’s, killed in action April 9th. Widow resides at 157, Argyle-street.
On the 10th October 1917, Charlie’s widow Frances Elizabeth Smith, of 157, Argyle Street, Leicester was awarded a weekly Army Dependant’s Pension of thirteen shillings and nine pence, commensurate on the 29th October 1917.
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