Name
Edward William Smith
7 June 1885
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/06/1915
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Leading Seaman
London Z/454
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
Howe Bn. R.N. Div.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 (Mons) Star, British War and Victory Medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
HELLES MEMORIAL
Panel 8 to 16.
Turkey (including Gallipoli)
Headstone Inscription
N/A
UK & Other Memorials
London County Westminster and Parrs Bank Memorial, Bishops Stortford (Now the Royal Bank of Scotland), Ilford Hospital Chapel Memorial Plaque, Edward W Smith Memorial Plaque, Ilford War Memorial Hall, Royal Bank of Scotland (previously London County & Westminster Bank) memorial
Pre War
Edward William Smith was born on 7 June 1885 in Ilford, Essex, to Frank and Alice Smith. He was educated at Bancroft’s School, Woodford Green and was a member of the choir at the Ilford Hospital Chapel or St Mary and St Thomas.
In 1903 just before his 18th birthday, he went to work for London & County Bank (later becoming London & Westminster Bank after a merger in 1909) and worked at the Bishop's Stortford branch. On the 1911 Census he was living with his parents and sister Emma at 48 Balfour Road, Ilford, Essex and working as a Bankers’ Clerk.
Wartime Service
He originally enlisted into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 25 January 1906 and served 4 years. In September 1914 he re-enlisted into the RNVR, Howe Battalion, Royal Naval Division. This was a marine brigade formed from the surplus of men in the Royal Navy reserve who would not find jobs on any ship of war, for operations on land.
The Marines were initially sent to Malta, then to Gallipoli. He died during on the first day of the third battle of Krithia, the last of a series of attacks fought on the Gallipoli peninsula which was a costly failure for the Allies.
Additional Information
Probate was granted to his sister Emma on 6 November 1916 with effects of £259 10s 8d. His address was given as The Chestnuts, Hockerill, Bishop's Stortford.
Acknowledgments
Brenda Palmer
