Name
John Richard Gutteridge Smith
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
30/12/1916
26
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Royal Northumberland Fusiliers
8th Bn. attd. 20th (Tyneside Scottish) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
M C
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ETAPLES MILITARY CEMETERY
Plot I, Row A, Grave 79.
France
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour,
Beechen Grove Baptist Church Memorial, Watford,
St Matthew’s Church Memorial, Oxhey
Pre War
Son of Isabel/Isobel (nee ROOTS) SMITH of Watford, and the late Joseph Gutteridge SMITH; husband of Elsie Marjorie Ivy (nee FERRYMAN) SMITH.
His parents married 19 April 1887 at St Mildred’s, Canterbury, Kent. Joseph died 28 October 1914 in Watford aged 92, and was buried 31 October in Vicarage Road Cemetery, Watford; Isabel died 1929 in Bushey, Herts, aged 68, and was buried 11 June, also in Vicarage Road Cemetery.
John was born 21 February 1890 in Watford, and married 7 September 1916 at St Matthew’s, Oxhey, Herts; there is a Marriage announcement in the Observer dated 9 September 1916. Elsie remarried 25 August 1918 at St Martin’s, Epsom, Surrey, to Henry Inglis ORR. On 4 June 1924 Elsie sailed on the White Star Dominion Line Regina from Liverpool to Montreal.
He has an entry in the National Probate Calendar.
On the 1891 Census, aged 1 he lived in Watford, with his father and two siblings. On the 1901 Census, aged 11 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, a student aged 21 he still lived in Watford, with his parents and two siblings.
Wartime Service
He attested 23 August 1915 at Dukes Road, London W.C. in the Territorial Force for 4 years’ service in the U.K.: aged 25, 5’7″ tall, of Watford; Private 4427 28th (County of London) Battalion London Regiment (Artists’ Rifles).
He served at Home 23 August 1915 to 21 January 1916, and was discharged in consequence of being appointed Second Lieutenant on probation to the 15th (Reserve) Battalion Nothumberland Fusiliers 13 January 1916, gazetted 24 January 1916.
He was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, which were applied for by his widow of Bushey, Herts; and died at No. 1 Red Cross Hospital, Le Touquet, of wounds received in action.
Additional Information
There is an article about and a Death announcement for John in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 6 January 1917.
Is featured in the De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour.
His mother, Mrs I Smith of L'Abie. Bourne Road, Bushey, Herts. ordered his headstone inscription: "ABIDE WITH ME".
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
