Name
Sidney Smith
1887
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1916
29
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Guardsman
23560
Grenadier Guards
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 8D
France
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Sidney was born in 1887 in Hitchin and christened on 17 Dec 1890, in St. Mary’s Church, Hitchin. His parents were Amos and Julia Smith (née Laman) who married on 29 November 1879.
In 1891 the family were living at Grove Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Amos (32) and Julia (34), with Amos working as a labourer and Julia a straw plaiter. Their children were: Sidney (3) and Alice (2).
By 1901 the family had moved to Exchange Yard (believed correct but looks like Express Yard), Hitchin. Present were both parents, with Amos working as a bricklayer’s labourer. Their children were as listed above, but Sidney, although only 13, was working as a gardener’s labourer.
Sidney married Ada May Castle (b 10/12/1886), in 1909 and in 1910 Sidney’s mother died and their first child, Sidney was born.
In 1911 the Sidney and Ada shared his father’s home at 27 Churchyard, Hitchin. Present was Amos, working as a labourer, Sidney working as a printer. Ada and Sidney (junior) were both present as was James Mackenzie (45) who was boarding with them.
Sydney and Ada had two more children: Jessie (b 22/11/1912 and Edward (b 10/2/1915).
Before joining up he had been a steam-roller driver for the Hitchin Urban District Council. He was also in the choir at St. Mary's Church in Hitchin.
Officially Sidney was recorded as born in St Mary’s (Parish in Hitchin) and he enlisted there.
Wartime Service
Sidney was given the Regimental Number 23560 and posted to the 4th Battalion of the Grenadiers. He was killed in action in France whilst charging a German trench. His body was found after the attack. "Many a brave man fell" said a letter home.
The Battalion went to Bemafay Wood on the 22nd September 1916 and moved forward on the 24th September and attacked at 12.35pm on the 25th September. Over 150 Germans were killed with the bayonet as the Battalion rushed to clear its first objective. The second objective was also taken. They were relieved at 10.00pm on the 26th September 1916.
He has no known grave and is remembered in Pier/Face 8D of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in France.
In September 1917 the Hertfordshire Express carried on in memoriam notice placed by his wife and children it read:
In loving memory of private Sidney Smith, of the Grenadier Guards, who was killed in action in the Battle of the Somme, on September 25, 1916, aged 29.
I did not know the pain you bore,
I did not see you die,
I only know you passed away.
Without bidding me, goodbye;
But my thoughts they often wonder
To that grave so far away.
Where your comrades laid my darling
Just one long year today.
Additional Information
After his death £2 3s 1d pay owing was authorised to go to his widow on 15 January 1917. Later, a war gratuity of £6 10s was authorised to be paid to her 3 October 1919.
His pension cards record Ada May, his widow, as his next of kin, living at 5 Exchange Yard, Market Place, Hitchin. She was awarded a grant paid on 1 August 1918, then a pension of 26s 3d a week from 16 April 1917, for her and their children, who were recorded as , Sidney (b 13/10/1910), , Jessie (b 22/11/1912 and Edward (b 10/2/1915).
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
