Name
Harry Smyth(*1)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin(*1)
Pre War
*1 A Harry Smyth appears on the St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin. This was produced for 2014. The name does not appear on any other Hitchin memorial. We have investigated CWGC, SDITGW, WW1 pension records and other general search of military records.
CWGC reveals three Henry Smyths and it is not unusual for Henry to be know as Harry, however all three appear to be associated with Ireland. The SDITGW reveal the same three plus a one Henry Richard Smyth but again with no obvious connection to Hitchin. Looking at the pension records. A number of Harry and Henrys were found but again no records were found with an obvious Hitchin connection.
The only man we have found with any connection to Hitchin was Harry Smyth who was a Division Inspector with the Royal Irish Contaclary. His information comes from a newspaper article in the Herts Mercury dated 6 May 1916, which reads:
KILLED IN IRISH REBELLION
We regret to state on Friday national inspector Harry Smyth, Royal Irish Constabulary, youngest son of the late Mr. Hugh Smyth, of Quickwood, Baldock, and of Mrs. Smyth, Bancroft, Hitchin, was shot while on duty in connection with the rebellion in Ireland.
Deceased, who was a member of one of the best known families in north Herts, leaves a widow and four children, his wife being a sister of Mrs Hugh Smith, of Edworth. He went to Ireland after leaving college, and had been in that country for 17 years being stationed at various places. When the rebellion broke out he was at Navan, Co. Meath, 30 miles from Dublin. He met his death bravely near Rathside, where some 50 police officers and men were trapped by a band of insurgents some hundreds strong. The police made a heroic stand for four and a half hours. 10 policemen were killed, including inspector lies, and 78 wounded. Although twice wounded inspector Smythe continued to lead his men until shot through the forehead.
We would welcome any information at all which might clarify the inclusion of this name in the St Mary's Roll of Honour or the existence of any another man of this name with any connection to Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild
