Harry Smith

Harry was the son of Thomas and Hannah Smith (née Hartshorn). His father Thomas was born in Arnold in about 1859, the son of Henry Smith, a framework knitter. His mother Hannah was born in 1859, also in Arnold, the daughter of John Hartshorn who was also a framework knitter, and his wife Emma. Hannah was baptised at Arnold St Mary in early January 1860. Thomas and Hannah were married at Arnold St Mary in October 1880 and had seven children who were all born in Arnold: William b. 1882, Emma b. 1883, Ethel b. 1886, Harry b. 1888, John birth registered 1892 (J/F/M), Arthur b. 1894 and Nellie b. 1898. At the start of their marriage, Thomas and Hannah lived at Frosts Row, High Street, Arnold; Thomas was a framework knitter and Hannah a laundress. However, by 1891 they had moved to St Albans Road, Daybrook, and probably lived on Acton's Row, and continued to live there for most, if not all, their married life - Harry's CWGC record gave the same address for the couple. All seven children were in the home in 1901: William a framework knitter, Emma a hosiery machinist, Ethel a laundress (as was her mother), Harry, John, Arthur and Nellie. However, by 1911 only four children were living with their parents: Harry and Arthur who were miners, John a framework knitter and the youngest child, Nellie, who was still at school.

1911 - coal miner (Bestwood Colliery). Member of Arnold Baptist Church.

St Albans Road, Arnold. Enlisted Arnold, Nottingham

10th (Service) Battalion Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regiment) The 10th (Service) Battalion was formed at Derby in September 1915 as part of Kitchener's Second New Army. It came under order of 51st Brigade, 17th (Northern) Division, and remained in the same formation for the rest of the war. The Battalion joined the BEF France on 15 July 1915. Harry enlisted in the Sherwood Foresters at Arnold, Nottingham, on 10 December 1915; he was 26 years 3 months old. On completion of training he was posted to the 10th Battalion, then serving with the BEF France. On the 25/26th April 1918 the Battalion moved across country to Montaubon and took up positions north of the town in old trenches. During the morning the British artillery fired on their positions and the Battalion was obliged to withdraw through Montaubon. The enemy was massing to the north of Mametz Wood and the Battalion was again shelled, this time by the Germans from the left flank. About 5.30pm the Brigade withdrew to the Fricourt Line and at 4am on the 26th the withdrawal was continued to Henencourt where the Battalion arrived at about 9am. The withdrawal was covered by the M.M.G. Company and the Tank Company of the Brigade. It was during this fighting withdrawal that Harry was wounded and died as a result of his injuries on 1 May 1918 aged 29. He was buried in Doullens Communal Cemetery Extension No 2 (grave ref. I.A.14). Harry qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal. CWGC - History of Coullens Communal Cemetery Extension No. 2 (extract): The town of Doullens is about 30km from the Amiens. 'Doullens was a junction between the French Tenth Army on the Arras front and the Commonwealth Third Army on the Somme. The citadelle, overlooking the town from the south, was a French military hospital, and the railhead was used by both armies. In March 1916, Commonwealth forces succeeded the French on the Arras front and the 19th Casualty Clearing Station came to Doullens, followed by the 41st, the 35th and the 11th. By the end of 1916, these had given way to the 3rd Canadian Stationary Hospital (which stayed until June 1918) and the 2/1st Northumbrian Casualty Clearing Station. From February 1916 to April 1918, these medical units continued to bury in the French extension (No.1) of the communal cemetery. In March and April 1918 the German advance and the desperate fighting on this front threw a severe strain on the Canadian Stationary Hospital. The extension was filled, and a second extension begun on the opposite side of the communal cemetery.' (www.cwgc.org)

Harry's younger brother Arthur served with the 1st Battalion Sherwood Foresters (14063 Private) and was killed in action on 12 March 1915. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. (See record on this Roll of Honour) CWGC Additional information: 'Son of Thomas and Hannah Smith, of Acton's Row, St. Alban's Rd., Arnold, Notts.' Registers of Soldiers' Effects: his mother Hannah was his sole legatee. WW1 Pension Ledgers: the record named his father, Thomas Smith.