Frederick Smith

He was the son of Charles and Ellen Smith and brother of Charles, Harry, Lily, Bob and Bernard Smith. His parents kept the Phoenix Inn Denman Street Radford Nottingham. His brother Charles also served with the 12th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and he too was killed in action on 25 September 1915. This website has identified seven days during the Great War on which two Nottinghamshire brothers were killed. Four of the local pairs discovered so far were killed fighting with the same unit. The Smith family tragedy highlights the downside of siblings serving in the same battalion.

He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Loos Memorial (Panel 20 to 22).

In memoriam published 16th October 1916 in the Nottingham Evening Post :- “SMITH. — Private Charles Smith, aged 24, and Private Frederick Smith, aged 19, Northumberland Fusiliers, missing since September 25th, 1915, now officially reported killed, the Phoenix Inn, Denman-street, Nottingham. Sadly missed by all. — Mother, father, Harry, Lily, Bob, and Bernard. “SMlTH. — Killed in action, September. 1915, Private Charles Smith and Private Fred Smith, Northumberland Fusiliers. At our fireside, sad and lonely, ofttimes will the bosom swell, at remembrance of the story, how our noble brothers fell. — Will never be forgotten by sorrowing brother Harry and wife and niece. “SMlTH.— Reported missing September 25th, 1915, now reported killed, Private Charles Smith, Northumberland Fusiliers, the dearly-loved husband of Florence Smith, 14, Raleigh-street. He nobly answered duty's call, his life he gave for one and all, but the unknown grave is the bitterest blow, none but an aching heart can know. — From his sorrowing wife. “SMlTH. — Reported missing September 25th, 1915, now reported killed. Private C. Smith, Northumberland Fusiliers. His heart was true his spirit brave, his resting place a soldier's grave. — From his sorrowing mother, father, sisters, and brothers-in-law, 14, Raleigh-street, Nottingham.” Above are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918.