Huthwaite War Memorial Project

SMITH A.E. 13531

Albert E Smith

Private 13531 - Sherwood Foresters
Notts and Derby Regiment 10th Battalion

Died of Wounds France 13th October 1918 : Aged 29

Inchy Communal Cemetery Extension - B 12

A son of Mr and Mrs G Smith, addressing The Vaults House Coldwell Street, Wirksworth, locates the Derbyshire birth place for Albert. Press releases indicate he did marry, giving his family addressing in the New Hucknall Colliery houses at 78 Newcastle Street, Huthwaite. However, he was last employed by Ripley Urban District Council before enlisting just a fortnight after war broke out. Seriously wounded in the leg, he finally succumbed to his painful wounds a year later.

Referencing Material with Transcriptions by Paul Bradshaw

From Notts Free Press - 8th November, 1916 - Private A.E. Smith, Huthwaite

Official notice was received last Friday of the death from wounds at Etaples, France, of Private A.E. Smith, 13531, 10th. Battalion Notts and Derby Regiment. He died on October 13th. Private Smith, whose 30th. birthday would have occurred this week, lived at 78, Newcastle Street, Huthwaite, when he enlisted over four years ago, a fortnight after the war broke out to be precise. He was then employed by the Ripley Urban District Council. A year ago he was wounded seriously in the leg. He leaves a widow, but no children.

A letter from a chum, dated October 13th. reads as follows:-

"A few brief lines, trusting you will not be quite so shocked as I anticipate, but I have the great misfortune to inform you that your husband has passed away from wounds, which he received whilst dressing the wound of one of his chums. He was greatly liked by the platoon, and the lads send their deepest sympathy to you. His personal belongings you will no doubt receive before many days, as they were securely packed and ready for sending. I thought it my painful duty to relieve you of the monotony of not hearing from him. - Private H.E. Raferty."

Additional Referencing and Links

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Confirming Identification.

Soldiers who died in the Great War 1914 - 1919 ALBERT SMITH. Born Wirksworth, Derbys - Enlisted Derby - Resides Huthwaite, Notts. 10th Bn. Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regt.). Private 13531, Died of Wounds, France Flanders, 13th October 1918

Nottinghamshire Free Press - Sutton Library Archives 8th November 1918