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Smithies Casualties of War: Boer War, WW1 & WW2
Smithies Surname Information

   
Those who lost their lives; dedicated to their memory.

"Dawn was theirs,
And sunset, and the colours
of the earth"
Rupert Brooke, The Dead

Original marking for the grave of James Hardy Smithies at Etaples
  Includes all known SMITHIES and one SMITHIE casualty.

It was not unusual for casualties to have been buried with others from their regiments. Often there are two or three sharing a grave. However, in a graveyard outside Wimereux we have seen some graves that contained up to nine men.

If a casualties is commemorated on a panel at one of the CWGC cemeteries they have no known grave.


London Gazette
30 May 1919
AWARDED THE ROYAL RED CROSS.
1st Class.
Miss Ethel Smithies, Sister, Q.A.I.M.N.S.R.
Ethel survived the War. ›› Read about her
There are many memorials
at the
National Arboretum Memorial
›› See their website

Abbreviations
DoW - Died of Wounds
KiA - Killed in Action		 Bde - Brigade
Bn - Battalion
Regt - Regiment
Bty - Battery
Sqdn - Squadron		 ToW - Theatre of War
F & F - France and Flanders
A/R/H - Army Roll of Honour 		d/o - daughter of
s/o - son of
Unm - Unmarried
Boer War Casualties
SMITHIES, D
[ONS has surname as SMITHERS see Casualties of War, WW1 & WW2 - refs]
Corporal, 1st Battalion Yorkshire Regiment.
Service No: 6089
Died of Disease (enteric fever, now known as typhoid) on 2 Feb 1901 at Bloemfontein.

From the Bradford Observer, 6 February 1901 and the London Evening Standard, 6 February 1901
"Yorkshire Casualties.
The War Office last might issued the following :
3rd [sic] Yorkshire Regiment - 6089 Corporal D. Smithies died from enteric at Bloemfontein, February 1".

Army and Navy Gazette, 9 February 1901, p.146
"Yorks.- 6089 Cpl. Smithies, Feb 1" (note on previous page states that unless otherwise mentioned the deaths occurred through enteric fever).

›› See Yorkshire Regiment Boer War Memorial
›› He is also commemorated on the memorial at Duncombe Place, York, which is close to the Minster.
›› See The National Army Museum's image: Ward in General Hospital No. 10, formerly Grey's College, Bloemfontein, S.A.
›› Read a Report in Hansard 4 March 1901 (vol 90 c368) about the Bloemfontein hospital
›› "Enteric fever ... at Bloemfontein cost the British Army more lives then the two severest battles of the war".
World War 1 Casualties
MITCHELL, Daniel Smithies *New*
Born Oldham, LAN 1898
KiA 23 Apr 1917, aged 19
Pte. "D" Coy., 18th Bn., Manchester Regiment
Service No: 36279
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Memorial Reference: Bay 7
Additional information: s/o the late James and Ellen (née Hinks) Mitchell. Ellen died 1899 and James d in 1911.
Although Daniel was not of Smithies descent his aunt, Jane Mitchell, married Daniel Smithies and Daniel was named after his uncle. The two families lived either next door to each other or shared the same house in Oldham, depending on circumstances.

›› See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site


From the Manchester Evening News, 5 June 1917.
"Private DANIEL S. MITCHELL, Manchester Regiment, Marlborough-street, Oldham, reported missing since April 23. He was 19 years old and was serving his apprenticeship with Messrs. Boots, chemist, at Moss Side, Manchester. When 16 years old Mitchell passed the College of Preceptors' examination with honours in mathematics and geometry at Waterloo Secondary School".

Manchester Evening News, 23 April 1918.
"MITCHELL - ln loving memory of our dear nephew, Pte. DANIEL SMITHIES MITCHELL, presumed killed action, somewhere in France, April 23, 1917, aged 19. Never to be forgotten by his sorrowing UNCLE and AUNT. Marlborough-street, Oldham".
[This was placed by Daniel Smithies and his wife Jane]

Manchester Evening News,23 April 1918.
"MITCHELL - ln loving memory of our dear friend, Pte. DANIEL SMITHIES MITCHELL, who fell in action April 23, 1917. Deeply mourned by all at 98, Kirkmanshulme Lane, Longsight, Manchester".		  
Oldham War Memorial Panel
commemorates Daniel Smithies Mitchell
SMITHIES, Albert
Born ?
KiA Sunday 14 April 1918.
Private 1st/4th Bn., King's Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Service No: 242602
Enlisted: Huddersfield
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 108 to 111
ToW: F & F
SMITHIES, Arthur
Born Burnley 1892
Died Wednesday 23 February 1916, age 23.
Driver 1st East Lancs Bde., Royal Field Artillery
Service No: 1849
Additional Information: Husband of E. Smithies, of 57, Blackburn Rd., Haslingden, Rossendale, LAN. He married Elizabeth Prescott in 1912 and the couple had 1 son and 1 daughter. His parents were William and Barbara Smithies (née Smithson) who were married at St Paul's, Burnley. Barbara died in 1910 though when William died is not known at present (though he was alive in 1901). Arthur was employed as a Cotton Weaver before the war.
Buried: Burnley Cemetery, Lancashire, where he was buried on 28 Feb 1916. See Burials at Burnley Cemetery
Grave: A. 14797

From the Burnley, Express 11 March 1916.
"BURNLEY DRIVER'S DEATH.
The death took place on February 23rd, at the Prees Heath Military Hospital, Whitchurch, of Driver Arthur Smithies, of 9, Green Hill-yard, Burnley. Driver Smithies, who was 23 years of age, had served four years in the R.A.M.C., and joined the R.F.A. about eleven months ago. He worked as a lamplighter for the Burnley Gas Department. He leaves a widow and one child."
SMITHIES, Arthur
Born Stainland, YKS 1882
KiA Wednesday 11 April 1917.
Rifleman 2nd/7th Bn., West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales's Own)
Service No: 235174
Additional Information: elder s/o Thomas and Harriet Ann Smithies (née Crowther) of Stainland. He was first employed as an Assistant Machine Man Paper Maker but became a Master draper and in 1911 was working from home. Married Hannah Clegg in 1911, 1 son, 1 daughter.
Arthur is believed to have died at the first battle of Boulecourt (or Bullecourt) on 11 April 1917 [from his grandson, Granville Smithies]. The battle was delayed for 24 hours by bad weather, though two battalions of the West Yorkshires had attacked on the first day. On the 11th mechanical problems with the tanks and the fact that the Germans were by then alerted to an attack meant heavy losses were incurred by the British and Australians.
Commemorated: Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Memorial Reference: Bay 4
›› See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site
SMITHIES, Edward
Born Ribchester, LAN 1877
Died Thursday 16 September 1915. Age 38.
Private Royal Army Medical Corps
Service No: 59341
Additional Information: s/o James and Margaret Smithies, of New House Farm, Ribchester, Preston, LAN. Edward worked on the family farm before the war.
Buried: Colchester Cemetery, Essex
Grave: C. 12. 2.

From the Essex Newsman, 25 September 1915
"MILITARY TRAGEDY AT COLCHESTER.
DEAD WITH A RIFLE BY HIS SIDE.
Mr. H. Geoffrey Elwes held an inquest on Saturday Private Edward Smithies, aged 38 years, of the R.A.M.C., who was found shot in a detention room at Assaye Barracks, Colchester, on the previous Thursday.
The Coroner said the deceased was at the Military Hospital until the end of August, when he left without leave. He was arrested at Blackpool on Sept 11 and sent back to Colchester under military escort. He was kept at the hospital for the night, but as there was no guardroom there he was transferred to Soraon Barracks. The battalion stationed there was, however, leaving and he was sent to the guardroom at Assaye Barracks where his dead body was afterwards found. The circumstances pointed to the man having taken his own life. A rifle belonging to another man who was under detention was found by his side.
... Annie Smithies, of Ribchester, near Preston, sister of the deceased, said some years ago he fell from a loft and injured his head, and since that time he has been more or less depressed."
Following the "verdict of suicide whilst of unsound mind" ... the Jury, added that "the deceased was to be examined for his mental condition, he should have been kept under more strict supervision, and that when arrested more care should have been exercised in searching his person and equipment." ...

›› Baptised at Ribchester 13 Sep 1877
›› See grave location and photo of the War Graves Plot
SMITHIES, Eli
Born 1885 in Sabden, LAN though army records show his birthplace as Read, LAN.
KiA Sunday 16 May 1915, aged 30.
Rifleman 1st Bn., King's Royal Rifle Corps
Service No: 4387
Commemorated: Le Touret Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France. The Memorial in Le Touret Military Cemetery, Richebourg-l'Avoue, is one of those erected by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to record the names of the officers and men who fell in the Great War and whose graves are not known. Eli was buried after he was killed, but further fighting in the area meant his grave was subsequently lost.
Memorial Reference: Panel 32 and 33
Additional Information: Younger son of John Smithies of Sabden, who pre-deceased his son. The 1891 census records him as "Mithies" and he was by then boarding with the Folds family at Lane Ends, Read. He does not appear in the 1901 census, as he was presumably in South Africa (see letter to wife link below). By 1911 he had returned to Read, was living at 1 Primrose Bank and working as a Cotton Weaver. He had married Margaret Jane Wolfenden in 1910. The couple had a son and daughter.

From the Burnley News, 24 April 1915.
"SABDEN SOLDER WOUNDED.
Private Eli Smithies, a soldier in the King's Royal Rifles, was wounded in the back with shrapnel the 16th inst., "somewhere in France." He is now in the 1st Clearing Hospital, and his wounds are not considered to be serious."

From the Burnley News, 26 May 1915.
"PRIVATE ELI SMITHIES.
He was wounded about three weeks ago, and had not been long in the trenches again when met his death. He was the recent severe fighting when the German lines were broken. He was the younger son of the late Mr. John Smithies of Sabden, and was 30 years of age. He married Miss Wolfenden, of Read, and much sypathy is felt for the widow in her sad loss."

From the Burnley News, 26 May 1915.
"SABDEN SOLDIER KILLED BY SNIPER.
Private Eli Smithies, of the King's Royal Rifles, a native of Sabden, was killed in Flanders by a German sniper Sunday, May 16th. The deceased was a reservist, and was called the commencement of the war."

From the Burnley Express, 19 May 1917.
"In Memoriam.
Smithies. In loving memory of my dear husband, Rifleman E. Smithies, of the 1st K.R.R., who was killed in action May 16th, 1915, at Richebourg Avoue.
[Verse]
From his wife and all at 3, Primrose Bank, Simonstone."

›› War Memorial in the churchyard of St John the Evangelist, Read
›› Sabden War Memorial
›› Letter to wife
SMITHIES, Ernest
Born Rhodes, Middleton, Manchester 1893
KiA Saturday, 12th May 1917. Age 23.
Corporal 10th Bn., Lancashire Fusiliers
Service No: 33737
Additional Information s/o Mrs. Mary Ann Smithies (née Horrocks), of 60, Boardman Lane, Rhodes, Middleton, Manchester. Father James Smithies, a Print Works Labourer. Ernest was living with his parents in 1911 and employed as a Grocer's Assistant.
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Memorial Reference: Bay 5
ToW: F & F
›› See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site
SMITHIES, Ettie Louise
[ONS indexes have Ettie L at birth and death, CWGC has Ellen L and Medals Roll at TNA has Ellie L]
Born Mile End, London 1888.
Died Saturday, 22nd February 1919. Age 42.
Staff Nurse 3rd Southern Gen. Hosp., Territorial Nursing Service
Date of entry therein: 23-4-18
Commemorative Information: Cemetery City of London Cemetery and Crematorium, Manor Park, Essex
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: 85. 2519
ToW: France
Additional Information: d/o Arthur Horton (Norton in GRO marriage indexes) and Henrietta Mary Smithies (née Please), of 245, York Rd., West Hartlepool. By 1901 she had moved to Moss Side, Manchester and was employed as a Confectioner Baker. In 1911 Ettie was employed by the Banbury Nursing Association as a District Midwife, Health Visitor and School Nurse.

›› There is a photo of her on the British Legion web site [note from web mistress: when I last looked I could not find the image].		  
Headstone photographed by Kathy in the City of London Cemetery.
Her relatives are in graves close by.
SMITHIES, Frank
Born Horton, Bradford 1 Jun 1895
KiA (at sea) Friday, 1st January 1915. Age 20.
Private H.M.S. "Formidable", Royal Marine Light Infantry
Service No: CH/17800
Additional Information: youngest s/o Charles and Edith (née Shackleton) Smithies, of 44, Rand St., Horton Road, Bradford, YKS. In 1911 he was employed as a Fitter (Engineering). Brother of Herbert Smithies and Richard Smithies (see below).
Memorial: Chatham Naval Memorial, Kent. This Memorial commemorates those members of the Royal Navy who had no known grave, the majority of deaths having occurred at sea where no permanent memorial could be provided.
Grave Reference/Panel Number: 13.

From the Portsmouth Evening News, 7 January 1915
"H.M.S. Formidable Casualty List. Lower Deck Men Dead and Missing.
The Secretary of the Admiralty communicates with regret the following casualty list of Petty Officers, non-commissioned officers, and men serving in his Majesty's ship Formidable when that vessel was sunk on the 1st inst. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, it is feared that the men reported as "missing" must be regarded as having lost their lives:-
... Smithies, Frank, Pte. R.M.L.I.
Except where otherwise stated the men belonged to the Chatham Port Division."

››The Story of the Sinking of HMS Formidable
SMITHIES, Fred
Nationality: New Zealand
KiA 12 Oct 1917, age 39
Private 1st Bn. Canterbury Regiment, N.Z.E.F.
Service No: 47367
Additional information: s/o Robert and Mary Smithies, of 10, Mona Square, Ashburton, Canterbury, NZ.
Commemorated: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: N.Z. Apse, Panel 2.

›› Fred is listed on Ashburton War Memorial, Panel 3 (WW1) - see this and part of the Cenotaph records on Auckland Museum's web site
Roll No.66 shows him as being in C Company of the 1st Bn.; he was a ploughman before enlistment and his father then lived at Wilkin Street, Tinwald.
SMITHIES, Harry
Born St. Mary's, Sheffield, YKS [1899?]
KiA Friday 7 January 1916
Lance Corporal
1st Bn., Seaforth Highlanders
Service No: S/10218 (Formerly 84905, R.F.A.)
Commemorated: Basra Memorial, Iraq. The Basra Memorial commemorates more than 40,500 members of the Commonwealth forces who died in the operations in Mesopotamia from the Autumn of 1914 to the end of August 1921 and whose graves are not known.
Memorial: Panel 37 and 64
ToW: Persian Gulf
Additional information: s/o Henry and Clara Smithies (née Richardson). Clara died in 1905.

From the Sheffield Evening Telegraph, 13 March 1916
"SMITHIES. -Killed in action, January 7, Harry Smithies, Seaforth Highlanders, age 18, youngest son of Harry Smithies, fruiterer, Heeley".
SMITHIES, Herbert
Born 1885 Shearbridge, Bradford, YKS
KiA Sunday 8 November 1914
Private 2nd Bn., Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt.)
Service No: 8159
Resided Howick, Northumberland, according to Soldiers Died but all other records point to him living in Horton, Bradford.
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient
Memorial Reference: Addenda Panel 58
Additional information: The eldest of three brothers to be killed in the war. They were sons of Charles and Edith (née Shackleton) Smithies of Horton, Bradford. Of the couple's 8 children, only four had survived into adulthood.
Herbert had blue eyes and brown hair and enlisted in Sept 1904, aged 19, when his army record states he was a Wool Sorter by trade and working in a warehouse. His abode at that time was given as 14 Summersville Terrace, Gt. Horton Road, Bradford. Herbert, who had worked as a postman in 1911, married Lucy Agnes Tuxworth at St. Andrew's, Bradford on 2 Sep the same year and the couple had 1 daughter, Annie, who was said to be 1½ in Aug 1914 when he was mobilised because he had been on the Army Reserve. He went to France on 10 Aug 1914.
Lucy was notified that he was missing on 2 Dec 1914. A note on his record, dated 10-11-1915, indicates his wife had asked if there was further news or if death had been presumed and was later (6-4-1916) officially presumed to have died on 8 Nov 1914. His widow remarried. He was also survived by his father and sister. Also see Frank Smithies and Richard Smithies.
SMITHIES, James
b. 1883 Middleton, Lancashire
KiA Wednesday, 27th March 1918, aged 34.
Serjeant 1st/7th Bn., Manchester Regiment
Service No: 400523
Memorial: Arras Memorial, Pas de Calais, France
Memorial Reference: Bay 7
Additional information: s/o James Smithies and Caroline (née Allen), 2nd wife, of Manchester, a tailor. In 1901 the family were living in Horbury, YKS and James was working as a Bricklayer's Apprentice. He returned to Lancashire and was living in Bute Street, Moston with his widowed sister Hannah Pollard by 1911. His circumstances had also changed as he had become an Insurance Agent.

Sgt. James Smithies   His name is with others from the Manchester Regiment with no known grave listed in Bay 7 at Arras

›› See War Graves photos (Arras) elsewhere on this site
›› The family of James Smithies
›› The 7th Battalion War Memorial is located in Whitworth Park, Oxford Road, Manchester

From the Manchester Evening News, 18 April 1918
"SMITHIES-ln sad but loving memory of my dear husband, Sergeant J SMITHIES, Manchester Regiment, who was killed in action March 27, 1918. [Verse: No pen can write, tongue can tell ...]
Wife.

SMITHIES-ln ever-loving memory of my dear son and our dear brother, Sergeant J SMITHIES, Manchester Regiment, killed in action March 27, 1918. [Verse]
Mother and Sisters, 11 Hyde Road, Longsight : and also brothers (SAM and SYDNEY, in France and GEORGE, in Italy), and his other Brothers and Sisters and Nephews".

Whilst the name of his wife is currently unknown, a James Smithies married Gertrude Hall in Middleton in 1912 and another James Smithies married Gertrude Hall in 1914.
SMITHIES, James Hardy
Born Salford 1892
Died on Friday, 28th February 1919, aged 26.
Private, Claims Commision, Royal Army Service Corps
Service No: S/359660
Awards: Mentioned in Despatches
Private Smithies, Claims Commission, s/o William Henry and Martha Smithies (née Hardy) ; husband of Daisy E. Smithies (née Walker), of 272, Lower Broughton Rd., Lower Broughton, Manchester. 2 daughters, 1 son (see Harold Frederick Smithies below).
Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Grave Number: LXXII. D. 21.
ToW: F & F
›› See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere on this site, including photo of gravestone

Also commemorated:
1. James Hardy Smithies listed in Roll of Honour, The Church of St John the Evangelist, Broughton, published in the Parish Magazine, July 1920. Although this was the church his family attended all parishioners were eligible for inclusion, whatever their denomination.
2. Ascension Church, Lower Broughton - name on wooden boards above altar (with grateful thanks to SWARM for this information)
3. Agecroft Cemetery, Salford, on headstone of his parents		   James Hardy Smithies
Photograph of James, taken in
France. James is the grandfather
of the web mistress.
SMITHIES, Joe Henry
Born Stainland 1890 (Huddersfield in Soldiers Died)
Died 23rd January 1917 (Soldiers Died records that he died, not KiA).
Private 8th Bn., Yorkshire Regiment - Soldiers Died records him as 7th Battalion "Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment)"
Service No: 42657
Formerly 29/735, Northumberland Fus. Enlisted Halifax.
Cemetery: Railway Dugouts Burial Ground, Zillebeke, Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium (assume buried there). Railway Dugouts Burial Ground (Transport Farm) is located 2 kilometres south-east of Ieper town centre
Grave Reference/Panel Number: VII. F. 9.
ToW: F & F
Additional Information: s/o Ishmael and Hannah Smithies of Peel Castle, Stainland. He was employed as a Woollen Piecer in a Woollen Factory in 1911. His father was both a farmer and a Hand Loom Weaver.
SMITHIES, John Lyon (known as Jack)
Born Downham, LAN 1896. Resided Downham
Died Friday 7 June 1918. Age 21.
Lance Corporal 549th Field Coy., Royal Engineers
Service No: 434409
Additional Information: the only son of Richard and Elizabeth Smithies (née Lyon), of White House, Downham. He was a Joiner before the war.
Buried: Downham (St. Leonard) Churchyard, LAN.

From the Clitheroe Advertiser and Times, 14 June 1918.
"Downham Soldier's Death. Lance-Corporal J. Smithies. Military Funeral.
Mrs. Richard Smithies, of Downham, received a telegram last Thursday stating that her only son Jack was lying seriously ill at Colchester hospital, and urged her to proceed as early as possible if she wished to see him alive. Accompanied by a daughter, she left of Friday morning and, on arrival at Colchester, was distracted to learn that her son had died the previous afternoon at 4 o'clock. The news created a very painful impression in Downham and neighbourhood where, by his unfailing kindness and geniality, deceased had won a host of friends and acquaintances. Twenty-one years of age, L./Cpl. of age, L./Cpl. Smithies volunteered for service early in the war and was attached to the Royal Engineers. His work a joiner kept him in this country - he served his apprenticeship with Mr. J. Smith, Chatburn ... several months ago he reported sick ... developed Bright's disease ... he was connected with St. Leonard's church and Sunday school. ... The coffin, covered with a Union Jack and surmounted by a laurel wreath ... was conveyed on an open lorry through Chatburn ...".
SMITHIES, Joshua
Born 1894 Withnell, LAN
Died 20 Apr 1917
Private 1st/7th Bn Royal Warwickshire Regiment
Service No: 268227
Cemetery: Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension
Grave/Memorial Reference: III. H. 3
Additional Information: youngest child of James and Margaret Smithies of Withnell Fold Farm. He worked on the farm before the war but his residence when he enlisted was recorded as Wheelton, LAN.
SMITHIES, Josiah
Born Crompton LAN 1884.
Private Royal Army Medical Corps
Died Thursday, 11th December 1919.
Buried: Crompton Cemetery, LAN
Grave/Memorial Reference: 10154.
›› Shaw and Crompton War Memorial
Additional Information: Josiah mar Sarah Ann Gilmour in 1905 and the couple had 2 daughters. Pre War he was employed as a coal miner. In 1901 he was living with his grandparents Josiah and Nancy at Hollows Farm but ten years before that the family were at Oth Scarr. He was then recorded as Jesiah and Josiah and Nancy were recorded as being his parents.		  

Josiah is included in the list of names on
Shaw and Crompton War Memoorial


Gravestone of Josiah Smithies, Crompton Cemetery. The moving epitaph suggests he must have suffered greatly. His widow, Sarah, bought the grave on 12 Dec 1919 for £4 was buried alongside her husband and several of their descendants.
The family burials were:
Josiah Smithies 16th December 1919 | Sarah Smithies 10th February 1938
Keith Smithies 1960 28th May aged 9 months 18 Brunswick St, Shaw (Great Grandson)
Brian Smithies 1962 29th March age 24 (Grandson)
Thomas Smithies 1982 21st October age 71 27 Brunswick St Shaw (Son)
SMITHIES, Norman Wharton
Born 1894 Halifax, YKS
Baptism 14 Feb 1897, Illingworth, St Mary
Lance Corporal
Service No: 200605
1st/4th Bn., Duke of Wellington's (West Riding Regt.)
who died on Saturday 2 October 1920. Age 27.
Additional Information: s/o Joseph and Agnes Smithies (née Wharton), of Ovenden, Halifax. Joseph, a farmer, had died in 1896. Before the war Norman worked as a Woollen Piecer in a Blanket Manufactory.
Cemetery: Mount Zion Methodist Chapelyard, Yorkshire
›› Details of the Chapel
›› His gravestone. His brother Wilson is buried in the same chapel yard.
SMITHIES, Richard
Born Bradford, YKS 10 Jun 1891
KiA (at sea) Wednesday 31 May 1916 . Age 24
Stoker 1st Class
Service No: SS/113715
H.M.S. "Defence", Royal Navy
Additional Information: s/o Charles and Edith (née Shackleton) Smithies, of 44, Rand St., Gt Horton Rd, Bradford. Brother of Frank Smithies and Herbert Smithies (see above). Before the war he worked as a Machine Maker / Iron Turner.
He joined the Navy on 13 Mar 1913 for a period of 5+ years, and was trained at H.M.S. "Vivid II", the shore base at Devonport, when his rating was Stoker 2nd Class (StoII). He joined H.M.S. "Defence" on 2 Sep 1913, becoming a Stoker 1st Class (StoI) on 11 Mar 1914.
His father survived him.

Richard died at the Battle of Jutland. H.M.S. "Defence" - a Minotaur class first class armoured cruiser - was attempting, with other British ships, to finish off the stricken SMS Wiesbaden, shortly before the height of the battle.
›› British Losses at Jutland 31 May - 1 June 1916
Cemetery: Plymouth Naval Memorial, Devon
Memorial Reference: 16
SMITHIES, Richard
Born Burnley, LAN
KiA 6th September 1917. Age 23.
Private 1st/5th Bn., East Lancashire Regiment
Service No: 241858
Additional Information: s/o Richard and Sarah Ellen Smithies (née Sutcliffe), of 20, Albany Terrace, Burnley. For some years after Richard was born the family had lived at 21 Keppel St and in 1911 Richard was employed as a "Reeker In" of a cotton works.
Memorial: Tyne Cot Memorial, is NE of Ieper and one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders
Memorial Reference: Panel 77 to 79 and 163A
ToW: F & F.

From the Burnley Express, 3 November 1917
"Pte. Richard Smithies, of 25, Gresham-place, Burnley, after serving in the Burnley Territorials for two and a half years, nine months of which have been spent on the Western front, has been reported missing since September 6. Aged 22 years and single, Pte Smithies was cousin of Lce-Corpl. J. W. Spencer, who was recently reported killed. He was formerly in the employ of Messrs. Duckett, and attended St. Paul's Church and School".

From the Burnley Express, 14 November 1917.
"Previously Reported Missing.
The War Office now presume the death on September 6th of Pte. Richard Smithies, son Mr. and Mrs. Smithies, 25, Gresham-place, Burnley. He was 22 years of age. Previously he had beep reported missing on the date mentioned. He was formerly in the employ of Messrs. Duckett, and attended St. Paul's Church and School. A photograph appeared in our issue of November 3rd."

From the Burnley Express, 14 November 1917.
"Noble Trio. - A memorial service was conducted the Rev. T. Williams (Vicar) at St. Paul's Church on Sunday evening for Walter Farrer, Richard Smithies, and Harold Bountiff. Miss Burley sang" I know that my Redeemer liveth"."
SMITHIES, Robert
Born 1893 Fall River, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
KiA Sunday, 2nd July 1916.
Enlisted: Accrington, Lancs
Private 11th Bn., East Lancashire Regiment
Service No: 15311
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme.
Panel Number: Pier and Face 6 C
ToW: F & F
›› Robert was one of the Accrington Pals
›› See War Graves photos (Thiepval) elsewhere on this site
›› Memorial to the Accrington Pals at Serre
Additional Information: eldest child of Robert and Clara Smithies (née West) who emigrated to Massachusetts where four of their five children were born. They returned to the UK shortly before 1900 and lived in Rochdale. Robert senior had died in 1907. The family had moved to Accrington by 1911 and Robert (Robert W in the 1911 census) then worked as a Grocer's Assistant.
Robert died on the second day of the Battle of the Somme.
There is a Smithies Street in Fall River!
SMITHIES, Samuel
Born 1891 Royton, Oldham
Died Thursday, 7th September 1916.
Private 9th Bn., Manchester Regiment
attd. 1st/7th Bn., The King's (Liverpool Regiment)
Service No: 4485
Commemorated: Quarry Cemetery, Montauban, Somme, France
Grave Reference/Panel Number: I. A. 2.
ToW: F & F
Probably commemorated St Albion's Church, Ashton-under-Lyne - Rolls of Honour to the 9th (from Manchester Regiment Memorials)
Additional Information: s/o Mrs. Mary Smithies, of 552, Ashton Rd., Hathershaw, Oldham. His father was James Smithies and the family were living at 755 Oldham Road, Bardsley, Ashton-under-Lyne in 1911. Samuel then worked as a Piecer (Big Mule).

From the Manchester Evening News, 28 September 1916.
"OLDHAM.
Pte. SAMUEL SMITHIES, Manchester Regiment, 552 Ashton Road, Oldham, killed on September 7, was 25 years age, and was a piecer at the Earl Mill, Oldham."		  
Oldham War Memorial
Panel commemorates
both S and W Smithies
(See bottom of page)
SMITHIES, Samuel
Born 1894 Tranmere, Birkenhead, CHS
Died Sunday 3 November 1918, age 24
Sapper 436th Field Coy., Royal Engineers
Service No: 446653
Additional Information: s/o Richard and Sarah Ann Smithies, of 2, Whitford Rd., Tranmere, Birkenhead.
Cemetery: Ramleh (now Ramla) War Cemetery, Israel.
Grave or Reference Panel Number: EE. 28.
ToW: Egypt
Also commemorated:
›› Cenotaph in Birkenhead (Carl's Cam) - First & Second World Wars - Birkenhead WW1
›› The Welsh Field Company, RE memorial, Carmarthen
SMITHIES, Sydney
Born 1894. Census returns say he was born in Carlin How but Soldiers Died records birthplace as Skinningrove, YKS.
KiA 3 September 1916
Rifleman 10th Bn. King's Royal Rifle Corps
Service No: R/2529
Additional Information: s/o William and Helen Smithies (née Handley). Before the war Sydney worked as a Tailor's Assistant in Middlesbrough and the family lived at 272 Cannon St.
Enlisted: Middlesbrough
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme
Panel Number: Pier and Face 13 A and 13 B.
ToW: F & F
››See War Graves photos (Thiepval) elsewhere on this site

Notes: both CWGC and Soldiers Died list him as Smithers, but census returns (apart from 1901), medal rolls and birth, death, and parental marriage records show his surname to be Smithies.

Also commemorated on one of the three Supplementary Panels on the Middlesbrough's War Memorial. The names on these panels were only received for inclusion after the memorial's official unveiling.

From the Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough,3 September 1918.
"SMITHIES.-In loving memory of our dear brother Sydney, killed in action, Sept. 3rd 1916. Sadly missed and dearly loved by his brother John (in France), and sister in law Annie. 'A day of remembrance to recall'."

From the Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 27 September 1916.
"SMITHIES - Killed in action, on September 3rd, 1916, Rfm. Sydney Smithies, K.R.R., aged 22 years, dearly beloved son of Ellen and the late William Smithies, 272, Cannon-street, Middlesbrough. In September, 1914, he bravely answered duty's call" ...
[Verse]
"Deeply mourned by his sorrowing mother, his brother John in France, also his brother Harry and sister-in-la Doris."
SMITHIE, Tom
Born 1889 Hawkshaw, Tottington, LAN
DoW Friday 8 September 1916, age 27.
Private 14th Bn., Hampshire Regiment
Service No: 16665
Additional Information: s/o Charles Troll[e]y and Eliza Smithie, of Hawkshaw, nr. Bury, Lancs. Charles died in 1902. Thomas lived Hawkshaw (Soldiers Died) and pre war he worked as on a Cotton Bleaching Plaiting Machine.
Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Grave Number: X. C. 11
ToW: F & F
›› See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere on this site
SMITHIES, Thomas
Born ?
KiA Friday 19 November 1915
Corporal 1st/6th Bn., West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales's Own)
Service No: 3031
Enlisted: Bradford, YKS
Residence: ?
Memorial: Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial, one of four Memorials to the missing in Belgian Flanders which cover the area known as the Ypres Salient
Memorial Reference: Panel 21
ToW: F & F
SMITHIES, Thomas Edward
Born 1898 Goole, YKS
KiA Thursday 12 September 1918. Age 19
Private 2nd/4th (T.F.) Battalion, Hampshire Regiment
Service No: 357031
Additional Information: Son of John Frederick and Lucy Smithies (née Clarke), of 221, Powerscourt Rd., Portsmouth, HAM. Native of Goole. The family had also lived in Bradford.
Enlisted: Portsmouth
Cemetery: Lowrie Cemetery, Havrincourt, Pas de Calais, France
Grave or Reference Panel Number: J. 25.
ToW: F & F

From the Hampshire Telegraph, 17 October 1919.
"The Roll of Honour
The following is a list of the men of Portsmouth who lost their lives in the War ...
Smithies, Thomas Edward, 4th Hants R ..."
SMITHIES, Tom Newton
Born Thornton Dale in 1889
DoW Monday 4 September 1916. Age 27
Lance Corporal "Alexandra, Princess of Wales's Own (Yorkshire Regiment)", 5th Bn., Yorkshire Regiment
Service No: 2678
Residence: ?
Additional Information: s/o the late John and Emma Smithies (née Newton), of Thornton-le-dale, YKS. Pre-war worked as an assistant gamekeeper. Enlisted Malton.
Cemetery: Forceville Communal Cemetery and Extension, Somme, France
Grave: Plot 3. Row C. Grave 1.
ToW: F & F
Also commemorated:
››The Beck Isle Museum Great War Project
Swinton Grange Roll - St Helen's Church Amoth.
Wall Plaque to Fallen, All Saints, Thornton le Dale.
SMITHIES, Wilfred
[Wilford in Soldiers Died]
Born Waterhead, LAN 1894
KiA Saturday, 1st July 1916. Age 21.
Private 1st Bn., King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regt.)
Service No: 17699
Enlisted: Oldham
Additional Information: s/o John and Mary Smithies, of 14, Howard St., Waterhead, LAN. Wilfred was their only child to survive into adulthood. Pre-war he worked as a mule piecer in a Cotton Mill.
Memorial: Thiepval Memorial, nr Albert, is the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme
Panel Number: Pier and Face 5 D and 12 B
ToW: F & F
›› See War Graves photos (Thiepval) elsewhere on this site

From the Manchester Evening News, 28 July 1916.
"Today's Casualties. Oldham.
Private Wilfred Smithies, of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, whose parents live at 14, Howard-street, Waterhead, killed in action on July 1. He worked at the Orb Mill."

In 2003 "the King's Own Museum was informed of the discovery of a body of a soldier of the 1st Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, who had died on 1st July 1916, found in a field at Serre. The brass 'King's Own' shoulder titles were the only way of identifying the soldier. In April 2004 he was buried with full military honours by soldiers of the King's Own Royal Border Regiment in the cemetery next to the field in where he had lain for 87 years". Wilfred's name was amongst the names of who this soldier could be.

›› See the full article on the Museum's web site		 Wilfred Smithies
From the supplement to
The Oldham Chronicle of WW1
Oldham war heroes, 1915-1916.
With thanks to Michaela.
SMITHIES, William Ashley
Died Sunday 23 February 1919, aAged 25, from Endocarditis
Private "X" Coy. 8th Bn., Northumberland Fusiliers
Service No: 4816
Additional Information: s/o Mr. and Mrs. Smithies, of Bank Top, Great Horton, Bradford, Yorks.
Buried: Etaples Military Cemetery, Pas de Calais, France.
Grave Number: LXXII. C. 29.
›› See War Graves photos (Etaples) elsewhere on this site
Was he born Leeds and was his father Benjamin Smithies who married Elizabeth Newton?
World War 2 Casualties
KELLY, Joseph Smithies *New*
Born 1917 [registered as Joseph Smithies Kelly]
Died 22 May 1941, aged 23
Stoker 2nd Class, Royal Navy H.M.S. Gloucester
Service No: D/KX 123539
Memorial: Plymouth Naval Memorial, Panel 54, Column 1.
Additional Information: s/o Joseph Smithies (who died in 1938) and Mrs. Mary Ann Kelly, of 9 Booth St., Oldham, Lancashire; husband of Hannah Kelly, of 4 Bond St., Oldham. He had married Hannah Hough in 1940 at St Margaret's, Hollinwood, Oldham [as Joseph S Kelly].
He was posted as missing in May 1941, but it wasn't until the war ended that his wife was officially notified that he was presumed to have lost his life. All the personnel who had been hiding in Crete had been accounted for and Joseph was not amongst them. He had joined the Navy in 1940, having previously been employed as a piecer at Osborne Mill, Cowhill, Oldham.
[with grateful thanks to Michaela for finding him]		  
Joseph Smithies Kelly
(picture from the local newspaper
article confirming his death)
SMITHIES, Archbell
Born 1919 (Bury District) and resided Manchester (A/R/H)
Died 13 Jan 1944, age 24.
Private 2nd Bn. The Loyal Regiment (North Lancashire)
Service No: 3858617
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Commemorated / Buried: Yokohama War Cemetery, Japan. The cemetery contains the graves of Commonwealth servicemen who died in Japan as prisoners of war or with the occupying forces after the war.
Grave/Memorial Reference: Brit. Sec. C. D. 13
Additional information: s/o Archbell and Eliza (née Binks) Smithies. Several siblings.
ToW: Far East

››Yokohama War Cemetery has Roll of Honour and Cemetery site plan
SMITHIES, Donald Arthur
Born 1916
Died 13 March 1941
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Sergeant 77 Sqdn. Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Service No: 754932
Additional information: s/o Arthur and Edith Mary Smithies (née Mason), of Wilmslow, CHS.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: Runnymede Memorial. "The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede commemorates by name over 20,000 airmen who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe, and who have no known graves. They served in Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands, and came from all parts of the Commonwealth".
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 52.
›› Runnymede Memorial
Also commemorated Wilmslow War Memorial and on the brass memorial in St. Bartholemew's Church
›› See Carl's Cam - First & Second World Wars, then click Cheshire, then Wilmslow both links
SMITHIES, George Henry
Born 24 Feb 1913 and resided Huddersfield (A/R/H)
Private 81 Coy., Pioneer Corps
Service No: 13070941
Died Wednesday, 25th November 1942, age 29.
Additional Information: s/o Walter and Emily Smithies (née Cartwright), of Primrose Hill, Huddersfield. He worked as a Labourer (Piece Dyers) before the war.
Commemorated: Bone War Cemetery , Algeria. Bone War Cemetery contains 868 Commonwealth burials of the Second World War. There are also 14 non-war burials, mostly of merchant seamen whose deaths were not due to war service. The cemetery also contains one First World War burial which was transferred here from Bone Communal Cemetery.
Panel Number: VI. F. 7
ToW: North Africa
Smithies, Harold Frederick
Born Salford 1917
KiA (at sea) Saturday, 23rd October 1943, age 26. Unm. Fiancée.
Petty Officer H.M.S. Charybdis, Royal Navy
Service No: D/JX 138674
Additional Information: s/o James Hardy Smithies (deceased, see WW1 above) and Daisy Evelyn Smithies (née Walker), of Broughton, Salford, Lancashire. Two sisters.
Cousin of Jack and James Hardy Smithies (both below). Uncle of web mistress.
Buried: , Cotes-d'Armor, France. The great majority of the sailors buried in this cemetery lost their lives when H.M.S. Charybdis was sunk off the Bord de la Rance in October, 1943.
It is unclear when Harold's body but his family were not notified for over a year.

›› See photograph of cemetery in the Smithies Index
Grave Reference: Plot H. Row E. Grave 9.

The epitaph on Harold's gravestone reads:
H. F. SMITHIES / PETTY OFFICER D/JX.138674 / H.M.S. "CHARYBDIS" / 23RD OCTOBER 1943 AGE 26 / GOD HAS YOU IN HIS KEEPING / WE HAVE YOU IN OUR HEARTS / MIZPAH

Also commemorated: WW2 War Memorial, Wirral Museum, Hamilton Square, Birkenhead, Cheshire.
››See Carl's Cam - First & Second World Wars, then click Cheshire, then Birkenhead WW2.		   Harold Frederick Smithies

Photograph of Harold (squatting),
taken on board H.M.S. Charybdis
The identity of the other crew members is unknown.

From the Manchester Evening News, 23 October 1944.
"HAROLD FREDERICK SMITHIES (Petty Officer), Missing from H.M.S. Charybdis since Oct 23, 1943, dearly loved son of Daisy E. Smithies, 99, Camp-street, Salford 7. Letters from survivors would be greatly appreciated. MOTHER.
Anxiously waiting and hoping.
HILDA and JACK (R.A.F.), DOROTHY and FRANK (East Africa) and VAL."


Illustrated London News, July 24 1943
Cutting from the "Illustrated London News" saved by my late parents
H.M. CRUISER "CHARYBDIS"
From the story of Ulysses in Odyssey:
a fig tree issuing from a whirlpool
with an inverted bat. White field		  
Charybdis was a Dido-class cruiser, one of a series of eleven built during the 1930's and commissioned in 1941. In the early hours of the 23rd October 1943 two British warships, HMS Charybdis and HMS Limbourne, were sunk sunk off the Bord de la Rance and over 500 men were killed or drowned. This was the largest disaster to overtake British naval forces in the English Channel during the Second World War.

Most of the casualties from this disaster are buried in Guernsey, where there is a museum. Sixteen, including Uncle Harold, were buried St. Brieuc Western Communal Cemetery.

›› Les Lieux de Mémorore dans les Cotes-du-Nord has two pages relating to this disaster:
The monument and cemetery
The Charybdis headstones
SMITHIES, Henry Sidney
Born and Resided Darlington (A/R/H)
Died Monday, 12th July 1943. Age 19.
Trooper Royal Armoured Corps
Service No: Service No: 14544695
Additional Information: s/o Edward and Ada Smithies (née Stainthorpe), of Croft Spa, Yorkshire.
Buried: Hurworth (All Saints) Churchyard, Durham - New Churchyard
Grave Reference/Panel Number: S.W.
SMITHIES, Jack
Born Salford 1917.
Residence Manchester (A/R/H)
Died 5 June 1941, aged 24, in hospital in Alexandria of a rare lung complaint normally caught by ostlers. Unm.
Nationality: United Kingdom
Lance Serjeant 3 L. of C. Sigs., Royal Corps of Signals
Service No: 2324206
[Joined the Army?] Branch at 1 Sep 1939 (A/R/H)
Additional information: s/o William Henry and Ada Elizabeth Smithies (née Aston), of Prestwick, Lancashire (only son), one sister. Lived Manchester. Cousin of Harold Frederick (above) & James Hardy Smithies (below) and nephew of James Hardy Smithies (see WW1) who was his father's twin brother.
ToW: He served in the Western Desert before being sent to Greece.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Cemetery: Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: P. 188.
ToW: Middle East
›› Alexandria (Chatby) Military and War Memorial Cemetery

From the Manchester Evening News, 5 June 1942, the year after his death:
SMITHIES.-Sgt. JACK. Royal Corps of Signals, died June 5, 1941, Middle East, aged 24. {verse: Days sadness oft come o'er us. Tears In silence ...]
Sadly missed by MOTHER and DAD

SMITHIES.-Sgt. JACK. Royal Corps of Signals, died June 5, 1941, Middle East, aged 24. Verse]
Treasured memories of our dear Brother. Norah, Tom and children.
29 Thorp Ave., Dumers Lane, Radcliffe.		   Jack Smithies
Photograph of Jack,
taken in Blackpool about 1940,
kindly given by his niece June.
SMITHIES, Jack
Born and Resided Halifax (A/R/H). Born 1920
Died Monday, 31st July 1944, age 24.
Private 8th Bn., Parachute Regiment, A.A.C.
Service No: 2064184
Additional Information: s/o Mr. and Mrs. S. Smithies; husband of J. L. Smithies, of Leeds, Yorkshire.
Cemetery: Ranville War Cemetery, Calvados, France. Ranville was the first village to be liberated in France when the bridge over the Caen Canal was captured intact in the early hours of 6 June by troops of the 6th Airborne Division, who were landed nearby by parachute and glider.
Grave Reference Panel Number: IA. A. 12
SMITHIES, James
Born Lancashire (A/R/H) 1922
Died Monday, 29th May 1944. Age 21.
Gunner 51 Bty., 69 Field Regt., The Queen's Royal Regt (West Surrey) Royal Artillery
Service No: 11271262
Additional Information: s/o Arthur and Annie Smithies (née Lowe), of Oswaldtwistle, Lancashire. Served with the "Chindits".
Cemetery: Madras War Cemetery, Chennai, India
Grave Panel Number: 5. C. 8
ToW: India
SMITHIES, James Alfred
Born 1900 Leeds (Middlesbrough in A/R/H)
Died Saturday, 14th August 1943. Age 44.
Serjeant 19 Workshop Coy., Royal Electrical & Mechanical Engineers
Service No: 72874
Additional Information: Residence Birkenhead (A/R/H). s/o James Charnock and Eleanor Gertrude Smithies (née Griffin). The family moved from Leeds to Bebington when JAS was a boy. Husband of Florence Smithies (née Thomas), of Prenton, Cheshire. They had married in 1930. 1 daughter.
Cemetery: Tel el Kebir War Memorial Cemetery, Egypt
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: 4. J. 3.
ToW: Middle East

His name is not listed on Prenton's War Memorial
›› Commemorated at Tel el Kebir (the War Graves Photographic Project)
SMITHIES, James Hardy (Jimmy)
Born Salford 1924.
Died Monday, 24th November 1941. Age 17. Unm.
Ordinary Seaman H.M.S. Dunedin, Royal Navy
Service No: P/JX 164209
Additional Information: s/o Frederick Hugh and Rose Smithies (née Hickson), of Salford, Lancashire, 1 brother, 1 sister. Cousin of Harold Frederick & Jack Smithies above and nephew of James Hardy Smithies (see WW1).
Memorial: Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: Panel 51, Column 7
Location: The Memorial is situated on Southsea Common overlooking the promenade, and is accessible at all times.
HMS Dunedin (Capt. R.S. Lovatt, RN) was sunk at 1526 hours on 24 November 1941 in the Central Atlantic east of St. Paul's Rocks, north east of Recife, Brazil by 2 torpedoes from the German submarine U-124. Only 4 officers and 63 men survived out of a crew of 486 officers and men.

›› H.M.S. Dunedin

From the Manchester Evening News, 23 December 1941.
Missing from the Dunedin.
"Mr. and Mrs. Smithies, of Higher Broughton, want news of their younger son, 1st Class Boy Seaman James Hardy Smithies. He has spent all his time on the Dunedin after finishing his training. His elder brother Frederick (19) is serving on H.M.S. Manchester".		   James Hardy Smithies
Jimmy, aged about 16,
whilst training on H.M.S. Ganges.
With thanks to Bill and Brenda
Evans.
SMITHIES, John Stuart Bob
Born Plymouth 1922. Resided Leeds (A/R/H)
Died Monday, 10th July 1944, age 22.
Lieutenant 7th, Royal Tank Regiment, R.A.C.
Service No: 269607
Additional Information: s/o Walter Stuart Smithies and Mary Ellen Smithies (née Fitzgerald), of Roundhay, Leeds, Yorkshire.
Cemetery: Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery, Calvados, France. For the most part, the men buried at Banneville-la-Campagne War Cemetery were killed in the fighting from the second week of July 1944, when Caen was captured, to the last week in August.
Grave Panel Number: VI. B. 16.

From the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer, 11 September 1944.
"J. S. Smithies (22), Royal Tank Regiment, son of Lieut.-Commander W. S. Smithies. R.N., and of Mrs. Smithies, of Gledhow Wood Avenue, Leeds, has been killed in action. He was an old boy of Roundhay School".
SMITHIES, Joseph
Born ? 1886/7
Date of Death: 4 June 1942, age 55.
Nationality: Australian
Rank: Able Seaman, Australian Merchant Navy, S.S. Iron Crown (Sydney)
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Memorial: The Sydney Memorial, which stands in Sydney War Cemetery
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 9.
The Iron Crown sank after being struck by a torpedo from the Japanese submarine I27.
›› Information about the Sinking of the Iron Crown (Naval Historical Society of Australia)
›› Sydney War Cemetery
SMITHIES, Sydney William
Born and resided Middlesbrough (A/R/H). Born 1918.
Died Wednesday, 15th September 1943, age 24.
Signalman Royal Corps of Signals
Service No: 2325774
Cemetery: Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand
"The notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by Commonwealth, Dutch and American prisoners of war, was a Japanese project driven by the need for improved communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway".
This cemetery "is only a short distance from the site of the former 'Kanburi', the prisoner of war base camp through which most of the prisoners passed on their way to other camps. It was created by the Army Graves Service who transferred to it all graves along the southern section of railway, from Bangkok to Nieke. Some 300 men who died (most from a Cholera epidemic in May/June 1943) at Nieke camp were cremated and their ashes now lie in two graves in the cemetery. The names of these men are inscribed on panels in the shelter pavilion".
Grave Reference/Panel Number: 2. G. 22.
›› Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, includes photographs and site plan
Additional Information: s/o John and Annie Smithies (née Walker). They were of 1 Derby Street , Middlesbrough in 1939 and John was a shopkeeper (fried fish).
SMITHIES, William Joseph
Born and resided Liverpool (A/R/H). Born 1917.
Died Tuesday, 8th May 1945, aged 27.
Signalman Royal Corps of Signals
attd. 11th Indian Div. Sigs., Indian Signal Corps
Service No: 2335899
Cemetery: Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, Thailand
"The notorious Burma-Siam railway, built by Commonwealth, Dutch and American prisoners of war, was a Japanese project driven by the need for improved communications to support the large Japanese army in Burma. During its construction, approximately 13,000 prisoners of war died and were buried along the railway".
This cemetery "is only a short distance from the site of the former 'Kanburi', the prisoner of war base camp through which most of the prisoners passed on their way to other camps. It was created by the Army Graves Service who transferred to it all graves along the southern section of railway, from Bangkok to Nieke".
Grave Reference/ Panel Number: 8. A. 61
›› Kanchanaburi War Cemetery, includes photographs and site plan.
Additional Information: s/o William J and Mary A Smithies (née Blundell).

From the Liverpool Echo 16 January 1945.
"SMITHIES-1944, died a Japanese P.0.W.. aged 27 years. Signalman W. J. SMITHIES (Billy). dearly-loved only child of the late William Smithies and Agnes Hoey and stepson of Joseph Hoey. R.I.P. (My pal. Deeply mourned.)-Mother, 9 Holly Grove, Seaforth.

SMITHIES-Died 1444, died a Japanese P.0.W., Signalman W. J. SMITHIES (Billy), dearly loved nephew of Aunty Maggie and Uncle Fred and cousin of Joe and Lily. (Dearly loved by all)-2 Schools Lane, Litherland

SMITHIES-whilst P.O.W. in Japanese hands, William J., dear grandson of the late Mrs. Smithies, of Litherland. (Always remembered by his uncles, aunts and cousins)".

Researched by Ann Andrews from the following sources:

  1. Commonwealth War Graves Commission material, both before and after it became available online.
  2. "Soldiers Died in the Great War" 1914-1919 database © Naval and Military Press Ltd 2006.
  3. "Army Roll of Honour" 1939-45 database © Naval and Military Press Ltd 2006.
  4. ONS Birth, Marriage and Death Indexes - for deaths see Casualties of War, WW1 & WW2 - refs.
  5. Some death certificates.
  6. Census returns of Great Britain, 1881 - 1911, with occasional dips into the 1871 census..
  7. The London Gazette.
  8. TNA, WO 372/ - WW1 Campaign Medals.
  9. Salford LSL.
  10. Visits to various war memorial sites and graveyards.
  11. Correspondence with others (see below).
  12. Personal and family papers, including those saved by both my late mother and father.
  13. TNA WO 363/ (the Burnt/Unburnt Documents) has also been checked for some casualties but a complete search as not been undertaken at this time.
  14. Newspapers of the day.

I would also like to thank both relatives and correspondents for their help with photographs, family memorabilia or other information:
William, Brenda, Harry and Jean Evans and June Wood, members of my Smithies family.
Granville Smithies for help with Arthur Smithies.
Kim Sharp for the information linking her husband's grandfather Herbert to his two brothers.
Michaela for help with and pictures of Josiah and Wilfred Smithies of Oldham and /or their graves as well as for Joseph Smithies Kelly and the Oldham Memorial plaques.


Oldham War Memorial
Both Samuel and Wilfred Smithies are commemorated on Oldham War Memorial
(For plaque, see Samuel)