CHARLES WILLIAM SMITH
From May through to September 2026, Andrew will be fulfilling his dream to hike the iconic Land’s End to John O’Groats! You are all warmly invited to follow Andrew’s epic journey on his Facebook page, “Andrew Beal LEJOG” https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577588795730
As Andrew hikes the 1,300+ miles, he will raise funds for the Ipswich War Memorial Project to help finance our future exhibitions and research of the brave Ipswich men and women who lost their lives in conflict. If you would like to make a small donation, please click on the link: https://gofund.me/5d4a50570
Thank you for your love and support. Andrew & Helen – I.W.M.P.
Image from the Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – 1917
Born: 21st February 1895, Ipswich.
Baptised: 18th March 1896, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 4, West Court, Ipswich.
Died: Easter Monday, 9th April 1917; age 22; KiA at Chapel Road, Maison Rouge.
Enlistment Location: Ipswich.
Date of Entry Therein: 15th September 1914.
Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 3/8897
Regiment: Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion.
Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1914 Star + Clasp.
The body was discovered buried in Chapel Road (N8 a 93) by the 76th Labour Company. On the 15th July 1919, the body was exhumed, identified and reburied at Tilloy British Cemetery.
Grave Reference:
IV.C.11.
Tilley-Les-Mofflaines,
Pas de Calais,
France.
Relatives Notified & Address: Son of Susannah Smith; husband of Sophia Florence Smith, of 7, Lower Barclay Street, Ipswich.
Son of CHARLES SMITH.
Charles’ father left his mother, Susannah and his surviving siblings to live with Emma Jane Pratt, a widow.
CENSUS
1901 2, Chapel Yard, St. Peter’s, Ipswich.
Charles was 5 years old and living with his mother and sister at the home of his widowed maternal grandmother.
Louisa Curtis (nee Brighton), 55, a land worker for Mr. May, a market gardener, of Foundation Street, Ipswich, born Bungay, Suffolk.
Susannah Eliza Smith (nee Curtis), 22, a land worker for Mr. May, a market gardener, of Foundation Street, Ipswich, born at 2, Lawrence Court, Curriers Lane, Ipswich.
Rose Smith, 3, at 4, West Court, Lady Lane, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich.
In 1901, Charles’ widowed paternal grandmother, Eleanor Smith, 67, a charwoman, lived at 3, Chapel Yard.
1911 Bloomfield Buildings, Stoke Street, Ipswich.
Charles was 15 years old and lived with his mother, brother and widowed maternal grandmother.
Susannah, 30, a land worker for Mr. May, a market gardener, of Foundation Street, Ipswich.
Walter Henry Smith, 7, born 21st May 1902, at 4, West Court, Lady Lane, St. Matthew’s, Ipswich (and taken for baptism by Susannah Smith on the 5th November 1918, at St. Mary Stoke Church, Ipswich – family home 49, Hawes Street, Ipswich.)
Louisa Curtis, 66, a land worker for Mr. May, a market gardener, of Foundation Street, Ipswich.
In 1916, Ipswich, Charles married Sophia Florence Newton, born 11th August 1898, Ipswich and baptised on the 31st August 1898, at St. Clement’s Church, Ipswich – family home at 2, Princes Court, Albert Street, Ipswich – daughter of William Henry Newton, a shoe finisher and Hannah Newton (nee Baker), of 9, Rope Walk Place, Ipswich.
Sophia and Charles had one daughter:
Agnes Elizabeth Smith, born 28th January 1918, Hadleigh, Suffolk.
Soldiers’ Effects to Sophia Florence Martin – widow.
Sophia Florence Martin’s son, CHARLES WILLIAM MARTIN, was killed on the 30th April 1040, age 20, when H.M.S. Dunoon struck a mine at Smith’s Knoll near Great Yarmouth.
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Sophia & Agnes, 8th January 1934 at Sarony, Major’s Corner, Ipswich. Photograph courtesy of Jane Yanko.
Charles is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Mary at the Quay Church, Ipswich.
Suffolk Regiment, 2nd Battalion
“2nd Battalion the Suffolk’s emerged from caves onto its assembly trenches in support of the 4th Royal Fusiliers, objective known as the “Harp”
The 2nd Battalions casualties were “comparatively light, scarcely exceeding one hundred” all objectives taken with no counter attack.”
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