WILLIAM CHARLES 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.
Born: 1876, Norton Canes, Brownhills, Staffordshire.
Died: 16th June 1917; Age: 41; died of Nephritis and Convulsions at 46, Parliament Road, Ipswich. Served 19 years & 344 days.
William’s widow, Sarah Anna Smith, was present at the death.
Residence: 46, Parliament Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: Foundry Labourer with Ransomes, Sims & Jefferies, Ipswich.
First Enlistment: Location: Hednesford, Staffordshire; date: 25th August 1896 – joined 29th August 1896 – Seaforth, Lancashire; age: 20 years & 5 months; occupation: miner; religion: CofE. Next of Kin: Father – William John Smith, of 18, Chapel Street, Hazel Slade, Hednesford, Staffordshire. Height: 5ft 11 1/4ins, fair complexion, brown eyes & light brown hair.
Residence: Parliament Road, Ipswich.
Occupation: with Messrs. Ransomes, Sims, and Jefferies, Ipswich.
Re-enlistment: 25th August 1912 – for 4 years – R.F.A., 50th Brigade, ‘D’ Battery.
Date of Entry Therein: 10th May 1915 – France.
Service:
Home: 25th August 1896 – 22nd February 1899
India: 23rd February 1899 – 12th August 1900
China: 13th August 1900 – 11th November 1901
India: 12th November 1901 – 16th December 1902
Home: 17th December 1902 – 9th May 1915
Evening Star – Tuesday, 2nd February 1915 – TO THE YOUNG MEN OF IPSWICH – To The Editor – Sir, I hope that the young men of this town will come forward and assist us in a just struggle which we are fighting between life and death. As it is the duty of every able-bodied man to do his fair share, I cannot understand how able young men can sit home while their mates are fighting in France, giving their last drop of blood for their country’s sake. I am referring to able-bodied men – the man that is able, but would not volunteer. What will he say when our victorious Army returns, when everybody will be hurrying to heap laurels on their heads? God knows what they will wish to heap on the heads that did not go. I feel certain that such a man, when he knows that our country is victorious, and that his neighbours and friends have shed their blood in the field, for what he was not willing to lift his finger for, will wish that he had died on the field of battle. I am, etc., BOMBARDIER W. C. SMITH, of 46, Parliament Road, Ipswich.
France: 10th May 1915 – 2nd April 1916.
In February 1916, a shell hit his gun, killing the whole crew except for Sergeant William Smith, who was buried up to his neck and not extricated until several hours later.
Home: 3rd April 1916 – 2nd August 1916.
Confirmed in rank – Sergeant – 10th April 1916.
Discharged – No longer physically fit for war service – 2nd August 1916 – 46, Parliament Road, Ipswich.
Medical Board: 17th July 1916, originated 8 years ago at Ipswich. Swelling of limbs & face, general health poor, short of breath. Disability not caused by, nor aggravated by service. Permanent; not likely to improve.
Rank: Sergeant; Service Number: 16245;
Regiment: Royal Artillery.
Formerly 2nd Volunteer Battalion, South Staffordshire Regiment & 50th Brigade, ‘D’ Battery, R.F.A.
Medals Awarded: China 1900 without clasp, Victory, British War & 1915 Star and the Silver War Badge.
Grave Reference:
BA. I .67.
Ipswich Old Cemetery,
Ipswich.
CENSUS
1891 20, Cross Street, Hazel Slade, Rugeley, Staffordshire.
William was 14 years old, a Horse Groom. He was living with his parents and siblings.
William John Smith, 37, a Stationary Engine Driver, born Brownhills, Staffordshire.
Elizabeth Smith (nee Mansell), 31, born Bloxwich, Staffordshire.
Samuel Smith, 8, born Norton Canes.
Elizabeth A. Smith, 8, born Norton Canes.
Robert H. Smith, 5, born Norton Canes.
Charlotte E. Smith, 3, Norton Canes.
1911 46, Parliament Road, Ipswich.
William was 34, a Foundry Labourer – Engineering Works. He was married and head of the household.
Sarah, 28.
John, 5.
Florence, 7 months.
On the 22nd January 1905, at St. John the Baptist, Ipswich, 27 year old William, an asylum attendant, married 23 year old Sarah Anna Woods, born May 1882, Stowmarket, Suffolk – daughter of John Woods, a shoemaker, and Harriet Woods (nee Wardley), of Parliament Road, Ipswich.
Sarah and William had three children:
John Walter Smith, born October 1905, Ipswich and baptised on the 12th November 1905 at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich – family home at 17, Parliament Road, Ipswich.
William John Smith, born February 1907, Ipswich – died 1907, Ipswich.
Florence Alice Smith, born August 1910, Ipswich.
Soldiers’ Effects to Sarah A. Smith – widow.
Evening Star – Thursday, 21st June 1917 – IPSWICH ARTILLERYMAN’S FUNERAL – The funeral took place with military honours on Wednesday, 20th June, in the afternoon, of ex-Sergeant William Charles Smith, who died on the 16th June at his home, in Parliament Road, Ipswich, from injuries received in France, at the age of 41. The sergeant had been several years in the Army Reserve when war broke out and was sent out to France in the Royal Field Artillery on the 5th August 1914, and took part in the First Battle of Ypres. In February 1916, a shell hit his gun, killing the whole crew with the exception of Sergeant Smith, who was buried up to his neck and not extricated until several hours later. In view of the severity of the internal injuries, it is surprising that the sergeant made progress in recovery; he did make a partial recovery, and on getting his discharge, commenced light work at Messrs. Ransomes, Sims, and Jefferies. He was, however, never free from pain and illness, and his death could not be said to have been unexpected.
The coffin was borne to the Field of Honour, where it was interred, on a gun-carriage supplied by the Royal Field Artillery, being followed by the widow, the deceased’s son and daughter, Mrs. Woods (mother-in-law), Mrs. Hall (sister-in-law), Mrs. Cherry (sister-in-law), Mr. Mann (brother-in-law), Mrs. Archer (sister-in-law), and Mr. Cherry. The burial service was read by the Reverend H. B. Richardson, of St. John the Baptist Church, military honours being accorded by buglers and a firing party from the Royal Field Artillery. There were several beautiful floral tributes, including one sent by sympathetic neighbours.
Edward S. Singleton, Ltd., carried out the funeral arrangements.
William is also remembered on St. John the Baptist Church memorial, Ipswich.
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