HORACE EDWARD SMITH

IPSWICH WAR MEMORIAL | Posted on 4th June 2016 |

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: 1883, Wymondham, Norfolk.

Died: 5th September 1918; age 35; KiA. Served 3 years.

Suffolk Chronicle and Mercury – Friday, 27^th September 1918 – Mrs. Mabel Smith, of 47, Hartley Street, Ipswich, has been notified that her husband, Rifleman Horace Edward Smith, of the Civil Service Rifles, has been killed in action. He had only returned about ten days from leave, after serving three years in France. His Commanding Officer writes of him as being a good soldier and a loss to his Company. Previous to joining up, he was employed at the Wingrove Motor Works.

Residence: 47, Hartley Street, Ipswich.

Occupation: with Wingrove Motor Works.

First enlistment date: 1901, aged 18, into the Royal Horse Artillery, service number 20492.

Second Enlistment Location: Ipswich; Date: 1915.

Date of Entry Therein: 9th December 1915 – France.

Rank: Rifleman; Service Number: A/205032

Regiment: King’s Royal Rifles Corps, 15th Battalion, the County of London Regiment. Posted to P.W.O. Civil Service Rifles.

Formerly S/2/04713, R.A.S.C.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.

The body was discovered at reference 62c.D.18b.4.3., exhumed, identified by a cross marking the grave and reburied at Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension.

Grave Reference:

III.I.17.

Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension,

Somme,

France.

CENSUS

1891 Damgate Street, Wymondham, Norfolk.

Horace was 8 years old and living with his parents & sisters.

Edward Louis Smith, 45, a Shoemaker – own account, born Wymondham, Norfolk.

Emily Smith, 45, born Wymondham.

Eliza Smith, 18, born Wymondham.

Rosa Smith, 15, born Wymondham.

Martha Ann Smith, 13, born Wymondham.

Gertrude Amelia Smith, 10, born Wymondham.

Florence Mary Smith, 3, born Wymondham.

Ellen Hilda Smith, 5 months, born Wyondham.

1901 Damgate Street, Wymondham, Norfolk.

Horace was 18 years old, a baker. He was living with his parents & sisters.

Edward, 55, a Shoemaker – own account – at home.

Emily, 54, a Pottery Eartenware Shopkeeper – own account – at home.

Florence, 13.

Nellie, 10.

1911 ‘Cheap Stores’ Damgate Street, Wymondham, Norfolk.

Horace was 28 years old, an Army Reservist. He was living with his parents, sisters & niece.

Edward, 65, a Bootmaker – own account – at home.

Emily, 64, a Hardware Storekeeper – own account – at home.

Florence, 23.

Hilda, 20, a Dressmaker – own account – at home.

Ivy Emily Oldfield, 10, born Shipley, Yorkshire.

On the 6^th September 1916, at St. John the Baptist Church, Ipswich, 21 year old Horace, a Private of the Royal Army Service Corps, of Queen Road, Wymondham, married 21 year old Mabel May Challis, born February 1892, Ipswich – daughter of Fred Challis, a house painter for the Ipswich Co-operative Society, and Sarah Ann Challis (nee Simpson), of 47, Hartley Street, Ipswich.

Soldiers’ Effects to Mabel May Smith – widow.

Horace is also remembered on the war memorial at St. Mary at Stoke Church, Ipswich.