JAMES JOHN 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: 13th October 1892, at Pail Court, Rope Walk, Ipswich.

Died: 10th July 1916; age 23; KiA.

Residence: Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

Enlistment Location: Hitchin, Hertfordshire.

Date of Entry Therein: 11th May 1915 – France.

Rank: Sapper; Service Number: 66584

Regiment: Royal Engineers, 64th Field Coy.

Medals Awarded: Victory, British War & 1915 Star.

The body was discovered buried at 62c. A.9.c.6.7., by the 113th Labour Company. On the 5^th November 1919, the body was exhumed, identified and reburied at Dantzig Alley British Cemetery.

Grave Reference:

VII.W.9.

Dantzig Alley British Cemetery,

Mametz,

Somme,

France.

Relatives Notified & Address: Son of John Smith, of 37, Handford Cut, Ipswich.

CENSUS

1911   37, Handford Cut, Ipswich.

James was 19 years old and living with his widowed father & siblings.

John Smith, 58, a Hawker, born Norfolk.

Florence Smith, 22, a Packer, born Ipswich.

Elizabeth Smith, 11, born Ipswich.

William Smith, 9, born Ipswich.

1 housekeeper.

James’s mother, Harriet Creghton Smith (nee Rush), was born in 1861 in Carleton, Norfolk, and died on the 15th August 1904 in Ipswich. Harriet was from a Traveller’s Steam Circus family. Her father, James Rush, was a Confectioner.

Soldiers’ Effects to Miss Florence Elsie Wray, born November 1893, Stevenage, Hertfordshire.

In 1920, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, Florence married Jack Gates.

 Royal Engineers, 64th Field Coy