Soldiers of the RegimentPrivate
Jabez Smith
Newspaper Cutting Mounted:
Death of Private Jabez Smith, number 17253, 2nd
Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Brother of Thomas Henry Birkett Smith, number
3169/241071, 1st/5th Battalion, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Private Jabez Smith, of the 2nd King’s Own Royal Lancasters, who was
reported killed last week, was 32 years of age, and leaves a widow with
three children residing at Bank Top, Ingleton. The youngest child was
born during the war. Private Smith was a fireman on the Midland Railway
before he enlisted, and lived in Alexander Road, Skerton. A brother
lives in Nun Street, and Mrs Montgomery, 1 Earl Street, Skerton, is a
sister. The latter has a brother and son in France. Her husband, Joseph
Montgomery, is in the National Reserve at Birkenhead; her son Stanley is
in the Scots Guards; and her younger son John is in the King’s Own. A
son-in-law, Gordon Riding, is in the Australian (Adelaide) Contingent;
and two brothers-in-law, Thomas Cummings and George Riley, are serving,
besides 11 cousins.
Private Tom H B Smith, deceased’s brother, who is serving in the 5th
King’s Own in France writing to his brother, Mr Jack Smith, 2 Nun
Street, Lancaster, on 5th September, says:- I have received from the
British Red Cross Enquiry Department for wounded and missing soldiers an
answer to the letter I wrote to them:-
We deeply regret to have to inform you that according to a German list
of 14 Aug 1915, received by us through Geneva, on 31 Aug, Private J
Smith, 17253, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, is reported to have
died, and to have been buried to the east of Ypres, between Bellenaard
and Poelcapelle, on some date between 28 Apr and 26 Jun 1915. A military
note book and a Testament were found on his body. These are the only
particulars we have at present. Please accept our sincere sympathy.
Yours faithfully. Louis Talbot, Secretary
Private Tom Smith adds: “This I think proves that ‘Jab’ must have been a
prisoner and died of wounds. Although all of us must deeply regret his
loss, we must be thankful that we have got to know something about him,
and now rest content that he died doing his duty and a little bit for
the sake of the country.
…… If ever we go into the district he is buried in I will try and find
his grave.”
Accession Number: KO1271/05
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