King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

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Private Thomas Henry Birkett Smith

Private Thomas Henry Birkett Smith enlisted on 14th November 1914 and served with the 1st/5th Battalion of the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment in the First World War.   He received a gallant conduct card from the 55th West Lancashire Division for his gallant conduct at Trones Wood on the Somme for action on 3rd August 1916.

He was disembodied from military service on 20th March 1919.

55th West Lancashire Division Gallant Conduct Card to Private Thomas Henry Birkett Smith, number 3169 of the 1st/5th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, for gallant conduct on 3rd August 1916 at Trones Wood.
Accession Number: KO1271/01

Private Thomas Henry Birkett B Smith, number 3169, 1/5th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, testimonial of gallant conduct.

Private Thomas Henry Birkett Smith, number 3169, King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment
3169 Private T H B Smith
On the night of the 3rd August 1916, he was one of a digging party which reached support Trench N of Trones Wood, when heavy shell fire was opened. The party had 40% Casualties, and this private, though himself wounded by shrapnel in the face, was indefatigable in attending to the wounded and removing them to the dressing Station.
His conduct involved great exposure to fire in the open.
Lieutenant Colonel C A W Anderson, 1st/5th KORLR
Accession Number: KO1271/02

Certificate of Disembodiment, 20th March 1919.
Accession Number: KO1271/03

Protection Certificate and Certificate of Identity.
Accession Number: KO1271/04

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

Booklet, the 55th West Lancashire Division, at the Battle of Givenchy, 1918.

“It has been thought that all ranks of the Division might like to possess in convenient form a collection of extracts from Telegrams, Letters and Press Cuttings, referring to the part played by the Division in the fighting in April 9th-16th.
This booklet contains such a collection and it is issued in the hope that it may inspire all ranks with the determination to maintain, and still further deserve, the reputation to which these pages give expression. In the Field. Jun 1918”
Printed Imprimeries Reunies, Boulogne-sur-Mer.
Accession Number: KO1271/06

1914/15 Star awarded to Private Thomas Henry Birkett Smith, number 241071, 1st/5th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Accession Number: KO1271/07

British War Medal awarded to Private Thomas Henry Birkett Smith, number 3169, 1st/5th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Accession Number: KO1271/08

Allied Victory Medal awarded to Private Thomas Henry Birkett Smith, number 3169, 1st/5th Battalion, King's Own Royal Lancaster Regiment.
Accession Number: KO1271/09

© Images are copyright, Trustees of the King's Own Royal Regiment Museum.
 You must seek permission prior to publication of any of our images.