Albert W. Smith
Sergeant 9th Siege Battalion
Royal Garrison Artillery.
Division 34
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Both Albert and Edwin are commemorated in the Reading Cemetery on the grave of their parents George and Matilda Smith. The grave is marked by a small opened book. The 1901 census records indicate the names of the brothers as Edwin, Albert, Sidney and Charles. There are two younger brothers also named Ernest and Reginald. George Smith and Edwin were listed as farm labourers. It has not been possible to find information after 1901.
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Albert W. Smith, known as Bert and “Fatty” died of wounds on 17th July 1917, after nine years of service, aged 27. He was the second son of George and Matilda Smith.
Bert died ten days after his return to France from leave. (It was actually Belgium and he received wounds during a time which the British carried out some successful raids in the Ypres sector, two weeks prior to the Third Battle of Ypres)
He is buried at La Clytte Military Cemetery, Belgium. Location II. F. 18.
The family remembered the anniversary of his death –
In memoriam Std. July 19th 1919- Smith – “In loving memory of my dear brother….
In a soldier’s grave in a foreign land
Lies a brother true and kind,
We little thought when we said goodbye
‘Twas our last parting-you were to die.
Though the blow was cruel, we miss you still,
In grief we must bend to God’s will.
His loving sister, Nancy, 4. Laurel Cottage, Basingstoke Rd. Whitley, Berks.
Edwin George Smith
Private 15512
8th Battalion. Royal Berkshire Regiment
Edwin George Smith, is commemorated on the Loos Memorial to the Missing Panels 93 -95. He died on the 25th September 1915, the first day of the Battle of Loos. He was the eldest of the four Smith brothers.
Standard January 10th 1920
In proud memory ….
Till the morning breaks and the shadows flee away. RIP
From their ever loving Mother and sisters and brothers.
also from sister Nancy – Edwin George Smith and Albert William Smith
They too loved life, but loving, dared not stay,
Lest those they loved should pay the price,
Sunshine and youth and laughter, all they gave in sacrifice.