Captain Edward James Smith, 8th Bn Duke of Wellington's Regiment

[Timbob1001]

Hi all

Can anyone help please with a query - what was the 8th (Service) Battalion Duke of WEllington's Regiment doing on and about 28th September 1916?

I am trying to find out for the local school the circumstances of death of the Captain Edward Hames Smith - a former Science Master - but am getting nowhere. It appers no officers papers survive.

Thanks

Tim

[Colin W Taylor]

Tim

The battalion war diary says:

'2 am Battalion arrived. X Coy in support to 6th Yorkshire Regt

Y " 9th West Yorks "

W + Z Coys strategic reserve.

2pm W + Z Coys went up preparatory to Attack.'

On the 29th it gives loose info of an attack with the above companies attacking with the battalions they were supporting and the other two in support.

A map is also part of it but doesn't seem to show locations for the attack. If you are after a copy you can download it from the Nationa Archives Documents Online for £3.50 or if not i can send you the pages.

No mention of Capt Smith. His records may survive at the national archives but you may end up having to wade through E Smiths.

I hope this is of assistance.

Colin

[mmm45]

There's a photo of him in Fishers history page 98 it states wounded Gallipoli killed in France but nothing in the text.

I only have a photocopy of the book so no good for scanning

Ady

[Timbob1001]

Thanks Ady - anything is a help!

Could I have the full book reference please?

Cheers

Tim

[Chris Noble]

Good evening Tim.

8th Dukes were ordered on this date, 28th September, to attack points to the east of Stuff Redoubt, basically the line of Hessian Trench. Bit of a b***s up to be honest as due to congestion in the trenches, the whole of the battalion did not attack. The operation on this date was primarily then fought by units of the 9th West Yorks and the 6th Green Howards (Yorkshire Regiment) who were not informed of the latters delay. All units as you are probably well aware formed part of the 32nd Infantry Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division.

Best wishes.

Chris.

[mmm45]

Tim

It's The History of the Duke of Wellington West Riding Regiment Aug 1914 toDec 1917 by JJ Fisher

Page 98/99

Ady

[Timbob1001]

Thanks everyone - an elusive chap to research so far...

ATB

TIm

[luxdan]

Hi Tim,

You might find the link below useful as it gives a bit of an insight ito what the 8th were doing leading up to the 28th September.

http://www.scarboroughsmaritimeheritage.org.uk/greatwar/f29-stuff-redoubt.php

[Timbob1001]

Still fighting a battle with this one... anyone more thoughts?

Thanks

Tim

[aradgick]

Tim,

I think this may be his service record at TNA - WO 339/12069

Andrewr

[Timbob1001]

Brilliant Andrew!

Has to be him - I had a researcher digging at the NA for a while but this eluded him completely.

Cheers!

Tim

[Timbob1001]

Thanks to all for your help!

Although the service papers proved rather limited and focused over whether he is rank was Lt/Acting Captain on the day of his death, I have managed to pin him down sufficiently for a biography.

Lt Smith was in fact commanding X COmpany on the 28th when it was confirmed by the CO of the 8th Bn he was killed in action. We shall never know the exact cause, but perhaps shellfire while his men were in support 6th Yorkshire Regiment.

All I need to do now is locate a good copy of FIsher to get a scan/phot of the group picture mentioned above.

Tim

[Timbob1001]

Hi all

Could anyone help with a scan of the relevant page from Fisher?

Thanks

Tim

[Old Owl]

Hi Tim,

If you PM your email address I will send you copies of the photo(group)which is rather indistinct but never the less an image of E.J.S. and also the names attached to the photo.

Robert

[Timbob1001]

Hello again - would some kind soul with a copy of Fisher history of the Dukes do me the great favour of checking the full name or initials of its CO at the time of Stuff Redoubt - Lt Col XXX Aitchison

THanks

Tim