Niko Posted 13 October , 2012 Share Posted 13 October , 2012 Hi, I am searching any information on: Lance Corporal Archibald Benjamin Smith T/28923 5th Div. Train, Army Service Corps Who died during a German bombing raid at Poperinge on 13th March 1915, together with 2 Belgian soldiers. One of these soldiers came from my hometown and I am trying to get as much info as possible on the other dead. They were all buried together at Poperinge Cemetery, but only the grave of L/Cpl Smith remains. Am specially interested in his service records and if possible a picture. We will use it here in a small exhibition in one of the Antwerp forts for the 100th anniversary of the Great War. Thanks, Niko. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandie Hayes Posted 13 October , 2012 Share Posted 13 October , 2012 Hello Niko, I can't find a service record for him. SDGW: Name: Archibald Benjamin Smith Birth Place: Frimley, Hants Residence: Devonport Death Date: 13 Mar 1915 Death Location: France & Flanders Enlistment Location: Dover Rank: L/Corporal Regiment: Royal Army Service Corps Number: T/28923 Type of Casualty: Died Theatre of War: Western European Theatre *Note that he is described as 'Died' and not as 'Killed in Action' or 'Died of Wounds'. CWGC: SMITH, ARCHIBALD BENJAMIN Rank: Lance Corporal Service No: T/28923 Date of Death: 13/03/1915 Age: 18 Regiment/Service: Army Service Corps 5th Div. Train Grave Reference II. A. 4. Cemetery POPERINGE COMMUNAL CEMETERY Additional Information: Son of Mrs. Ellen Beer, of 15, Glencairn Terrace, St. Budeaux, Devonport. Archibald was already in the Army Service Corps in 1911. Age 14, he was based at Woolwich and described as 'At Drill'. In 1911 his mother, Ellen, was living with her second husband, Alfred France Manley Beer, and her son from her first marriage (Archibald's brother) Albert Edward Smith (born Chatham about 1899). They lived at 20 Bedford Street, Ford, Devonport. Ellen was born in 1871 in Bray, County Wicklow, Ireland She was in receipt of a Naval Pension. * (Devonport, Chatham and a Naval pension all suggest Archibald's father was in the Royal Navy). Archibald is commemorated on the War Memorial at the Duke of York's Military School, Dover: http://www.doverwarm...ools/Dukies.htm (Smith – Archibald Benjamin L Corp, 5th Division Train RASC, died of wounds 13 March 1915, service no T/28923, age 18, buried Pozeringhe Communal cemetery Son of Mrs Ellen Beer of Davenport) He enlisted in Dover and I assume was at the school at the time of joining up. The school is still in existence and you may get more information and a photograph by contacting them: http://www.doyrms.com/ Good luck with your 2014 project, Sandie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted 14 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 14 October , 2012 Thanks, Sandie! This helps already a lot! Grtz, Niko. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David B Posted 14 October , 2012 Share Posted 14 October , 2012 MIC of Archibald Benjamin Smith T/28293 shows he was entitled to 1914 star and clasp, BWM and Victory medal. His unit was 2 coy 5 Divisional train. He is listed as killed, not KIA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandie Hayes Posted 14 October , 2012 Share Posted 14 October , 2012 His unit was 2 coy 5 Divisional train. He is listed as killed, not KIA. I wonder who determined the cause of death. SDGW states DIED, Roll Of Honour states DIED OF WOUNDS and his MIC states KILLED. Sandie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sandie Hayes Posted 14 October , 2012 Share Posted 14 October , 2012 I was wrong about his father being in the Royal Navy. Archibald Alexander Smith was a Sergeant in the Army Service Corps. I have found the family in the 1901 census. They were living in 'Married Quarters' at Southill Docks, Chatham. Archibald Snr was born in Saint Louis, Mauritius.His death, at the age of 33, was recorded in the same month as the census was taken, April 1901. Sandie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Niko Posted 16 October , 2012 Author Share Posted 16 October , 2012 Great information! Thank you all...... Well, he died of wounds the day after a German bombing raid on Poperinghe. Grtz, Niko. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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