1885 - 1916
CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916
Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916
Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Pte 300380 Ernest Smith
- Age: 22
- From: Widnes, Lancs
- Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 18th Btn
- K.I.A Tuesday 7th May 1918
- Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Memorial
Panel Ref: Panel 31-34
Ernest Smith was born on the 17th July 1895 in Widnes the son of Herbert Smith and his wife Hannah (née Smith) who married in the September quarter of 1887 at St Thomas' Church, Eccleston. He was baptised on the 06th August 1895 at Trinity Methodist Church, Widnes, his father, was a labourer of 68 Dickson Street.
On the 1901 Census Ernest is 5 years of age and is living with his parents and four siblings at 56 Terrace Rd, Widnes. His father is a 35 year old labourer born in St Helens, whilst his mother is 33 years of age and was born in Runcorn. His siblings were all born in Widnes and are listed as; Elizabeth E. is aged 13, William H. is aged 11, Arthur is aged 7 and Robert is aged 1. Also present is Harry A. Jones listed as brother in law.
By the time of the 1911 Census Ernest is 15, and described as a labourer in a soap manufacturer. He lives with his parents and eight siblings at 40 Viaduct Street, Widnes. Both parents are present in the household and state that they have been married for 24 years and have had eleven children of whom two have sadly died. Ernest's siblings are shown as: Elizabeth Ellen is aged 23, William Herbert is aged 21 and a bricklayer/labourer for a soap manufacturer, Arthur, is aged 17 and also a labourer at a soap manufacturer, Robert is aged 11, Charles is aged 8, Hannah is aged 6, Florence is aged 4 and Edith is aged 2.
Ernest was educated at the Trinity Primitive Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Sunday School and Choir as well as being a member of the Sons of Temperance and the Temperance Friendly Society. Prior to the war he was employed at Craig’s Timber Yard in West Bank, Widnes.
His medal cards say Pte 955:-
He enlisted in Warrington in August 1914 joining the Lancashire Hussars as Private 250284. He was part of the transfer of 290 men from the Lancashire Hussars to the King's Liverpool Regiment on 24th September 1917. He then served in the 18th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 300380.
He was killed in action on the 07th May 1918, aged 22.
His body was not recovered from the battlefield or was subsequently lost and he is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial.
Those United Kingdom and New Zealand servicemen who died after August 16th 1917 are named on the Tyne Cot Memorial, a site which marks the furthest point reached by Commonwealth forces in Belgium until nearly the end of the war.
The Tyne Cot Memorial now bears the names of almost 35,000 officers and men whose graves are not known. The memorial, designed by Sir Herbert Baker with sculpture by Joseph Armitage and F.V. Blundstone, was unveiled by Sir Gilbert Dyett on 20 June 1927.
The memorial forms the north-eastern boundary of Tyne Cot Cemetery, which was established around a captured German blockhouse or pill-box used as an advanced dressing station.
His death was reported in the Runcorn Weekly News on Friday 07th June 1918
THE SECOND SON KILLED.
"For the second time in the space of seven weeks has a member of the same family laid down his life. On 19th March Sergt. William H. Smith, of the South Lancs, was reported “died from wounds in action,” and last week an official notification of the death of their son, Ernest, was received by the Mr. and Mrs. H. Smith, of 40, Viaduct Steet, Widnes. It is doubly pathetic that whilst Lance-Cpl Ernest Smith was on leave from France in March the news of his brother's death should arrive, and also, the intimation that the second son, Corporal Arthur Smith, had been wounded and conveyed to Blighty. Ernest returned to France on Easter Monday in the best of spirits, and all his friends and relatives looked forward with confidence and hope to his return at the close of the war. He was educated at West Bank Council School, and scholar from infancy at Trinity Primitive Methodist Sunday School. He was pain taking and thorough in whatever he did, and as he grew up his abilities were requisitioned on the secretarial staff. He was also a most assiduous member of the choir, and as a tenor vocalist will be much missed. As a teetotaller he was energetic member of the Order of Good Templars and Sons of Temperance Friendly Society.
In December 1913, with his brother Arthur, he joined the Lancashire Hussars of Yeomanry, who were under the command of Lord Gerard, and trained weekly at Rainhill, but practised riding at the school at St Helens. On the outbreak of war the Hussars were mobilised. It was some weeks before the arrangements for their equipment were completed, but ultimately they were sent to Canterbury for the Divisional training. On November 9, 1915, they left England for France. As the war developed into trench warfare there was little opportunity for their work as cavalry, and consequently they were frequently called upon to do infantry duty in the trenches. Afterwards they merged into a unit of the King's Liverpool Regiment. It was whilst serving in this regiment that he met his death. His soldierly bearing and good conduct won for him the lasting affection and esteem of officers and men alike. He was employed in civil life at Craig's timber yard. The sympathy of a wide circle of friends is extended to the family in there double loss. A memorial service will be held at Trinity Church on Sunday evening".
His death was also reported in the Weekly Casualty List (War Office & Air Ministry ) on Tuesday 25th June 1918;
KING'S (LIVERPOOL REGIMENT). - Smith 300380 E. (Widnes);
Ernest's loss was not the only one that the family had to suffer as his elder brother, Serjeant William Smith, of the 1/4th South Lancashire Regiment was killed in action on 19th March 1918. William now rests at Choques Military Cemetery, in France.
His brother's death was reported in the Widnes Weekly News and District Reporter on Friday 05th April 1918
KILLED IN ACTION.
A correspondent supplies the following: Even amid the sudden changes when the war has brought to homes and individuals, it is most difficult to realise that we have looked upon the cheery countenance and enjoyed the pleasure of his company for the last time of Sergeant W. H. Smith, of the South Lancashires, whose home was at 40, Viaduct street, Widnes. He has made the supreme sacrifice and sealed his belief in righteousness with his blood. As a boy he attended West Bank Council School, and his conduct there gave the promise of the man that was to be. Later in life he entered the employ of Messrs. William Gossage and Sons, and whilst there became a member of the local Volunteer Corps, which was ultimately known as the 5th South Lancashire (T.) Regiment......
A memorial service will be held at Trinity Primitive Methodist Church on Sunday evening at 6 o'clock, when the preacher will be the Rev. T. A. Young. Corporal Arthur Smith. K.L.R. (brother of the deceased), lies at present in hospital in Sheffield, having been wounded in the recent fighting. A second brother, Private E. Smith, K.L.R., has been home on furlough during the past fourteen days, and returned to France on Monday.
He earned his three medals.
His Soldiers effects, Army Pay of £7 3s 11d and £18 War Gratuity went to father Herbert. His Pension went to his mother, Hannah, and later his father, Herbert.
On the 1921 Census at Viaduct Street, his father Herbert is aged 56, and a process worker at soap manufactorers,his mother, Hannah, is aged 53, with married Elizabeth Ellen Wallace 33, Arthur 28, Charles 18, Hannah 16, Florence 14 and Edith 12.
His mother died, aged 75 in1942, and his father, died, aged 80 in Sepetmber 1945.
Ernest and William Herbert are commemorated on the War Memorial at St Mary’s Church in West Bank, Widnes.
We currently have no further information on Ernest Smith, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.
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