No.20157, Private, Sidney William SMITH
Aged 22
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Sidney William Smith was born in Chevington (4th qtr 1893 Thingoe 4a:719 ) son of Harry Daniel and Mary Ada SMITH(née GRIMWOOD)
1901 census...Aged 7, he was "near the Iron gates", Chevington, with his father Harry Daniel SMITH [36] farm labourer; his mother Mary Ada [35] born Welnetham; sisters Lilian [11], Alice Amelia [7] and Florence Mabel [1 month]; brothers Percy Daniel [9] born Bury St.Edmunds, Alfred George {4}. All except his mother and brother Percy were born in Chevington The ages in the census are defintiely not in the correct order, these here are from GRO records. 1911 census...Aged 17, a labourer, he was at Honey Hill Cottages, Chevington with his parents; brothers Percy, Alfred, Frederick James [8] and Herbert Llewelyn [2] both born Chevington; sisters Alice Amelia and Florence Mabel; uncle Frank GRIMWOOD [38] born Sicklesmere. On the pension card his mother was at Iron Gate Green, Chevington |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds
War diary:- August 16th Trenches of 1st and 2nd line and C/T as far as MALTZ HORN FARM greatly improved, making communication laterally and from front to rear possible (??) Orders for attack, which had been received verbally from G.O.C. 76th Infantry Brigade, and pointed out by him personally from 1st line trench, were discussed with O.C. 8th KORL, objective and dividing line decided on. HQ moved to junction of ASSEMBLY TRENCH and COCHRANE ALLEY. Visit OC 418th Regiment, French Army who gave plan of attack and operation orders. OC No 2 Battalion, 418th Regiment sent interpreter to whom our plan of attack was explained and liaison arranged during action. Company Commanders shown objective and dividing lines. The Battalion was disposed for attack as follows:- 1st line "Z" and "Y" Coys with two platoons each in front line, followed by two platoons at 50 yards distance as support. Frontage 180 yards per company. Direction points shown on the ground. 2nd line..."X" Coy in 2 lines. Reserve...."W" Coy who moved from DUNCAN ALLEY to EDWARD TRENCH. 3 squads of bombers to rush German Block in extension of COCHRANE ALLEY. 2 squads to move with supports of first line as clearing parties. Snipers detailed to snipe at M.Guns located in French Ravine about 62c.B.1.c.5.5. [see below]. Green flares were not issued as ordered owing to man carrying them being killed and flares lost. A second consignment was obtained but arrived 15 minutes too late. Lewis Guns of companies were on flank of supporting line. At Zero hour the whole Battalion moved forward across the open, except Reserve Company which came along C/T. The barrage was closely followed. The left Coy "Z" got forward about 120 yards but met with machine gun fire from its left and lost all its officers and platoon commanders and the remainder of the company remained in the shell holes until dark when they fell back to SHUTE TRENCH. Their casualties were 3 officers 90 other ranks. The right company met with machine gun fire from about B.1.central and from B.1.c.5.5. and reached first objective with groups of men in shell holes. 1 platoon of "X" Coy and 1 platoon of "W" Coy were sent to connect with French down COCHRANE ALLEY. Touch was maintained here and a trench dug to the French left. The remainder of 'Y' Coy after dark fell back to extension of COCHRANE ALLEY which was consolidated as a fire trench. 'Y' Coy casualties 1 officer and 85 other ranks. Actual gain of ground affected was 250 yards of COCHRANE ALLEY,capture of 6 German 124th Regt including one officer (?) CWGC records show 40 men killed, just 7 with known graves.
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