SMITH, George William


No.240596, Lance Corporal, George William SMITH
Aged 28


5th Battalion, Suffolk Regiment
formerly 2454, Suffolk Regiment
Killed in Action on Friday, 2nd November 1917


George William Smith was born in Clare ( Risbridge Q2-1889 4A:665), son of John and Mary Ann SMITH (née JAY).

1891 census...Aged 2, he was in Cavendish Lane, Clare with his father John SMITH [27] labourer born Chilton Street; his mother Mary Ann [27] born Belchamp; sisters Ada [4] and Florence [7 months], both born in Clare

1901 census...Aged 12, he was at Common Street, Clare with his widowed mother Mary Ann Smith [37] now recorded as born Ovington, sisters Ada [14], Florrie [10], Rose [7] and Elizabeth [1];brother William [4]. All, except his mother, were born in Clare. His father had died in 1899.

1911 census...Aged 22, a farm labourer, he was at Common Street with his mother (now recorded as born Clare); brother William (wheelwright's errand boy) and sister Elizabeth.

His mother was later at 39 Walnut Tree Road, Greenwich SE10.


He enlisted in Colchester.
Lt Col Murphy's "History of the Suffolk Regiment", for the 3rd battle of Gaza, gives :-
"The attack on Gaza was fixed to take place at 3 o'clock on the morning of 2nd November.The objectives of this attack were the enemy works from Umbrella Hill to Sheikh Hassan by the sea, the extent of the front being about six thousand yards and the furthest objective (Sheikh Hassan) three thousand yards from the British front line. A 1 o'clock the battalion advanced to a position- previously marked out- in No Man's Land, and two hours later began moving forward under cover of a perfect artillery barrage.
As soon as this barrage lifted, the 5th Battalion waves dashed into the front line trenches of El Arish redoubt, "B" and "D" companies leading with "A and "C" in support. Captain J.R.Rowley, a most popular officer and the first to enter the trench, was here mortally wounded and died the same evening. Only small;parties of the enemy held out and the first line was soon cleared. The second line was captured in the same way; like wise the third; but with their flanks exposed, the troops were withdrawn to the second line.which they consolidated."


CWGC records give 34 of the battalion killed that day.



photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission



George Smith is buried in Gaza War Cemetery, grave 8:G:2

click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details


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