Charles Ernest Smith (1878-1917)
Shipyard worker from Stockton served in 10th DLI commemorated on the Arras Memorial
Charles Ernest Smith (also recorded as ‘Ernest Charles’), the son of Samuel and Sarah Ann Smith, was born in Stockton-on-Tees in 1878. He had a brother and a sister and lived in the area until he joined the army. In 1900 he married Elizabeth Kirton and they had six children, two of which died in infancy. In 1911 he was working in a shipyard and later joined the 10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He landed in France on 10 June 1915 and was killed accidentally on 16 May 1917 in an explosion at the Wauquetin Railhead (Army service record). He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and in the Durham Cathedral Book of Remembrance
Civil Parish: Stockton on Tees
Birth date: 1878
Death date: 16-May-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: 46 Stanley Street, Stockton-on-Tees (1881 census)
37 Derby Street, Stockton-on-Tees (1891 census)
12 Cromwell Street, Stockton-on-Tees (1901 & 1911 censuses)
27 Bridge Street, Middlesbrough (
Employment: Shipyard labourer (1901 census)
Shipbuilding worker (1911 census)
Family: Father: Samuel Smith
Mother: Sarah Ann Smith (nee Bradley)
Siblings: Herbert & Lillie Smith
Wife: Elizabeth Smith (nee Kirton)
Children: Lily, Samuel, Hilda Ann, Annie*, Annie & Charles Ernest* Smith *died in infancy
Military service:
10th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental no.: 4/10037
Private
Medal(s): 1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial, Bay 8
Durham Cathedral Book of Remembrance (Recorded as Ernest Charles Smith)
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Edwards