Arthur Smith (1891-1917)
Staffordshire man served with 1st/5th DLI commemorated on the Arras Memorial
Arthur Smith, the son of Joseph and Sarah Ann Smith, was born in Leek, Staffordshire on 27 May 1891. He had three brothers and two sisters and lived in Leek until he joined the army. On 12 April 1913 he married Mary Ellen Crutchley in Rushton Church. In 1915 they were living at 53 Park Road, Leek where he worked as a farm worker and on 9 December he joined the Royal Horse & Royal Field Artillery there. On 23 September 1916 he was transferred to the 1st/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry and landed in France on 23 November. He was killed in action at the Battle of Arras on 23 April 1917 and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial and in the Durham Cathedral and St Thomas’ Church, Stockton-on-Tees Books of Remembrance.
Birth date: 27-May-1891
Death date: 23-Apr-1917
Armed force/civilian: Army
Residence: Albert Street, Leek, Staffordshire (Staffordshir Baptisms)
1 Kiln Lane, Leek, Staffordshire (1901 census)
53 Park Road, Leek, Staffordshire (British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920)
Employment: Farm worker (British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920)
Family: Father: Joseph Smith
Mother: Sarah Ann Smith (nee Hunt)
Siblings: Joseph, Dora, William, Edward & Lily Smith
Wife: Mary Ellen Smith (nee Crutchley)
Military service:
Royal Horse & Royal Field Artillery
Regimental no.: 149584
1st/5th Battalion Durham Light Infantry
Regimental nos.: 6400 & 200756
Private
Medal(s): British War Medal
Victory Medal
Memorial(s): Arras Memorial, Bay 8
Durham Cathedral Book of Remembrance
St Thomas’ Church, Stockton-on-Tees 5th DLI 1914-18 Book of Remembrance
Gender: Male
Contributed by John Edwards