Ian Murray has submitted the following:-
Luke William Smith was born in 1890 in Byers Green. His mother, Eliza, was born in Escomb and his father, John, was born in Hebburn and was employed as a Coke Drawer. In 1891 the family lived in Booth’s Buildings, Byers Green and by 1901 they had moved to Henry Terrace, still in Byers Green. The 1911 census records the mother as Eliza Duke (probably widowed and married) and the family are resident at 3, Humber Street, Chopwell. Eliza had had at least nine children. Luke and his two brothers were coal miners.
In 1912, Luke married Frances Robson, the marriage being registered in Lanchester. On 24th April 1913, their daughter, Sarah Ann, was born.
Luke enlisted in Durham on 15th September 1914, by which time his address was Greencroft Tower, Lanchester and he was employed as a miner by Messrs. Bowes and Partners. Luke’s service record also states that at some time previously he had served for eight months with the King’s Own Scottish Borderers but had purchased his discharge.
Luke served at home until April 1915 when he was posted to France where he was promoted three times in four months: to Lance Corporal on 26th September, to Corporal on 17th November and to Sergeant on 15th December. Meanwhile on 4th November, his wife, Frances gave birth to their son, John.
On 4th April 1916, Luke suffered a gunshot wound to his right forearm. He was transferred to England and eventually spent twenty-two days in a Command Post Hospital in Ripon in August. In October 1916 he was re-engaged and posted to France in November 1916.
Luke was killed in action on 1st March 1917. In June 1917 Frances was awarded a pension from the Army of 27 shillings and 11 pence per week for herself and her two children.
The Stanley News 29/03/1917 reports:-
Sergt. Major L Smith of The Towers, Greencroft, has been killed at the front. He leaves a widow and two children
By 1919, Frances and the children lived at 32, Annfield Terrace, Catchgate.
When he died, Luke was buried on the battlefield and in 1920, Frances was informed by letter that, “to remove all scattered and graves for concentration in proper cemeteries”, Luke’s body was exhumed and reburied in Assevillers New British Cemetery. The headstone inscription added by Frances is “Till We Meet Again”.
Awards: 1915 Star; British War Medal; Victory Medal.
Luke Smith is remembered at Lanchester L62.01 L62.02 and L62.04, at Durham in D47.156b and possibly at Annfield Plain on A38.01
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 40
