Robert Bell Smith
Dorothy Hall has submitted the following:-
Robert Bell Smith, born 11th February 1920, at Station Road, Lanchester, was the son of Henry, born 1879, and Annie Hepplewhite nee Newton, born 1883.
In September 1939, Henry was an incapacitated retired Blacksmith and Annie was a cleaner. They were living at Victoria Terrace, Lanchester. Robert worked, before his war service, for Lanchester Rural District Council.
The Newcastle Evening Chronicle 17/11/1944 reports :-
Gunner Robert B. Smith son of Mr and Mrs H. Smith of 17 Victoria Terrace Lanchester has been killed by aerial bombardment while a Prisoner of War in Germany. He died at Rosenheim Germany.
The inscription "Remembrance Is Like A Golden Chain Which Links Us Till We Meet Again" was added to his headstone.
Henry died in 1947 and was buried in Lanchester Kitswell Road Cemetery. Annie died in 1975.
Acknowledgements: Eric Hepplewhite.
Robert Bell Smith is remembered in Lanchester on L62.01 L62.06 and L62.08
