Robert Henry Smith Photo: Steve Smith
His nephew, Steve Smith, writes:
“Here is a photograph of my uncle Robert Henry Smith. His address was Wesley Lane in Felling on Tyne at the time of his death with 'C' company 9th DLI. 'C' company were, I believe, based at Booth Street Drill Hall in Felling.
He was killed on Sunday 26th May 1940 near Provin in France, when the company HQ received a direct hit during enemy shelling. Twenty plus men died in this incident.
After the war the CWGC re-interred most of the men from the local churchyard to Lille cemetery including four that could not be identified. Bob’s grave could not be found.
He was my dad’s older brother. He was married to Jane Ann Potts and also left a baby son Robert who was about a year old. My father later joined up and served in Italy but thankfully returned safe.
There seems to be no record or memorial to those Felling men who lost their lives in WW2.”
