Photo: Marie McNicholl
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 17/11/1916
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Richard Garbutt Smith was born 1888 at Heworth near Gateshead one of 10 children of whom only 7 survived, 4 sons and 3 daughters, born to Police Officer Thomas Smith of Durham City, County Durham, born 1855 and his wife Julia Ann Mallaby born 1859 at Lamesley, County Durham. The couple were married in the Parish of St Edmund’s, Gateshead, October 21st 1878. In 1881 Thomas was a Constable, the family were living at 60, Stargate, Ryton, ten years later the family had grown and they had now moved to 139 Whitehill Lane, Heworth. He had risen to the rank of Sergeant of Police by 1891 and his eldest sons were both working at the colliery David George as an assistant banks man above ground, Thomas as a driver below ground whilst Richard only 13 was still a scholar but in 1911 was also employed below ground as a colliery rolley man, the family were now at Crow Hill Farm, Heworth.
Richard Garbutt Smith enlisted at Felling, Gateshead, September 7th 1914 for a term of 3 years and was assigned as Private 19057 to the 13th Battalion Durham Light Infantry joining the Regiment at Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Attached to the 68rd Brigade, 23rd Division they moved to Aldershot in November and on to Willesborough, Kent in March 1915. Whilst he was undergoing training his father Thomas Smith died, April 23rd 1915. By May they were at Bramshott and as part of the British Expeditionary Force the Battalion landed at Boulogne, August 26th 1915. Concentrating near Tilques. September 5th, they were attached to the III Corp and moved to Merris-Vieux for trench familiarisation from the 20th and 27th Division, taking over the front-line sector between Ferme Grande Flamergrie to the Armentieres-Wez Macquart road in their own right by the 14th. During the Battle of Loos, they were in action holding the front at Bois Grenier, they were relieved from that sector at the end of January 1916 and Divisional HQ was established at Blaringhem with the units concentrated around Bruay for a period of rest. On March 3rd, they returned to the front line, taking over a sector between the Boyau de l'Ersatz and the Souchez River from the French 17th Division. In early March a Tunnelling Company was established and men with a background in mining were transferred from the ranks to the Royal Engineers. In Mid-April, they returned to Bruay area for rest until mid-May when they again took over the front line, just before the German attack on Vimy Ridge on April 21st 1916.
On June 11th 1916 the 23rd Division Infantry moved to Bomy and the artillery to Chamblain Chatelain and Therouanne to begin intensive training for the Battles of the Somme. July 5th 1916 Private Smith was appointed to the Canadian Section G.H.Q. 3rd Echelon as a servant to a sick officer. This afforded him the privilege of increased rations, however he returned to the ranks by the 11th just as the Battles of Bazentin Ridge were reaching their conclusion and the Battle of Delville Wood was beginning which raged from July 15th-3rd September 1916, followed by the Battle of Flers-Coucelette, Morval and Transloy Ridge. It was during the Battle of Transloy Ridge, October 1st-18th 1916 that Private 19057 Richard Garbutt Smith Durham Light Infantry was killed in action October 7th 1916.
His sacrifice is commemorated as one of the 72,246 names of servicemen from the British Empire inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing, Somme, France pier and face 14A /15B, who perished on the Somme from 1915 to 1918 and have no known grave. Private Smith was 28 years old and single.
As per the will he prepared prior to going into action, he left to his mother all his property and effects. Julia Ann received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal as well as a small book belonging to him.
His mother Julia Ann Smith died February 16th 1927 aged 69.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
In St.Mary's Churchyard is a family headstone for Smith which reads:
In
Loving Memory
of
Thomas
the beloved husband of
Julia Ann Smith
late Police Sergeant
of Durham County
Constabulary,
who died April 23rd 1915,
aged 60 years.
Also Richard Garbutt
dearly beloved son of the above
killed in action in France
Oct. 7th 1916 aged 28 years.
Also the above Julia Ann Smith
who died Feb 16th. 1927 aged 69 years.
Also Frederick Smith
son of the above
who died in New Zealand
April 19th 1964, aged 70 years
Also Martha Ann
beloved wife of George Myers
who died May 4th 1964 aged 83 years.
Heslop’s Local Advertiser 17/11/1916 carries a notice which reads:
“Private Richard Garbutt Smith (Garby), D.L.I., killed in action, Oct. 7th, aged 28 years. Son of Julia Ann and the late Ex-Police Sergeant Thomas Smith, Crow Hall Farm, Felling.”
Richard Garbutt Smith is remembered at Heworth on H92.03
