The Smith Brothers
Peter Wise and Brenda McMahon have submitted the following:-
John McDowell Smith married Margaret Stout at Teesdale in the summer of 1882. The couple went on to have 12 children although sadly 1 died. Of the 11 siblings remaining there were six sons and five daughters as follows:-
John William Stout 1880 -1917; Sarah Jane 1884 -1946; Alfred 1888 – 1918; George Henry 1890 -1916; Margaret 1892 – 1954; Robert 1894 – 1916; Frederick 1897 – 1917; Wilfred 1898 – 1968; Elizabeth 1901 -1997; Kathleen 1903 – 1977; Lillian 1906 - ??
Robert known as Bob was born at Startforth, Co. Durham in 1894.
The 1901 census shows the family living at Oliver’s Yard, Bridgegate, Barnard Castle. His father was a chimney sweep whilst Alfred and sister, Sarah both worked as machine minders at the flax mill. Robert was still at school. He became an ardent and enthusiastic member of the Church Guild.
By 1911 the family of now ten were living in three rooms. The older children were working mainly as mill hands at Ullathorpe’s flax mill. George was a yarn washer, Margaret a swifter, Robert a labourer whilst 12-year-old Frederick was a flax dresser.
Robert enlisted into the Army at Bishop Auckland. He left England about July 7th 1916 and had only been in France for 11 weeks when he was wounded and taken to a casualty clearing station where he later died.
Robert’s battalion entered Mametz Wood on September 15th 1916 and immediately encountered heavy artillery fire. The worst casualties were suffered on 17th presumably when Robert was wounded. The battalion was withdrawn from the wood after this action.
It was reported in the Teesdale Mercury 04/10/1916 that deceased soldier was the first of five serving sons of mother, Margaret, to be killed.
However within four weeks George Henry had also died on November 5th 1916.
The following article was printed in the Teesdale Mercury 06/12/1916.
“The Smith Soldier Family of Barnard Castle
Mr and Mrs J. Smith of Bridgegate, Barnard Castle, have received the following letter, dated 11th November, 1916, from E. Young, bombing sergeant notifying them of their son’s death in action and also that another son has been wounded and a third is suffering from shell shock : —It is with very much regret that I write to inform you that George Henry was killed in action on the 5th of November. I was with him in the front line trench, and, while carrying out a duty, he was killed instantly by a sniper. All the bombers wish to add their sympathy, with me, in your sad bereavement, and, knowing George so well, we feel his death very keenly. Fred was slightly wounded and Alf was shell-shocked, both being at present in hospital and I hope doing well. I know that you have suffered much in the loss of Bob, your third son, who was killed only a short time ago, and this news will give you more pain, but you have the consolation that they have died for their King and country. I, with other Barney boys, mourn with you as we feel their deaths very acutely. Both George and Bob were thought a lot of by all, and they were always cheerful and good pals. I am sorry that I must write to you such bad news, and I wish It could have been more pleasant. However, we must face facts, and this sad news is only too true. More I cannot say, except to add again my deep sympathy in your great loss."
His father John McDowell Smith died in 1923 and his mother Margaret on October 13th 1923 was asked to lay a wreath at the dedication of the Barnard Castle War Memorial in the grounds of Bowes Museum. Margaret died in 1924.
On November 11th 2018 members of the Smith family gathered to remember their relatives- the six Smith Brothers of Barnard Castle.
The photograph includes clockwise from left to right Alfred, George Henry, Frederick and John. The inset is of Wilfred in later life. No photograph has been found of Robert.
Robert Smith is remembered at Barnard Castle on B135.02, B135.23 and B135.25
He is also remembered in The DLI Book of Remembrance page 253
