Dunhallow Cemetery
Dunhallow Cemetery
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
George Henry Smith, one of 5 children of whom only 4 survived was an only son and had 2 elder and 2 younger sisters. His father Robert Smith of Houghton-le-Spring born 1854 married at the church of St Matthew, Newbottle, County Durham, August 4th 1873, to Elizabeth Marshall Hamm born May 30th 1853 at Bere Alston, Devon, whose family had migrated to the north east between 1871 and 1873. Their daughter Susan Ann was born at Houghton-le-Spring, June 16th 1874, Jane 1877, George Henry, August 10th 1880, Margaret and Elizabeth Marshall Smith in 1885 and 1892 respectively at Hetton Downs, County Durham. In 1881 they were living at High Downs Square, Hetton-le-Hole where Robert was employed as a coal miner supporting his wife, Susan Ann (7), Jane (4) and 8 month old George Henry. Having moved to 16, Minor Street ten years later their family was now complete but unfortunately their 12-year-old daughter Jane had died in 1899. By 1901 they had transferred to East Murton, George Henry (20) had joined his father working below ground at the colliery as a putter, only his younger sisters Margaret (17) and Elizabeth (8) were still living at home.
George Henry was married in the district of Easington in 1902 to Margaret Hall born 1880 at Murton Colliery. In 1911, still childless, they were living in a 2 room tenement at 11, Dunelm Terrace, Dalton-le- Dale, Murton Colliery, where George was employed as a coal hewer.
He enlisted at Seaham Harbour, assigned as Saddler Private 760656 to the Royal Field Artillery, however, his military record was one of the 70% destroyed during the blitz of WW2, it is therefore impossible to know his exact movements.
Collectively known as artificers, saddlers, shoeing smiths, wheelers and a few other trades were appointments carrying higher rates of pay and as well as having an appointment also had a rank. George Henry rose through the ranks to Saddler Corporal, attached to “A” Battery 317th Brigade R. F. A.. The Brigade was assigned to the 63rd (2nd Northumbrian) Division, remaining at home until late May 1916, when they left, via Heytesbury in Wiltshire and on July 2nd sailed to join the 63rd (Royal Navy) Division who had returned from Gallipoli, arriving at Marseilles, France between May 12th-23rd 1916.The Brigade remained on the Western Front engaged in the Battle of Ancre and phases of the Battles of the Somme during 1916, moved to operations again at Ancre in 1917, followed by the Battle of the Scarpe and the Battle of Arleux, phases of the Arras Offensive followed by the Second Battle of Passchendaele on the Ypres salient in Belgium.
Saddler Corporal 760656 George Henry Smith Royal Field Artillery was killed in action November 30th 1917 in the field and is interred at Duhallow Advanced Dressing Station Cemetery, West Vlaanderens, near Ypres in Belgium, grave III. C. 23. He was 37 years old.
His widow Margaret received all monies due to him, a pension and his awards of the British War Medal and Victory Medal, sent to her a 11, Dunelm Terrace, Dalton le Dale, County Durham.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
George Henry Smith is remembered at Dalton le Dale on D39.01 and at Murton on M47.01, M47.06, M47.09 and M47.12
