Charles Henry William Smith: Pam Siegel
The Recruit's Message Pam Siegel
Casualty Clearing Station at Remy Siding No 3
Map of the C.C. Station at Remy Farm. Lijssenthoek
Shields Gazette Wednesday 28/02/1917
The Recruit's Message reads:
"A Soldier of the King!"
"A soldier of the King,"
I heard the welkin ring,
"Should your vocation be,
In this emergency!"
"A Soldier of the King!"
Spake Conscience, echoing.
"The call is straight and true -
'Your Country needeth you!'"
"A Soldier of the King!"
My lips now proudly sing;
Which honoured name I own
For sake of Land and Throne.
Information by Pamela Siegel (nee Stobbs).
Charles Henry William Smith, known as Harry, was born in South Shields, eldest child of Helen Jane Smith and the late Charles H W Smith. He enlisted in South Shields on the 9th September 1914, serving with the Durham Light Infantry "C" Coy" 14th Service Battalion, Service No. 14765. The 14th DLI Battalion was part of the 6th Division from November 1915, after being transferred from the 21st Division.
By the end of the November 1915 the 14th were firmly embedded in the 18th Brigade part of the 6th Division, and found themselves defending Potijze. During this time the battalion endured a gas attack near Wieltje. Casualties amongst the ranks amounted to 149 with a number of officers also being gassed and wounded.
The battalion remained in and around the Ypres Salient up until mid March 1916 with varying spells in the front and in support. At this time the Division was relieved by the Guards and the battalion left for Calais and a period of training which was followed by a 3 day march on the 5th April back into the Ypres Salient, and took over the line between the Picklem Road and the Yser Canal. Here they stayed until mid June 1916 when the Guards again took over the line. The 6 months in the Ypres salient had been costly with 260 casualties in the ranks.
He died from wounds in the 17th Casualty Clearing Station which was located at Remy Siding in the France & Flanders Theatre of War in Belgium, of gunshot wounds to the head on the 21 February 1916, at the age of 19.
In the letter from the Army Hospital, the sister in charge writes, "he passed quietly away in his sleep not having regained consciousness" and that "he will be laid to rest in our soldiers cemetery and a cross will mark his place".
In his obituary, Harry's platoon officer said that he was a "splendid solider, did all his work to the best of his ability, and died like a solider". And that his family "will have the great satisfaction of knowing when the call came he did not shirk his duty, but willingly gave his life for his country and loved ones".
He worked at St Hilda Colliery, and resided at 23 Alderson Street with his mother and 3 siblings.
He was awarded 'Wilfred' 'Pip' and 'Squeak'
He was a half brother to J.T. Patton
Source: Obituary Shields Gazette dated 21 & 28/02/1917.
He is remembered at South Shields on S86.003 and S86.020, also in Durham in the DLI Memorial Book D47.013a page 33