HMHS Delta
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
William Anthony Smith, one of 12 children of whom only 9 survived, was the 2nd born of 4 brothers and had 5 younger sisters. His father, William James Smith, although born at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, in 1860, was brought up during his early childhood at Hillgate, Gateshead, County Durham, just across the river, on the south bank of the Tyne, where his father James was employed as a coal miner. By 1881 his family had returned to Newcastle, living at 6, Panmure Street, Elswick, William, his father and younger brothers were all miners. It was here that he met Mary Nolan, native of Longton, Staffordshire, born January 26th 1863 whom he married in 1883 at Glendale, Northumberland, which lies between Coquetdale and Scotland. Sons James and William Anthony were born at Newcastle in 1885 and 1887 respectively, Sarah Ann, December 26th 1889 and Mary Elizabeth in 1891, whilst they were living at 4, Lord Byron Street, a property divided into two accommodations, one of which was occupied by William’s widowed mother Grace Smith, his siblings Frederick and Grace, boarder Walter Henderson and his wife Annie. Over the next 10 years Mary gave birth to further children, those who survived were Ellen 1893, Emma 1895, Florence 1891 and Frederick born 1901. The family remained at 4, Lord Byron Street, William employed as a hewer, however, after the death of his mother in 1899, Frederick and his family had moved elsewhere their place taken by Edward and Barbara Purse. By 1911 the Smith family were living at 88, Greenhow Place, Elswick, William Anthony (25) was employed as a labourer (forge), Mary (22) a stationer’s shop assistant, contributing to the upkeep of the household and Mary had given birth to their youngest child Richard Reveley Smith in 1906.
William Anthony Smith was married soon after completion of the census, April 17th 1911 at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland to Catherine Owens affectionately known as Katie. Katie was born at 107, Blenheim Street, Newcastle, June 11th 1889 and baptised at St. Mary’s R. C. Cathedral, Clayton Street, June 26th. Their son William Gerard Smith was born January 5th 1914 at 197, Scotswood Road, Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
When war was declared August 4th 1914 William Anthony enlisted at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, circa August 19th 1914, assigned as Private 4372 to the 8th (Service) Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, one of the many battalions of the New Armies raised by all regiments in answer to Kitchener’s call to arms. Training complete, the battalion was attached to the 34th Brigade, 11th (Northern) Division at Grantham and as part of the Mediterranean Expeditionary Force, departed, July 1915 from England arriving at Gallipoli, August 7th.
The landings at Sulva Bay, August 7th 1915 at 10 p.m. were made by the newly formed IX Corps consisting of two brigades of the 10th (Irish) Division and the entire 11th (Northern) Division. The plan was to put ashore the 11th Division south of Nibrunesi Point, considered safe for a night landing, however Lieutenant General Sir William Stopford and Reed wanted the division to be landed at Sulva Bay itself. The final decision was taken and the 32nd and 33rd Brigades of the 11th Divisions landed at “B Beach” south of Nibrunesi Point the 34th at “A Beach” at Sulva Bay. The destroyers accompanying the brigade anchored 100 yards too far south and the men had to wade ashore in water up to their necks and were pinned down on the beach by sniper fire, the other landing was also a disaster. Stanford, although in command remained aboard HMS Jonquil and went to sleep, he was awoken the following morning at 4 a.m. and urged to cancel all future landings at Sulva Bay. The response to his mishandling of events resulted in him being dismissed and returning to England. Under the command of General de Lisle the Sulva Bay front was reorganised and reinforced with the arrival of the 29th Division from Helles and the 2nd Mounted Division (minus their horses.) August 21st 1915 the largest battle of the Gallipoli campaign took place at Scimitar Hill, but this also failed and the British were evacuated in late December.
Private 4372 William Anthony Smith Northumberland Fusiliers was wounded, exact date unknown, and after receiving initial treatment, evacuated from the Dardanelles and embarked aboard HMHS Delta where he succumbed to his wounds, August 21st 1915 and buried at sea.
His sacrifice is recorded as one of 20,905 names inscribed on the Helles Memorial, Turkey (including Gallipoli), which serves a dual purpose, commemorating servicemen who died there and have no grave, and those lost or buried at sea. The memorial takes the form of an obelisk over 30 metres high which stands on the tip of the Gallipoli Peninsular and can be seen by ships passing through the Dardanelles.
His widow received all monies due to him, his awards of the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal, also a pension for herself and their son.
Katie Smith re-married in 1926 to William Preston Elliott born at Gateshead, County Durham, May 3rd 1886, baptised St. Andrew’s Newcastle-upon-Tyne, June 29th. In 1939 they were living at 2, Helena Avenue, Whitley Bay, Northumberland, where William was employed as a shipping clerk.
William Preston Elliott died aged 60 years, August 5th 1946 at The Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Northumberland, effects in the sum of 5033 pounds 13 shillings 6 pence to Lloyds Bank Limited, Catherine Elliott-Smith nee Owens, June 16th 1951 at Northumberland South, aged 62 years.
William Gerard Smith was married in the district of Tynemouth, Northumberland in 1932 to Annie E, Morgan born December 3rd 1914. In 1939 they were living at 63, Thorntree Drive, Whitley Bay, Northumberland where he was employed as a boiler maker.
William Gerard Smith died at North Tyneside, May 4th 1993 aged 79 years, details as regards Annie E. Smith nee Morgan, unknown.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
William Anthony Smith is remembered at Whorlton on W53.01
