In Jarrow Cemetery is the Commonwealth War Grave of:

T. E. Smith
Trimmer RNR 5056/TS
H.M. Drifter Anchor of Hope
3rd April 1916 Age 32

Ever remembered

Colin Boyd has provided the following:

Thomas was born on 28th July 1884 in Jarrow to William Smith, a shipyard plater and his wife Ann.  In 1891 he was living with his parents, four brothers and five sisters at 109, Albert Road, Jarrow.

Thomas enlisted for 12 years in the Royal Navy on 20th August 1901 when he was described as being 5 feet 3½ inches tall, with light brown hair, grey eyes and a fresh complexion. He was a plater’s helper in a local shipyard. He served as a stoker with very good conduct ratings until one month before his discharge when he was sentenced to 21 days’ detention for being absent without leave. This delayed his discharge until 13th July 1913.

Thomas enlisted in the Royal Naval Reserve on 2nd February 1916 when he was again living with his parents at 83, Cobden Street, Jarrow.  He was cautioned as to the seriousness of tampering with Royal Navy Certificates of Service. He had obviously altered the details of his previous service.

Thomas was drowned in Lough Larne on 4th April 1916 while serving on board HMD “Anchor of Hope“.  His next of kin was his mother Ann, who was still living at 83, Cobden Street, Jarrow.

Following his death there was correspondence between Admiralty departments regarding reports of his alcoholism during his Royal Navy service possibly to check if he was drunk or sober at the time of his death.

Acknowledgments: Vin Mullen

Thomas Edward Smith is remembered at Jarrow on J2.03 and J2.07 and  in our List of Ships’ Crews.