Private 3068 Thomas Smith

Died Home on Wednesday, 20th November 1918, age 35.
Buried in Grave C. "C." 104. at Tipton Cemetery, Staffordshire, United Kingdom.

2nd Reserve Bn., Monmouthshire Regiment. Depot Battalion.
Latterly renumbered to 265963.

Son of William Henry and Harriet Smith; husband of Gertrude Annie Smith, of 46, Cophall St., Great Bridge, Tipton.
Born: West Bromwich, Enlisted: Pontypool, Monmouth, Resident: Tipton.

Never served abroad.
Medal entitlement: No medal entitlement.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/395360/

Genealogical Data

1901 Census
Cannot definitively trace Thomas Smith.

Marriage of Thomas Smith and Gertrude Knight registered September quarter 1907 in West Bromwich.

1911 Census
22 Brett Street, West Bromwich, Staffs.
Thomas Smith (27, Puddler, born West Bromwich), his wife Gertrude (24, born Smethwick), and their 2 children: Ada (4, born Smethwick), and Louisa (1, born Smethwick).
Three further children were born, John Thomas in August 1911, James Henry in December 1914, and Harold William in February 1919.

Personal Data

Thomas Smith attested with the 2nd Battalion (Territorial) Monmouthshire Regiment at Pontypool on 11th January 1915, agreeing to serve outside the United Kingdom if necessary. His address was given as 4 Woodside Terrace, Cwmbran, age 31 years, 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 36½-inch chest, his vision was satisfactory and physical development fair.

The 2nd Reserve Battalion was used as Home Defence, moving to Cambridge in February 1915, then to Bedford and on to Lowestoft in November 1916. It would appear that Thomas was with them at this time, as he passed a course in cookery at Cambridge in July 1915.

In November 1916, Thomas was transfered to Class P(T) Reserves, as one 'whose services are deemed to be temporarily of more value to the country in civil life rather than in the Army.' Thomas was to work at Messrs J&C Holcroft, Portfield Iron Works, Tipton, Staffs, and he was described as an Unskilled Blast Funaceman.

In July 1919 when Gertrude completed the Army 'Statement of Living Relatives', she was living at 6 Baca Terrace, Horseley Heath, Tipton. In June quarter 1920, Gertrude married Edward Boughton.

As Thomas had left the army in 1916, at the time of his death he had no outstanding army pay and allowances due. His War Gratuity was £5/10/0d (5 pounds and 10 shillings), this was paid to his widow, Gertrude Annie, in September 1919.

Action resulting in his death

On 20th November 1918, during the influenza pandemic, Thomas Smith died 'of influenza and pneumonia' at 13 Court 6, Horseley Heath, Tipton. He is buried in Tipton Cemetery. As Thomas was still a Reservist liable to recall, his service was treated as continuous and Gertrude and the children would have been entitled to a war pension.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.