This site commemorates the men and women of Collingham, Linton and Micklethwaite who served during World War 1.
Smith, Edward Ralph
(1895-1962)
 

Rank and Unit at End of World War One

Rank Gunner

Service Number 781815

Service Army

Battalion C Battery, 246 Brigade

Regiment Royal Field Artillery

Other service during World War One
Information from Medal Index Cards (WO372), Medal Rolls (WO329), Service Records (WO363) and/or Pension Records (WO364) held by The National Archives.
Rank Number Unit
Driver 37 Royal Field Artillery
Pre-war Occupation*/marital status**

Trade or Occupation pre-war: Scholar
Marital status: Single


* Taken from attestation papers or 1911 census
** Marital status on enlistment or at start of war
Connection with Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite and reason for inclusion on this web site
  • Lived in Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite immediately prewar or during the war
  • Named on printed lists of villagers in The Wetherby News or Collingham Parish Magazine
  • Named as an Absent Voter due to Naval or Military Service on the 1918 or 1919 Absent Voter list for Collingham, Linton or Micklethwaite

Biography

Family background

Edward Ralph Smith was born in Leeds on the 29th September 1895, the son of Arthur Edward and Sarah Smith.

By 1911, Edward and his parents were living at Langwith Terrace, Collingham, where his father was a ladies blouse manufacturer. Edward had two older sisters, Winifred (who was assisting in her father's business) and Ida Constant; and a younger brother, Eric West Smith, who also served in World War 1. Both Edward and Eric were at school.

Service record

On the 3rd September 1914, in answer to the country's call for volunteers, Edward Ralph Smith attested into the Army and he was embodied into the Royal Field Artillery and underwent his basic army training until the 16th April 1915. On that day he embarked and served in France, disembarking on the 17th April 1915 in Le Havre. Edward served at first with the 1/1st West Riding Brigade ammunition column and then with the 1/1st West Riding Divisional Ammunition Column.

At Christmas 1915 he was granted 7 days leave, but we don't know if he returned home. However he continued serving in France until 15th January 1916. He then served in the UK spending some time, from 26th April to 22 May, with the 32nd Divisional Ammunition Column. On that later day, Edward rejoined his unit and on the 1st July 1916 he returned to France.

On the 1st September 1916, the 1/1st West Riding brigade became B Battery of 248nd Brigade, Royal Field Artillery (RFA) and Edward served with them until the 18th October 1916 when he was granted 10 days leave. After leave he returned to his unit and on the 5th November 1917, he was wounded in the back. His record shows he suffered a severe, penetrating gun shot wound to the back and that he was admitted (on the 8th November 1917) to 24 General Hospital in Etaples. The wound was severe enough that Edward was evacuated back to England on the 24-25th November 1917.

After just over 2 months, on the 9th February 1918, Edward was posted back to France, this time with C Battery, 77th Brigade, RFA. Men were often moved between units, especially in the Artillery, and a month after joining 77 Brigade, Edward was posted on to C Battery, 246th Brigade RFA between the 11th and 16th March 1918. Just three days later, on the 19th March 1918, Edward was admitted to the 7th Canadian General Hospital in Etaples with severe shot wounds to his left arm, left forearm and back. We do not know how long Edward stayed in hospital on that occasion, but he was granted 14 days leave in the UK on the 13th January 1919 and he rejoined his unit on the 20th February 1919. His final return to the UK was on the 1st April 1919 and he was finally disembodied and demobilised from the Army on the 28th April 1918.

After the war

Edward Ralph Smith returned to Collingham and on the 26th April 1923, he married Norah Fielding, a spinster from East Keswick, in St Oswald's Church in Collingham. After their marriage Edward and Norah lived for a number of years at The Cottage, The Avenue, Collingham. On the 6th May 1929, Edward and Norah's daughter, Gweneth, was born. By the time of the 1939 Registration, the three of them were still living at The Cottage, with Edward's occupation noted as Manager of a Ladies Light Clothes manufacturer and also as Director of a soap manufacturer. By 1946, the family had moved to East Keswick where we can find them on electoral rolls from 1946 until 1959.

We believe Edward Ralph Smith died in 1962.

Biography last updated 20 January 2020 21:05:25.


Sources

1911 Census. The National Archives. Class RG14 Piece 25962
The Collingham Parish Magazine Dec 1914 & Feb 1915
First World War Medal Index Cards. The National Archives (WO372).
First World War Medal Index Rolls. The National Archives (WO329).
First World War British Army Service Records. The National Archives (WO363).

If you have any photographs or further details about this person we would be pleased to hear from you. Please contact us via: alan.berry@collinghamanddistrictwararchive.info