Service Number 6/14345
Service Army
Battalion 14th Training Reserve Battalion
Regiment Notts & Derby Regiment
Biography
Eric West Smith was born in Leeds on the 10th January 1899, the son of Arthur Edward and Sarah Smith.
By 1911, Eric and his parents were living at Langwith Terrace, Collingham, where his father was a ladies blouse manufacturer. Eric had two older sisters, Winifred (who was assisting in her father's business) and Ida Constant; and an older brother, Edward Ralph Smith, who also served in World War 1. Both Edward and Eric were at school in 1911.
Eric attested for service in the Army on the 2nd December 1916 and was placed in the reserve until he was mobilised on the 1st May 1917 in Leeds. He initially joined the 14th Training Reserve Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment but then became Private 6/14345 Eric Smith of the of the Notts and Derbyshire Regiment. He was posted to their depot on the 5th May 1917. After a period of time undergoing basic training on the 19th September 1917, Eric had a severe attack of asthma that required hospital treatment. Eric had suffered from asthma since infancy, and after a medical board the army realised that Eric could not serve any longer. He was honourably discharged from the Army under Kings Regulations Para 392(xvi) as unfit for military service due to asthma. As a mark that he had served, Eric was awarded a Silver War Badge.
Eric returned to Collingham after the war and in 1935, the Banns of Marriage were called for Eric and Edna Florence Simmons of the Parish of Christ Church, Highbury, London. They married on the 24th June 1935 but lived in Collingham; in 1939 living at "Branston" in Collingham.
Biography last updated 20 January 2020 22:40:21.
Sources
1911 Census. The National Archives. Class RG14 Piece 25962
The Collingham Parish Magazine Dec 1914 & Jan 1915
First World War British Army Pension Records. The National Archives (WO364).
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