This site commemorates the men and women of Collingham, Linton and Micklethwaite who served during World War 1. Today we especially commemorate Lieutenant Allix James William Griffith of the 2nd Battalion Dorset Regiment who was born on this day in 1895.Today we especially commemorate Captain Darcy Philip Assheton Gray of the 457 Protection Company Royal Defence Corps who died on this day in 1944.
Smith, Eric West
(1899-?)
 

Rank and Unit at End of World War One

Rank Private

Service Number 6/14345

Service Army

Battalion 14th Training Reserve Battalion

Regiment Notts & Derby Regiment

Pre-war Occupation*/marital status**

Trade or Occupation pre-war: Draftsman
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

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.

Service record

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.

After the war

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).

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