No.35070, Sergeant, Edward Hollack SMITH M.M.
Aged 34
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Edward Hollack SMITH was born in Great Easton, Essex (Dunmow Q3-1884 4A:563), son of Edward Albert and Mary Anne SMITH (née DUNKLEY).
1891 census...Aged 7, he was at The School, Cavenham with his father Edward A SMITH [36] a gardener born Bumpstead, Essex; his mother Marian [40], schoolmistress, born Brafield, Northants; brother Alfred [3] born Hayton Notts and sister Maud A [1] born Hayton, Notts. 1901 census...Aged 18, a grocer's assistant 14, he was at Bull Lane, Barton Mills with his father Edward SMITH [41]farmer, born Steeple Bumpstead; his mother Mary Ann [44] born Bradfield St George, Suffolk; brother Alfred [14] upholsterer's apprentice, born Hayton Notts; sisters Maud A [13] born Hayton, Notts., Elsie R[9] born Cavenham and Gwendoline [6] born Barton Mills. 1911 census...Aged 27, a butcher, he was at Street Farm, Tuddenham Road, Barton Mills with his father Edward Albert SMITH [52] farmer, born Steeple Bumpstead; his mother Mary Anne [54] born Brayfield, Northampton; brother Alfred [23] carpenter, born Hayton, Notts; sisters Elsie Reah [19] born Cavenham, Gwyndoline [15] born Barton Mills and niece Winnie [3] born Ealing, London. On 25th September 1915 he married Ada Elizabeth WOOLLARD of Nodds Hall, Tuddenham St Mary. The records have several variations of which village is in which county. His mothers place of birth also varies from census to census. His younger brother Alfred died in France as a prisoner of war in 1918. see here |
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He enlisted in Bury St. Edmunds.
De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour has :- "SMITH, EDWARD HOLLOCK, M.M. - Sergt.,No.305070, C Battery, 153rd Brigade, Ulster Division, Royal Field Artillery, eldest s.of Edward Albert Smith of Mills, Mildenhall, co. Suffolk, Farmer, by his wife, May Annie; b. Great Easton,co.Essex, 24 Feb.1883 {incorrect}; educ. Barton Mills Board School; enlisted 24 June 1915; served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders, and was killed in action at Messines Ridge 13 July, 1917. Buried near Messines Ridge. His Commanding Officer wrote:" I am exceedingly sorry to have to write and tell you your husband was killed in action this morning. Knowing what a tremendous loss he is to this battery, I know what a great blow it must be to you. He was looked up to in the battery by all the men, and was most highly thought of by all ranks, officers and men. Words of sympathy seem such a poor thing to offer you in your great grief, but the officers and men have asked me to tell you how deeply they do sympathize with you and mourn the loss not only of a really good soldier, but also of a real comrade and gentleman". and another officer: "I am taking it upon myself to write these few words of sympathy regarding the death of your husband Sergt E.H.Smith. During the week before his death he was a great example of courage and great coolness to the men, and when the end came he was doing his duty as a British soldier should. As I was close by him at the time, I can vouch for the fact that death was instantaneous and that he suffered no pain whatsoever. I will say no more, as words fail me on this subject". He was awarded the Military Medal for bravery in the field. He m. at Mildenhall, co.Suffolk, 25 Sept.1915, Ada Elizabeth, dau. of the late Joesph Woollard of Nodds Hall, Tuddenham St.Mary, Mildenhall co.Suffolk. Thanks to "Our Village and the Great War" we have more. From the Bury Free Press of 1st September 1917:- The news that Sgt. Edward Hollock Smith had been killed in action caused deep and widespread regret throughout Barton Mills and the adjoining parishes. The deceased was the husband of Mrs Ada E.Smith of Nods Hall, Tuddenham. The distressing event happened on 13th July in France. He volunteered his services in July 1915, enlisting in the Royal Field Artillery. In civil life he was associated with the provision trade. He was 34 years of age." and letter received on his death Dear Mrs Smith, I am exceedingly sorry to have to write and tell you your husband was killed in action this morning. Knowing what a tremendous loss he is to this Battery, I know what a great blow it must be to you. He was looked up to in this Battery by all the men, and was most highly thought of by all ranks, officers and men. Words of sympathy seem such a poor thing to offer you in your great grief, but the officers and men have asked me to tell you how deeply they sympathise with you, and mourn the loss of not only a really good soldier, but also of a real comrade and gentleman"......T.Hughson, Captain, "C" Battery 153 Brigade. Dear Mrs Smith, I am taking it upon myself to write these few words of sympathy regarding the death of your husband, Sgt E.H. Smith of this Battery. During the week before his death he was and example of courage and coolness to the men and when the end came he was doing his duty as a British soldier should. As I was close by him at the time, I can vouch for the fact that he suffered no pain whatever. I will now say no more as words fail me on this subject. I remain yours sincerely Hugh Tower, 2nd Lieutenant, "C" Battery 153 Brigade". Another report from the Bury Free Press:- A ceremony of an unusual and pathetic character took place at the Northern Army Bombing school trenches on Thursday week, the occasion being the presentation to Mrs Ada Elizabeth Smith of Nod's Hall, Tuddenham of the Military Medal won by her late husband, Sergt. Edward H. Smith of "C" Battery, 153rrd Brigade, R.F.A. who was killed in action in France on the 13th July last. The soldiers attending the Bombing School paraded at the trenches. Major J.B.White, the Commandant of the school who made the presentation stood underneath the flag on a raised platform of sandbags. Mrs Smith, the widow, was conveyed to the scene by motor car and the deceased soldier's mother and two of his sisters were also in attendance. Major White remarked that Sergt Smith came forward in the early period of the war, joining up in July 1915. he went forward step by step and gained the admiration of his comrades as well as his officers. He became sergeant, and had been recommended for promotion which he would have gained, if it were not for his untimely death. He never faltered, but went forward and died for his Country and the cause the Allies were fighting for. They were there that day to present to the widow the medal Sergt.Smith had earned by his bravery and gallant conduct on the field. Major White then handed Mrs Smith the medal, and as he did so, the soldiers presEnted arms with fixed bayonets and sounded the General Salute".
photo: Roy Beardsworth also commemorated on the Tuddenham memorial. click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
