Gunner
Royal Garrison Artillery | 133196 | 171 Siege Battery |
Biography
John was born in Crich during 1888, the son of George and Emma Smith. However, he was brought up by his grandparents George Ashbourne and Mary Smith. He was a Crich butcher, who enlisted in 1916 and entered France in 1917. He was wounded by a shell which caused severe injuries to his right side and arm. He underwent two operations. After demob he re-established his butchery business and in 1923 married Agnes Taylor. He was a churchwarden at St Mary’s, Crich, and in 1928 he was honoured by his name being included on a recast church bell.
A report in the Derbyshire Times and Chesterfield Herald dated 9 June 1923 stated that John Henry Smith, butcher of Crich, married at Tansley, Agnes Taylor daughter of Gervaise Taylor.
Photo courtesy Nigel Turner
In 1928 he was a churchwarden at St Mary's Church and had a bell dedicated to his name as did the late Captain W. E. Else.
Photo courtesy David Millington
The inscription reads:
Recast 1928; R.O. Wilson - vicar; H. J. Rankin & J. H. Smith Churchwardens.
H.J. Rankin was one of the village doctors.
See the photograph album of St Mary's Church bells
Medal Roll Index Card
He was awarded the Victory and British War Medals
also the Silver War Badge.
Silver War Badge Record
133196 Gunner John Henry Smith;171 Siege Battery; Badge 418305; Enlisted 11/1/16 Discharged 4/7/18; aged 30, Para 2(a)(1); served abroad.
Photo courtesy David Millington
Newspaper report
Derbyshire Times , 2 June 1917
Crich Casualties
Details of Gunner John H Smith’s wounds have been received in a letter he sent to his uncle and aunt Mr and Mrs J Roe Smith of Ashbourne House, Roes Lane, Crich. He says that he was wounded by a shell, which caused severe injuries to his right side and arm. After being taken to a hospital in France, he underwent two operations, and later was drafted to England. He is now at Bellahouston Red Cross Hospital, Glasgow, where he is improving. His chum, who was hit by the same shell, died in the next bed to his shortly afterwards. Gunner Smith went across to France in May this year. Before joining up he was a butcher, and had a business on the marketplace, Crich.
1891: Crich
Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
George A | Smith | Head | 76 | Farmer | Crich |
Mary | Smith | wife | 72 | Crich | |
George A | Smith | son | 32 | Wheelwright | Crich |
Emma | Smith | daughter in law | 24 | Crich | |
John Henry | Smith | grandson | 2 | Crich | |
Beatrice | Smith | grandaughter | 1 | Crich | |
Sarah Ann | Roe | niece | 24 | Crich |
RG12 piece 2746 folio 75 page 1
1901: Roes Lane, Crich
Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
George Ashbourne | Smith | Head (wdwr) | 84 | Living on own means | Crich |
John Henry | Smith | grandson | 12 | Crich | |
Sarah Ann | Roe | niece | 36 | Liverpool |
RG13 piece 3231 folio 31 page 7
1911: Shirebrook
Forename | Surname | Relationship | Age | Occupation | Where born |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Benjamin | Jacks | Head | 42 | mining, haulier | Madley Salop |
Harriett | Jacks | wife | 45 | Woodville | |
Thomas | Jacks | son | 5 | Shirebrook | |
W | Kendall | boarder | 21 | draper | Staff |
John | Smith | boarder | 22 | butcher | Crick |
RG14PN20288 RG78PN1216 RD428 SD2 ED1
1939 Register: Market Place, Crich
John Hy Smith b.23 July 1888; master butcher
Agnes Smith b.26 October 1891
Sarah Taylor b.1 November 1857; incapacitated