WORLD WAR I
Bingham War Memorial
Service Record
| 58120 | Cpl. George Alfred Smith | 51st Brigade, Royal Field Artillery | b.1893 |
| Roll of Honour AVL |
RoH: Wounded twice on the Western Front AVL Address: Fairfield Street |
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| Medal Card | Victory, British, Star with Clasp and Rose. Enlisted 30/9/09. Entered France 13th August 1914. Discharged 10/3/19 Reason given for discharge - wounds. George was a regular soldier, joined in 1909 and fought from the beginning of the outbreak of war, which was the reason he was awarded the 14 Star and clasp. Recipients had to have served under fire between 3/8/14 and 22/11/14. He was also entitled to attach a small heraldic rose to the ribbon, when just the ribbon was being worn. Recipients assisted the French holding back the German Army, while new recruits were being trained in the first 16 weeks of the war - The Battle of Mons, the retreat to the Seine, Battles of Le Cateau, the Marne, the Aisne and the 1st Battle of Ypres. He was also awarded the Silver War Badge which was given for many reasons. He was awarded it being after being discharged because his wounds meant he could not continue on active service. |
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| Long Long Trail web site | George went to France before the 51st Brigade, Royal Field
Artillery was formed. We do not know when he joined 51st. The unit was formed
as part of the raising of the First New Army, K1. This brigade was originally comprised of numbers 163, 164 and 165 Batteries RFA and the Brigade Ammunition Column. It was placed under command of the 9th (Scottish) Division and went to France with it in May 1915. |
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Family history etc
| George Alfred Smith | |||
| 1893 | Born Bingham 30th January 1893 | ||
| 1901 Census | Living in Newgate Street, Bingham with: Father: George E[dward], b. 1871 Ireland Mother: Miriam (neé Cowdell), b. 1874 Bingham Henry, b. 1894 Bingham Frederick, b. 1897 Bingham Miriam P, b. 1898 Bingham |
Bricklayer’s Labourer |
Note: George Edward Smith married Miriam Harris Cowdell |
| 1911 Census [family] |
Family living in Chapel Lane, Bingham: Father: George Edward Mother: Miriam Harrris Siblings: Frederick Miriam Phebe Gladis, b. Bingham 1902 Joseph, b. Bingham 1906 Hilda, b. Bingham 1910 |
General Labourer Errand Boy for Chemist |
Note: George Alfred’s name was entered on the census form by his father with the occupation “Private Soldier “. This was deleted by the enumerator, but as Ancestry ignores deletions he appears twice in the census listings on Ancestry! |
| 1911 Census | George Alfred Smith serving in RFA at Hilsea Barracks, Portsmouth | Soldier (Driver) | |
| 1919 | Dec. qtr. George Smith married Ethel Holland in Nottingham Children: Kathleen b. 1923 Bingham Arthur b. 1924 Bingham |
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| 1918 | AVL Address: Fairfield Street | Herbert Smith also gave this address. We have found no family connection between them. | |
| Electoral Register | 1918: Fairfield Street: Hannah Mary Smith, Herbert Smith (“absent
voter”); George does not appear. 1923-1926 George Alfred and Ethel in Nottingham Road with Herbert and Hannah |
Herbert served with the KOYLI | |
| 1949 | George Alfred died on 21st August 1949 and was buried in
a family grave at Wilford Hill on 24th August. He died at City Hospital;
his last address was 8 Wilford Crescent, Nottingham. Ethel died 24th February 1933 and was also buried in Wilford cemetery. |
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