SMITH, ALLAN J

Photograph with kind permission from the Uttoxeter Advertiser

 

Source

CWGC

SDGW

Uttoxeter Advertiser

Other

Parents

 

 

 

 

 

Where born

Uttoxeter

 

Yes

 

2

When born

 

 

 

 

 

Address

Had lived in High Street, but just before the war he had moved to live in Manchester.

 

 

1b

 

Manchester

 

 

 

3

Carter Street (parents and sister)

 

 

1b, 1c

2

Wife: 54 Waterloo Street, Crumpsall, Manchester

Yes

 

 

2

Spouse

A. Smith

Yes

 

 

2

Children

1

 

 

 

 

Employment Before Joining up

Apprentice with Mr. G. Withers, coachbuilder, Uttoxeter

 

 

1b

2

Where enlisted

Manchester

 

Yes

 

3

Regiment

Royal Army Service Corps

Yes

Yes

 

3

 

Army Service Corps M. T.

 

 

1d

2

Unit

3rd Water Tank Company

Yes

 

 

2

Rank

Private

Yes

Yes

1b, 1c, 1d

2, 3

Service Number

M/377248

Yes

Yes

 

2, 3

Date of Death

3 September 1918

Yes

Yes

1d

2, 3

Age at time of death

 

 

 

 

 

Where Killed or died

France or Flanders

 

 

1c

3

How he died

Killed in Action

 

Yes

1b, 1c, 1d

2, 3

Location of Grave or Memorial

Bancourt British Cemetery – Grave II. F. 2.

Yes

 

 

 

Uttoxeter Town War Memorial (Market Place)

 

 

 

2

Awards

 

 

 

 

 

Allan Smith was reported missing at the end of November 1915[1a]., but he must have turned up later because he continued to serve until his death in 1918.

His obituary, published in the Uttoxeter Advertiser in September 1918[1b, says that he was in the Tank Corps and that he had been killed when his tank went over a huge mine crater. This is not actually correct. He was on a limber carrying a water tank, when it passed over a mine[4].

He had served in the forces for about two years, but had only been in France for a few months [1b] and died just two months before the end of the war.

He left a wife and child[1b].

News of his death was sent to his sister in Carter Street because neither of their parents were still alive[1b].

 

This memorial notice was posted in the Uttoxeter Advertiser in September 1919[1d] to mark the first anniversary of his death

SMITH. – In Loving Memory of our Dear Brother, Pte. Allan Smith, A.S.C., M.T., killed in action, September 3, 1918.

Peace, perfect peace,

With our loved one far away.

 - From his Loving Brothers and Sister, Uttoxeter.

Allan was one of seven brothers who served during the war. All of the others survived[4].

According to his obituary in the Uttoxeter Advertiser [1b], at the time of Allen’s death, three of his brothers were serving with the forces. Two had been in France and the other in Mesopotamia. One of the two who had been in France had been gassed, and the one who had served in Mesopotamia had been severely ill[1b].. One of the brothers was named Albert[2]..

 

Allan was one of seven brothers who served during the war. All of the others survived.

According to his obituary in the Uttoxeter Advertiser [1], at the time of Allen’s death, three of his brothers were serving with the forces. Two had been in France and the other in Mesopotamia. One of the two who had been in France had been gassed, and the one who had served in Mesopotamia had been severely ill.