Born at Gillingham Kent, son of Herbert Stephen (First Class Admiralty Writer) and Maud Mary Smith. 1901: With his family at 29 Belmont Road, Gillingham - his father was working at Chatham Dockyard. 1911: An Export Clerk to an East India Merchant, living with his family at “Oakamoor” (later 61) Empress Avenue, Woodford Green.
As a boy he was a member of the Parish Church Choir, and had enlisted in the 13 London Regiment before the war. He was among the original Territorials who volunteered to serve in France, 13 London being one of the first TF units to go abroad, leaving England on 3rd November 1914. After further training they took over waterlogged trenches at the Front in February 1915, by which time 96 casualties had been incurred through sniper, shell and mortar fire. 158 casualties followed in their first action at the Battle of Neuve Chapelle on in March 1915.
The Battalion participated in the Battle of Aubers Ridge on 9th May1915, and fierce fighting which resulted in 436 casualties all but decimated the unit. For the number of lives lost, this battle has been described as an unmitigated disaster. No ground was taken, no tactical advantage was gained and both intelligence and equipment were deficient. Herbert Smith was one of those killed in action that day.
The Corps Commander subsequently declared “By your splendid attack and dogged endurance you and your fallen comrades won imperishable glory for the 13th London Battalion”.
It is believed he was known to Richard Chardin of Empress Avenue, as both attended the Derby Road Methodist Church. Chardin was killed in Action on 19th May 1915.
Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian
Sources:
Ancestry.com