Private Henry Smith MM & Bar.
9970 2nd East Lancashire Regiment.
Killed in Action 24th April 1918. Aged 28
(Henry’s brother Charles was killed 30th July 1918.)
Harry was born about 1890 in Preston, the son of Charles and Mary Smith. In the 1891 census the family were living at 20 Sugar Field, Farnworth, Lancs. Charles 52 labourer, Mary 36, Charles 5, Lizzie 4, and Henry 1.
In the 1901 census the family were living at 2 St Pauls Gate, Burnley. Charles 46 labourer, Mary Jane 49, both born in Manchester, Charles 15 labourer, Elizabeth 14, Henry 11, Mary J 9, James 7, Hannah 3.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 10 November 1917: MILITARY MEDAL FOR MINER. IN ORIGINAL EXPEDITIONARY FORCE.
In the Honours List appears the name of Private Henry Smith, a well-known Towneley miner who is now serving with the East Lancs Regiment in France and who, for distinguished conduct on the battlefield, has been awarded the Military Medal. He is a single man, 28 years of age, and his home is at 27 Richard Street Burnley. Private Smith joined the army in 1908 and had spent the greater part of his time in India and Africa, being in the latter when war was declared. He returned to England and during a 48 hours leave saw his people. On November 3rd 1914, he was drafted to France, where as a stretcher bearer he has achieved fame by his heroic conduct. Private Smith is the goalkeeper of his regimental football team, and is the holder of several medals won in that capacity. In religious life the soldier, previous to leaving Burnley, was identified with St Mary's Roman Catholic school and church. The official report regarding the award States: "During the operations in July last this man who was a stretcher bearer, acted in a most Gallant Manor. He constantly carried wounded men over open Ground exposed to heavy enemy machine-gun fire. On all occasions he showed total disregard to danger, and set a magnificent example to all about him."
From The Express and Advertiser dated 20 March 1918: PRESENTED AT PALACE THEATRE.
On November 10th last we announced that Private Henry Smith of 27 Richard Street Burnley, had been awarded the Military Medal for bravery during the operations in July last, and at the second "house"at the Palace Theatre on Monday night the medal was presented by the Mayor to the hero, who was home on furlough. Private Smith was given a flattering reception when the Mayor read out the following description of the action which earned the soldier his distinction: "As a stretcher bearer during the operations in July last he acted in a most Gallant Manor, constantly carrying wounded men over open ground exposed to heavy enemy machine-gun fire. On all occasions he showed a total disregard to danger, and set a magnificent example to all about him."
Private Smith who returned to duty again last night, was a well-known Towneley miner before enlisting in 1908. He was in Africa with the East Lancs Regiment when war was declared and on November 3rd 1914, he was drafted to France, where he has served ever since.
The Express and Advertiser dated 18th September 1918: MILITARY MEDALS. BURNLEY WINNER AWARDED A BAR.
Private 9970 H Smith, of the East Lancashire Regiment of Burnley, who had previously been awarded a military medal, has now been given a bar to his medal.
We have previously announced the winning of the Military Medal by Private H Smith, who unfortunately, has been killed in the interval between his first and second success.
From The Express and Advertiser dated 15 Jun 1918: ONE OF THE ORIGINALS. MILITARY MEDALLIST FATALLY WOUNDED.
Private Harry Smith, 9970, East Lancashire Regiment of 27 Richard Street Burnley, a well-known Towneley miner, was shot through the neck on April 24th and died at once. His sister has received the following letter from a soldier comrade of her brother: "you have lost a good brother, and he was also a great soldier, who was greatly admired by all who knew him both old and young soldiers alike. He was always ready to do anybody a good turn. It was my pleasure to have worked with him for nearly 18 months since being connected with his regiment. It was only by his assistance that I was able to pull through on several occasions. He gave up being a stretcher bearer and became Battalion orderly, in which capacity he met the fatal bullet."
Last November Private Smith won the Military Medal. He joined the army in 1908 and before the war spent the greater part of his time in India and Africa. He returned to England, and during a 48 hours leave saw his people. On November 3rd 1914 he was drafted to France, where as a stretcher bearer he achieved Fame by his heroic conduct. Private Smith was the goalkeeper for his regimental football team, and the holder of several medals won in that capacity. Previous to leaving Burnley he was identified with St Mary's Roman Catholic school and church. The official report regarding the award stated: "During the operations in July last this man, who was a stretcher bearer, acted in a most Gallant Manor. He constantly carried wounded men over open Ground exposed to heavy enemy machine-gun fire. On all occasions he should total disregard to danger, and set a magnificent example to all about him."
The medal was presented to fit Smith by the Mayor, in the presence of a cheering audience, at the palace in March this year.
Lived at 27 Richard Street.
Harry left his effects to his sisters Elizabeth Mary Jane and Susannah and Brother James.
Harry was buried in Adelaide Cemetery, Villers Bretonneux, France: Grave Ref:II.M.23. Brother of James Smith, of 27, Richard St., Burnley, Lancs.