John Smellie (Smaillie) likeness

John Smellie (Smaillie) cap badgePrivate John Smellie (Smaillie)

2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders
Service No: 9492

John Smellie (Smaillie) grave

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Personal details

Family Information

Son of John and Agnes Smaillie. John lived with his Aunt Elizabeth Reid at 68 Dunbeth Rd, Coatbridge. Elder brother of James Smellie (Smaillie) of 56 Nicol St, Kirkcaldy previously 59 North Jackson St, Coatbridge who served as a Sapper with the Royal Engineers and elder brother of Lance Corporal William Smellie (Smaillie) of the 1st Battalion Highland Light Infantry who was Killed in Action on the 19/12/1914 just over 2 months after John fell. From the 1891 Census - Address - 112 Dunbeth Rd, Coatbridge - John Smaillie aged 34, Agnes Smaillie aged 29, John Smaillie aged 2, William R Smaillie aged 11 months. From the 1901 Census - 11 Wellwynd St, New Monkland - John Smaillie aged 44, John Smaillie aged 12, Catherine Johnston Smaillie aged 5. John's younger brother James Harper Smaillie was born on the 15/05/1893 at 85 Deedes St, Airdrie.

Born / Resided

Coatbridge / 68 Dunbeth Rd, Coatbridge with his Aunt

Died

Killed in Action on the 13/10/1914 at the capture of Meteren (The Battle of Armentières)

Enlisted

Coatbridge 1914

Employed

North British Iron Works with his brother William / Reservist

Age

29

Buried / Remembered

Meteren Military Cemetery (I. F. 163/170), Nord, France.

Cemetery / Memorial Information

Meteren was occupied by German forces early in October 1914 and on 13 October, their entrenched positions covering the village were captured by the 10th Brigade of the 4th Division. The village then remained in Allied hands until the German offensive of April 1918. The 33rd Division held it against heavy German attacks on 13 April, but it was lost on the 16th. The sector was then taken over by French troops for a time, but on 19 July, the 9th (Scottish) Division (2nd Royal Scots Fusiliers and South African Composite Battalion) recovered the site of the village after a fortnight's bombardment which completely destroyed the houses. The cemetery was made in 1919 by the French authorities, who brought in Commonwealth, French and German graves from the neighbouring battlefields and from other cemeteries. Meteren Military Cemetery now contains 768 Commonwealth burials and commemorations of the First World War. 180 of the burials are unidentified but there are special memorials to five casualties believed to be buried among them. There are also special memorials to one soldier buried in Meteren Churchyard, and one Indian soldier buried in Mont-des-Cats Indian Cemetery, whose graves were destroyed in later fighting. There are also 69 French burials here.

Additional Information

John and the Battalion arrived at Boulogne on the 23/08/1914 and were part of the 10th Brigade, 4th Division. John was Killed in Action at the Battle of Armentières, 13th October – 2nd November 1914. John is 1 of 18 men of the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders who fell on the 13/10/1914 at the capture of Meteren and are buried in Meteren Military Cemetery. Meteren was occupied by German forces early in October 1914 and on 13 October, their entrenched positions covering the village were captured by the 10th Brigade of the 4th Division. See Directory for John's brother William's page. A huge thank you to Margaret Love for the family information (especially regarding surname). John is also remembered on the Maxwell Parish Church (with his brother William) and East United Free Churches Rolls of Honour (with brothers James and John - see photos). John was reburied in Meteren Military Cemetery (see photos). See photos for John's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clippings x 2, another photo of John's grave, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, Meteren Military Cemetery, his Headstone Report x 2 and the Seaforth Highlanders Cap Badge.

Photos
John Smellie (Smaillie) Medal Index CardJohn Smellie (Smaillie) newspaper clippingJohn Smellie (Smaillie) newspaper clippingJohn Smellie (Smaillie) remembered at homeJohn Smellie (Smaillie) remembered at homeJohn Smellie (Smaillie) remembered at homeJohn Smellie (Smaillie) remembered at homeJohn Smellie (Smaillie) additional photoJohn Smellie (Smaillie) additional photoJohn Smellie (Smaillie) additional photoJohn Smellie (Smaillie) additional photoJohn Smellie (Smaillie) additional photoJohn Smellie (Smaillie) additional photo

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