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Alexander Smith cap badgePrivate Alexander Smith

11th (Service) Battalion (Midland Pioneers) Leicestershire Regiment
Service No: 36427

Alexander Smith grave

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Click here for a frameable A4 print
Personal details

Family Information

Son of Michael and Margaret Smith of 437s Main St, Coatbridge. In his Will dated 19/01/1917 Alexander left the whole of his property and effects to his mother. Margaret. From the 1901 Census - Address - 58c Aitchison St, Airdrie - Michael Smith aged 27, Margaret Smith aged 25, Alexander Smith aged 3, Michael Smith aged 1, boarders Thomas Aithinhead aged 40, Jane McGowan aged 39. Alexander's Pension was initially awarded to his mother Margaret on the 29/07/1918. On her death it was passed to his father Michael.

Born / Resided

Airdrie / 437s Main St, Coatbridge

Died

Died of Wounds on the 02/09/1917 at the 17th Casualty Clearing Station. Wounds were to the back from a piece of a shell near Hill 70, Lens

Enlisted

Coatbridge 14/01/1915

Employed

Clyde Tube Works

Age

19

Buried / Remembered

Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery (XVIII. F. 12), West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Cemetery / Memorial Information

Lijssenthoek was the location for a number of casualty clearing stations during the First World War. The village was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery is the second largest CWGC cemetery in Belgium after Tyne Cot Cemetery. The cemetery contains 9,901 Commonwealth burials of the First World War, 24 being unidentified. There are 883 war graves of other nationalities, mostly French and German, 11 of these are unidentified. There is 1 Non World War burial here.

Additional Information

The Battalion arrived in France in March 1916 and on the 01/04/1916 they were part of the 6th Division as a Pioneer Battalion. on the 24th to the 27th August the Division was relieving the Canadians on the Hill 70 front. The month spent in that sector was one of hard work for all ranks consolidating the newly won position but was without important incident. Alexander died from a wound in his back from a piece of shell that burst about 2 yards from him. He died at 17th Casualty Clearing Station, France. See Alexander's Newspaper clipping for letter to his parents from the Officer in his platoon listing how he died and how he was buried along with high praise from his Platoon Officer. Alexander was formerly a Pioneer with the Royal Engineers (3214). He is listed as PIONEER on the Memorial due to being previously with the Royal Engineers. Alexander is also remembered on the Stewarts and Lloyds Roll of Honour and on the Airdrie War Memorial (see photos x 2). See photos for Alexander's Medal Index Card, his Newspaper clipping, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report, Alexander's Pension Records x 4, Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery, Alexander's previous Regiment the Royal Engineers Cap Badge and the Leicestershire Regiment Cap Badge. Alexander's grave inscription reads "OH FOR THE TOUCH OF A VANISHED HAND AND THE SOUND OF A VOICE THAT IS STILL."

Photos
Alexander Smith Medal Index CardAlexander Smith newspaper clippingAlexander Smith newspaper clippingAlexander Smith newspaper clippingAlexander Smith remembered at homeAlexander Smith remembered at homeAlexander Smith remembered at homeAlexander Smith remembered at homeAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photoAlexander Smith additional photo

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