WG Smith 4749738 York & Lancs

Discussion in 'War Cemeteries & War Memorial Research' started by the-edwin, Dec 20, 2014.

  1. the-edwin

    the-edwin Member

    Hi,
    I am researching all the names on the war memorial in my home village of Brotherton, Yorkshire.

    One of the names is William Gerald Smith died 10/03/1941

    He was a Private in 1st bat KOYLI.

    CWGC certificate states he is 'Remembered with Honour' in Brotherton burial ground. Parish burial records show he was buried there on 15th March 41 having died in a Military Hospital.

    I know the 1st were evacuated from Dunkirk so it is unlikely they were involved in any other action prior to his death so am I to assume his death was a result of being seriously injured or maybe some other cause?

    Cannot find much info relating to what they did prior to Dunkirk.

    Thanks for any insights.

    Edwin Pickett
     
    the-edwin, Dec 20, 2014
    #1
  2. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    Not 100% on this but I believe 1st KOYLI were in Norway? I think they left France before the German Blizkrieg?


    Kyle
     
    Mr Jinks, Dec 21, 2014
    #2
  3. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Yes 1 KOYLI & rest of 15th Bde were sent to Norway.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15th_Infantry_Brigade_%28United_Kingdom%29#World_War_II

    I imagine the chap in question who died in 1941 more likely died due to illness or accident.
    Suggest Edwin applies for death certificate .
     
    Owen, Dec 21, 2014
    #3
  4. Owen

    Owen -- --- -.. MOD

    Wondered why I couldn't find him.
    You've got the WRONG regiment.
    http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2407124/SMITH,%20WILLIAM%20GERALD
    he was 1st BN YORK & LANCASTERS


    His number shows he enlisted into them as well
    York & Lancaster Regiment 4736001 - 4792000
     
    Owen, Dec 21, 2014
    #4
  5. Tricky Dicky

    Tricky Dicky Don'tre member

    Hi Edwin

    Perhaps if you purchase a copy of his death cert that may tell you what he died of and hence if it was from wounds, disease or whatever:

    England & Wales, Death Index, 1916-2007 about William G Smith
    Name: William G Smith
    Birth Date: abt 1918
    Date of Registration: Mar 1941
    Age at Death: 23
    Registration district: Ormskirk
    Inferred County: Lancashire
    Volume: 8b
    Page: 1620
     
    Tricky Dicky, Dec 21, 2014
    #5
  6. Mr Jinks

    Mr Jinks Bit of a Cad

    His death was recorded in the district of Ormskirk , I don't know how many Military Hospitals there were in the area but the obvious one is Ormskirk Military Hospital, Edge Hill which was formerly Edgehill College now Edge Hill University requisitioned 1939-46.

    As Owen points out he is not 1st KOYLI but my earlier post regarding Norway may still relevant because 1st Y&L`s were also there with KOYLI and a battalion of the Green Howards.
    Kyle
     
    Mr Jinks, Dec 21, 2014
    #6
  7. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    The Battalion was quartered in Blackburn prior to his death and in March 1941, the battalion was part of 5 Division and moved to Northern Ireland where is stayed for over 12 months training in anti-invasion tactics in case the Germans invaded Eire.

    I'd suspect he was killed in an accident when the Battalion was moving to NI. Have you tried to obtain a death certificate?
     
    Drew5233, Dec 21, 2014
    #7
  8. Drew5233

    Drew5233 #FuturePilot 1940 Obsessive

    Ormskirk fits with a move from Blackburn to Liverpool to sail to NI?
     
    Drew5233, Dec 21, 2014
    #8
  9. the-edwin

    the-edwin Member

    Thanks for all suggestions above. He was in 1st Y/L which is why I posted here. My mistake - I am chasing up several at the moment and one of the others was in KOYLI.
    Will chase up a death certificate after Christmas. Will post results here when I get them.

    Thanks
    Edwin
     
    the-edwin, Dec 21, 2014
    #9

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