An Emotive 'VERY LATE' CASUALTY.
1914-1915 Star Trio & Plaque.
To:
15247. Pte. J.W. SMITH. NOTTS & DERBY REGIMENT
& 1st ROYAL INNISKILLING FUSILIERS

SEVERELY WOUNDED 21-22/10/18 (Probably Gassed)
& DIED THE SAME DAY
Buried at Duhallow Advance Dressing Station Cemetery.
Ieper, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

(Only 20 days before the end of the war ! )

James Smith was born and enlisted into the Notts & Derby Regiment in Sheffield. He was married to Mrs Sarah Ann Smith of 55, Carlisle Street South, Sheffield. During the closing stages of the war and due to the staggeringly high losses, many units amalgamated with others in an attempt to re-form cohesive units. James Smith was one of a number of Notts & Derby men who were transferred into the 1st Inniskilling Fusiliers during late 1918. James fought valiantly with the R.I.F. and was, along with many other men,mortally wounded during a major action on 22nd October 1918. He was taken to Duhollow Advance Dressing Station where he died later that day. He is buried and commemorated with eternal honour at Duhallow Advance Dressing Station Cemetery....Ieper West-Vlaanderen, Belgium.

Included is the shockingly sad original letter sent to Mrs Smith reporting the "death of wounds received in action" of her husband James. Incredibly, the letter was stamped on 1st November 1918 at the Dublin Infantry Records Office and was actioned in the UK for dispatch on 19th November 1918.....just 8 days after the final shots of The Great War. One cannot help sharing in the pain this widow would have felt at the knowledge her husband had been killed in the very final days of the war. This group isn't just a medal & plaque, we feel that the letter turns this into a valuable and historic social statement.
(SOLD)
LEST WE FORGET.