1914-15 Star and War Medal Casualty Pair: 1st/6th Bn LIVERPOOL REGT. To: 1795. Rifleman. Ireson Smith. KILLED IN ACTION 1st June 1916 ( Age 23 ) An unusual pair in that it has its complete service papers available at NA. It is VERY rare to find full service papers for a KIA casualty but somehow these have survived and provide an excellent reference into the details recorded and paperwork actions taken when a man was killed.
This keen soldier, then aged 21, was clearly one of the very first men through the recruiting office door at Liverpool on 7th August 1914 ( war was only declared on the 5th !)
He entered France on 24th February 1915 having sailed from Southampton on SS "City of Edinburgh". He was slightly wounded in action at BEAUMETZ on 12th May 1916 rejoining his unit three days later on 15th. He was then Killed in Action near BEAUMETZ on 1st June 1916.
EXTRACT FROM UNIT DIARY (1st JUNE 1916)
Quiet morning. Heavy shelling all afternoon increasing in violence until it died away about midnight after the attack. After a bombardment of the enemy line, which left the section we were to attack very much as it was before, three bombing parties attacked up Ersatz Alley, Boyau Hartung and Boyau Gobron. The intention was that these three parties should establish themselves in the enemy line and each bomb to the left. After they had cleared the trench and had got in touch with each other, they were to dig in and consolidate. In the event of their being successful a fourth party was ready at the top of B. Tanchot to get into communication with them at Momber Crater. Reserve parties were ready to support the attack and advanced dumps of bombs and RE stores were established. The party on the right under Lt Jamieson came under a shell barrage on their way up the communication trench and were wiped out without being able to close with the enemy. Their supporting party had no better luck. The centre party under Lt Head effected an entrance into the hostile trench, and though subjected to a severe fire, remained there for about three quarters of an hour. Finally they were ordered to withdraw, as the two parties on their flanks had been unsuccessful. This they did slowly and in good order. The left party under 2/Lt Hewson found themselves enfiladed by machine gun fire. They made several attempts and lost heavily and finally were ordered to abandon the enterprise. There were about 80 casualties including the Adjutant, Lt Thompson. 2/Lt Hewson and 2/Lt Head wounded.
IRESON SMITH was the son of Mr Isaac Smith & Maria Smith, of 7, Dam Street, Lichfield, Staffs. and is remembered with honour at DOUCHY-LES-AYETTE BRITISH CEMETERY.
EXTRACT FROM UNIT DIARY (1st JUNE 1916)
Quiet morning. Heavy shelling all afternoon increasing in violence until it died away about midnight after the attack. After a bombardment of the enemy line, which left the section we were to attack very much as it was before, three bombing parties attacked up Ersatz Alley, Boyau Hartung and Boyau Gobron. The intention was that these three parties should establish themselves in the enemy line and each bomb to the left. After they had cleared the trench and had got in touch with each other, they were to dig in and consolidate. In the event of their being successful a fourth party was ready at the top of B. Tanchot to get into communication with them at Momber Crater. Reserve parties were ready to support the attack and advanced dumps of bombs and RE stores were established. The party on the right under Lt Jamieson came under a shell barrage on their way up the communication trench and were wiped out without being able to close with the enemy. Their supporting party had no better luck. The centre party under Lt Head effected an entrance into the hostile trench, and though subjected to a severe fire, remained there for about three quarters of an hour. Finally they were ordered to withdraw, as the two parties on their flanks had been unsuccessful. This they did slowly and in good order. The left party under 2/Lt Hewson found themselves enfiladed by machine gun fire. They made several attempts and lost heavily and finally were ordered to abandon the enterprise. There were about 80 casualties including the Adjutant, Lt Thompson. 2/Lt Hewson and 2/Lt Head wounded.
IRESON SMITH was the son of Mr Isaac Smith & Maria Smith, of 7, Dam Street, Lichfield, Staffs. and is remembered with honour at DOUCHY-LES-AYETTE BRITISH CEMETERY.