Private Richard Smith
| Date of Birth | 1872 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 45 |
| Date of Death | 6 January 1918 |
| Service Number | 14787 |
| Military Service | 4th Battalion, (Queen's Own) Hussars |
| Merton Address | |
| Local Memorial | Morden Cemetery |
Additional Information
Richard smith was born in Battersea to parents Richard (snr) who came from Cork in Ireland and worked as a Bricklayer and Mary (nee Davis) who worked as a Domestic Servant. His parents had married in May 1871 and Richard was their first child born in the summer of 1872. After Richard came brothers Thomas, John and Timothy.
The family stayed living in the Battersea area and by 1881 were living at 1 Tritton Street. Two more children followed: Mary born in 1883 and Elizabeth in 1888.
By 1891 the family were living at 59 Darien Road. Richard now aged 19, along with his brother Thomas aged 17 were both working as general labourers whilst John aged 15 was working as an errand boy. Their father was working as a Road Paviour and their mother as a laundress.
Richard’s father appears to have died sometime between 1891-1901.
It’s possible that Richard joined the Army in 1891. His brother Thomas enlisted in 1893 and Timothy joined up in 1896.
By 1901 Richard’s mother Mary was living at 119 Grant Road, Battersea with her two youngest children Mary aged 18 working as a box maker and Elizabeth aged 13. No trace of the four boys could be found.
By 1911 Richard can be traced living with his mother and youngest sister in three rooms at 132 Grant Road. Richard was working as an electrician for the London SW Railway. His mother stated she had given birth to eight children and that three had died.
With the outbreak of war, Richard aged 42 enlisted in Battersea in August/September as a Private for the 4th Battalion, Queen’s Own Hussars and was given the service number 14787. He embarked for France on 13th November 1914 just weeks after enlisting.
On 12th May 1915 he appears to have been transferred to a sick convoy. War records stated he had served nine months with his unit.
Richard was awarded the British War Medal, Victory Medal and the 1914 Star.
He died on 6th January 1918 aged 45 at Fargo Military Hospital, at Larkhill on Salisbury Plain. Cause of death was listed as Bronchial Catarrh. Richard was buried in Morden Cemetery and his name also appears on a Stone Cross memorial in the churchyard.