SMART, John

John Smart attended Halesowen C of E school and volunteered for the Staffords. He went to the 8th (Service) Battalion which crossed to France in July 1915 and went on to the Ypres Salient. They experienced gas and heavy rain in the front line at Hooge on the Menin Road. After re-training they were brought into the front line again for the opening of the 1916 Battle of the Somme. They successfully attacked Fricourt on the second day of the battle, 2nd July, but, although losses were not heavy, Lance Corporal John Smart was killed in action on this day. He is commemorated on the Thiepval, Halesowen and Halesowen C of E school Memorials.