SMITH, Edward

Edward Smith was born in Birmingham and was the son of Mr J. Smith of 68 Level Street, Brierley Hill. He volunteered for the Warwicks Territorials and joined the 1/6th Battalion in the 48th (South Midland) Division. They arrived on the Western Front in March 1915 and gained trench experience. In 1916 they were in the front line at Gommecourt on the extreme left of the British line. They were ordered to attack on the 1st July, the first day of the battle, in an action termed a diversionary attack. The ground was flat and exposed, while the German defences were secure. The attack was a failure and losses were high. They included Private Edward Smith who is buried in Serre Road No. 2 Cemetery (I G 15) and commemorated on the Brierley Hill and Brierley Hill church Memorials.