Current Information:

Age-21

119, Clifford Gardens, Kensal Rise

Born-Deptford

Menin Road South Military Cemetery, Belgium

The exact circumstances of the death of John Smith on 24th February, 1915, are not known but artillery men faced many dangers and during the course of the war nearly 50,000 of them were killed. Their gun batteries were targeted by the enemy’s guns which accounted for many of their casualties. Others were sent forward to act as ‘spotters’ which meant going forward to the front line and signalling back to the guns necessary changes in target and other vital information. Keeping the batteries supplied with ammunition was a dangerous task as the enemy guns would target the known supply routes, especially at night. Brigade Diaries rarely shine any light on casualties sustained, unless of course they were officers and even then information is sparse. 

1 Brigade of the Royal Field Artillery went to France in December, 1914 as part of 1st Division which, in April, 1915, was sent to the northern sector of the Ypres salient when the enemy launched a major offensive there, using gas for the first time, in the Second Battle of Ypres.