Current Information:

Age-29

Born-Marylebone

Enlisted-London

Ypres Town Cemetery

At the outbreak of war in 1914, the 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers battalion were in India but they soon returned home where they joined 84 Brigade of 28th Division. In late January, 1915, 28th Division arrived in France and being a regular division they were quickly put into the trenches in water-logged positions south of Ypres near St. Eloi and Oosthoek. It was a far cry from the warmth of India and there were many cases of sickness and frostbite.

On 14th February, 2nd Northumberland Fusiliers marched from billets in Vlamertinghe to Ypres and into support trenches south of the canal before moving again into dug outs on the canal bank. On 15th February they were shelled while in these positions and then in the afternoon C and D Companies moved up in support of an attack by the 2nd Buffs and 2nd East Surrey battalions and came under heavy fire as they made their way forward over open ground. Daniel Smith died from wounds on this day but the exact date on which he was wounded is not known.