Private 17190, 2nd Bn. King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, died Saturday 8 May 1915, aged 27. He was the son of James and Mary Ellen Smith, 13 Woodville Road, Heath Charnock. He was born at Coppull.
Private Smith enlisted at Adlington, 11 January 1915.
The 2nd Battalion was at Winchester as part of the 83rd Brigade, 28th Division and embarked from Southampton for Havre on 16 January 1915.
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 3 July 1915
HEATH CHARNOCK SOLDIER MISSING
Private James Smith of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, has been reported as missing from the front. He joined the Army some time before Christmas along with a number of Adlington men. Prior to going away he resided at Woodville-road, Rawlinson Lane, Heath Charnock. He was previously employed at Standish Printing and Bleaching Works.
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 17 July 1915
PRIVATE J. SMITH
Private J. Smith, whose mother lives at 13 Woodville-road, Heath Charnock, has been missing since May 8th. He is 27 years of age, and belonged to the 2nd Battalion of the King’s Own Lancaster Regiment, having enlisted on January 11th of the present year. Before the war he worked at the Standish Bleachworks and worshipped at the Adlington Wesleyan Chapel.
Adlington Parish Church magazine July 1915
Pte James Smith, Royal Lancasters, reported missing.
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 15 April 1916
Private James Smith (17190) King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment has been missing since May 1915. His mother, who resides at 13 Woodville-road, Heath Charnock, would welcome news from any of his comrades who were with him at the time.
Chorley Guardian and Leyland Hundred Advertiser 6 May 1916
PRIVATE JAMES SMITH
News has now been received that Private James Smith, 17190, of the King’s Own Royal Lancaster Regiment, is officially reported killed. Private Smith, who was 27 years of age, enlisted in January 1915, and was officially reported missing on May 8th 1915. He was unmarried and lived with his mother at 13, Woodville-road, Heath Charnock, attending Adlington Wesleyan Church. Prior to enlistment he worked at Standish Bleachworks.
Adlington Parish Church magazine June 1916
All hope has now been abandoned that Pte. James Smith, K.O.Ls. (who has been missing for a long time) is now alive. After this long suspense the loss must be very hard to bear by his mother and family.
Private Smith had worked in the same place, belonged to the same battalion, and was killed the same day as Private Jonas Normington. They are commemorated on panel 12 of the Menin Gate. Ieper.
Private Smith is commemorated on the Adlington War Memorial, Adlington Parish Church memorial, the Adlington Wesleyan Church memorial (now in the United Reformed Church, Railway Road, Adlington), on the Roll of Honour in the Regimental Chapel in Lancaster Priory, and the Anderton County Primary School memorial.