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eport in the Stamford & Rutland News of 7th November 1917
reads:-
“Kings Cliffe – Killed in Action – Private Levi Smith, Essex Regiment,
son of Mr and Mrs R. Smith, Kings Cliffe, was killed in action on 10th
October. He joined up in January, and was 19 years of age. He had
been out in France six months. Previous to joining the Army he was
employed on Mr Brassey’s estate, and had never been away from
home. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents and family.”
SMITH William Vere
Possibly Private 50759 Suffolk Regiment
Private 37588 Yorkshire Light Infantry
Born in 1897 in Kings Cliffe, William was born to Emily Smith.
She was the daughter of George and Charlotte Smith who lived
on West Street, Kings Cliffe.
In 1883 George died when he fell off his timber drugg and it
ran over him. Charlotte continued to run his timber haulage
business on her own.
Emily was the sister of George Smith (see separate story) and
William was born out of wedlock. She subsequently married
John Goodwin, a farmer, and they continued to live together on
West Street with Charlotte.
In 1911 William was 14, at school and still living at West Street
with the family.
He certainly joined the army, as there is a picture of him in his
uniform, however his detailed records did not survive the 1942
fire. There are hundreds of William Smiths and at least 11
William V. Smiths in the medal cards. It is most likely that he
joined the Suffolk Regiment when joining up at Northampton.
It is, therefore, not possible to describe his part in the war.
However, we do know that he survived, as he married Emma
Howard in 1919 and they lived at Kirk’s Lodge on the Apethorpe
Road.
He lost his left hand in the war and was fitted with a hook. This
is mentioned in the news article about the wedding at Apethorpe
church.
It may be that he is the William V. Smith who died at Stamford
in June 1968 aged 71.
223
reads:-
“Kings Cliffe – Killed in Action – Private Levi Smith, Essex Regiment,
son of Mr and Mrs R. Smith, Kings Cliffe, was killed in action on 10th
October. He joined up in January, and was 19 years of age. He had
been out in France six months. Previous to joining the Army he was
employed on Mr Brassey’s estate, and had never been away from
home. Much sympathy is felt for the bereaved parents and family.”
SMITH William Vere
Possibly Private 50759 Suffolk Regiment
Private 37588 Yorkshire Light Infantry
Born in 1897 in Kings Cliffe, William was born to Emily Smith.
She was the daughter of George and Charlotte Smith who lived
on West Street, Kings Cliffe.
In 1883 George died when he fell off his timber drugg and it
ran over him. Charlotte continued to run his timber haulage
business on her own.
Emily was the sister of George Smith (see separate story) and
William was born out of wedlock. She subsequently married
John Goodwin, a farmer, and they continued to live together on
West Street with Charlotte.
In 1911 William was 14, at school and still living at West Street
with the family.
He certainly joined the army, as there is a picture of him in his
uniform, however his detailed records did not survive the 1942
fire. There are hundreds of William Smiths and at least 11
William V. Smiths in the medal cards. It is most likely that he
joined the Suffolk Regiment when joining up at Northampton.
It is, therefore, not possible to describe his part in the war.
However, we do know that he survived, as he married Emma
Howard in 1919 and they lived at Kirk’s Lodge on the Apethorpe
Road.
He lost his left hand in the war and was fitted with a hook. This
is mentioned in the news article about the wedding at Apethorpe
church.
It may be that he is the William V. Smith who died at Stamford
in June 1968 aged 71.
223
