Page 24 - War bMemorial Names

The Old Derbeian Society
I much regret to inform you that Lieut. G. S. Shannon was killed in action on Hill 60 on the 5th inst. Throughout the morning of that day he had done splendid work in one of our trenches, the prolongation of which had been early in the morning occupied by the Germans. In the afternoon he took an active part in throwing bombs on the Germans in this trench, and by his exertions succeeded in gaining a good deal of ground. He was then unfortunately killed by a German bomb. He is a great loss to the Battalion, both as a gallant officer – he did splendid work early in the campaign and especially in October – and as a comrade who was always happy and cheerful. The Battalion has suffered heavily in officers during the past week and there are not many left. All her join me in expressing our most sincere sympathy.
Charles Sydney Smith – 1904
Major Sydney Smith, M.C. Of the Machine Gun Corps, has died from pneumonia following influenza at Belton Military Hospital at the age of 28 years. Major Smith was a member of the Nottingham University O.T.C. Previous to the war, and on its outbreak in 1914 joined the Sherwood Foresters and was afterwards transferred to the Machine Gun Corps. He was awarded the Military Cross some months ago for good service in the field, bravery and the skilful handling of his men, and had been employed at home as a Machine Gun Instructor. In business life he was a mining engineer at Gedling in Nottinghamshire.
Montague Wilfred Aulton Smith - 1904 -
Second Lieut M.W.A. Smith of the Royal Field Artillery was killed in action in Flanders early in November 1915. He entered the School in 1904 afterwards obtained an appointment on the Midland Railway. He enlisted in the Hussars within a month of the outbreak of war, his good horsemanship soon helping him to attain proficiency. He was then given a commission in the Artillery and he went to the front last July. He served for some time with the Ammunition Column and was then sent up to the battery. This was only a week before he lost his life. He was in a telephone dugout at the time and a letter from his Captain states that a German shell fell at the spot, killing Lieut Smith and eleven men who were with him. He married Miss Ruby Ottewell, of Littleover, only a few months before he left England and about the same time as her husband was killed she also lost a brother on the battlefield. He was the only son on Mr Andrew Smith, Secretary of the Derbyshire Agricultural Society, to whom and to his wife and daughter in law, we offer our most sincere condolences.
Sydney Clement Smith – 1909 to 1915
Sydney Clement Smith, Honorable Artillery Company was killed in action in France, February 16th 1917.
At School he occupied a prominent position and exercised considerable influence. He was in the Lower Sixth, a Præposter, a member of the First Elevens, both Cricket and Football, Captain of his House (Cruikshank's) and a corporal in the O.T.C. Won the Open Long Jump in March 1915 and fives' singles in the same term. In April 1915 when a little over 17, he enlisted in the H.A.C.
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