My dads, grandmothers brother; who as a former school master, deployed as Company Sergeant Major with C Company, 8th Battalion Sherwood Foresters in early 1915.   He was the Battalions first casualty of the war when wounded by a sniper on 1st April 1915.   After recovering on the hospital ship Nevasa he returned to the Battalion and was promoted to 2nd Lt in late 1915.

He was awarded the MC for his actions on 13th March 1917 near Gommecourt when he led an attempted push through strong opposition.   The citation read “for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of a recce patrol.   He inflicted many casualties on the enemy and repulsed all attacks made against his position”.

He died in heavy fighting around Lievin on the morning of 23rd April 1917 at the age of 34 and was never found.   He left behind an orphaned daughter and is remembered at the Arras Memorial, as well as by those who have now found his story, and will continue to share it.

Michael Smith