World War 1
Search the known records to date of those lost from the wider Alnwick area in World War 1
Generally showing where they are commemorated, when they died and some basic facts about each person. There are gaps, however, so if you can fill in any missing details do please contact us.
John Robert Smailes
Forename(s):
John Robert
Surname:
Smailes
Initial(s):
J R
Service Number:
59071
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment), 1/5th Battalion Territorial Force
Died:
17/04/1918
Aged:
19
Buried:
Tyne Cot Memorial (Tyne Cot Cemetery)
Service History:
Enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, on 25 April 1917, aged 17 years 11 months.
Posted to the Army Training Reserve beforehand, from 14 September 1916 to 24 April 1917. Served in the Home theatre 25 April to 23 December 1917, then in France from 24 December 1917.
(Source: 'Portraits of War...'; Edited & compiled by June Watson; Wildgoose Press; 2016; p. 120)
Background:
Born 14 September 1898, at Amble, Northumberland, the son of Arthur A. Smailes (b. Warkworth), by his wife Isabella Smailes (née Bell), of 13, Park Road, Ashington, Northumberland.
Pre-enlistment occupation: Coal Miner.
Three sisters - Evelyn; Ann; & Hilda - & a brother, William.
(Source: 'Portraits of War...'; Edited & compiled by June Watson; Wildgoose Press; 2016; p. 120)
Local Memorial:
Radcliffe War Memorial