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 Smailes (N.B. CWGC website & Soldiers Died incorrectly record it as Smalls)
Forename(s):
John
Surname:
Smailes
(N.B. CWGC website & 'Soldiers DiedÂ…' incorrectly record it as Smalls)
Initial(s):
J
Service Number:
36056
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
King's Own (Yorkshire Light Infantry), 1/4th Battalion Territorial Force
Died:
22/04/1918
Aged:
37
Buried:
Etaples Military Cemetery
Service History:
Enlisted at Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland.
Formerley 43474, Northumberland Fusiliers.
Died of wounds received.
Background:
Born about 1881, at Chevington (N.B. 'Â…Soldiers DiedÂ…' shows Chivington), Northumberland.
Son of Joseph Smailes (Horse Keeper in a coal mine), by his wife Jane Ann (née Taylor), of Shilbottle, Lesbury, Northumberland.
Two brothers - Joseph & William Watson - & three sisters - Mary; Sarah; & Annie. (N.B. The family were also known to spell their surname Smails.)
One of two sons lost: see, also, Private William Watson Smailes (Regimental service #2031; Northumberland Fusiliers, 1/7th Battalion Territorial Force; Died 26 April 1915).
Smails had been an Assistant Roller Driver for Alnwick District Council.
Husband of Isabella Smailes (née Hood), of Cavil Head, Acklington, Northumberland. They were married in 1908 at Alnwick Registry Office. Their daughter, Eleanor Mabel, was born 28 January 1909. She died in 1975, a spinster.
(Source: 'Portraits of War...'; Edited & compiled by June Watson; Wildgoose Press; 2016; p. 108)
Local Memorial:
Acklington, St. John the Divine Church
Chevington & Broomhill War Memorial, St. John's Churchyard
Shilbottle, St. James' Church
Shilbottle War Memorial
Warkworth, United Reformed Church Roll of Honour