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.
Robert Smailes
Forename(s):
Robert
Surname:
Smailes
Initial(s):
R
Service Number:
172001
Rank:
Private
Regiment:
Canadian Expeditionary Force, Motor Machine Gun Brigade, Eaton's Machine Gun Battery
Died:
07/10/1916
Aged:
24
Buried:
Warloy-Baillon Communal Cemetery & Extension
Service History:
Smailes's Attestation Papers (including his physical description) are available online via Ancestry.co.uk. They are dated 13 August 1915.
They also reveal he belonged to the Active Militia.
He enlisted on the same day as his cousin, John William Smailes, but, in his case, initially with the 83rd Overseas Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force.
Died (of wounds received) at South Midland Casualty Clearing Station, Warloy.
Background:
Born 8 December, 1891, at Craster, Northumberland, the son of Robert & Jane Smailes, of 18, South Craster.
Unmarried.
Pre-enlistment occupation: Driver.
One of two sons lost: see, also, Private Luke Robson Smailes (Regimental service #669664; Canadian Infantry, 75th Battalion; Died 10 June 1917).
Their cousin, Corporal John William Smailes (Regimental service #192339; Canadian Infantry, 42nd Battalion), also fell when serving with the CEF, on 30 September 1918.
Local Memorial:
Craster War Memorial, St. Peter the Fisherman Church
Embleton, Memorial Cross in Spitalford Cemetery
(Source: For Embleton, newmp.org.uk)