Casualty Guardsman SMITH, HERBERT Service Number 14220908 Died 11/08/1944 Aged 20 3rd Bn. Irish Guards Son of Arthur and Sophia Smith, of Oldham, Lancashire. INSCRIPTION: HE WHOM GOD LOVETH HE TAKETH YOUNG "THY WILL BE DONE" Buried at ST. CHARLES DE PERCY WAR CEMETERY Location: Calvados, France Cemetery/memorial reference: III. D. 14. See cemetery plan
HERBERT SMITH Age:20 Date of Death:11/08/1944 Rank:Guardsman Service No:14220908 Regiment:Irish Guards Unit:3rd Bn. Cemetery:St.Charles de Percy War Cemetery Grave Ref:III.D.14. Herbert was killed in the fighting at Sourdevalle, Normandy. Herbert was born in Heyside on the 18th October 1923, the only child of Arthur Brazier Smith and Sophia, nee Widdall. His parents had married at St. Mark, Heyside, Royton in 1922. Arthur was born 9th April 1897 and Sophia b 19th June 1900. Arthur was living at 33 Kirkham St, Oldham in 1911 with his parents Edward and Mary, nee Sottlestone and 3 sisters. Sophia was living with her parents Edward and Mary, and brother Herbert at 8 Albion St, Luzley Brook, Royton in 1911. There had been 12 children but only 2 had survived. In 1939 at 245 Higginshaw Lane, Royton, Arthur and Sophia were living with Sophia’s mother and brother. Mary Widdall, nee Langley, a widower, b 26th January 1868, Herbert Widdall, single,b 22 July 1904. Arthur was working as a weft carrier in a cotton mill and Sophia a winder in a cotton mill. Arthur and Herbert were ARP Wardens. Herbert Widdall lived with Sophia in Royton from 1947 till his death in 1967. Arthur died in Oldham in 1967. Sophia died in Oldham in 1981. Photographs of Herbert, his parents at his graveside and the cutting from the Oldham Chronicle to commemorate his 21st birthday in 1945 have been provided by a cousin of Herbert, Brenda Kay
Thanks for that Owen, I was unable to edit the post. I realised I had put Road instead of Lane on the 1939 address also. Is there a way to edit the post to correct the information? Would you know anything about the circumstances of his death? Thanks Andy