Hello to all!

[GMSmith]

Came across this site whilst searching for any records of John "Jack" Smith b.1898 d.1917, he is my grandad's uncle, would love to find out more.

[mack]

hiya
do you have a army number

mack

[GMSmith]

Hi, thank you for reply.

Yes I do, private 12798, I know he was killed in action 31st July 1917 and is one of the many names on the Menin Gate, but I was looking for any further information/stories/photo's if any?

[mack]

hiya GM
jack was from my village,his old address 9 mount st levenshulme was about 30 seconds from my house,sadly that block of houses were pulled down and flats built,mount street was later renamed montreal st
he was a warehouseman in Manchester
enlisted 27-3-15
named on levenshulme war memorial
one of his older brothers was pte 4024 albert,edward smith,area employment cyclist battalion

google Manchester online image collection,and type in montreal levenshulme in the search box,theres a picture of his house

mack

[GMSmith]

Hi Mack,

thank you that's great, they are some good photo's of Mount Street, I wasn't sure where it was but I assumed it wasn't far off Mount Road, I knew of Albert Edward (b.1895?), named after his father, but did not realise he was enlisted also, it's now added to my ever growing list of research. I have not been to Levenshulme memorial but will pay a visit now. I have some old photo's that my grandad left me and I am trying to put a few names to faces, do you know of any good sites to visit that I may find some out?

Thanks again
Graham

[mack]

hiya graham
do you live in Manchester,your right about jacks address being near mount road,if you turned out of his street onto barlow road and turned right,and approx 100yds away is manor road,which leads to mount road,about 5 minutes walk

mack

[GMSmith]

Hi Mack,

well my late grandfather (Brian Smith) lived in Heaton Norris for the most of his life and I'm a little bit further down the A6 so I do know the area pretty well, it doesn't look as if the family has travelled that far in 100 odd years! Do you think if I search more into the Manchester regiment I'll find more information, John "Jack" Smith was 1 of 4 brothers ((Harry (The youngest) b.1900)), being my Great-Grandfather).

Graham

[Tim Bell]

Platoon roll and photo shown here at Mack's suggestion. http://themanchesters.org/forum/index.php?topic=4850.0  Sadly we have no record of the position of individuals, unless there are other tips.
John's mother received a pension of 6/ per week.
Brief Obit attached

[GMSmith]

Hi Tim,

Thank you for the info, very much appreciated.

I'm sorry I'm very new to this, is there any way I can find out about John's brothers, with regard to enlistment? I have very little information about them.

Many thanks,
Graham

[mack]

pioneer 284978 William,harrison smith
army postal section,royal engineers
65 hawthorne rd,levenshulme
awarded war+victory medals
he was jacks eldest brother
there was a 2nd lieutenant Alfred Williams royal air force also living at this address

his youngest brother harry was to young to serve

mack

[charlie]

XVII Platoon, E Coy photo

[GMSmith]

That's brilliant, thank you. Am I right in thinking a Pioneer is like a Sapper and going of what you put, he was positioned in the postal service.

I haven't heard of a Alfred Williams, maybe I should try and find out some information on him too.

Thanks again
Graham

[GMSmith]

Thank you Charlie, I shall try and pick him out, shame I have no other pictures though to go off.

Graham

[charlie]

Graham, welcome to the forum.
Sappers were skilled tradesmen eg. Plumber, Joiner etc.  They were required to pass a trade test to qualify for a higher rate of pay and be classed as a Sapper. Pioneers were either unskilled men or had a trade in civilian life that was either not recognised or not required by the RE's.
Charlie

[GMSmith]

Thanks for the welcome and all the information, I've  only been a member since yesterday and the amount of information I have recieved is amazing!

Graham