Pte 303529 Edward / Edwin Percy Smith

[Tim Bell]

Pte 303529 Edward Percy Smith
Private Smith was deemed to have enlisted on 02/03/1916 and mobilised to duty, posted to 8th Reserve Bttn on 23/03/1917.  Medical Records show ear problems, bow legs and varicose veins.  .   The papers suggest Edward was also named Edwin and had been born in 1897.  It appears there may have been some error.  Edward was transferred to 297th Labour Corps (276797) at Strensall on 30/06/1917. He was discharged from 297th Labour Corps at Nottingham on 14/09/1917 and received a Pension for Debility aggravated by Service.  Edward had Mental Stupor with Delusions attributed to service commencing 06/03/1917. He had good Military Character. Edward was hospitalised on 29/08/1918 and may have already been in an Asylum.
Edward Smith died from paralyis on 23/9/1918, aged 33.  Prestwich Q3/1918 8d/394.  He was buried in Southern Cemetery Consecrated Section C.1481 on 28/09/1918. The son of Edward Pearce (d. 10/10/1921) and Annie Louisa Smith of 2 Lorne Road,  Palatine Street, Fallowfield. In 1911 Edward Percy had been an unemployed Shipping Clerk. He had been a Collector prior to service.

[Tim Bell]

Edward died from genral paralysis of the insane at Prestwich Lunatic Asylum. His mother Annie was the informant of 2 Lorne Rod, Fallowfield.
Case file with IFCp

[Tim Bell]

Edward Smith's  commemoration was accepted on 12/12/2024 https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/75472857/edward-percy-smith/

[Tim Bell]

Burial adopted 04/10/2025.