3794 / 201272 Robert,henry smith

[Tim Bell]

From Mack
"201272 Robert,henry smith
5th manchesters
15 longshoot,wigan
discharged  30-1-18 with TB aggravated by service
died 10-12-18 from TB[sanatorium]
age 29"
Enlisted '3794' 08/07/1915. Embodied 3/5th Bn. BEF 14/03/1917-21/12/1917 with 12th Bn. Discharged 3/5th Bn. Death Reg Bolton, aged 28.
Pte Smith died from disease 10/12/1918. The Pension Cards don't show cause of death or record of discharge. He was recorded as 3rd Bttn.
Jane Arbuthnot received a Dependent's Pension, as Foster Mother.  She received Pension for 2 other men.  Horse Shoe Inn, (later 13 Manchester Rd,) Westhoughton.
The pension review of 22/07/1918 stated the aggravated TB had not passed away.

[Tim Bell]

DC confirms cause of death as Pulmonary TB and exhaustion.  He is described as a former carter and Ex Pte in 5th Manchesters and died at his foster mother's home at 13 Manchester Road, Westhoughton.

Burial not identified.

[Tim Bell]

Robert Smith's commemoration in the UKBOR was accepted today. We need to find his burial.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/75469790/robert-henry-smith/

[Tim Bell]

Robert Smith's commemoration was moved to the Brookwood 1914-18 Memorial on 07/12/2024.  Awaiting inscription, or grave find, possibly in the Westhoughton area.

[Tim Bell]

Hi PaulC,
We need some more magic please.
I think Robert was born in Wigan in 1889. Illegitamate son of Elizabeth Smith. Brother of William. 
1889? https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/6598/records/21792274
1901? https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/7814/records/22080313
1911? https://www.ancestry.co.uk/search/collections/2352/records/23934380?tid=&pid=&queryId=4d39c75f-3003-4e0d-897b-0e3944c67103&_phsrc=hMb8413&_phstart=successSource

His mother was off the scene by 1901, so he may have been fostered then.
Possible burial in Wigan that I can't find.

[PaulC]

I have looked but no joy so far. Can you email me a copy of the DC (if you still have it), might be useful.