Private William Henry Lloyd Smith | Soldiers | Great War

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Private William Henry Lloyd Smith born on 10 September 1895 in Elma Township, Ontario of Henry and Bertie Smith, West Monkton, Ontario. William a mail carrier, residing at RR # 1, West Monkton, Perth County, Ontario.

110th Overseas Battalion

Organized in November 1915 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J L Youngs. Mobilized at Stratford, and recruited in Perth County, Ontario. Embarked from Halifax 1 November 1916 aboard CARONIA, and later disembarked England 11 November 1916 with a strength of 26 officers, 635 other ranks.

110th Battalion Camp Borden June 1916 MIKAN No 4473524

Private William Henry Lloyd Smith 727833 enlisted at Stratford, Ontario with the 110th Battalion on 17 May 1916. Standing 5′ 10″ tall, 147 pounds, with fair complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. Returned from Command, 27 May 1916.

‘A’ Co., 110th Battalion, C. E. F. MIKAN No. 4473581
‘B’ Co., 110th Battalion, C. E. F. MIKAN No. 4473580
‘C’ Co., 110th Battalion, C. E. F. MIKAN No. 4473579
‘D’ Co., 110th Battalion, C. E. F. MIKAN No. 4473582

William’s friend, Private Albert Edward Sheehan 727831 had enlisted four days earlier with the 110th.

Harvest Furlough

Private William Henry Lloyd Smith granted harvest furlough on 24 July 1916, returning to duty on 21 August 1916. AWOL two days in September 1916.

Canadian & French gleaners interested in an aeroplane. "is it a Boche?" August, 1917. This photograph shows William Rider Rider's driver, named Burstall, and his assistant, Cpl. Percy Reeves, posed interacting with female French farm workers, who are "gleaning" a field. Gleaning is the practice of salvaging left-over crops from a field after the commercial harvest. MIKAN No. 3396756 — Canadian & French gleaners interested in an aeroplane. “is it a Boche?” August, 1917. This photograph shows William Rider Rider’s driver, named Burstall, and his assistant, Cpl. Percy Reeves, posed interacting with female French farm workers, who are “gleaning” a field. Gleaning is the practice of salvaging left-over crops from a field after the commercial harvest. MIKAN No. 3396756

110th Battalion absorbed by the 8th Canadian Reserve Battalion on 1 January 1917.

8th Canadian Reserve Battalion

Organized at Shoreham on 4 January 1917 initially under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel G F McFarland. Formed by absorbing 110th and 147th Battalions. Absorbed 159th Battalion in January 1917, 227th Battalion on 22 April 1917, 248th Battalion on 9 June 1917, 119th, 125th and 164th Battalions on 16 April 1918 and 2nd Canadian Reserve Battalion on 15 February 1918. Also 126th Battalion. Reinforced 58th and 119th Battalions and 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles. Moved to Shorncliffe before April 1917, to East Sandling on 11 February 1918 and to Witley on 9 April 1918.

Type of dummy used in Canadian Forces for instructing troops in Bayonet fighting, designed and constructed by Q.M.S. E.Drake 4th Reserve Battalion. Lt.-Col. H.G. Mayes Canadian Army Gymnastic Staff 3404523

At Seaforth, William admitted for pneumonia, 25 December 1916, later discharged on 12 January 1917.

Bed Patients in the Sunlight Outside Ward G No 3 General Hospital

Private William Henry Lloyd Smith entered the Western Front on 21 April 1917 with the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles.

4th Canadian Mounted Rifles

Organized in November 1914 under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Vaux Chadwick. Mobilized at Toronto, and recruited from Governor General Body Guards, 2nd Dragoons, 9th Mississauga Horse and also 25th Brant Dragoons. Left Quebec 18 July 1915 aboard HESPERIAN, and later arrived in England 27 July 1915 with a
strength of 31 officers, 602 other ranks.

Officers of the 4th C.M.R.s in France, February 1918. MIKAN No. 3405514

The 4th CMR arrived in France 22 September 1915 with the 2nd Brigade, Canadian Mounted Rifles. Designation later changed from regiment to battalion on formation of 8th Canadian Infantry
Brigade, 1 January 1916.

1917

The 4th CMR relieved the 102nd Canadian Infantry Battalion at Comox Camp on 1 July 1917. Undertook parade and drill practices whilst providing working parties through to the 7th, whereupon the Battalion involved in building an observation post on Vimy Ridge for use by the King over the next two days.

1918-02-28 3522096 O-2572 Sir Douglas Haig inspects 102nd Battalion at Houdain, 28 February 1918

Private William Henry Lloyd Smith Wounded

On 4 July 1917, admitted to No 20 General Hospital, Camiers, wounded slightly, GSW ankle, arm and hip. To Beaufort War Hospital, Bristol, 13 July 1917. To Bearwood, Wokingham on 12 September 1917, and finally discharged on 27 October 1917.

1918

Private William Henry Lloyd Smith SoS to 8th Reserve Battalion, East Sandling on 24 January 1918.

Return to France

Private William Henry Lloyd Smith landed and ToS by the 4th CMR on 9 April 1918.

German prisoners captured by Canadians, Anzin St. Aubin, 25 April 1918. April, 1918. MIKAN No. 3403154

August 1918

Holding their line through the 27th, the Battalion, working with the 52nd Battalion, ordered to take enemy trenches south of Boiry on the 28th, but such was the advance that the Battalion had to march 6,000 yards over difficult ground to begin engagement. Through the day, sometimes under withering machine gun or open sight heavy gun fire, the Battalion pushed forward and by sundown had taken its objectives.

Private Albert Edward Sheehan Wounded

On 27 August 1918, William’s friend Private Albert Edward Sheehan wounded by a gas shell. He would return to the 4th CMR on 29 September 1918.

The following day, Captain Steer, although wounded, saw 60 prisoners into the rear area. The Somerset Light Infantry relieved the Battalion into a rest day in the early hours of the 29th.

Private William Henry Lloyd Smith newspaper clipping 1 — Scrapbook clipping saved by Mrs Margaret Ranney of Milverton, Ontario.

Private William Henry Lloyd Smith Killed

Casualties amounted to 4 officers killed, 11 wounded, and 22 other ranks killed, 214 wounded. Among the casualties, Private William Henry Lloyd Smith, killed in action, 28 August 1918.