Prince of Wales’ Own (West Yorkshire) Regiment, 15th Battalion
Born: 25th April 1895. Died: 1971
Story
Albert was born in Kippax, the son of James Smart and Harriet Colley. His mother passed away in 1912, and Albert’s uncle, Maurice Colley would be killed in action on the 20th September 1916, at the Battle of Flers-Courcelette. His father James was a member of the Kippax Church Institute.
On 16th March 1917, it was announced that Private Albert Smart was confirmed to be a prisoner of war being held in Germany. Prior to the war he had been a coal miner employed by the Micklefield Coal & Lime Company, so would likely have been working at Ledston Luck Colliery. He had enlisted in January 1915 and joined the Leeds Pals Battalion, and had served for 13 months in France before being captured with others from his Battalion.
After the war, Albert married Ada Jackson in Allerton Bywater on 23rd October 1920. He was living on Church Lane, Kippax, and had returned to coal mining. His wife was the younger sister of Edgar Jackson, who himself had been a prisoner of war.
Albert and Ada (below in later life) had two daughters. Albert passed away in 1971, and Ada in 1998, at the age of 98.
Kippax Roll of Honour 