Royal Army Medical Corps, Service no. 58595.
Born: 13th April 1895. Died: 25th September 1972.
Story
Charles was born in Kippax, the son of Charles Herbert Smith (1868-1933) and Emma Suart (1870). Charles served in the Royal Army Medical Corp, and was stationed on a ship in Malta, which was due to set sail, but launch was delayed as some dignitaries were to be coming on board. The ship was attacked whilst stationary. Charles was badly injured in the attack, and he was reported wounded in the Castleford and Pontefract Express on 29th December 1916. Charles spent some time in a Maltese hospital, and stayed in Malta, where he was looked after by a Maltese family, until he was taken to a hospital, possibly in Cherbourg, and both his legs had to be amputated below the knees.
He was taken to Brighton Pavilion to be treated at a hospital for the limbless. Charles returned to Kippax and married Ruth Gummerson in 1921 and they had six children, although two died in infancy. In 1939, Charles and Ruth were living at 59 New Street, Kippax, and Charles worked at the Labour exchange in Castleford. He was Club secretary of the Working men’s club for many years, whilst it was situated on Gibson Lane.
Ruth passed away in 1955, and is buried in Kippax along with Charles.
Above: Brighton Pavilion during First World War.
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