Royal Welsh Fusiliers (9th Battalion) Service no. 46253
Son of Joseph Smith and Florence Gertrude Blackburn of Bramley Terrace, Kippax.
Husband of Evelyne Perkins and father of Mavis. Died 3rd October 1917, aged 25
Story
Thomas was born on 10th September 1892 and baptised at St. Mary’s Church, Kippax, on 16th October 1892. He had 11 siblings of whom 3 were brothers who died in infancy leaving Thomas as the only surviving son.
After the youthful indiscretion (below) reported 8th October 1913, Thomas married on the 28th August 1916 at St. Mary’s Church, Kippax to Evelyne Perkins and the couple lived at No. 2 Carter’s Yard, off School Lane, where his only daughter Mavis was born. Prior to joining the army he worked at New Silkstone and Haigh Moor Collieries.
Private Smith first enlisted in The Yorkshire Regiment in Leeds on the 3rd September 1914. He transferred to The Army Cyclist Corps (19th Divisional Cyclist Company 3rd Eschelon), on 23rd January 1915 and then moved on to Hounslow. He transferred to The Welsh Fusiliers on the 23rd May 1916. He had been in France for just two years before being killed in action in 1917. His widow Evelyne received £7 15s 9d from the army after his death. Thomas is buried at the Oxford Road Cemetery, Ypres, Belgium (below):
Kippax Roll of Honour 