Richard Howard Bailey Smith, Age 22

Private, 14823, 7th Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.

K.S.L.I Regiment Cap Badge.

Richard who had been born in Malinslee and had enlisted in Wellington in October 1914 and landed in France with the 7th KSLI on the 28th September 1915. He was still serving with his battalion during the Third battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) when on the 26th September 1917 the 8th Brigade (in which the 7th KSLI were part of) where ordered to make an attack from Polygon Wood. The 7th was in support of the 8th East York’s on the left of the attack.

The attack went in at 5.30 am and its objectives were to take the German Front line, support and reserve trenches on a front of 1,000 yards. The 8th East York’s took the German front line and the 7th KSLI passed through them and assaulted the second line capturing them along with 70 prisoners and 8 machine guns.

At 6.30 pm the Germans launched a strong counter attack which forced the battalions either side of the KSLI to fall back 200 yards, but the KSLI held firm and put out defensive flanks to stay in touch. The line was held until the 28th September when the battalion were relieved, but by then Richard had been killed, falling on the first day of the action, the 26th September 1917.

Richard’s body was never found and his name appears on the Tyne Cot Memorial on panels 112 – 113

Alongside Richard, Dawley lads Private’s J Holmes E Hyde and T A Suthern were also killed.

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Commonwealth War Graves
Commemorated Tyne Cot Memorial

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Victory Medal	British War Medal	1914-15 Star Medal