Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research
William was born on 5th February 1887 at Bengeo in Hertfordshire and baptised on 3rd April 1887 also in Bengeo.
He was the son of Thomas Smith and Laura Polly Campbell of the ´Black Swan´ in Cobham, Surrey.
At the time of the 1911 Census, William lived with his parents at the ´Black Swan´ inn and was working as a coach painter.
William was part of the ´B´ Company, the 2nd/4th Battalion, the Queen´s West Royal Surrey Regiment. His regimental number was G/63058 and he was a Private. William enlisted at Guildford in Surrey and at the time of enlistment resided in Godalming, Surrey,
His previous regiment was the Army Ordnance Corps (the maintenance and repair of armaments and munition) and regimental number 014041.
William was killed in action on 29th July 1918 in France.
He is buried at the Raperie British Cemetery, Villemontorie in France. His grave reference number is IA.A.8. The headstone reads ´Peace Perfect Peace´.
William received the British and Victory medals.
| Born | Bengeo, Hertfordshire | |
| Lived | Cobham, Surrey | |
| Son of | Thomas Smith and Laura Polly Campbell of The Black Swan, Cobham | |
| Regiment | ‘B’ Company. 2nd/4th Battalion. The Queen’s Royal West Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | G/63058 | |
| Date of Death | 29th August 1918 | |
| Place of Death | France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 31 | |
| Cemetery | Raperie British Cemetery, Villemonterie, France. |
