Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916

CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916

Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916

Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916

Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918

Pte 25453 Thomas Smith

Age: 44
From: Liverpool
Regiment: Royal Defence Corps
Died on Monday 22nd January 1917
Commemorated at: Greenwich Cem
Panel Ref: Screen Wall 3 Gen. B.206

From his CWGC record we know that this soldier was the son of John and Julia Smith of Liverpool, aged 44 when he died. However, the only records found with parents John and Julia show Thomas born in about 1867, which would make him about 49 or 50 years old at death.

The pension card shows his widow Catherine was born on 07th November 1864. Their children, if any, are older than 16, as no minor children are listed on the card.

In 1911 a Thomas Smith, age 40, dock labourer, is living with wife Catherine, 38, at 15 Rose Place, with daughter Mary, age 12, their only surviving child of five. They have been married 14 years. Although his wife is not of the right age, no other Thomas Smith of approximately the right age with wife Catherine is found in the Liverpool area. Also Census records are notoious for their inaccurate recording of dates of birth.

Thomas enlisted in Liverpool in November 1914 and joined the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22349.

He was subsequently transferred to the Royal Defence Corps as Private 25453.

The R.D.C. was created in March 1916 “to carry out duties connected with the local defence of the United Kingdom”. It was initially formed by converting the (Home Service) Garrison battalions of line infantry regiments. Garrison battalions were composed of soldiers either too old or medically unfit for active front-line service; the Home Service status indicated they were unable to be transferred overseas.

The main roles of the R.D.C. were the guarding of prisoners-of-war, vulnerable points, and special military areas such as docks, or anything of strategic importance which might be sabotaged: bridges, main railway lines, important road junctions, factories of war material, gas, water and electricity stations and lines. The corps was never intended to be employed on overseas service. No medal roll or medal card has been found, further suggesting that Thomas did not serve overseas.

He was serving with the 122nd Company of the RDC when he died of pneumonia at Shornells VAD Hospital, Abbey Wood on 22nd January 1917. The 122nd Company was assigned to the London District.

He was buried 27th January 1917 at Greenwich Cemetery, with an estimated age of 50.

Thomas is commemorated on the Screen Wall at Greenwich Cemetery in London.

Greenwich Cemetery contains 561 First World War burials. More than half of these graves are scattered throughout the cemetery, but 263 form a large war graves plot known as 'Heroes' Corner'. Here, two curved screen walls bear the names of casualties buried both in the plot and in unmarked graves in the cemetery. A small group of 24 Commonwealth war graves can be found in the front corner of Section Z.

The Second World War plot adjoins and contains 75 graves. An additional screen wall (designed by Ralph Hobday) commemorates casualties buried in this plot and ten others buried in unmarked graves elsewhere in the cemetery. In all, the cemetery contains 124 Second World War burials, 3 of which are unidentified British soldiers.

Section E contains a plot of 30 Norwegian service graves from the Second World War.

His widow Catherine received his Army effects, including a War Gratuity of £6. The pension card, giving her address as 28 Bond Street, Liverpool, shows that she was awarded a pension of 15/- a week from August 1917.

When she communicated with the CWGC after the war, Catherine was living at No. 46 Bond Street. She is shown on the electoral roll at this address in 1919 with William and Mary Carroll (perhaps a married daughter), and Edward Kelly. Catherine continues to live at no.46 until 1933, when she is found at no.45.

However, the Catherine Smith at no.45 Bond Street on the 1939 register, a widow, gives her birthdate as 4/2/75.

Thomas is commemorated in Liverpool’s Hall of Remembrance, Panel 41 Right.

We currently have no further information on Thomas Smith, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

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