Lance Corporal Cecil Smith
L/Cpl Cecil Smith #404203
Cecil Smith #404203 or A4203 was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on Feb. 27, 1895 to John and Mary Ann Smith of 462 King St. Aberdeen, Scotland. Cecil immigrated to Canada and became a farm laborer in Beckwith Township. When war broke out, Cecil was in Toronto having joined an active militia in April 1915. He enlisted on April 5, 1915 and was a single man. He was 5’4”, 140 lbs., fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and Presbyterian. He had a burn mark, which went from his buttock to his lower back. His pay went to his mother in Scotland.
He initially was assigned to the 35th Can. Inf. Bn on May 1, 1915, and then joined the 3rd Can. Infantry Battalion, Central Ontario Regiment, which became part of the 1st Division. On June 20, 1915, Cecil sailed for Shorncliffe and arrived on July 17. He then joined the 3rd battalion on July 26 in Boulogne. He was granted leave on April 9, 1916 for two weeks then promoted to Lt. Cpl. during this time. On June 24, 1916, he was admitted to the 13th General Hospital in Rouen for gun shot wounds in the back. It was noted on July 1, his condition was worsening, and on July 2, he died.
The 3rd infantry battalion was part of the Mount Sorrel offensive in June 1916. While the British could not provide troops, they could provide artillery support for this offensive. General Currie was in charge of the Canadian troops. He carefully prepared the troops, rehearsing them prior to the attack and familiarizing them with the ground over which they would be attacking as evidenced by the 3rd battalions war diaries. Four times the Germans manned their defenses, only to sustain heavy casualties the bombardment built to a crescendo. Finally, on June 13 at 1:30am, the Canadians attacked and regained the original positions. 8,340 men died in this attack. For the three-four weeks following, shelling and sniper fire continued. On June 24, Lt.-Cpl Cecil Smith was likely shot in the back by sniper fire while doing an inspection.
He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery at VIII. B. 118 and listed in the Book of Remembrance on page 164.
A dispatch was sent on July 29, 1920 with his Memorial Cross to his mother.
Cecil Smith #404203 or A4203 was born in Aberdeen, Scotland on Feb. 27, 1895 to John and Mary Ann Smith of 462 King St. Aberdeen, Scotland. Cecil immigrated to Canada and became a farm laborer in Beckwith Township. When war broke out, Cecil was in Toronto having joined an active militia in April 1915. He enlisted on April 5, 1915 and was a single man. He was 5’4”, 140 lbs., fair complexion, blue eyes, brown hair, and Presbyterian. He had a burn mark, which went from his buttock to his lower back. His pay went to his mother in Scotland.
He initially was assigned to the 35th Can. Inf. Bn on May 1, 1915, and then joined the 3rd Can. Infantry Battalion, Central Ontario Regiment, which became part of the 1st Division. On June 20, 1915, Cecil sailed for Shorncliffe and arrived on July 17. He then joined the 3rd battalion on July 26 in Boulogne. He was granted leave on April 9, 1916 for two weeks then promoted to Lt. Cpl. during this time. On June 24, 1916, he was admitted to the 13th General Hospital in Rouen for gun shot wounds in the back. It was noted on July 1, his condition was worsening, and on July 2, he died.
The 3rd infantry battalion was part of the Mount Sorrel offensive in June 1916. While the British could not provide troops, they could provide artillery support for this offensive. General Currie was in charge of the Canadian troops. He carefully prepared the troops, rehearsing them prior to the attack and familiarizing them with the ground over which they would be attacking as evidenced by the 3rd battalions war diaries. Four times the Germans manned their defenses, only to sustain heavy casualties the bombardment built to a crescendo. Finally, on June 13 at 1:30am, the Canadians attacked and regained the original positions. 8,340 men died in this attack. For the three-four weeks following, shelling and sniper fire continued. On June 24, Lt.-Cpl Cecil Smith was likely shot in the back by sniper fire while doing an inspection.
He is buried in the Boulogne Eastern Cemetery at VIII. B. 118 and listed in the Book of Remembrance on page 164.
A dispatch was sent on July 29, 1920 with his Memorial Cross to his mother.