Private. 1/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers. Service number 65771.
Early life:
Oswald was born in Oakworth in 1899, parents Frederick and Sarah.
He was one in 1901 and living at 28, Commercial Street, Oakworth with his parents, three brothers and one sister, plus a great aunt. His mother Sarah died in 1910 at the age of 41.
In 1911 he was 12 and living at 142 & 144 Commercial Street, Oakworth with his father – now a widower, great aunt, two brothers and two sisters. (in recent times, this address was Oakworth Convenience Store.) His father was a draper and hatter and Oswald was at school.
War service:
He enlisted at Keighley around September 1916 aged 17. He served with the 1/5th Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers (Territorials) and was with them when he died in battle on April 10, 1918 aged 18 or 19.
War diary entry for the 1/5th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers (Territorials) on April 10, 1918:
ESTAIRES. (Sheet 36A/Sheet 36)
4 am. Two companies move forward to relieve the 4th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment in the front line from PONT LEVIS exclusive to G.26d.9.3. C Company takes the right flank and B Company the left. After this the situation is uncertain, as communication is not able to be maintained with the front line owing to heavy machine gun fire from ESTAIRES. Battalion Headquarters is situated at Fme de BRETAGNE.
10.30 am. B Company in G.26.d report that the enemy are firing trench mortars against the front line, causing casualties. Unable to get in touch with his flank. Enemy observed across PONT LEVIS moving in N.E. direction towards F. QUENNELLE, and also on his flank. D Company moved forward to counter attack but are unable to maintain position they have gained in G.26d.7.7. Later reports from men state that the enemy crossed the bridge on their right and worked round their flank. C Company maintained their position and caused heavy casualties to the enemy. Part of the men retired, leaving Capt. BRANFOOT, 2Lt GRAHAM and others still holding the enemy who were encircling them from vicinity of Fm QUENELLE. Nothing further has been heard of these officers and it is thought they died fighting.
B Coy right flank now being in danger of attack from the rear, they retired in good order under heavy M.G. fire from right, suffering heavy casualties, Captain GRINLING & all his officers not returning. No further news of these officers has been heard.
3 pm. Enemy reported to have crossed the river LYS at SAILLY sur la LYS.
4 pm. A Coy (Capt STAFFORD) takes up position with remnants of line at Battalion on line Pt de POIVRE – TROU BAYARD, joining up with 4th N.F. in strong points. 150th Infantry Brigade remnants still hold the line North of TROU BAYARD in the line G.14.c.
6 pm. Enemy pressing forward under cover of Machine Gun fire from Fm. QUENELLE. Our Lewis guns & rifles causing heavy enemy casualties in front of TROY BAYARD.
8 pm. Enemy still held on line Pt de POIVRE – TROU BAYARD. G 14 c.
Post war:
Oswald was awarded the British War Medal and Victory Medal for his war service and these would have gone to his father Fred Smith who was his next of kin.
Fred received a total dependant’s pension of 21 shillings and 19 pence per week for both of his sons, beginning on 3rd December 1918.
Remembrance:
Oswald is remembered on the Ploegsteert Memorial.
Locally he is named on the Oakworth War Memorial and the Oakworth Methodist Church war memorial plaque. He is also named on Oakworth’s Great War Centenary roll of honour, which is on display in Oakworth Community Hall.
His brother, Private Cecil Wallace Smith was also killed in action. He died on 20th July 1918.
