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2nd Lt. Thomas Edward Smith
British Army 8th Btn. (Post Office Rifles) London Regiment
from:Winnipeg, Manitoba
(d.5th September 1918)
Thomas Edward Smith was killed in action on 5th September 1918, aged 21 and is buried in the Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension in France. He was the son of William Henry and Judith Ellen Smith, of 290, Lizzie St., Winnipeg, Manitoba.
From the Winnipeg Tribune:
On First Anniversary Brings Details of Son’s Death a Letter from Batman Tells How Winnipeg Officer Met Hero’s End
While giving one of his boy’s who was badly wounded a drink Lieut. T. E. Smith, son of William Smith 290 Montifiore Str., was killed by a German sniper, at Peronne Sept 5, 1918 - two months before the armistice ended the war. A week ago on the first anniversary of his son’s death. Mr. Smith received a letter from Lieut. F. C. Gozette giving details in connection with his death. Lieut. Gozette was with Lieut. Smith when the latter was shot.
Lieut. Smith had visited shell hole after shell hole to see that his boy’s were comfortable. While uncorking his bottle to give a wounded man a drink, he was shot through the neck by a sniper.
"I suppose you had official notice as to how you son died, but I think it would lessen your grief to learn the death of a man, a hero, such as if had he been giving the choice, possibly he would have wished. I was your son’s batman from the time he joined the Imperial unit until his death. He was absolutely loved by his platoon and he was like an older brother to me than a officer. It was during the Somme advance that he was hit. We attacked the last day of August Canal du Nord in front of Moislain near Peronne, and Mr. Smith was in command of our company, all of our other officers having been killed or wounded the day before. While lying in the shell hole after our objective he decided to go around our position to see if all 'his boys' were comfortable. Making our way from shell hole to shell hole cheering the lads as we went, he came across one of his platoon badly wounded. It was while giving the poor lad a drink that a German sniper shot him through the neck. His death was mercifully instantaneous. Two or three of us got the sniper, but unfortunately that did not give us back our officer and pal. His death caused a lot of casualties to the Germans as it made the platoon mad for revenge. I hope you got his bible as he asked me to send it to you if anything happened to him. With the deepest sympathy in your loss of your son by one who regarded as a dear pal." I am sincerely, Lieut. F. C. Gozzet.
