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243574 2nd Lt. Richard Willingdon Somers-Smith British Army 7th (Service) Btn. King Royal Rifle Corps from:Bur Lea, Walton on Thames (d.30th Jun 1915) 2nd Lt. Somers-Smith was the eldest son of Robert Vernon Somers-Smith and M Gertrude Radcliffe. He was born 27th Oct 1882. He was educated at Eton and Merton College Oxford where he was a distinguished athlete representing both at rowing and running. On completion of his education he left the UK for Ceylon to work within the tea plantation industry. At the outbreak of WW1 he returned to the UK and was offered a commission as a 2nd Lt. in the 7th Btn KRRC. On 30th Jun 1915 whilst occupying front-line trenches opposite Bellewaarde Farm, East of Ypres enemy artillery fire hit the trenches his men were occupying burying several of them. 2nd Lt. Somers-Smith ran forward to assist in digging his men free and was killed in the attempt. He is buried beside a fellow 7th Btn Officer, 2nd Lt. H Grew in the Bedford House Cemetery. Please type your message:      We recommend you copy the text about this item and keep a copy on your own computer before pressing submit. Your Name:             Email Address:       @ **Please put the first part of your email, (before the @ sign) in the first box, and the second part in the second box. Do not include @, it is automatic. Do not enter your full email in each box or add an @ sign or random spaces.**