Fred's Story.
EARLY LIFE
Fred Smith was born in Macclesfield in 1895 and baptised at St Paul's Church, Macclesfield on 21 November 1895, the son of Elizabeth (nee Sherratt) and Edward/Edwin Smith, a silk weaver of 16 Fence Street, Macclesfield. By 1901 the family had moved to 31 Water Street, where five-year-old Fred was living with his mother and siblings Clara (21), Arthur (22), and Ethel (8). Fred's father was not at home on census night.
Ten years later the family was living at the same address and Fred was employed as a silk embroiderer. Fred later worked for Berisford's as a silk twister.
MILITARY SERVICE
On 10th December 1915 Fred attested in Macclesfield; he was mobilised on 3 May 1916, joining the local 7th Cheshire Regiment with service number 4696, and was sent for training. Fred was drafted to France on 30 August 1916, sailing from Southampton to Rouen, and transferred to the 13th Cheshire Regiment with service number 49278 on 10 September.
In March 1917 Fred joined the 25th Division Wiring Company, later the 25th Division Signalling Company, and between 9th and 23rd November of that year he was granted leave to return to the UK. Fred was transferred to the 10th Battalion of the Cheshire Regiment on 6 February 1918.
Fred was reported missing on 24 March 1918 and it was later concluded that he had been killed in action on that date. Fred's death was reported in the Macclesfield Times on 7 June 1918; his photo was printed the following week:
Mrs E Smith, 31 Water St, has received news that her son, Pte F Smith, Cheshire Regt, was killed in action on April 24th [sic]. Twenty-three years of age, Pte Smith enlisted about three years ago and went out to France twelve months later. A letter from the captain of the battalion stated that in the death of Pte Smith he had lost one of his best soldiers. Pte Smith was educated at Christ Church School and was employed by Mr Berisford in Hurdsfield. A brother is serving in Italy, and several other relatives are with the forces.
COMMEMORATION
Private Fred Smith is commemorated on Panel Ref. Bay 5 and 6 of the Arras Memorial.
Locally, Private Fred Smith is commemorated on the Macclesfield Park Green, Town Hall, St Michael's Church, St Peter's Church, Christ Church and Christ Church School war memorials.
SOURCES
GRO (England & Wales) Index: Births
Cheshire Parish Baptism Registers: St Paul’s Church, Macclesfield
Census (England & Wales): 1901, 1911
Lives of the First World War website
Commonwealth War Graves Commission website
Macclesfield Times: 7 June 1918, 23 September 1921 (photo supplement)
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.
Research by Rosie Rowley, Congleton.