Son of Mr Clarke and Mrs Fanny Smith
Aged 19 years
Died 9th April 1918
Commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial, Comines-Warneton, Hainaut, Belgium
Panel 8
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Born at Knotting, enlisted at Northampton, resided at Rushden.
Brother Monty A Smith and Yalden L E Smith.
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| From the Burnt Records
He enlisted at Northampton on 10th March 1917, was aged 17 years and 11 months, 5'8½" tall, 34½" chest (3½" expansion) and of very good physical development. He had been working as a shoemaker and had two brothers, Archie and Kenneth and three sisters, Lyndie, Florrie and Gladys. He was assigned to the 30th Training Reserve Battalion, and then to the 5th Battalion Middlesex Regt. on 14th December 1917. On 1st April 1918 he was posted and sent to Etaples where he joined the 21st Middlesex Regt. on 6th April 1918, and three days later was reported missing, presumed killed.
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Rushden Echo, May 31st, 1918, transcribed by Greville Watson
Rushden’s Casualty List - In the Great German Offensive
Official information has been received that 89449, Pte. Roland Frank Smith, Middlesex Regiment, son of Mr and Mrs C. Smith, of 39, North-street, Rushden, has been missing from his regiment since April 9th. Pte. Smith joined the Colours in March, 1917, when 18 years of age, and proceeded to the Western front on Easter Sunday this year. Before enlistment he was employed by Mr Davison, boot manufacturer, Rushden. Mr and Mrs Smith have lost two other sons through the war, viz., the late Pte. Monty Smith, Northants Regiment, who was killed in action on July 8th, 1916, and the late Pte. Yalden Smith, Northants Regiment, who was killed in action on December 11th, 1915. Yet another son, Pte. Archibald Smith, Royal Fusiliers (att. Bedfords) is in hospital in London, suffering from shell shock. Mr and Mrs Smith will be thankful for any further information concerning their missing son which any of his comrades can send them. |
Rushden Echo, September 20th, 1918, transcribed by Greville Watson
Rushden’s Casualty List - Victims of the War
Mrs Smith, of 39, North-street, Rushden, is very anxious for some definite news concerning the whereabouts of her youngest son, 89449, Pte. Roland Frank Smith, Middlesex Regiment, who has been officially reported missing since April 9th this year. Since that time Mrs Smith has received no further news concerning her son, and she will be grateful to any of his comrades who can enlighten her as to his fate. Private Smith joined the Colours in April, 1917, and went to France on Easter Sunday this year. He was formerly employed by Messrs. Duncan and Davison, boot manufacturers, Rushden. |
Rushden Echo, 20th June 1919, transcribed by Kay Collins
Soldier’s Death—Mr. and Mrs. C. Smith, of 39 North-street, Rushden, have been officially informed that their fourth son, Pte. Frank Smith, of the 21st Middlesex Regiment, who was reported missing on April 9th 1918, died on that date or since. This is Mr. and Mrs. Smith’s third son killed in the war.
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