3rd Salford Pal 17790 Thomas Smith

[tonyt]

Hi Everyone,

I'm a new member, my name is Tony.

Please excuse my post if it seems rambling!

I'm trying to research the life and First World War service of an original Salford Pal - 17790 Thomas Smith.

I know that he enlisted into the 19th Battalion LF early in 1915 and went to France with them in November 1915 and was wounded and evacuated to Mont Huon War Hospital at Le Treport where he sadly died on 29th September 1916.

I was told some years ago by one of his descendants that he was a policeman but having visited the Manchester Police Museum a few years ago they could not confirm his service with any local forces.

I know that he was born in Manchester in 1891 and lived in St Helens at 29 Sprey St with his wife Ada, so I thought of the possibility that he served with the St Helens police force but could not find any record of him on their roll of honour.

I also thought of the possibility that he was employed by the local council as a Parks Policeman and indeed found on a Salford Council Website that there was a Thomas E Smith Lancashire Fusiliers listed on their roll of honour but as they do not include service numbers I could no be sure it was him.

I am a member of Ancestry UK but could find no trace of his service records, the only thing i could find was his MIC and list of effects and with such a common name its hard to be sure if I have the right family on any of the census records.     



Any tips or suggestions would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance,

Tony

[shred]

Hi Tony,

There was a Thomas Smith who is remembered on the Salford Police memorial.

A few links:
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/gallery/unveiling-memorial-salford-police-officers-8763233
www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/salford-police-war-memorial-solved-8760227
salfordwarmemorials.proboards.com/thread/1127/salford-corporation-memorial

I am struggling to make a definitive match with the police at the moment.

Thomas Smith (17790) is the only corporal pictured in the image hereunder. He certainly looks big enough to have been a policeman.




I will take another look tomorrow.

[shred]

Tony,

Sorry to report that I have nit found any further information.

Nothing in local press - Salford Reporter, Eccles Journal and Manchester Evening News. Also struggling to find his marriage to Ada.