Albert George Smith, Royal Welsh Fusiliers

The 10th Battalion was formed at Wrexham on 16 October 1914 as part of K3 and attached to 76th Brigade, 25th Division. It moved to Codford St Mary but by November 1914 was in billets in Bournemouth. It then moved to Romsey on 29 April 1915 and to Aldershot 3 June 1915. The Battalion landed at Boulogne 27 September 1915. On 15 October 1915 it transferred with the Brigade to 3rd Division. On 8 February 1918 it was disbanded in France, with men going to the 8th Entrenching Battalion.

He enlisted in the 20th (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers on 29 October 1915. He transferred to the 15th Battalion, RWF on 18 April 1916 and then onto the 10th Battalion, RWF on 14 May 1916. He arrived in France on 20 April 1916 and joined up with the 10th Battalion on 13 May 1916. He was appointed Lance Corporal on 18 September 1916. On 1 October 1916 he was admitted to hospital, reason unclear. He rejoined his unit on 8 November 1916.

He was assumed missing, killed in action, five days later when his Battalion was involved in the abortive attack on Serre at the Battle of the Ancre, the last stage of the Battle of the Somme. Although his Battalion were successful in the attack and reached the enemy's fourth line they were forced to retire through lack of support. Many of the Battalion's officers were killed. Of the ordinary ranks, 20 were killed, 105 wounded and 167 missing.

His widow was granted a pension of 18s.9d a week for herself and her child. Born in Holyhead in 1888, he was the son of Cornelius and Louisa Smith who in 1891 ran the George Hotel in Holyhead. In 1901 Albert was a boarder at the Oswestry Grammar School. He was the husband of Ethel Madge Murch, born at Aberayron, Cardiganshire, whom he married at St. Cybi's Church on 29 June 1914. She was the daughter of John Murch MBE, Chief Coastguard Officer at Holyhead. They lived at Bod Awel, Gors Avenue, Holyhead. Albert Smith was then employed as a Butcher. A son, Bertram John Smith, was born on 20 May 1916. His wife died in Anglesey in 1954 aged 66.

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 4A. He has no known grave. He is remembered on the Murch family grave at St. Seiriol's Church Cemetery, Holyhead.