Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Thomas Smith, a railway ganger and platelayer, born 1866 in Bugbrooke, Weedon, Northamptonshire and his wife Mary Elizabeth Smith (nee Welch, married in the 4th quarter of 1894 in the Northampton district) , born 1873 in Pattishall, Towcester, Northamptonshire. William John W., was born in the 1st quarter of 1897 in John O’ Gaunt, Leicestershire, his siblings were, Mary Elizabeth, born 1895 in Woodstone, Northamptonshire and Gertrude Beatrice, born 1898 in John O’ Gaunt, in March 1901 the family home was near John O’ Gaunt Station, Main Street, Burrough on the Hill, Leicestershire. In April 1911 William was residing in the family home at John O’ Gaunt, Station, Burrough on the Hill, together with his father a Great Northern Railway Company platelayer, his mother and siblings, Gertrude, a schoolgirl, Frances Ellen, a schoolgirl, born 1903, Thomas Henry, born 1909 and Edgar F., born 1911, the latter three siblings were all born in John O’ Gaunt. William also had a younger sister, Ruth Joan, born 7th February 1915 in Leicestershire.
The War Diary records: 23 Oct-18 - OVILLERS. Battalion attacked. Captain MACLAREN killed. Stayed in ORVILLERS the night. Companies concentrated.
On Friday December 6th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – DEATHS. SMITH. – In loving memory of our dear son and brother, Sergt. W. J. W. Smith, who was killed in action October 23rd in France.
A light from our household gone.
A voice we loved is stilled.
A place is vacant in our home.
Which never can be filled.
From his sorrowing Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters, Lizzie, Gertie, Frances, Dorothy, Joan, Tommie and Frank.
John o’ Gaunt.
SMITH. – Sergt. W. J. W. Smith, 7th Leicester’s, killed in action in France, October 23rd, 1918.
Not now, but in the coming years.
It may be in a better land.
We’ll read the meaning of our tears.
And there, some time, we’ll understand.
From Elsie, Melton.