Hull Pals Memorial Post. PRIVATE CHARLES SMITH, 12/1445. Born Hull, 1891. Husband to Beatrice Smith of 183, Woodcock Street in Hull (War Pension address). Charles was one of the original Pals enlisting at Hull City Hall on 4th March 1915, as part of the 12th Battalion East Yorkshire Regiment. Charles trained throughout 1915 and served first in Egypt and then through particularly bloody campaigns for the 12th on the Somme and at Oppy Wood. In early 1918, with the four Pals Battalions all stretched for manpower, it was decided to reduce four down to two and Charles became attached to the 10th. He was killed in action near the French village of Bethune as the British attempted to stem the tide of the German Spring Offensive which had punched a hole in the line and threatened to swamp them. His body was never recovered, and his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial. He was 27 years old.
He is commemorated on the WW1 Memorial, at St John The Baptist Church, Newington, Hull.
