BORN HULL 1893. SON OF THE LATE HARRY (1867-1918) AND CATHERINE (KATE) SMALES, OF 14 ST PETERS TERRACE, GREAT UNION STREET, HULL AND 6 GEORGE YARD, HIGH STREET, HULL (ARMY ADDRESS). SON OF A BUTCHER. EMPLOYED AS A FLOUR MILLER BY TRADE. DESCRIBED AS F5 FOOT, 7 INCHES TALL, 34-36 INCH CHEST, 132 LBS WEIGHT.
HE ENLISTED IN HULL, ON 23/05/1915. SUSTAINED A FRACTURED SPINE, WHILE UNDERGOING GYMNASTICS TRAINING, AT NORTH FERRIBY, ON 19/06/1915. HE TURNED SOMMERSAULT OVER A STRAW BALE AND ANOTHER MAN ACCIDENTALLY FELL ON HIM. HE WAS PARALYSED AND COULD NOT STAND OR WALK. HE WAS STRETCHERED TO HULL ROYAL INFIRMARY. DISCHARGED AS MEDICALLY UNFIT, ON 21/02/1916. DIED OF WOUNDS AT JOHN SYMONS INCURABLE HOME, PARK ROW, PARK STREET, HULL, AGED 24. BURIED HEDON ROAD CEMETERY.
HE LEFT £50 IN HIS WILL TO GEORGE WILLIAM LATUS, FISH FRYER AND ALICE HUNT, SPINSTER. HIS WAR PENSION WAS LEFT TO HIS SISTER, ALICE, AT 200, NEWBRIDGE ROAD, HULL.
