In a quiet corner of St Mary’s Churchyard, Codford, Wiltshire, is a headstone dedicated to L/17006 Gunner W Smith of the Royal Field Artillery. His pension ledger confirms that he passed on 14th January 1916 from osteomyelitis, a bone infection, contracted whilst on active service.

The document gives Gunner Smith’s first name – Willie – and that of his widow, Ada, who lived at 157 Gisburne Road, Barnoldswick, Yorkshire. Their only child, Winifred, had been born on 22nd March 1914.

The couple’s marriage certificates are not available, while the 1911 census return shows at least three Willie Smiths in the Barnoldswick area. It is not possible, therefore, to uncover more of his family’s past.

Willie Smith had enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery by the summer of 1915. He acted as a Driver in the 32nd Division Ammunition Column, although it is unclear whether or not he spent any time overseas.

Gunner Smith was based on Salisbury Plain by the winter of 1915. He was admitted to the Military Hospital near Codford with the infection he had contracted, and succumbed to is on 14th January 1916. He was laid to rest in the peaceful country churchyard, the burial records confirming he was 26 years of age.

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