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313449 2nd Battalion, Essex Regiment
Richard Smith was born in Sudbury around 1893, one of six children of Thomas and Harriet Smith. His father was a coca mat maker and general labourer. The family lived at 35 Mill Lane and later moved to No. 46. Richard was employed as a groom and was living in Halstead when he enlisted to serve with the Essex Regiment.
He first served in ‘a theatre of war’ when he landed in France on 6 March 1915. The battalion formed part of 12th Brigade, 4th Division and in the spring of 1915 the battalion was in the Le Touquet sector, resting at le Bizet and Nieppe between tours in the front line. Le Touquet is a small hamlet near Frelinghein in Belgium.
During the Second Battle of Ypres (22 April - 25 May) the battalion was moved to Bailleul on 28 April and took over the trenches near Mouse Trap Farm north of Wieltje. On the night of 1-2 May they were subjected to heavy bombardment and a gas attack. On 13 May they took part in a counter attack moving forward under high explosive shellfire; reaching the ridge when heavy machine gun fire swept across them. On 15 May they were relieved and sent to Vlamertinghe. The battalion suffered 112 killed, 293 wounded and 250 missing during that month, one of which was Richard
Richard was killed in action on 24 May 1915. There is no known grave and he is remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, Belgium. Richard was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
His younger brother James lost his life serving in France in 1918; he is also remembered on the Sudbury War Memorial.
A Cross of Remembrance was laid at the Menin Gate in April 2006, April 2009 and October 2012.
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