221356 Pte. Walter Smith British Army 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers from:Wallsend My Grandfather Walter Smith joined up in September 1914.
He enlisted in the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers, 2nd September 1914 in Wallsend aged 21 years and 4 months height 5ft 4½ inches. Described as Fresh complexion, Grey eyes, with Brown Hair.
The Battalion was in action on The Somme in 1916 and the Battle of Mametz Wood..
On 4th July it began to rain. (Much has been made of the mud at Passchendaele in 1917, but soldiers who served in both areas have remarked how the mud of the Somme was by far the worst of the two.)
In front of Mametz Wood lay trench systems called the Quadrangle and Wood Trench. A rain-delayed attack to capture Mametz Wood, Wood Trench and Quadrangle Trench took place at 12.45am, 5th July the 9th Battalion Northumberland Fusiliers and 10th Bn Lancashire Fusiliers crept out of their trenches and towards the German line. From only 100 metres they leapt up and charged forward capturing the Quadrangle.
2nd Royal Irish Regiment and 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers of 7th Division's 22nd Brigade, together with 9th Northumberland Fusiliers and 10th Lancashire Fusiliers of 52nd Brigade of 17th (Northern) Division, formed the assaulting force. Quadrangle Trench and Shelter Alley were gained but the Irish were held up by uncut wire and enemy counter attack. Mametz Wood and Trench remained in German hands. Meanwhile, ground conditions were deteriorating due to heavy rain and the British right was waiting for the French, who could not be ready for the next phase until 8 July.
Walter Smith who sustained a “Blighty†a shrapnel or gunshot injury to his right arm. He was evacuated and took no further part in the battle. Due to the seriousness of his injuries Walter left the Colours on 31st October 1916. He did not return to active service and was discharged from the Army on the 28th February 1918. He was classed as no longer physically fit for War Service. Walter spent 358 days in France.
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