Forename: William David
Surname: Smith
Rank: Private
Regiment: Gloucestershire Regiment
Institution: St Paul’s Practising School
William David Smith (aka Child) was born in Cheltenham to James and Elizabeth Smith (later Child), living at 36 Marle Hill Parade. After attending the Practising School he worked at Wilkins Grocers in Montpellier.
As a Private in the 1/5th (Territorial) Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, he died alongside fellow pupils Claude Bullingham and William Jennings whilst pushing the enemy forces back towards the Hindenburg Line on 5 April 1917. He is also buried in the same cemetery, Unicorn Cemetery at Vendhuile, where his headstone reads “He gave his life for me”. William was 22 years old.