Basic Details
Surname
Smith-Masters
Forenames
G A
Gender
Male
Information stated on memorial
Alternative forename
George Arthur
Served or died
Died
Notes
The Keble College website (see References) states: 'Entered College in Lent Term, 1914 intending to prepare for Holy Orders. A member of the University Contingent of the Officers’ Training Corps. Gazetted Second Lieutenant from the Officer Training Corps on 21 August 1914 into the 6th Battalion, Bedfordshire Regiment. Near midnight on the 19th August 1915 he went with a Sergeant to endeavour to locate shots which were endangering the lives of his men employed in digging trenches and was shot through the heart by a sniper.
His Colonel wrote to his mother:
"One thing you will be proud to know is that he died doing his duty in an exceptionally brave manner, not in broad daylight, when it is easier to be brave, but in the dead of night, a mile behind the firing line."
(‘De Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour, 1914-1918’, Volume 1, pg. 248)'
Primary Service
As stated on memorial
Service (Primary - Stated)
Army
Unit (Primary - Stated)
Bedfordshire Regiment
Sub-unit (Primary - Stated)
6th Battalion
Rank / Title (Primary - Stated)
Second Lieutenant
Our References
Service (Primary - Our reference)
Unit (Primary - Our reference)
Rank / Title (Primary - Our reference)
Death and Burial details
Year of death
1915
Month of death
August
Day of death
19
Age at death
20
Manner of death as stated
Shot by a sniper
Manner of death reference
Killed in Action