Notes
The Roll lists his address as "The Cottage", West Parade End. It inaccurately states he died on 18/8/1916, serving in the 6th Battalion, Northants Regiment.
(CWGC currently records that Private Richard Smith, regimental number 17326, died on 17/1/1916 serving in the 7th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. Having no known grave (and apparently based upon their understanding that he had died on 17th January 1916, at which time the 7th Battalion's War Diary records that it was at Zillebeke Lake in Belgium), he is commemorated on Panel 45 of Ypres Menin Gate Memorial. Soldiers Died in the Great War recorded Richard Smith, regimental number 17326, as a native of Peterborough, and likewise indicated that he was killed in action on 17/1/1916 serving in the 7th Battalion Northamptonshire Regiment. However, the information listed by CWGC and SDGW re Richard's date/place of death does not tally with official records.
The death certificate of Private Richard Smith of the Northamptonshire Regiment, regimental number 17326, actually states that he died on 17th August 1916 in France, aged 31, and that his death was assumed. The Medal Rolls for Richard Smith 17326 record that he died on 17/8/1916, having been sent to France on 9/6/1915, and that he had formerly served in the 1st Battalion. The Registers of Soldiers' Effects record that he died 'On or since' 17th/18th August 1916 serving in the 7th Battalion, and that his death was presumed; they list his widow Edith as being his legatee. The 1917 Probate Index records that Richard Smith of The Cottage, West Parade End, Alderman's Drive, Peterborough, died on 17th August 1916 in France serving as a Private in the 7th Battalion Northants Regiment, and that his widow Edith administered his estate. [The 7th Battalion's War Diary records that, on 17/8/1916, it was at the village of Montauban, approximately 10 kilometres south-east of Thiepval. On 18th August they attacked the quarry at Guillemont. Their casualties totalled 50 killed, 273 wounded and 50 missing]. As CWGC's record re Richard Smith's date/place of death is currently inaccurate, the necessary documents are now being sent to alert them to his correct
details. JK
On the 1911 census Richard Smith, aged 25, was living at Nursery Cottage, West Parade End in Peterborough with his wife Edith and their daughter; he gave his place of birth as Peterborough and stated he had been married 2 years. His marriage to Edith Turner on 12/4/1909 had been recorded in the register of St Mark's Church in Peterborough; Richard gave his father's name as George Smith. On the 1901 census Richard had been living with his parents George and Hannah at 49 Craig Street, Peterborough. Richard's birth had been registered in Peterborough District in 1886).