How Rushden Men Fell - Lce-Cpl Frank Smith's Experiences

Lce-Corpl Smith was formerly a member of the Rushden Town Male choir and since he has been at the front conducted a choir formed from members of his platoon. There were, he says, other male choirs in the company, and on one occasion a competition was held, the officers adjudicating. The competition was open only to the right half companies - A and B - and eight choirs entered.

Lce-Corpl Smith's choir was awarded first prize, the piece they sang being "Way down yonder in the cornfield." "Nearly all the members of the choir were found either wounded, killed or missing, after the battle of Loos," said Lce-Corpl. Smith. "It broke the choir up. The late Harry Cowley, of Church-street, Rushden, used to sing second tenor in the choir, but, as reported in the "Rushden Echo", he was killed at Loos. I didn't actually see him fall, but he was in the same trench as I was, and his pals told me subsequently that he was struck in the back of the head by a bullet as he was passing a gap in the parapet."

Rushden Signaller and Weeping Gas

Lce-Corpl Signaller F Smith, of the 7th Northants, son of Mr and Mrs James Smith, of 67 High-street-south, Rushden, has just been home on leave after five months fighting the Germans. The Lance-Corporal is a keen vocalist and was a member of the Rushden Town Male Choir. Out in France he formed a choir, and they held a competition, Smith's choir winning. After the battle of Loos nearly all the choir were wounded or missing. He was in the thick of it at Loos, and joined in a charge in support of a Scottish regiment. He got separated from his unit, when occupying the Hohenzollern redoubt, and had to spend two days with the Scots. When he rejoined his regiment he was sorry to learn that they had suffered early 500 casualties. He found to his grief that Horace Britten and Jack Smith of Rushden were missing, and Harry Cowley was killed. He mentioned his first taste of "weeping gas." At the time they had coke fires and they were swearing at the men who made them. The tears were running down their face, and their eyes were smarting awful. Then Major Morris ordered them to put their goggles on, as it was German gas.

Rushden N.C.O. Killed - Corporal Frank Smith
An Ardent Musician - 'Cheerful, Optimistic Manner'

We regret to report that Mr and Mrs Jas. Smith, of 67, High-street-south, Rushden, have received official news of the death on the Western front of their only son, Corpl Frank Smith, of the Northants Regt., who was killed in action on August 17th. The deceased soldier enlisted on September 7th, 1914, and he had been in France about twelve months when he bravely sacrificed his life on behalf of his King and country.

Prior to his enlistment he was at one time a member of the Rushden Town Male Choir, and as a lad he sang in the choir of St Mary's Parish church. He carried with him into the Army his enthusiasm for music and after joining up organised a male choir amongst his comrades, being appointed conductor. In a competition organised by the regiment his choir carried off first prize, and even after they had gone to the front the organisation for which he was responsible was successful in entertaining their comrades for many happy hours.

The late Corpl Smith was made Corpl so recently as August 4th, although twelve months ago he was offered promotion, but then preferred to retain his existing rank as headquarters signaller.

The official news of his death came as a great shock to his family, as up to the receipt of the official news they had received no intimation of his demise. On Tuesday morning, however, they received the following letter from Corpl C H Cuthbert, who wrote on behalf of his comrades:

"I hope you will not mind me taking the liberty of writing, but I thought I must really write on behalf of the signal section and myself to express to you our deepest sympathy in your bereavement. Old Frank was well liked throughout the battalion, and he was the light of our section. His cheerful, optimistic manner won him many friends. It may console you a little to know that he suffered no pain whatever. A soldier cannot express his grief like the people at home, but I can see in the faces of the section what they feel. The box of cigarettes you sent I have divided amongst the signallers, feeling certain that that would be your wish. Trusting God will give you strength to sustain your loss."

The late Corpl Smith was a most devoted son, and much sympathy is felt with his parents in their bereavement. Consolation must come to them, however, in the knowledge that their son died a soldier's death, and that his sacrifice will not be in vain.

Mr and Mrs Smith and family desire to thank all those kind friends who have sent their expression of sympathy with them in their bereavement.