Ahoy - Mac's Web Log

April 19, 2010

Hi Mac.

I have been browsing the internet for information and hope that you may have both the time and opportunity to assist with a particular historic problem I have.

I am researching my family history. I have recorded a Johannes Cornelius Smith but with two conflicting but at face value, reliable, records of his demise.

1 Cornelius Johannes Smith Essex Regiment, killed Somme 01/07/1916 Ref Memorial Pier and Face 10D
Thiepval Memorial. This record also confirms his father, mother and Wife's names.

2 C.J.Smith drowned sinking of Galway Castle 11/09/1918. Reference a hand written note from old family files to this effect.

C.J.Smith's father was a J.C.Smith. Was it perhaps he who drowned on the Galway ? I have to date failed to find a listing of all those that died on the Galway. Is there such a listing and was there a Cornelius Johannes Smith or a Jan Cornelius Smith that drowned ?? Any help or guidance will be much appreciated.

Regards
John Stephan.

John,

You have posed these questions to me earlier. 

See URL:  Cornelius Johannes Smith perished on board the Galway Castle when it was torpedoed in 1918? for my response then.

You obviously found this report on the CWGC site:

Casualty Details
      Name: SMITH, CORNELIUS JOHANNES
      Initials: C J
      Nationality: United Kingdom
      Rank: Private
      Regiment/Service: Essex Regiment
      Unit Text: 2nd Bn.
      Age: 38
      Date of Death: 01/07/1916
      Service No: 15819
      Additional information: Son of Jan Cornelius and Johanna Hendrika Cornelia Smith; husband of the late Sarah Stephan.
      Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
      Grave/Memorial Reference: Pier and Face 10 D.
      Memorial: THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
     

Regards,

Mac.


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