Search for family of recently identified World War I Portsmouth soldier

Now a search is underway to find his descendants.

Sergeant Thomas Smith, born 1885 in Portsmouth, England, had considerable military experience when he joined up to fight in World War I, including 18 months with 3rd Hampshire Regiment and eight years as a Seaman Torpedoman with the Royal Navy. 

He was a merchant seaman, living in a boarding house in New Zealand, when he enlisted on 29 November 1915. His attestation papers noted his forearm tattoos – not unusual for a sailor – with his assessor marking him as “a very suitable man”.

Sergeant Smith, 31, was serving with the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps (NZMG) when he was killed on 12 October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium, when the New Zealand Division and their allies launched a disastrous attack on Bellevue Spur.

At least 843 New Zealanders were killed in action on that day – the highest number of Kiwis to die in battle on a single day - with many thousands more wounded.

New research from independent, volunteer researchers conducted in 2019, along with further information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) historians has revealed the final resting place of Sergeant Smith. 

NZDF historian John Crawford said the archival evidence supporting the identification of the grave was “clear and compelling”. 

“To identify Sergeant Smith, our team were able to use evidence held at Archives New Zealand, which details the known positions of the New Zealand Machine Gun Companies, and the rank and corps information recorded in the archival material held by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission,” Mr Crawford said.

“We know that he is the only candidate whose rank and corps matches the particulars of the individual recorded in the unknown grave at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium, and there are no other missing New Zealand servicemen of this rank and corps.”

His remains were recovered close to the position of 5th NZMG Company, which he was a member of.

“We are grateful for the volunteer researchers submitting the information which led to this identification and means we can now share the new research with descendants if they make themselves known to us.”

Sergeant Smith will now be officially acknowledged through the marking of his final resting place with a new headstone bearing their name and Mr Crawford said it was hoped family members would be made aware beforehand.

Among his service records is a receipt for a Memorial Plaque, signed for by his mother, Mrs Catherine Smith, 19 Union St, Portsea, Portsmouth, UK, and witnessed by her son Edward Cotter, 441 Commercial Rd, Portsmouth, UK.

Relatives of Sergeant Smith are encouraged to email historyenquiries@nzdf.mil.nz