Dan Henry Smith (Harry)

Dan Henry Smith (Harry)  1895 – 1975

Dan, known as Harry, was born on 22nd September 1895 in Shepherdswell, to Daniel Richard and Annie Eliza (neé Fox). The family lived at Southern Side, with Daniel working as a grocer’s assistant.

Harry joined the British Postal Service in 1912 as a ‘learner’ and continued with them until enlisting in 1915.

Harry joined the Royal Engineers as a sapper, originally service no. 1064, then 558041. His first experience of action was in Egypt in March 1915. At one point he was wounded and sent back to the front. His mother suffered great anxiety and committed suicide with a revolver. Harry was able to obtain leave and arrived just in time for his mother’s funeral in June 1916, when he was described as a lance corporal.

Harry’s father remarried on 29th August 1917, to Kate Afra Smith from Dover. They ran the village Post Office and on their retirement he built Afradan on Church Hill.

Following the War, Harry married Constance and in 1939 was living in Dover as a civil servant. He died in 1975, aged 79.