Lieutenant, Randolph Rae Smith (28) – Died

12th Battalion, Sherwood Foresters,  9 August 1915

Randolph Rae Smith

Synopsis of Life and Military Service

Randolph Rae Smith was born on 2 September 1886 at Montreal, Canada, his parents being William Oliver Smith of the Merchants Bank and Margaretta Oliver . Following his mother’s death on 29 October 1897, aged 39 years, in April 1901 his father re-married, to Ethel May Thorpe at Montreal. Little is know of the Randolphs’ early life, however it is known that he was a student at McGill University, Montreal from 1904 to 1908 where he studied applied science. He also completed a years’ compulsory service in the 5th Royal Highlanders (Black Watch) of Canada. Following his graduation he went on to be employed as an analytical chemist in several establishments between his graduation and the breaking out of the war.

On 26 September 1914, he enlisted at Valcartier, Quebec, Canada, a major recruiting and training area and allocated number 45211 as a Sapper in the 1st Division, 3rd Field Company, Canadian Engineers. At this time he was described as follows:-

  • Single.
  • Age: 28 years.
  • Height: 5′ 7″.
  • Chest: 34″ with an expansion on 2″.
  • Complexion: Medium.
  • Eyes: Hazel.
  • Hair: Light Brown.
  • Weight: 150lbs.
  • Religion: Church of England.
  • Marks and Scars: 3 vaccination marks on left arm.

On 4 October 1914, the records show that he travelled to the U.K. aboard the S.S. Zealand arriving in Salisbury Plain on 20 October 1914.

On 9 January 1915, he was gazetted with the rank of temporary 2nd Lieutenant (Infantry).

On 20 January 1915, he was discharged at Lark Hill Camp, Wiltshire from the Canadian Expeditionary Force on transfer to the ‘New Army’, and allocated the 12th Sherwood Foresters, giving his address as Sherbrooke, Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire which may have been the address of his sister from the University of Leicester students list.

In April 1915, his unit converted into a Pioneer Battalion.

On 8 August 1915, he left his barracks heading to London, possibly without permission to do so, where he was to take a room at the Tavistock Hotel, Covent Garden. The following night, he shot himself in the head with his service revolver within the room of the hotel.

His letter to the Hotel Manager found in his room read: “This thing I have done is only a by-product of the war. It is neither here nor there. My only regret is that I am unable to serve my country in the field. For the carpet and chair I have spoiled, and the trouble to which you must inevitably be put, I am sorry. When the shot is heard and the door is broken in, you may communicate with Lieut-Colonel Thompson, Freeford Park Camp, Lichfield, Staffs.”

The following week a Court of Enquiry was held at Westminster Coroner’s Court, (the results of which can be found below).

He was later buried at Kensal Green (All Souls) Cemetery, London.

His father William was the sole ligate to his belongings and pension.

On 29 August 1915, his unit landed in France.

The Illustrated Police News

Extract from the above publication dated 19 August 1915 :-

OFFICER’S SAD SUICIDE

“A By-Product of the War.”

In the Westminster Coroner’s Court, Mr. S. Ingleby Oddie held an inquiry with reference to the death of Second-Lieutenant Randolph Rae Smith, aged twenty-eight, of the Sherwood Foresters, who committed suicide by shooting himself at the Tavistock Hotel, Covent Garden.

Mr. B. Oliver Smith, of Crescent Street, Barrow-in-Furness, said he last saw the deceased, his brother, on June 29, when he was in his usual health. He joined the army on the outbreak of hostilities, having previously been a chemist and druggist in Montreal. He was not in a normal condition mentally, the result of an accident when he was a baby, which caused him to be paralysed down the right side. His mind was affected, and he was eccentric.

Second-Lieutenant John S. Williams stated that he did not think the deceased was on leave when this happened, but he did not know what he was doing in London. He left the camp on Thursday and returned at night leaving for London again on Sunday. The deceased had told witness that the was in debt, but he did not say his liabilities were heavy. He drank a great deal and witness had heard him speak of a girl.

Police Constable Pattison, 337E, spoke to finding the deceased reclining on a low armchair, while lying on the floor was a heavy Colt service revolver. The weapon had been loaded in five chambers, and one had been discharged. A bullet ad passed through the lieutenant’s head and gone through the door. It was found on the landing. On the deceased witness found a purse containing 3 1/4d in bronze, and a letter addressed to the hotel management. Portion of a burnt letter was discovered in the fireplace.

Dr. Atkinson, of Southampton Street, Strand, said the deceased had shot himself in the left temple, the bullet passing out on the other side. The weapon was fired at close quarters.

The Coroner said the deceased’s officer’s letter to the hotel manager, read: “This thing I have done is only a by-product of the war. It is neither here nor there. My only regret is that I am unable to serve my country in the field. For the carpet and chair I have spoiled, and the trouble to which you must inevitably be put, I am sorry. When the shot is heard and the door is broken in, you may communicate with Lieut-Colonel Thompson, Freeford Park Camp, Lichfield, Staffs.”

The partly consumed note read: “Although I am damned to the nethermost hell, dear one, your prayers are more than you can tell, dear one. To all whom it may concern.”

The jury returned a verdict of “Suicide whilst temporarily insane.”

Tavistock Hotel, London, June 1918. © Historic England – BL24196

Family

Randolph Rae Smith was born on 2 September 1886 at Montreal, Canada. The following family information is taken from the 1891, 1901 and 1911 Census, and Marriage Registers. He was clearly from a prosperous family as throughout the period the family had serving staff within their home.

His family is shown as follows :-

  • Father: William Oliver Smith k/a Oliver, born 9 May 1858 at Quebec, Canada.
  • Mother: Margaretta Josepha Oliver or Smith, born c.1858 at Kingston, Ontario.
  • Step-Mother: Ethel May Thorpe or Smith, born 7 September 1871 at Quebec.
  • Brother: Britton Oliver Smith, born 14 November 1888 at Quebec.
  • Sister: Freda Grace Smith, born 5 November 1891 at Quebec.

Addresses

The following addresses have been ascertained for Randolph Smith :-

  • 1911: 94 Burnside, St. Antoine, Montreal, Canada.
  • 1914: Apartment 4, 119 St. Matthew Street, Montreal, Canada.
  • 1915: Sherbrooke, Bath Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England.

Medals

I can find no evidence that Randolph was awarded any medals for his service in the Great War.

Memorials

Randolph Rae Smith is honoured and remembered on the following memorials :-

Remarks

It is unknown why Randolph is remembered on the Scottish National War Memorial as I have been unable to find any links to Scotland for him other than him being in a Canadian Scottish Regiment.

Although he appears in the Medal Roll of the Canadian and New Zealand Forces for the British War Medal and Victory Medal, it is not apparent that he was issued any service medals. The British Medal Index Card has no issue of medals on it.

Links to Additional Information

References

  • British War and Victory Medals C.E.F & N.Z. Expeditionary (Ancestry).
  • Register of Soldiers Effects (Ancestry).
  • Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
  • The Illustrated Police News dated 19 August 1915, page 13.
  • McGill University Roll of Honour 1914 – 1918.
  • Medal Index Card (The National Archive).
  • London Gazette dated 15 August 1915, Supplement 29041, page 490.
  • Canadian Service Record.
  • The Gazette Montreal, dated 14 August 1915.
  • 1891 Census.
  • 1901 Census.
  • 1911 Census.
  • Long, Long Trail Website (12th Sherwood Foresters).
  • Register of Marriages, Quebec 1885.
  • Register of Marriages, Sherbrooke, Quebec 1901.
  • The Montreal Star Newspaper dated 30 October 1897.

Groups

Contributors:-

  • Vincent Stuart. (Main Article)
  • Kristen den Hartog (Canadian Documentation).
  • Ron Eason (Family Information).