William Rendle Smith

Private, London Regiment (The Queen’s)

William Rendle Smith was a student at Alleyn’s until 1905 and lived with his father, W Pearson Smith, at 129 Peckham Rye during this time. He joined the war effort early on as part of the London Regiment (The Queen’s) and saw action on the Western Front as a Private. In 1915, he was serving in France shortly before the London Regiment was due to take part in the Battle of Festubert when he was wounded in action. Unfortunately, William later died from the wounds he received on May 5^th 1915. He is buried at Bethune Town Cemetery, France.

There is a memorial to the 24^th County of London Regiment (The Queen’s) in Kennington Park, London. It displays the regimental badge alongside tablets listing the battle honours of the 24^th.