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John George (Jack) SMART, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve
An Erith man - “HE DIED FOR OLD ENGLAND”…
Today, on the eve of the 100th anniversary of his death, we remember the life of Motorman Jack Smart, of Erith, who drowned at sea whilst serving on the British Motor-Boat ‘California’ in the Mediterranean…
Jack was a well-known character in Erith, and along the River Thames: a member of Erith Yacht Club, he worked for the family firm of Smart & Brown Marine Motor Engineers, so it’s no wonder his skills were in demand with the Navy.
He’d already served on ships in the Channel and off Malta (where he was badly burned in action), but in early 1916 he returned to duty on the MB ‘California’ where - in circumstances which remain unclear - he was drowned.
Jack’s parents, Joseph Garibaldi Smart and Sarah Ann of Alexandra Road, were informed of the news by The Admiralty. He had been expected to shortly return home on leave, and was due to marry his fiancée, Miss Humphreys, of Erith High Street later that year…
The local newspaper reported the case: “HE DIED FOR OLD ENGLAND”
“He had a winning, cheery, genial manner which endeared him to all with whom he came into contact…
His parents and many friends in Erith were anxiously awaiting and expecting his return when the news of his glorious death came to hand…
It must be a great consolation to all his family and many friends that he died in such a glorious cause”.
“He had a winning, cheery, genial manner which endeared him to all with whom he came into contact…
His parents and many friends in Erith were anxiously awaiting and expecting his return when the news of his glorious death came to hand…
It must be a great consolation to all his family and many friends that he died in such a glorious cause”.
Today, you can see Jack’s name on the Erith (Christ Church) War Memorial. He was just 23 years of age.
WE WILL REMEMBER THEM
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