Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

7 - 10 September 1914. The pivotal moment of the Great War that reversed the German advance. The BEF had been in constant retreat since its initial encounter with the Germans at Mons on 23rd August 1914, usually marching over 20 miles each day. Eventually it became clear that the German pursuit was losing focus as it struggled to maintain momentum and an opportunity was spotted (with the help of the innovative use of aircraft) to hit the German flank as it passed by Paris. The shock of the attack by the French 6th Army coupled with the stand on the River Marne, created the conditions for self doubt in the German High Command and the order to disengage and retreat was given.

Detail :

2/Lieutenant Julian Horace Martin SMITH, Intelligence Corps attached 9th Lancers, is thought to be the first Volunteer (i.e. non regular soldier) to fall in the war. Born in London in 1887, the son of the late Martin Ridley Smith, the banker, he was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. His athletic record was a distinguished one. At Eton he was Keeper of the Field and of the Racquets, and had his Wall and Mixed Wall colours. From Eton he went to Trinity and played golf for the University, his handicap at that time being plus 2. On coming down from Cambridge he went straight into the City, joining the Stock Exchange in 1909. He became a partner in the firm of Rowe and Pitman. On the day war was declared he volunteered for active service, and was attached to the 9th Lancers as Interpreter. He was with the regiment throughout the retreat from Mons. On 7 September 1914 he was wounded, and died after an operation two days later at Nangis, near Paris, after an operation supervening wounds received in action.

Further commemorated :
RBL Roll of Honour - Canterbury 9th Lancers.
RBL Stock Exchange Memorial Book

Masonic :

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley
• Website : De Ruvigny' s Roll of Honour