5152 Private James Blair Smith
6th(Perthshire)Battalion(Territorial)
The Black Watch(Royal Highlanders)
13th November 1916
Born at 5.30pm on 27/06/1891 in Douglas Road, Leslie, Fifeshire. His parents were Robert Smith (13/05/1864-20/03/1924) and Janet Blair (26/03/1864-14/01/1952). They were married on 18/07/1884.
James had 3 brothers, Archibald (02/10/1885-04/11/1919), Robert (born on 16/05/1893) and
Alexander Blair (born on 13/09/1895).
He also had 6 sisters, Jane Barns (29/05/1887-22/03/1969), Janet Dow (born on 05/07/1889),
Elizabeth McKillop (born on 29/11/1897), Agnes Blair (born on 29/01/1900), Margaret (born on 23/12/1901) and
Rosanna Perry (07/02/1905-1985).
In the 1901(Scottish) census the family was recorded as living at Waterhead, Dunfermline, Fife. Robert snr was employed as a coal miner. He worked as a coal miner all his life apart from a time when he became a police constable in Leslie, Fifeshire on 22/11/1888. He resigned from the police force on 09/06/1891 and returned to coal mining, probably because he could earn more money to support his growing family.
The 1911 (Scottish) census shows that the family had now moved to Main Street , Dunfermline and James was also now working as a coal miner.
James enlisted in Dunkeld, Perthshire and in 1916, he must have been given leave from France as on 23rd June he married Elizabeth(Lizzie)Coutts Young(born on 03/09/1888) in Edinburgh.
On the wedding certificate he was listed as being a Private in the 2nd Scottish Horse.
He returned to France and was killed in action on 13/11/1916.
James was awarded the 1914-1918 British War and Allied Victory medals.
His widow, Elizabeth was awarded a pension of 13/9 a week from 28/05/1917 on 24/05/1917. She was recorded as living at 134 St Clair Street, Sinclair Town, Kirkcaldy.