Harvey Smith		Return
Unknown Royal Field Artillery, shoeing a horse, 1915. Harvey Smith Service Number: 66134 Regiment & Unit/Battalion Royal Engineers ED Date of Death Buried or commemorated at Broadwas Roll of Honour Country of Service United Kingdom Additional Info Son of Mr. and Mrs. Smith Family history Harvey Smith married, Hannah Maria Griffiths [a widower] on the 20th April 1915 at the Registry Office, in Worcester. Their children were William John Griffiths - b. 22nd August 1904, at Brockhampton, Bromyard, Herefordshire. Albert Ivor Griffiths - b. 27th November 1908, at Brockhampton, Bromyard, Herefordshire. Smith - b. 12th June 1912, at Worcester. Lizie Smith - b. 13th August 1914, at Leigh, Worcestershire. 1939 Register: Harvey Smith - b. 24th September 1874 - Occupation, Shoe Smith [Farrier] Hannah Smith - b. 18th May 1883 - Occupation, Unpaid Domestic Duties M Plus two records officially closed. Harvey Smith was living at Keepers House, Doddenham, Broadwas, Worcestershire, when he signed up to the Royal Engineers on the 20th January, 1915. His trade was given as Shoeing Smith [Farrier]. He was 39 years old and gave his wife Hannah Smith as next of kin. He gave his height as 5ft 6in [He had served in the 2nd Shropshire Light Infantry before this] On the top left of the form below; He was a specially enlisted shoeing Smith. Also it is stamped 1914-15 Star - British War Medal - Victory Medal. St Mary Magdalene's Church. Broadwas Churchyard. HISTORY INFORMATION   The training for a shoeing smith took two years. [Probably why they needed someone like Harvey Smith] During the war four schools of Farriery were established to cope with the demand. The farriers' job was primarily hoof trimming and fitting horseshoes to Army horses. As such, it combined traditional blacksmith's skills with some veterinarian knowledge about the physiology and care of horses' feet. Shoeing smiths undertook similar work but were less skilled. They had to learn - "Theoretical Principals of Shoeing", "Knowledge of the Structure and Preservation of the Horse's Foot.", Diseases of the Foot.", and the practical exam was for "Bandaging, Blistering and Minor Operations.", and "Skill as a Tradesman."