Researchers have identified the final resting place of Sergeant Thomas Smith, a Portsmouth-born soldier who died 108 years ago during the Battle of Passchendaele. Authorities are now searching for his descendants.
Born in Portsmouth in 1885, Sergeant Smith possessed extensive military experience prior to enlisting in World War I, having served 18 months with the 3rd Hampshire Regiment and eight years as a Seaman Torpedoman in the Royal Navy.
Working as a merchant seaman and residing in a New Zealand boarding house, he enlisted on 29 November 1915. His enlistment documents recorded forearm tattoos—typical for sailors—with his assessor describing him as “a very suitable man”.
Aged 31, Sergeant Smith was serving with the New Zealand Machine Gun Corps when he lost his life on 12 October 1917 during the Battle of Passchendaele in Belgium. The New Zealand Division and allied forces launched a catastrophic assault on Bellevue Spur that day.
A minimum of 843 New Zealanders were killed in action—the highest single-day death toll for Kiwi forces in battle—with thousands more injured.
Research conducted by independent volunteer researchers in 2019, combined with additional information from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission and New Zealand Defence Force historians, has revealed Sergeant Smith’s final resting place.
NZDF historian John Crawford described the archival evidence supporting the grave’s identification as “clear and compelling”.
“Our team utilised evidence from Archives New Zealand, detailing the known positions of the New Zealand Machine Gun Companies, alongside rank and corps information from Commonwealth War Graves Commission archival material,” Mr Crawford explained.
“He is the sole candidate whose rank and corps correspond with the details of the individual recorded in the unknown grave at Tyne Cot Cemetery in Belgium, with no other missing New Zealand servicemen matching this rank and corps.”
His remains were discovered near the position of 5th NZMG Company, his unit at the time.
“We appreciate the volunteer researchers submitting information that enabled this identification, allowing us to share the research with descendants should they contact us.”
Sergeant Smith will be officially recognised through a new headstone bearing his name at his final resting place, with Mr Crawford expressing hope that family members will be informed beforehand.
Service records include a Memorial Plaque receipt signed by his mother, Mrs Catherine Smith, of 19 Union Street, Portsea, Portsmouth, and witnessed by her son Edward Cotter of 441 Commercial Road, Portsmouth.
Sergeant Smith’s relatives are encouraged to email historyenquiries@nzdf.mil.nz
