Reprinted from The Packet, July 28, 2016
by Lester Green
Hodge’s Cove teen never got to go overseas
Pte Nathaniel Smith Royal Newfoundland Regiment (Photo courtesy of Alice Avery)
Nathaniel was born on December 23, 1899, and raised in a family of 12 siblings — five boys and seven girls.
He was the second born son of Albert and Rachael (Stringer) Smith of Hodge’s Cove. In his early years he helped his father pursue the fishery and completed building his first punt by the age of 16.
He enlisted in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment just after his 18th birthday. He was assigned the Regimental number of 5100 and attested for general service with the Regiment on May 17, 1918.
He was granted home leave between May 31 and June 10. He returned to headquarters from leave on June 9.
On July 6, he completed his allotment papers and requested 50 cents be removed from his pay per diem and made payable to his mother, Rachael Smith.
In 1918, German submarines were operating more on this side of the Atlantic and there were frequent sightings near the shorelines of Newfoundland. The Militia was becoming more concerned that German U-boats might attack key installations in communications and dry dock facilities.
A document entitled Report of the Department of Militia: covering its work from the inauguration of the Department up to the 31st of March, 1919 ; the financial statement being to the end of the fiscal year, June 30th, 1918listed key facilities where guards were to be posted throughout Newfoundland.
Heart’s Content cable station was identified as being one of these important communications. Pte Smith was among 11 soldiers and two non-commissioned officers (NCO’s) that were assigned to Special Duty. There were also two other soldiers from Southwest Arm area, Pte Abraham Spurrell and Pte Richard Gosse.
While stationed at Heart’s Content they performed guard duty. The soldiers were billeted at private homes located near the station. He proceeded there, along with the rest of his troop, on July 13, 1918.
He returned from this duty on October 28, 1918 and reported to headquarters.
Report of demobilization began for Private Smith on Nov. 29 when his medical history was completed. His medical category was listed Aii.
Proceeding for his eventual discharge began on December 24, and approval of his discharge was granted on December 26. He received his discharge certificate No.683 on January 23, 1919. He had served his King and Country from May 19 to Dec 26 for a total service of 252 days.
After the war, Pte Smith often spoke to his family about the way in which soldiers that served less than a year and did not go overseas were treated by the government. He felt it was not by choice but by military orders that he did not get the opportunity to serve overseas.
They were not entitled to war service gratuity or war pension because they did not service in the theatre of war, travel overseas and had served less than 1 year. They did not receive any medals for their service. The Newfoundland government did, however, present all soldiers who served overseas and at home with a war service badge.
He returned to Hodge’s Cove and worked as a fishermen and boat builder. On December 29, 1925 he married Alice, daughter of Eleazer and Belinda Robbins of Hatchet Cove. They settled in Hodge’s Cove and raised a family of 10 children. He continued working at shipbuilding, completing several motorboats and punts.
He helped in the construction of the Splinter Fleet at the Clarenville shipyard between 1944-1947. He also worked at steel rigging in Deer Lake. He and Alice moved to Hatchet Cove on October 20, 1953.
He passed away on February 12, 1985, and is buried at Hatchet Cove (new) United Cemetery.
Royal Newfoundland Regiment Military Service Record
Private Nathaniel Smith #5100
May 17, 1918: Enlisted and signed attestation papers at St. John’s.
May 17 , 1918: Medical examination conducted at Headquarters, St. John’s.
May 31, 1918: Granted home leave between May 31-June 10.
June 9, 1918: returned from leave.
July 1, 1918: Allotment of 50 cents for his mother, Rachael Smith.
July 13, 1918: Assigned to Special Duty, Heart’s Content.
Oct. 28, 1918: Returned to headquarters from Special Duty, Heart’s Content.
Oct. 29, 1918: Filed War Service Gratuity Application.
Nov. 29, 1918: Appeared before Travelling Medical Board and classified as Aii condition.
Dec. 12, 1918: Demobilization proceeding began for Private Smith .
Dec. 24, 1918: Civil Re-establishment Committee.
Dec. 24, 1918: Proceedings on Discharge of Private Smith
Dec. 26, 1918: Approval by Officer in Command for Discharge Depot.
Jan. 23, 1919 Discharge Certificate Number 683 received.
Total Service 252 days