28659 Pte Robert Bruce Smith, 1/4th Bn East Yorkshire Regiment.
Robert lived on Healey-Wood Road, Burnley. He was killed in action near Vraignes during a heavy German attack on his battalion made at 7:30am under the cover of ground mist which enabled the battalion to be almost completely surrounded. Robert was killed during the extremely confused and desperate fighting of the day and his body , originally buried in a mass grave by the Germans, now lies in the collective grave at Hancourt British Cemetery.
23 March 1918
Research by David O'Mara, Croonaert Research Services.
