Private William Smith 5610297, 1st Devonshire Regiment

1921 Jun 19 Died. Married with no children

Pte W Smith, Pte J W Stanton, Pte A Stacey, Pte Sheppard and others were travelling in a Crossley tender following a police Ford
On the 18th June an RIC patrol was ambushed at Fiddown (near Thomastown), Co. Killkenny resulting in the death of one RIC (Constable Albert Bradford) and the wounding of another (Sgt Sweatman). The following day a British Army group escorting the body of Constable Bradford was ambushed at Newbridge, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary resulting in the death of one soldier (Pte Smith of the First Devons).
The police car stopped at about 19.00 while they were crossing the New Bridge to interview civilians
While the two cars were stopped gunfire was opened up on them from the far end of the bridge
The troops fired back at civilians firing from and empty house
Pte Smith was hit as they were getting out of their lorry and fell
The troops were ordered to advance across the bridge.
This flushed the civilians out of the house, and they retreated up the hill beyond