Harry Goldsmith - Lest We Forget

Harry Goldsmith was born August 12, 1886 at Wappela, Saskatchewan. He was the son of Charles George Goldsmith of Sintaluta, Saskatchewan.  Harry Goldsmith worked as a locomotive fireman. There are scant references to him in the researches we conducted. He is the only H. Goldsmith listed on the Canadian Virtual War Memorial Site which lists all of Canada’s war dead. The only other references we could locate in the local newspapers of H. Goldsmith is his listing on the Revelstoke YMCA Honor Roll and the Courthouse and Cenotaph plaques.  The only other Goldsmith named in the local newspaper over the war years was a George Goldsmith of Salmon Arm who did not perish during the war. In our best opinion the H. Goldsmith that is listed on the Courthouse and Cenotaph plaques must be Harry Goldsmith of Wappela Saskatchewan who worked as a locomotive fireman.

Harry Goldsmith enlisted December 14, 1914 at Winnipeg, probably to assist in the moving of troops by train in France. He was 28 years old, single, 5’ 9” tall with light brown hair and grey eyes. His religious affiliation was Anglican. His regimental number was 81323.

Harry Goldsmith died on May 12, 1917 probably in the engagement at Scarpe. He had received a gunshot wound to the thigh a few days previously, and died of his wounds. He was 30 years old.  At the time of his death he was a Private in the 10th Battalion, Canadian Infantry (Alberta) Regiment. He is buried at the Etaples Military Cemetery, France.

The name H. Goldsmith appears on the YMCA Honor Roll and the Courthouse and Cenotaph plaques.