World War II
As war loomed in summer 1939, he re-enlisted with his former Regiment, the Lancashire Fusiliers and was among the first contingent of the British Expeditionary Force to sail for France.
Having achieved the rank of Lieutenant, he was killed in action in France, on 12 January 1940 (possibly due to friendly fire, this was five months before the start of the Battle of France in May) and is buried at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery of Beuvry Communal Cemetery Extension.
Read more about this topic: Edward Smith (VC)
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