Five soldier relatives of the first Bermudian serviceman to die in the First World War paid their respects at a memorial in England.

William Edmund Smith lost his life along with 279 others when his ship, the HMS Aboukir, was torpedoed by a German submarine in September 1914.

Five Bermuda Regiment soldiers, Privates Dion Cholmondeley, Christopher Fox, Desai Smith, Georgio Pitt and Camiko Smith, all trace their roots to Officer’s Cook First Class Smith, from Sandys.

They found his name alongside 18,000 other service personnel on an obelisk at the Royal Naval Memorial in Chatham, south east England, on Saturday morning. They are currently on a Regiment training exercise in the area.

Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. William White, led the the soldiers on the memorial visit.

“As we were training in the area we thought it appropriate to reflect on the service of those who have gone before and paid the ultimate price.

“Bermuda’s men and women have served with pride all over the world, and it is fitting to remember the contribution Smith and others have made for their country,” he said.

Officer’s Cook First Class Smith joined the Royal Navy in 1912 aboard HMS Sirius which formed part of the Royal Navy’s North America and West Indies Squadron.

At the end of that tour, he joined HMS Aboukir as conflict commenced.

Ninety people lost their lives fighting for Bermuda and the UK in the 1914-1918 war.