This oak is dedicated to Lance Sargent, Leonard F. Smith (S/40905), who was wounded at the Battle of Arras in Northern France, later succumbing to his injuries on 9 April 1917. He was 35 years old and is buried at the Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension near Aubigny-en-Artois, France.

The tree was planted along with others in conjunction with the unveiling of the Stoke First World War Memorial Gates in 1924 commemorating the lives of 7 Stoke men "who made the supreme sacrifice in the Great War".

Gates were designed by Messrs Win. Houlker and Rix-Trott and Landscape designed by W. C. Hyde. The Masonry was by W. B. Vass and ironwork was carried out by Mr W. L. Heath.

The proposed unveiling of gates was initially Armistice Day 11 November 1923 but due to delays was opened on King’s Birthday, 3 June, 1924. ‘‘The Names of the Brave” are inscribed above the list of the fallen. W. Bovey E. G. Giblin A. E. Cresswell H. B. Jellyman L. G. Ching L. F. Smith S. and G. Davis. On the other side of the entrance are the words: “In memory of the men from Stoke’ who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-18.” (Cadwallader, B., 2024).

References
1] Cadwallader, B.G. research for Nelson City Council May 2023
2] Stoke War Memorial Unveiled by Bishop of Nelson, Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 4 June 1924, Page 4 (Thursday 3rd June).
3] Auckland War Museum Online Cenotaph - Leonard F. Smith
4] The Prow, Leonard F. Smith. www.theprow.og,nz, accessed 2.6.2014

Keywords: ANZAC, First World War, Somme