Herbert Smith was born in Carshalton, Surrey during 1896. (Epsom Registration 1st Quarter).  His parents were Harry Smith, b. 1861 and Harriet Ada Smith (nee Blatchford) b. 1867. They lived at 4 Bank Houses, Hawley, Dartford, Kent.

During April 1901 the family lived at Estess Mill, Rhostyllen, Wrexham, Denbighshire.  The head of the family was Harry Smith aged 40, who was employed as a Paper Maker at Estess Paper Mill.  His wife Harriet Ada Smith aged 34 and their 6 (six) children – Annie Harriet Smith aged 13, Mabel Smith aged 11, Alice Smith aged 9, Nellie Ada Smith aged 7, Herbert Smith aged 5 and Hilda Smith aged 2 years.

The 1911 Census shows that Herbert now 15 years old is a Boarder living at 4 Little Vownog, Bersham, Wrexham and is also employed as a Paper Maker at Esless Paper Mill, Wrexham.

In October 1914 Herbert Smith lived at Paper Mill Terrace, Caerwys, Flintshire and was employed as a Paper Maker at Afonwen Paper Mill, Flintshire.  During June 1915 the Army Service Corps visited the Paper Mill on a recruitment drive.  At that time 5 workers passed the medical examination and joined up.

On Tuesday 17 August 1915 aged 19, he enlisted at Llandudno as a Private with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers.  His Short Service Records show that it was for the duration of the war.  What is interesting to note is that the witness to his Attestation was James Ayer, the father of Leonard Stuart Ayer, who is remembered on the Holywell War Memorial.

Herbert Smith arrived in France with the Battalion on Sunday 5 December 1915 and served in France and Flanders.  He was promoted to Corporal on 9 September 1916.

He is also remembered on the North Wales Heroes Memorial Arch, Deiniol Road, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales.

There is a Flintshire Roll of Honour card for him at the County Archives Office, Hawarden.