George William Smith was born circa 1899 and there is a possible Birth Certificate (Cheshire WestCAT/81/90), which would have to be purchased to confirm.
He was the son of Joseph William Smith and his wife Eliza and on the 1901 census, he appears for the first time, living at 9, New Crane Street, Chester. His father Joseph, 35, was a Gardener working for himself and who had been born in Hemel Hampstead, Hertfordshire. His mother, Eliza, 30 had been born in Leominster, Herefordshire. Their 3 sons, had all been born in Chester, Joseph G. 5, George W. 1 and Albert E., 1 month. There was a Boarder living there,another Gardener, John Hood, 49 who had been born in Scotland.
The 1911 census shows that the family had moved to 17, St. Mark’s Road, Saltney,Nr. Chester and 4 more children had been born, 3 sons and a daughter. Joseph W. Smith, 44 was now a Jobbing Gardener and with wife Eliza, 41 had had 10 children, sadly 2 of whom had died, and they had been married 17 years. Sons, Joseph Griffiths, 15 was an Apprentice, but it doesn’t say to what trade, George William, 11, Albert Edward, 10, Frederick Henry, 9, Thomas Percival and only daughter Doris Evelyn, 7 were all at school, the other 2 children were sons, Frank Sydney, 4 and Arthur Cecil, 2.
I cannot find any Army Service Records for George William, they mmay have been lost in the bombings in the 2nd World War, but George William Smith in the UK, Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1919 tells us that he was born and enlisted in Chester and resided in Saltney, and he was formerly 74178, 107th T.R. Battn.
*On this he is said to be in the 10th Bn London Regiment, and the Regimental Number stated as 81514. This is the only document that is different to the others, such as the Medal Rolls Index Card and the UK Army Registers of Soldier’s Effects, where he is said to be in the Royal Fulislers, Regimental Number – GS/81594. The CWGC information stated the same except it gives the battalion as the 10th Battalion, Royal Fusiliers.
Any information to clarify would be greatly appreciated.
George W Smith in the British Army WWI Medal Rolls Index Cards, 1914-1920 does not tell us his first Theatre of War nor when he entered it, and there is no mention of other Regt’s numbers, but the one mentioned.
George William Smith in the UK, Army Registers of Soldiers’ Effects, 1901-1929 tells us that the Sole Legatee was father Joseph W. SMITH, paid £4 7s 1d on the 8th March 1919 and George William’s War Gratuity of £4. 0s 0d on the 2nd December 1919.