Frank Smith
In 1911 he was an assistant at a railway book store.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
Frank was the son of Samuel and Annie Smith (née Muxlow).
His father Samuel was born in Norwich in 1859 (reg JFM Depwade Norfolk), the son of Samuel and Marianne (also Mary Ann) Smith. However, by 1871 when Samuel was 12 years old the family was living in Nottingham. In 1881 Samuel was working as a compositor and living with his married sister Jael Collier (bap. 1857 Trowse, Norfolk) and her husband Louis (b. France) who worked in the lace trade.
His mother Annie Louisa was born in Woolwich, Kent, in 1862 (JAS Greenwich), the daughter of George and Ann Muxlow. Her father was born in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, but joined the Army and in 1851, at the age of 18, was serving at Woolwich. He served in the Royal Artillery Horse Brigade (G69817) and was admitted as a pensioner on 31 October 1871 at the age of 38. George married and by 1881 he and his wife Ann (b. Barton Nottinghamshire) and their daughters Annie a seamstress, and Alice, were living at 59 Healey Street, Nottingham; he was an agricultural labourer.
Samuel and Annie were married at Nottingham St Saviour (Meadows) on 8 October 1882 and had three children who were all born in Nottingham: Ruby b. 1884 (JAS Nottingham), Walter Harris b. 1886 (JAS Nottingham) d. 1886 (OND Nottingham) and Frank b. 1911.
In 1891 Samuel a carriage hand (lace), and Annie were living on Connaught Street, Radford, with their two surviving children, Ruby (6) and Frank (1 month).
The family was still living on Connaught Street in 1901. Samuel was now a lace machine maker, Ruby a hosiery machinist and Frank was still at school. Also in the household was Annie's father, George, whose occupation was given as army pensioner (d. June 1910). Annie's mother, Ann Muxlow, was recorded on the same census in Chelsea, London, with her married daughter Alice Spiers, a dressmaker, and her husband George, a valet.
Samuel, Annie and their children were living at 2 Canaan Street, Nottingham, when Samuel died aged about 45 in January 1904. He was buried on 30 January in the General Cemetery.
In 1911 the widowed Annie was caretaker at the Canaan Church and living in the caretaker's house, Canaan Church Schools, Canaan Street, Nottingham, with her daughter Ruby, a hosiery machinist, and Frank, an assistant at a railway book store.
Annie Louisa was living at 30 Edgar Rise, Nottingham, when she died on 7 April 1918 aged about 55. She was no longer the caretaker at the Canaan Church. Annie was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery.
Frank's sister Ruby was living at 39 Willow Road, Carlton, when she died on 21 June 1934 aged about 49. She was buried in Nottingham General Cemetery on 25 June.
Served with the 1/5th Bn Sherwood Foresters. Previously 20608 1/5th Bn Notts & Derby Regiment
He was awarded the Military Medal and Bar and qualified for the British War Medal and Victory Medal.
He died of pneumonia at No. 2 General Hospital, Le Havre, on 6 November 1918 and was buried in Ste Marie Cemetery, Le Havre (grave ref. Div. 62. II. R. 2).
CWGC History of Ste Marie Cemetery (extract): 'During the First World War, Le Havre was one of the ports at which the British Expeditionary Force disembarked in August 1914. Except for a short interval during the German advance in 1914, it remained No.1 Base throughout the war and by the end of May 1917, it contained three general and two stationary hospitals, and four convalescent depots. The first Commonwealth burials took place in Division 14 of Ste Marie Cemetery in mid August 1914. Burials in Divisions 19, 3, 62 and 64 followed successively.' (www.cwgc.org)
CWGC additional information: Son of the late Samuel and Annie Louisa Smith, of Nottingham.
CWGC headstone personal inscription: 'Till the day break & the shadows flee away' (Song of Solomon 2:17)
Nottingham General Cemetery family headstone (damaged): '... who died April 7th 191- [1918] aged 55 years. Her end was peace. Also Frank, beloved and only son of the above, who died in France of pneumonia, November 6th 1918, aged 27 years interred St Marie Cemetery, Le Havre. He gave his heart to his home. His life to his King and country. His soul to his God. Also in loving memory of Ruby who fell asleep on 21st June 1934'
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Roll of Honour’, 20 November 1918: ‘Smith. November 6th, in France, of pneumonia, Pte. Frank Smith, MM, Sherwoods, aged 27. He gave his heart to his home, his life to his King and county, his soul to his God. Sister Ruby.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 29 January 1904: ‘Smith. On the 27th inst., at 2, Canaan-street, Samuel Smith, aged 45 years. Interred General Cemterry, at 2.30. Saturday.' (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’ 10 April 1918: ‘Smith. On the 7th inst., 30, Edgar-rise, Annie Louisa Smith, late caretaker Canaan Church. Service at Canaan Church, Thursday 1.30pm Interment 2.30 (top end). (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).
Nottingham Evening Post, 13 April 1918: ‘Canaan Church, Broad Marsh. On Sunday, April 24th, at 6.30, a Memorial Service to the late Rev. J Flanagan and Mrs Smith. Preacher: Rev. A Parkin. All friends invited.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Probate: Smith Annie Louisa of 30 Edgar-rise Nottingham widow died 7 April 1918 Administration 14 May to Ruby Smith spinster. Effects £685 10s.
Probate: Smith Ruby of 39 Willow-road Carlton Nottinghamshire spinster died 21 June 1934 Probate Nottingham 19 July to Winifred Charlotte Rumbol (wife of Graham Walter Rumbol). Effects £558 9s. 10d.
Frank Smith
Family headstone (damaged) Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (Jan. 2012).
Frank Smith
Family headstone (damaged) Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (Jan. 2012).
Frank Smith
Famiiy headstone, Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (Aug. 2020).
Photo of Frank Smith
Buried Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph Rachel Farrand (2025)
Photo of Frank Smith
Buried in Ste. Marie Cemetery, Le Havre (www.cwgc.org)