George William Smith

George William was the son of George and Elizabeth Smith (neé Gent). His father George Smith was born in Kelham on 23 December 1865. His mother Elizabeth Gent was born in Bathley in 1868 (bap. North Muskham St Wilfrid), the daughter of John and Mary Ann Gent. Her family later moved to Averham. George and Elizabeth were married at Averham & Staythorpe St Michael & All Angels on 20 May 1886. According to the 1911 Census George and Elizabeth had had nine children of whom only five survived infancy/childhood. Eight of their children, born between 1886 and 1897, have been traced on the registrations of births and baptisms; the baptisms were held at St Michael & All Angels: Kate; George Willie (sic) b. Averham 1890 bap. 7 September 1890; Ethel b. 1892 bap. 17 April 1892 d. 1893; Arthur bap 23 February 1896 d. 1900; Albert bap. 3 July 1898 d. 1899; Mabel, John Edward and Ethel. In 1891 George (25) an under-gardener, and Elizabeth (23) were living in Averham Park, Averham, with their children Kate (4) and George (under 1 year). As George was an under gardener it suggests that he worked on the Averham Park estate. George, a gardener (domestic), and Elizabeth were living on Town Street, Averham, by 1901, with two of their three surviving children, George and Mabel (1). Their eldest child, Kate, was a domestic servant in Newark in the household of James and Catherine Saunders. George (45) and Elizabeth (43) were still living in Averham in 1911. Three of their five surviving children were in the home on the night of the census: Mabel, John (9) and Ethel (6). Kate was married and living independently. George William has not yet been traced on the 1911 Census. He was killed in action three years later in the early months of the war so may already have been a regular soldier or in the Territorial Force. At the time the 1939 England & Wales Register was compiled, George, a retired gardener, and Elizabeth were living at 'Roselea', Averham. George probably died in 1948 and his widow Elizabeth in 1956.